Abstract #1972

A Linear Algorithm of the Reference Region Model for DCE-MRI Is More Robust and Relaxes Requirements for Temporal Resolution

Julio Crdenas-Rodrguez¹, Christine M. Howison², Mark D. Pagel³

¹Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; ²Arizona Research Laboratories, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States; ³Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and The Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States

We have developed a new Linear Reference Region (LRRM) model for DCE-MRI, and compared its performance with the standard Non-Linear Model (NLRRM) using simulations and pre-clinical DCE-MRI data. The LRRM estimate the relative Ktrans of tow tissues more accurately than the standard NLRM at coarser temporal resolution (128 sec vs. 32 sec), and lower SNR (15 vs 30). These results show that our LRRM algorithm can be used to translate the Reference Region Model to clinical setting.