Multiple echo frequency-domain image contrast: improved signal-to-noise ratio and T2 (T2*) weighting.

Conventional T2- and T2*-weighted image contrasts are produced by waiting a TE period for the transverse magnetic resonance (MR) signals to decay to differentiate tissue types with distinct relaxation rates. Significant image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is compromised by this contrast-producing process. In this report, a multiple echo frequency-domain image contrast (MEFIC) method is presented. During the conventional TE period, a multiple echo train modulated by T2 or T2* decay is acquired. A third Fourier transform along the echo direction produces an image set with pixel signal intensity modulated by the spectrum of the decay curve. This method simultaneously enhances image contrast with a large increase in SNR. Experimental studies of cerebral vasogenic edema in immature rats and functional MR imaging studies of the human motor cortex have demonstrated that the MEFIC method produces superior image quality over conventional methods for generating T2- and T2* weighted images.     

Optimizing MR signal contrast of the temporomandibular joint disk

Purpose:

To use a tissue specific algorithm to numerically optimize UTE sequence parameters to maximize contrast within temporomandibular joint (TMJ) donor tissue.

Materials and Methods:

A TMJ specimen tissue block was sectioned in a true sagittal plane and imaged at 3 Tesla (T) using UTE pulse sequences with dual echo subtraction. The MR tissue properties (PD, T₂, T₂*, and T₁) were measured and subsequently used to calculate the optimum sequences parameters (repetition time [TR], echo time [TE], and θ).

Results:

It was found that the main contrast available in the TMJ could be obtained from T₂ (or T₂*) contrast. With the first echo time fixed at 8 μs and using TR = 200 ms, the optimum parameters were found to be: θ ≈ 60°, and TE2 ≈ 15 ms, when the second echo is acquired using a gradient echo and θ ≈ 120°, and TE2 ≈ 15 ms, when the second echo is acquired using a spin echo.

Conclusion:

Our results show that MR signal contrast can be optimized between tissues in a systematic manner. The MR contrast within the TMJ was successfully optimized with facile delineation between disc and soft tissues. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Contrast agent concentration measurements affecting quantification of bolus-tracking perfusion MRI.

Measurement of the concentration of the contrast agent using dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI relies on field inhomogeneities caused by the presence of the paramagnetic agent. The usual method for calculation of the concentration from dynamic T2*-weighted images is based on two key assumptions: 1) a linear relation between the change in R2* and the contrast agent concentration, and 2) a negligible effect on the MR signal due to concurrent T1 changes. In this study the effect of inaccuracies in these two assumptions on perfusion measurements was investigated using simulations and in vivo data. The results of the simulations provide a quantitative characterization of the magnitude of these effects for various experimental conditions (e.g., when a 1-sec TR is used with TE=20 ms, the T1 effects can introduce up to 40% cerebral blood flow underestimation depending on the flip angle). These findings can be used as a guide to estimate the errors in specific practical implementations, as well as to optimize the sequence parameters to minimize their effect. In summary, this study shows that the arterial input function measurement should be corrected for nonlinear R2* effects and that care should be taken in the study design to avoid introducing significant T1 effects in perfusion quantification.     

Quantitative analysis of sodium fast and slow component in in vivo human brain tissue using MR Na image]

In vivo sodium concentrations in the normal brain tissue and a tumorous tissue were analyzed using MR Na image. The nuclear magnetic resonance enabled us to divide the signal from sodium in the living tissue into 2 parts based on the differences of T2 value. Those are fast component having the T2 value of less than 5 msec and slow component of 15-40 msec. We investigated the effect of macromolecules on T2 value of sodium image using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) powder. MR Na image was taken with the parameters of TR/TD, 110 ms/1.9 ms (FID image) and TR/TE, 110 ms/20 ms (SE image). Saline solution showed high intensity on both FID image and SE image. Saline solution added PVA (PVA phantom) also showed high intensity on FID image, whereas the signal intensity of PVA phantom in SE image extinguished. To know the relation between the signal intensity and sodium concentration, sodium concentration--signal intensity curve was obtained using phantoms with various sodium concentrations (0.05-1.0%). This curve showed a direct proportion between sodium concentration and signal intensity on Na image. We measured further the sodium concentrations of the human brain tissue. Sodium phantoms were arranged around the heads and the MR Na images of the normal brains from 3 volunteers and a patient with a brain tumor (meningioma) were taken. The sodium concentrations of occipital lobe, basal ganglia and the tumorous tissue were calculated using the sodium concentration--signal intensity curve obtained from the phantoms arranged around the heads.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Correction for arterial-tissue delay and dispersion in absolute quantitative cerebral perfusion DSC MR imaging

