Abstract

The bolus tracking data are quantified by perfusion and summary parameters when the tissue concentration-time curve and arterial input function vary with the infusion rate injection condition and patient physiology. A new approach based on the Monte Carlo simulation method was used to assess the errors introduced in perfusion summary parameters quantification by difference in injection profiles. The flexibility of the Monte Carlo method allows the employment of the random function for the assessment of arbitrary injection conditions. The results obtained indicate that, the value of each summary parameter investigated is dependent upon both the style and the width of the infusion rate injection profile. As a result, tissue or patient types could easily be incorrectly classified by perfusion and summary parameters. The variations in the patient infusion rate injection profile in the calculations, together with other quantified parameters are presented and discussed in detail.

Key words: Bolus tracking data quantification, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), summary parameters, perfusion parameters, infusion rate injection profile, Monte Carlo simulation.