Phase-Based Contrast Agent Concentration Measurement for Determination of Mouse Arterial Input Function

Ruobing Yang¹, Andrew C. Yung¹, Piotr Kozlowski¹

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI and pharmacokinetic modeling have shown promise for imaging tumours based on tissue vascularity. The current standard for measuring contrast agent concentration (T1 mapping) is prone to errors such as flip angle uncertainty and inter/intracellular water flow effects. We propose an alternative method for obtaining the AIF in the mouse by performing phase measurements in the artery of the mouse tail. We present experimental results, from a tail phantom, that demonstrate the feasibility of this technique.