Quantitative Biomedical Imaging Laboratory

Title: Estimating kinetic parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced t1-weighted MRI of a diffusable tracer: Standardized quantities and symbols
Authors: P.S. Tofts, G. Brix, D.L. Buckley, J.L. Evelhoch, E. Henderson, M. Knopp, H.B.W. Larsson, T. Y. Lee, N.A. Mayr, G.J.M. Parker, R.E. Port, J. Taylor, R.M. Weisskoff
Journal: J. Mag. Res. Imag.
Link: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/66000977/abstract
Year: 1999
Volume: 10
Number: 3
Pages: 223–32
Month: October
Abstract: We describe a standard set of quantity names and symbols related to the estimation of kinetic parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data, using diffusable agents such as gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). These include a) the volume transfer constant Ktrans (min-1); b) the volume of extravascular extracellular space (EES) per unit volume of tissue ve (0 < ve < 1); and c) the flux rate constant between EES and plasma kep (min-1). The rate constant is the ratio of the transfer constant to the EES (kep = Ktrans/ve). Under flow-limited conditions Ktrans equals the blood plasma flow per unit volume of tissue; under permeability-limited conditions Ktrans equals the permeability surface area product per unit volume of tissue. We relate these quantities to previously published work from our groups; our future publications will refer to these standardized terms, and we propose that these be adopted as international standards.