A dialyzer-based flow system for validating dynamic contrast enhanced MR image acquisition

Abstract

Purpose Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be quite sensitive for the characterization of masses and early response to therapy. However, it is fraught with a number of procedural challenges as well as a lack of standardization. In this article, we describe the use of a simple dialyzer-based flow system to evaluate reproducibility of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI under active flow conditions. Methods The MR signal during a bolus injection of Gd-DTPA was analyzed to test the precision and variability of contrast agent kinetics during a typical dynamic contrast enhanced MRI sequence. A simple model allows an estimation of the washout rate constant of Gd-DTPA through the polysulfone tubules of the dialyzer. Results The simple flow phantom described here provided reproducible measurements of the washout rate constants. The washout rate increased from 0.20 ± 0.005 min-1 to 0.25 ± 0.008 min-1 over 32 weeks. Measurements were also made at week 24 using dynamic computed tomography and found to be 0.27 ± 0.006 min-1. Overall, the computed tomography derived rate constants results were found be ∼12% higher than the corresponding MRI values. Conclusion In this study, we show that a simple dialyzer-based flow phantom can be used for testing dynamic contrast enhanced MRI pulse sequences and also allows for short-term reproducibility testing of rate constants. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.