SU‐FF‐I‐132: Simultaneous Estimation of Perfusion and Permeability Parameters: Validation Study on Animal Model

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneously obtaining permeability and perfusion parameters using one MR pulse sequence with one administration of contrast agent (CA). Method and material: A 3D dual‐echo pulse sequence was used to simultaneously acquire T1‐weighted and ‐weighted images. Data were acquired from a stroke mouse model using the pulse sequence with six pre‐contrast and eighty four post‐contrast dynamic contrast‐enhanced series. An analysis method was developed to estimate perfusion and permeability parameters. Shortening in T1 by CA enhances signal intensity, while shortening in T2* reduces signal intensity. This competitive process by T1 and T2* was taken into account in our analysis method. To minimize subjectivity and increase consistency, AIF was automatically estimated using fuzzy C‐means clustered based techniques. Result: Three‐dimensional pharmacokinetic parameter maps of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), extracellular extravascular space (Ve) and reflux rate (Kep), as well as perfusion parameter maps of the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and relative mean transit time (rMTT) were successfully obtained. Conclusion: It is feasible to simultaneously estimate permeability and perfusion parameters using data acquired by one pulse sequence with only one administration of CA. This new technique should prove to be a useful tool for both animal and human DCE‐MRI studies.