Stefan Hindel1, Anika Söhner1, Marc Maaß2, and Lutz Lüdemann1
We assessed the accuracy of interstitial volume
fraction v(e) measurements in low-perfused tissue performed using dynamic
contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with a gadolinium-based
contrast agent. A 3D gradient echo sequence with k-space-sharing was used to
determine v(e) in muscle tissue of twelve pigs. The evaluation was performed
with the simple and extended Tofts model and the 2-compartment exchange model
using different acquisition durations (ADs). The v(e) values determined by MRI
were compared with the histologic analysis of muscle tissue sections. There was
good agreement between histology and DCE-MRI modeling but also a strong
dependence on AD with the Tofts models.
