An Extended Graphical Model for Analysis of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

Huijun Chen¹, Feiyu Li¹, Xihai Zhao¹, Chun Yuan¹, William S. Kerwin¹

Kinetic modeling of DCE-MRI permits the measurement of physiological parameters, such as K^trans. The modified Kety/Tofts model may lead to fit failures when the data acquisition period is too short. The estimates of the Patlak model can be highly inaccurate due to the neglecting of contrast agent reflux. In this investigation, an extended graphical model is proposed. In the tests of simulation data and in vivo data of carotid artery, the proposed extended graphical model was shown to address the bias inherent in the Patlak model and produce more stable estimates than the modified Kety/Tofts model for short duration experiments.