The singular value decomposition deconvolution of cerebral tissue concentration-time curves with the arterial input function is commonly used in dynamic susceptibility contrast cerebral perfusion MR imaging. However, it is sensitive to the time discrepancy between the arrival of the bolus in the tissue concentration-time curve and the arterial input function signal. This normally causes inaccuracy in the quantitative perfusion maps due to delay and dispersion effects. A comprehensive correction algorithm has been achieved through slice-dependent time-shifting of the arterial input function, and a delay-dependent dispersion correction model. The correction algorithm was tested in 11 healthy subjects and three ischemic stroke patients scanned with a quantitative perfusion pulse sequence at 1.5 T. A validation study was performed on five patients with confirmed cerebrovascular occlusive disease scanned with MRI and positron emission tomography at 3.0 T. A significant effect (P < 0.05) was reported on the quantitative cerebral blood flow and mean transit time measurements (up to 50%). There was no statistically significant effect on the quantitative cerebral blood volume values. The in vivo results were in agreement with the simulation results, as well as previous literature. This minimizes the bias in patient diagnosis due to the existing errors and artifacts in dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging.     

Quantification of pulmonary blood flow (PBF): Validation of perfusion MRI and nonlinear contrast agent (CA) dose correction with HO positron emission tomography (PET)

Validation of quantification of pulmonary blood flow (PBF) with dynamic, contrast‐enhanced MRI is still missing. A possible reason certainly lies in difficulties based on the nonlinear dependence of signal intensity (SI) from contrast agent (CA) concentration. Both aspects were addressed in this study. Nine healthy pigs were examined by first‐pass perfusion MRI using gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) and HO positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Calculations of hemodynamic parameters were based on a one‐compartment model (MR) and a two‐compartment model (PET). Simulations showed a significant error when assuming a linear relation between MR SI and CA dose in the arterial input function (AIF), even at low doses of 0.025 mmol/kg body weight (BW). To correct for nonlinearity, a calibration curve was calculated on the basis of the signal equation. The required accuracy of equation parameters (like longitudinal relaxation time) was evaluated. Error analysis estimates <5% over‐/underestimation of the corrected SI. Comparison of PET and MR flow values yielded a significant correlation (P < 0.001) in dorsal regions where signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was sufficient. Changes in PBF due to the correction method were significant (P < 0.001) and resulted in a better agreement: mean values (standard deviation) in units of ml/min/100 ml lung tissue were 59 (15) for PET, 112 (28) for uncorrected MRI, and 80 (21) for corrected MRI. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Arterial input functions for dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI: requirements and signal options

Cerebral perfusion imaging using dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) has been the subject of considerable research and shows promise for basic science and clinical use. In DSC, the MRI signals in brain tissue and feeding arteries are monitored dynamically in response to a bolus injection of paramagnetic agents, such as gadolinium (Gd) chelates. DSC has the potential to allow quantitative imaging of parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF) with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a short scan time; however, quantitation depends critically on accurate and precise measurement of the arterial input function (AIF). We discuss many requirements and factors that make it difficult to measure the AIF. The AIF signal should be linear with respect to Gd concentration, convertible to the same concentration scale as the tissue signal, and independent of hematocrit. Complicated relationships between signal and concentration can violate these requirements. The additional requirements of a high SNR and high spatial/temporal resolution are technically challenging. AIF measurements can also be affected by signal saturation and aliasing, as well as dispersion/delay between the AIF sampling site and the tissue. We present new in vivo preliminary results for magnitude-based (DeltaR2*) and phase-based (Deltaphi) AIF measurements that show a linearity advantage of phase, and a disparity in the scaling of Deltaphi AIFs, DeltaR2* AIFs, and DeltaR2* tissue curves. Finally, we discuss issues related to the choice of AIF signal for quantitative perfusion imaging.     

Partial volume effects on arterial input functions: shape and amplitude distortions and their correction

For quantification of perfusion values from a bolus-tracking MRI experiment, the measurement of an arterial input function (AIF) is necessary. Gradient-echo (GE) sequences are commonly used for this type of experiment because they offer a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the potential to quantify the concentration of contrast agent. Measurements of calibration curves for Gd-DTPA in human blood have shown a quadratic relation between the DeltaR(2)* and the concentration of contrast agent, and a linear relationship between phase changes and the concentration of contrast agent. However, for in vivo studies the spatial resolution is usually limited, which leads to partial volume effects. Partial volume effects result in a complex sum of signal arising from the tissue outside the vessel and a contrast agent concentration-dependent blood signal. Ignoring the presence of partial volume effects can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the contrast agent concentration, depending on the experimental conditions. Correction for partial volume effects is feasible in arteries that are parallel to the main magnetic field by estimation and subtraction of the static signal of the surrounding tissue. Patient studies showed a large variation due to the AIF measurements, but it has also been shown that this influence can be minimized by correction for partial volume effects.     

Perfusion analysis using dynamic arterial spin labeling (DASL).

A variety of magnetic resonance (MR) techniques have proved useful to quantify perfusion using endogenous water as a blood flow tracer. Assuming that water is a freely diffusable tracer, the model used for these techniques predicts that the quantitation of perfusion is based on three parameters, all of which can depend on blood flow. These are the longitudinal tissue relaxation time, the transit time from point of labeling to tissue, and the difference in tissue MR signal between an appropriate control and the labeled state. To measure these three parameters in parallel, a dynamic arterial spin labeling (DASL) technique is introduced based on the analysis of the tissue response to a periodic time varying degree of arterial spin labeling, called here the labeling function (LF). The LF frequency can be modulated to overdetermine parameters necessary to define the system. MR schemes are proposed to measure the tissue response to different LF frequencies efficiently. Sprague-Dawley rats were studied by DASL, using various frequencies for the LF and various arterial pCO2 levels. During data processing, the periodic behavior of the tissue response to the LF allowed for frequency filtering of periodic changes in signal intensity unrelated to perfusion and arterial spin labeling. Measures of transit time, tissue longitudinal relaxation time, and perfusion agreed well over a range of LF frequencies and with previous results. DASL shows potential for more accurately quantifying perfusion as well as measuring transit times associated with arterial spin labeling techniques.     

Intrarenal kinetics of Gd-DOTA in sequential MRI in rabbits. Reproducibility study

Ten normal rabbits and seven rabbits with experimental acute renal failure by tubular necrosis were studied with dynamic MR to evaluate the reproducibility of intrarenal kinetics of Gd-DOTA. Sequential spin-echo sequences with short TR (200 msec)/TE (26 msec) were used yielding a 29 sec acquisition time. A usual semi-quantitative analysis of intrarenal contrast demonstrated the reproducibility of some phases of the dynamic sequence in particular a drop in the signal within inner medulla between the third and the fourth minute after infusion. This effect, related to a high concentration of Gd-DOTA within the tubules was observed in 9 over 10 normal rabbits and in none of the rabbits with acute renal failure. The quantitative analysis calculation was based on relative signal intensity and contrast-to-noise ratio from the absolute signal intensity measure on regions-of-interest (ROI) on the cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla. No reproducibility of the variations with time of these parameters could be assessed. A great number of factors of variations or error, mainly during the measurements of signal intensity with ROI, could explain this lack of reproducibility. At the present, dynamic MR is therefore not able to quantitatively evaluate the renal function. Only a semi-quantitative estimation of tubular concentration can be deduced.     

Signal-to-noise analysis of cerebral blood volume maps from dynamic NMR imaging studies

The use of cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps generated from dynamic MRI studies tracking the bolus passage of paramagnetic contrast agents strongly depends on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the maps. The authors present a semianalytic model for the noise in CBV maps and introduce analytic and Monte Carlo techniques for determining the effect of experimental parameters and processing strategies upon CBV-SNR. CBV-SNR increases as more points are used to estimate the baseline signal level. For typical injections, maps made with 10 baseline points have 34% more noise than those made with 50 baseline points. For a given peak percentage signal drop, an optimum TE can be chosen that, in general, is less than the baseline T2. However, because CBV-SNR is relatively insensitive to TE around this optimum value, choosing TE ≈ T2 does not sacrifice much SNR for typical doses of contrast agent. The TR that maximizes spin-echo CBV-SNR satisfies TR/T1 ≈ 1.26, whereas as short a TR as possible should be used to maximize gradient-echo CBV-SNR. In general, CBV-SNR is maximized for a given dose of contrast agent by selecting as short an input bolus duration as possible. For image SNR exceeding 20–30, the Γ-fitting procedure adds little extra noise compared with simple numeric integration. However, for noisier input images, as can be the case for high resolution echo-planar images, the covarying parameters of the Γ-variate fit broaden the distribution of the CBV estimate and thereby decrease CBV-SNR. The authors compared the analytic noise predicted by their model with that of actual patient data and found that the analytic model accounts for roughly 70% of the measured variability of CBV within white matter regions of interest.     

Measuring the arterial input function with gradient echo sequences.

The measurement of the arterial input function by use of gradient echo sequences was investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. First, calibration curves representing the influence of the concentration of Gd-DTPA on both the phase and the amplitude of the MR signal were measured in human blood by means of a slow-infusion experiment. The results showed a linear increase in the phase velocity and a quadratic increase in DeltaR(*) (2) as a function of the Gd-DTPA concentration. Next, the resultant calibration curves were incorporated in a partial volume correction algorithm for the arterial input function determination. The algorithm was tested in a phantom experiment and was found to substantially improve the accuracy of the concentration measurement. Finally, the reproducibility of the arterial input function measurement was estimated in 16 patients by considering the input function of the left and the right sides as replicate measurements. This in vivo study showed that the reproducibility of the arterial input function determination using gradient echo sequences is improved by employing a partial volume correction algorithm based on the calibration curve for the contrast agent used.     

