Robust Assessment of the Sensitivity of DCE-MRI Parameterisation to Breathing Motion

Anita Banerji¹, ², Alexandra Morgan¹, ², Yvonne Watson¹, ², Giovanni A. Buonaccorsi¹, ², Geoff J M Parker¹, ²

Voxel wise fitting of the extended Kety model to DCE-MRI data allows estimation of a median K^trans value for a tumour. However, the estimation of K^trans for liver tumours is likely to be effected by respiratory motion. Using synthetic data with motion based on biomechanical modelling we have assessed the robustness of model fitting to motion and the benefit of using a model-driven registration. We have found that median K^trans values are largely insensitive to motion and that heterogeneity measures are likely to benefit from translation only registration. However, more complex registrations should be used with caution.