A Numerical Advection-Diffusion Model to Fit Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) Data

Nicolas Michoux¹, Denis Rommel¹, Emmanuel Lefranois²

Fitting kinetic models to DCE-MRI data is a useful method to study mechanisms such as perfusion and diffusion in tissues. Compartmental models with well-mixed spaces and diffusion as sole mechanism of mass transport are commonly used for this purpose. However, advection mechanism may play an important role in mass transport. Therefore, we assess a model of microvascular structure built upon a network of elementary segments. The advection-diffusion equation is then solved with a finite element approach to fit perfusion data. Although the advection-diffusion model requires a precise dimensioning, preliminary results suggest that DCE-MRI data can be fitted with such model.