Abstract #2200

Accuracy of Quantitative 3D DCE-MRI Using Variable Flip Angle T1 Mapping, B1 Correction, and the Bookend Method

Brandon Zanette¹, Greg O. Cron²,³, Thanh B. Nguyen²,³, Mark E. Schweitzer²,³, Ian G. Cameron²,³

¹Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; ²Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; ³Radiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

For quantitative DCE-MRI, Gd concentration is conventionally estimated via a pre-DCE T1 map using variable flip angles (VFA), which allows conversion of DCE signal to concentration. This approach, however, is sensitive to B1 variations. Two techniques may potentially reduce errors: B1 mapping and the Bookend Method (involving a post-DCE T1 map). The results of this study show that, when estimating concentration in tissue for quantitative DCE-MRI, the best results will be achieved using the Bookend Method and accurate T1 maps. B1-corrected VFA does not consistently deliver enough T1 accuracy, indicating that further improvements in T1 mapping techniques are required.