Full Paper

Analysis of partial volume effects on arterial input functions using gradient echo: A simulation study

  1. Birgitte F. Kjølby1,*,
  2. Irene K. Mikkelsen1,
  3. Michael Pedersen2,
  4. Leif Østergaard1,
  5. Valerij G. Kiselev3

Article first published online: 13 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21849

Issue

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Volume 61, Issue 6, pages 1300–1309, June 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kjølby, B. F., Mikkelsen, I. K., Pedersen, M., Østergaard, L. and Kiselev, V. G. (2009), Analysis of partial volume effects on arterial input functions using gradient echo: A simulation study. Magn. Reson. Med., 61: 1300–1309. doi: 10.1002/mrm.21849

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Neuroradiology, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark

  2. 2

    MR Research Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

  3. 3

    Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Medical Physics, Freiburg, Germany

*Birgitte Fuglsang Kjølby, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN), Department of Neuroradiology Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, Building 30, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 MAY 2009
  2. Article first published online: 13 APR 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 SEP 2008
  4. Manuscript Revised: 14 AUG 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 JAN 2008

Funded by

  • Danish National Research Foundation
  • the EU IST Program, and The Danish Research Council NABIIT Program

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Keywords:

  • perfusion measurement;
  • dynamic susceptibility contrast;
  • quantification of perfusion parameters;
  • AIF;
  • relaxation

Abstract

Absolute blood flow and blood volume measurements using perfusion weighted MRI require an accurately measured arterial input function (AIF). Because of limited spatial resolution of MR images, AIF voxels cannot be placed completely within a feeding artery. We present a two-compartment model of an AIF voxel including the relaxation properties of blood and tissue. Artery orientations parallel and perpendicular to the main magnetic field were investigated and AIF voxels were modeled to either include or be situated close to a large artery. The impact of partial volume effects on quantitative perfusion metrics was investigated for the gradient echo pulse sequence at 1.5 T and 3.0 T. It is shown that the tissue contribution broadens and introduces fluctuations in the AIF. Furthermore, partial volume effects bias perfusion metrics in a nonlinear fashion, compromising quantitative perfusion estimates and profoundly effecting local AIF selection. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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