Development and Implementation of Software for Parametric Quantification in Perfusion Studies of the Liver
Perfusion imaging is a technique that allows the detection of regional and global alterations in an organ blood flow, and can help to predict the onset of many diseases where the organ hemodynamics is modified. The ability of image contrast manipulation through exogenous contrast agents makes MRI a...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Dissertation |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
01-01-2014
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Perfusion imaging is a technique that allows the detection of regional and global alterations in an organ blood flow, and can help to predict the onset of many diseases where the organ hemodynamics is modified. The ability of image contrast manipulation through exogenous contrast agents makes MRI a widely used technique for the assessment of liver perfusion in a non-invasive way. However, accurate liver perfusion assessment remains controversial regarding the mathematical model-based approaches than can be used to quantify perfusion. In general, commercially available software packages determine liver perfusion based on the classic and widely used Tofts model. This is a compartmental model that assumes contrast agent exchange between two compartments – blood plasma and tissue – and that there is a single input through which the contrast reaches the organ, and one output. The Tofts model has to suffer adaptations in order to contemplate both arterial and venous blood inputs of the liver. This work aims to develop and implement a software for parametric quantification of perfusion in the liver using a dual-input one-compartment model. Software implementation uses Matlab and it is organized in a series of steps that go from reading raw MRI data to calculating liver perfusion parametric maps. Software tests were conducted in a patient population with hepatocellular carcinoma. Results indicate that the proposed model is able to determine perfusion parameters and is sensitive to the detection of perfusion alterations. Standard image acquisition protocols must be used in the future in order to extend model application to larger clinical populations. |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 9798841539933 |