A Physiological Model for Injected Contrast Agent Concentration Incorporating Recirculation, Extravasation and Excretion

Dennis Lai Hong Cheong¹, Thian C. Ng¹, ²

In the analysis of DCE MRI, a functional curve representing the arterial or vascular input function is beneficial. Empirical formulations depend on the shape of the input function, and its parameters provide little physiologic meaning. Horsfield physiologically based model is good but its application is limited to human DCE MRI study using Gd-DTPA. We have developed a physiologically based model without this limitation. We demonstrate its ability to fit data measured by both DCE MRI and DCE CT, and at different blood vessel locations. It has potential application to animal studies, and to other measurements (e.g. PET). Unphysiological parameter values may assist in identifying errors in measured input functions, especially in DCE MRI where quantification is problematic.