Majority of current clinical MRI protocols continue to use DWI qualitatively, as an indicator of impeded diffusion evident from sustained signal at high b-values. Quantitative microenvironment description relying on multi-exponential diffusion models is precluded by required prolonged multi-b acquisition and high resolution/SNR not routinely achievable in clinical setting. This study presents a model based on multi-compartment formalism to quantify impeded diffusion fraction (IDF, of water coordinated by macromolecules) from conventional clinical DWI acquisition. The physical origin for IDF is verified using two-compartment diffusion kurtosis phantom, and application example is demonstrated for prostate cancer.
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