title: DCE-MRI of the liver: reconstruction of the arterial input function using a low dose pre-bolus contrast injection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the quality of the arterial input function (AIF) reconstructed using a dedicated pre-bolus low-dose contrast material injection imaged with a high temporal resolution and the resulting estimated liver perfusion parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this IRB-approved prospective study, 24 DCE-MRI examinations were performed in 21 patients with liver disease (M/F 17/4, mean age 56 y). The examination consisted of 1.3 mL and 0.05 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine for pre-bolus and main bolus acquisitions, respectively. The concentration-curve of the abdominal aorta in the pre-bolus acquisition was used to reconstruct the AIF. AIF quality and shape parameters obtained with pre-bolus and main bolus acquisitions and the resulting estimated hepatic perfusion parameters obtained with a dual-input single compartment model were compared between the 2 methods. Test-retest reproducibility of perfusion parameters were assessed in three patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The quality of the pre-bolus AIF curve was significantly better than that of main bolus AIF. Shape parameters peak concentration, area under the time activity curve of gadolinium contrast at 60 s and upslope of pre-bolus AIF were all significantly higher, while full width at half maximum was significantly lower than shape parameters of main bolus AIF. Improved liver perfusion parameter reproducibility was observed using pre-bolus acquisition [coefficient of variation (CV) of 4.2%-38.7% for pre-bolus vs. 12.1-71.4% for main bolus] with the exception of distribution volume (CV of 23.6% for pre-bolus vs. 15.8% for main bolus). The CVs between pre-bolus and main bolus for the perfusion parameters were lower than 14%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AIF reconstructed with pre-bolus low dose contrast injection displays better quality and shape parameters and enables improved liver perfusion parameter reproducibility, although the resulting liver perfusion parameters demonstrated no clinically significant differences between pre-bolus and main bolus acquisitions.
authors.affiliation: Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Guido H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Jajamovich
authors.affiliation: Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calcagno
authors.affiliation: Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hadrien A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Dyvorne
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rusinek
authors.affiliation: Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Bachir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taouli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine