Natenael B. Semmineh1,
Junzhong Xu2, Christopher C. Quarles2
1Institute
of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville , TN, United States; 2Institute
of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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, exists between the contrast agent concentration and the measured transverse relaxation rate change. Using simulations we demonstrate that varying vascular morphology parameters can increase or decrease the vascular susceptibility calibration factors found in tumor-like vessel trees, leading to the overestimation or underestimation of the tumor blood volume.