Original Research

Comparative study of methods for determining vascular permeability and blood volume in human gliomas

  1. Judith U. Harrer MD1,
  2. Geoff J.M. Parker PhD2,
  3. Hamied A. Haroon MSc2,
  4. David L. Buckley PhD2,
  5. Karl Embelton MSc2,
  6. Caleb Roberts BSc2,
  7. Danielle Balériaux MD3,
  8. Alan Jackson MBChB, PhD2,*

Article first published online: 22 OCT 2004

DOI: 10.1002/jmri.20182

Issue

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Volume 20, Issue 5, pages 748–757, November 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Harrer, J. U., Parker, G. J., Haroon, H. A., Buckley, D. L., Embelton, K., Roberts, C., Balériaux, D. and Jackson, A. (2004), Comparative study of methods for determining vascular permeability and blood volume in human gliomas. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 20: 748–757. doi: 10.1002/jmri.20182

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Neurology, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

  2. 2

    Imaging Science and Biomedical Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

  3. 3

    Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Erasme, Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium

*Imaging Science and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 OCT 2004
  2. Article first published online: 22 OCT 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 23 JUN 2004
  4. Manuscript Received: 2 FEB 2004

Funded by

  • German Society of Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging

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Keywords:

  • dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI;
  • brain tumor;
  • permeability measurements;
  • blood–brain barrier;
  • perfusion imaging;
  • cerebral blood volume

Abstract

Purpose

To characterize human gliomas using T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and directly compare three pharmacokinetic analysis techniques: a conventional established technique and two novel techniques that aim to reduce erroneous overestimation of the volume transfer constant between plasma and the extravascular extracellular space (EES) (Ktrans) in areas of high blood volume.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen patients with high-grade gliomas underwent DCE-MRI. Three kinetic models were applied to estimate Ktrans and fractional blood plasma volume (vp). We applied the Tofts and Kermode (TK) model without arterial input function (AIF) estimation, the TK model modified to include vp and AIF estimation (mTK), and a “first pass” variant of the TK model (FP).

Results

KTK values were considerably higher than KmTK and KFP values (P < 0.001). KmTK and KFP were more comparable and closely correlated (ρ = 0.744), with KmTK generally higher than KFP (P < 0.001). Estimates of vp(mTK) and vp(FP) also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001); however, these values were very closely correlated (ρ = 0.901). KTK parameter maps showed “pseudopermeability” effects displaying numerous vessels. These were not visualized on KmTK and KFP maps but appeared on the corresponding vp maps, indicating a failure of the TK model in commonly occurring vascular regions.

Conclusion

Both of the methods that incorporate a measured AIF and an estimate of vp provide similar pathophysiological information and avoid erroneous overestimation of Ktrans in areas of significant vessel density, and thus allow a more accurate estimation of endothelial permeability. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:748–757. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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