Comparison of Localized Hyperpolarized 13C-Pyruvate and 13C-Urea Dynamics in Tumor Models

Peder E. Z. Larson¹, Kayvan R. Keshari, David M. Wilson, Simon Hu, Michael Lustig², Adam B. Kerr³, John M. Pauly³, John Kurhanewicz, Daniel B. Vigneron

Copolarization followed by simultaneous injection of [1-13C]-pyruvate (metabolic marker) and 13C-urea (perfusion marker) was combined with a dynamic 3D EPSI acquisition using multiband excitation pulses and compressed sensing to better characterize perfusion and uptake of hyperpolarized agents. Using urea as a separate perfusion marker allowed for improved distinction between perfusion of metabolic products (ie [1-13C]-lactate) and tissue metabolic conversion.