Kinetic Analysis of DCE-MRI in Head and Neck by Using the Dynamic Tracer Concentration in Jugular Veins

Jing Yuan¹, Steven Kwok Keung Chow¹, David Ka Wai Yeung¹, Anil T. Ahuja¹, Ann D. King¹

Dynamic tracer concentration in veins, although as blood collecting vessels, was proposed as a mathematical input function for head and neck DCE-MRI kinetic analysis to compensate for the arterial blood in-flow effect. The tracer concentration in veins and arteries should be theoretically equal in a single-pool and low-permeability model. Dynamic concentration-time-curves (CTCs) in arteries and veins were used for Tofts parameter estimation. Remarkable inter-slice concentration differences were found in arteries and resulted in considerable parameter estimation inconsistency. As comparison, the in-flow effect was significantly reduced and consistent kinetic parameter estimation was achieved by using the venous CTCs.