Characterizing the Susceptibility Calibration Factor in Heterogeneous Vascular Networks

Natenael B. Semmineh¹, Junzhong Xu, C Chad Quarles²

The use of DSC-MRI in tumors can be confounded by the assumption that a linear relationship, with a spatially uniform rate constant termed the vascular susceptibility calibration factor (k_p), exists between the contrast agent (CA) concentration and the measured transverse relaxation rate change. Using simulations we demonstrate that vascular susceptibility calibration factors found in tumor-like vessel trees are significantly different than those found in normal tissue.