Application of model-free analysis in the MR assessment of pulmonary perfusion dynamics
Journal
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Journal Volume
54
Journal Issue
2
Pages
299-308
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI has been used to quantitatively evaluate pulmonary perfusion based on the assumption of a gamma-variate function and an arterial input function (AIF) for deconvolution. However, these assumptions may be too simplistic and may not be valid in pathological conditions, especially in patients with complex inflow patterns (such as in congenital heart disease). Exploratory data analysis methods make minimal assumptions on the data and could overcome these pitfalls. In this work, two temporal clustering methods-Kohonen clustering network (KCN) and Fuzzy C-Means (FCM)-were concatenated to identify pixel time-course patterns. The results from seven normal volunteers show that this technique is superior for discriminating vessels and compartments in the pulmonary circulation. Patient studies with five cases of acquired or congenital pulmonary perfusion disorders demonstrate that pathologies can be highlighted in a concise map that combines information of the mean transit time (MTT) and pulmonary blood volume (PBV). The method was found to provide greater insight into the perfusion dynamics that might be overlooked by current model-based analyses, and may serve as a basis for optimal hemodynamic quantitative modeling of the interrogated perfusion compartments. ? 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Subjects
Data analysis; Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI; Pathology; Pulmonary perfusion; Temporal clustering
Other Subjects
Data reduction; Information analysis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pathology; Polypropylenes; Arterial input function; Congenital heart disease; Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI; Dynamic contrast enhanced mris (DCE); Exploratory data analysis; Pathological conditions; Pulmonary perfusion; Temporal clustering; Cluster analysis; article; clinical article; compartment model; congenital heart disease; congenital lung disease; contrast enhancement; controlled study; evaluation; human; infant; lung circulation; lung hemodynamics; lung perfusion; model; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; quantitative analysis
Type
journal article