title: A review of technical aspects of T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in human brain tumors.
abstract: In the last few years, several imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, have been used to investigate the degree of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in patients with neurological diseases including multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, and brain tumors. One promising MRI method for assessing the BBB permeability of patients with neurological diseases in vivo is T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI. Here we review the technical issues involved in DCE-MRI in the study of human brain tumors. In the first part of this paper, theoretical models for the DCE-MRI analysis will be described, including the Toft-Kety models, the adiabatic approximation to the tissue homogeneity model and the two-compartment exchange model. These models can be used to estimate important kinetic parameters related to BBB permeability. In the second part of this paper, details of the data acquisition, issues related to the arterial input function, and procedures for DCE-MRI image analysis are illustrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Magnetic Resonance Research Centre on Nervous System Diseases, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: maurizio.bergamino@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergamino
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Magnetic Resonance Research Centre on Nervous System Diseases, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Levrero
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Magnetic Resonance Research Centre on Nervous System Diseases, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mancardi
authors.affiliation: Magnetic Resonance Research Centre on Nervous System Diseases, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roccatagliata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Blood–brain barrier; Magnetic resonance imaging; Permeability; T(1)-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced-MRI