Optimizing MRI scan time in the computation of pharmacokinetic parameters (K(trans) ) in breast cancer diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of reduced scan time in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) of breast for the evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters (K(trans) , ve , and kep ).


METHODS
High temporal resolution DCE-MRI was performed for calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters (K(trans) , ve , and kep ) at different timepoints using an in-house developed computation scheme adopting the standard model (SM).


RESULTS
The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.994 for K(trans) at 90 seconds and 0.987 for K(trans) at 60 seconds with a significant decrease in the AUC for K(trans) at 30 seconds (0.669). While ve showed a consistently higher AUC (>0.9) at timepoints ≥40 seconds, the AUC for kep showed a consistent decline with reduced acquisition times.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing the acquisition time for the K(trans) and ve measurement up to 60 seconds yields reasonable accuracy for both and can be incorporated in the routine DCE-MRI protocol for evaluation of enhancing breast lesions.
MRI Department, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center, Rohini, New Delhi, India.
Amarnath
A
Jena
Shashi Bhushan
SB
Mehta
Sangeeta
S
Taneja
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
DCE-MRI; Ktrans; acquisition time; pharmacokinetic parameters