Using a voxel-based krogh cylinder array to simulate microvascular contrast enhancement

The goal of this study is to better simulate microscopic and voxel-based dynamic contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging. Specifically, errors imposed by the traditional two-compartment model are reduced by introducing a novel Krogh cylinder network. The two-compartment model was developed for macroscopic pharmacokinetic analysis of dynamic contrast enhancement and generalizing it to voxel dimensions, due to the significant decrease in scale, imposes physiologically unrealistic assumptions. In the project, a system of microscopic exchange between plasma and extravascular-extracellular space is built while numerically simulating the local contrast agent flow between and inside image elements. To do this, tissue parameter maps were created, contrast agent was introduced to the tissue via a flow lattice, and various data sets were simulated. The effects of sources, tissue heterogeneity, and the contribution of individual tissue parameters to an image are modeled. Further, the study attempts to demonstrate the effects of a priori flow maps on image contrast, indicating that flow data is as important as permeability data when analyzing tumor contrast enhancement. In addition, the simulations indicate that it may be possible to obtain tumor-type diagnostic information by acquiring both flow and permeability data.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear, Plasma, Radiolgc Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Bradley, Daniel S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Aref, Michael

• Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Contrast Agent
• Numerical Simulation
• Gadolinium
• Krogh
• Krogh Lattice

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Daniel S. Bradley

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/24277

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/24277