Improved correlation to quantitative DCE-MRI pharmacokinetic parameters using a modified initial area under the uptake curve (mIAUC) approach

Purpose To propose a modified initial area under the uptake curve (mIAUC) dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI approach to achieve better distinction of underlying physiology. Materials and Methods The mIAUC is formulated on common characteristics of tissue contrast uptake curves observed over a wide range of physiological conditions. The new metrics, IAUCKtrans and IAUCve, are related to the transfer constant (Ktrans) and interstitial volume (ve), respectively. Tissue uptake curves were simulated over a range of physiological values and analyzed using the proposed mIAUC, conventional IAUC, and Tofts' pharmacokinetic model. Results IAUCKtrans and IAUCve are highly correlated to the true Ktrans and ve (ρ = 0.97 and 0.95, respectively), approaching the performance of Tofts' model based on a 1.5‐s sampled arterial input function (AIF) (ρ = 0.98 and 0.98) under noise conditions typical in DCE‐MRI experiments. Lower correlations were obtained with conventional IAUC60 and IAUC120 (ρ = 0.82 and 0.61) and Tofts' parameters fitted using a biexponential AIF (ρ = 0.81 and 0.90). Conclusion The proposed mIAUC approach retains advantages associated with nonmodel based methods (robust to noise and model fit failure, obviates need for an AIF) while providing better distinction of underlying physiological parameters. It can be a valuable alternative to pharmacokinetic modelling in the analysis of DCE‐MRI data. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:864–872. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc