Non-Linear Contrast Agent Relaxivity and the Accuracy and Sensitivity of DCE MRI Measurements

Vishal Patil¹, Glyn Johnson¹

DCE MRI is increasingly used to determine the prognosis and diagnosis of various pathologies. The accuracy of DCE MRI parameter estimates is dependent on a variety of factors including the relationship between relaxivity and contrast agent concentration, C. Recent studies have demonstrated that relaxivity is not linearly dependent on C but is more accuratly described by a quadratic model. In this study we investigate the effect of neglecting non-linear components on DCE MRI parameter estimates derived using a Tofts/Kety model with both T₁ and T₂*-weighted protocols.