Presence of large blood vessels within tumor region can mislead interpretation on quantitative T1-perfusion MRI, particularly using automatic classification approaches. Purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for automatic blood vessel removal from quantitative T1-perfusion maps, compare it with previously reported methodology and finally evaluating impact of blood-vessel removal on tumor grading. In the proposed approach, signal intensity time curves characteristics, particularly contrast wash-out rate and peak value provided accurate automatic removal of blood-vessel from tumor region. Significant differences between T1-perfusion maps with and without blood-vessel removal were observed and tumor grading were also influenced.
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