Optimisation of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI methods for robust modelling of physiological parameters related to tissue microvasculature

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a tool that is used to measure tissue microvascular status by application of suitable tracer kinetic models. These are used to estimate parameters such as blood plasma volume (vp), endothelial permeability (Ktrans) and the size of the extravascular extracellular space (ve). Essential to DCE-MRI tracer kinetic analysis is the measurement of an arterial input function (AIF), which provides an estimate of the concentration of contrast agent in the blood plasma before it diffuses to the tissues. This measurement is challenging since potential sources of error lead to unreliable AIF characterisation and reduce the sensitivity with which DCE-MRI can detect physiological changes due to drug intervention. The aim of this work is to investigate and understand some of these sources of error and where possible to propose possible methodologies to reduce them.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo