title: Quantification of cerebral tumour blood flow and permeability with T1-weighted dynamic contrast enhanced MRI: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recently, T1-weighted DCE-MRI was proposed as an alternative to T2*-weighted DSC-MRI for the quantification of perfusion and permeability in brain tumors. The aim of the present feasibility study was to explore the clinical potential of the technique in different tumor types using a case-based review of initial results.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method for data analysis was adapted from cerebral perfusion CT and applied in this study to a small group of patients with grade IV glioma and other brain tumors. The possible use of the proposed methodology was also explored for characterizing, following-up and planning the therapy of brain tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parametric maps clearly differentiated tumor from the surrounding brain tissue, and also distinguished areas within the tumor presenting with different characteristics, thereby allowing identification of significant target areas for biopsy and/or treatment. Differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and lower extraction fractions (E) were observed in various tumors. Progression from a grade II to grade IV glioma over the course of a year was characterized by an increase in CBF and a decrease in E.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DCE-MRI-based quantitative perfusion and permeability may be helpful for tumor-grade characterization, biopsy guidance, radiotherapy planning, radiotherapy monitoring and clinical follow-up, thereby improving the non-invasive characterization of brain tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology/Befy, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. martine.dujardin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Martine I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Dujardin
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sourbron
authors.forename: Cristo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaskis
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verellen
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stadnik
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Mey
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luypaert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D005910:Glioma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA