In quantitative dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI measurement of the arterial input function (AIF) is required. Generally, a linear relation between the R2(*) relaxation and the arterial contrast agent concentration is assumed (or the AIF is measured outside of an artery), although this is invalid for gradient-echo. In this study an open-source simulation tool is adapted to determine how R2(*) depends on contrast concentration for different physiological and MR parameters and this tool is validated by previously acquired in vitro data. The results show that sequence type (gradient-echo versus spin-echo), hematocrit and field strength all affect the relation.
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