title: Development and characterization of a dynamic lesion phantom for the quantitative evaluation of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a dynamic lesion phantom that is capable of producing physiological kinetic curves representative of those seen in human dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data. The objective of this phantom is to provide a platform for the quantitative comparison of DCE-MRI protocols to aid in the standardization and optimization of breast DCE-MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dynamic lesion consists of a hollow, plastic mold with inlet and outlet tubes to allow flow of a contrast agent solution through the lesion over time. Border shape of the lesion can be controlled using the lesion mold production method. The configuration of the inlet and outlet tubes was determined using fluid transfer simulations. The total fluid flow rate was determined using x-ray images of the lesion for four different flow rates (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ml/s) to evaluate the resultant kinetic curve shape and homogeneity of the contrast agent distribution in the dynamic lesion. High spatial and temporal resolution x-ray measurements were used to estimate the true kinetic curve behavior in the dynamic lesion for benign and malignant example curves. DCE-MRI example data were acquired of the dynamic phantom using a clinical protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The optimal inlet and outlet tube configuration for the lesion molds was two inlet molds separated by 30° and a single outlet tube directly between the two inlet tubes. X-ray measurements indicated that 1.0 ml/s was an appropriate total fluid flow rate and provided truth for comparison with MRI data of kinetic curves representative of benign and malignant lesions. DCE-MRI data demonstrated the ability of the phantom to produce realistic kinetic curves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors have constructed a dynamic lesion phantom, demonstrated its ability to produce physiological kinetic curves, and provided estimations of its true kinetic curve behavior. This lesion phantom provides a tool for the quantitative evaluation of DCE-MRI protocols, which may lead to improved discrimination of breast cancer lesions.
authors: Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA. melanie.freed@fda.hhs.gov
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Freed
authors: Jacco A
authors: JA
authors: de Zwart
authors: Prasanna
authors: P
authors: Hariharan
authors: Matthew R
authors: MR
authors: Myers
authors: Aldo
authors: A
authors: Badano
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012212:Rheology; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media