Cerebrospinal fluid-iophendylate contrast on gradient-echo MR images

The effect on the signal intensities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and iophendylate (Pantopaque) and on CSF-iophendylate contrast was studied in vitro with a small-nutation-angle (alpha) gradient refocused magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique (GRASS) as alpha, repetition time (TR), and echo time (TE) were varied. CSF signal intensity was consistently greater than that of iophendylate. Therefore, retained intraspinal iophendylate may be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal areas of low signal intensity at the periphery of the spinal canal on GRASS images. At constant TE and TR, an increase in alpha from 6 degrees to 45 degrees increased the signal intensities of CSF and iophendylate but decreased CSF-iophendylate contrast. At constant alpha and TR, an increase in TE from 13 to 28 msec decreased the signal intensities of CSF and iophendylate but increased contrast. At constant alpha and TE, an increase in TR from 50 to 400 msec increased the signal intensities of CSF and iophendylate, as well as contrast. Clinical examples of the contrast behavior of retained intraspinal iophendylate on both spin-echo and GRASS images corroborate the experimental findings. Retained intraspinal iophendylate may mimic the appearance of intra-or extra-dural lesions, magnetic susceptibility artifact, and flow on gradient-echo MR images of the spine.     

Undescended testis: value of MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 32 male patients, 20 with no abnormalities and 12 with clinically suspected undescended testes. The results were compared with ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, clinical, and surgical findings. The undescended testes were unilateral in eight patients (one had testicular duplication) and bilateral in four. Of 16 undescended testes, 15 were correctly identified on MR images. One intraabdominal testis was not seen. Testis-fat contrast at 0.35 T was optimal with a short repetition time (TR) and a short echo time (TE). At 1.5 T, good contrast was achieved with short TR/TE sequences, but the contrast was even more pronounced with even longer TR/TE parameters. In seven patients with unilateral undescended testes, the undescended and contralateral testes showed symmetrical tissue signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images. In three, the undescended testis was of lower signal intensity, suggesting atrophy. MR imaging promises to become an important diagnostic tool in the detection of undescended testes.     

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron-oxide-enhanced MR imaging of normal bone marrow in rodents: original research original research

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The objective is to compare three different ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs) for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of normal bone marrow in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Femoral bone marrow in 18 Sprague-Dawley rats was examined by using MR imaging before and up to 2 and 24 hours postinjection (PI) of 200 mumol of Fe/kg of SHU555C (n = 6), ferumoxtran-10 (n = 6), or ferumoxytol (n = 6), using T1-weighted (50 ms/1.7 ms/60 degrees = repetition time [TR]/echo time [TE]/flip angle) and T2*-weighted (100 ms/15 ms/38 degrees = TR/TE/flip angle) three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled echo sequences. USPIO-induced bone marrow was evaluated qualitatively and quantified as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and change in signal intensity (DeltaSI) values. A mixed-effect model was fitted to the SNR and DeltaSI values, and differences among USPIOs were tested for significance by using F tests. RESULTS: At 2 hours PI, all three USPIOs showed marked positive signal enhancement on T1-weighted images and a corresponding marked signal loss on T2*-weighted images. At 24 hours PI, the T1 effect of all three USPIOs disappeared, whereas T2*-weighted images showed persistent signal loss on SHU555C and ferumoxytol-enhanced MR images, but not ferumoxtran-10-enhanced MR images. Corresponding SNR and DeltaSI values on T2*-weighted MR images at 24 hours PI were significantly different from baseline for SHU555C and ferumoxytol, but not ferumoxtran-10. CONCLUSION: All three USPIO contrast agents, ferumoxtran-10, ferumoxytol, and SHU555C, can be applied for MR imaging of bone marrow. Ferumoxtran-10 apparently reveals a different kinetic behavior in bone marrow than ferumoxytol and SHU555C.     

The loss of small objects in variable TE imaging: implications for FSE, RARE, and EPI.

The importance to MR image quality of the order of acquisition of different phase-encoded views with sequences that have variable TR and TE has been recently reported. It has been shown that the effective point spread function (PSF) may be manipulated by varying TE or TR, or both, with each phase-encoding step. This paper explores the behavior of the PSF in a variable TE sequence and its dependence on both imaging and tissue parameters. It is shown that the PSF is different for each tissue type and that its effect on tissue contrast is a function of both the shape and size of the structure. The important problem of signal loss from small objects that arises when the effective PSF is broad and the difficulty in detecting this phenomenon in practical MR images is illustrated. It is shown that the PSF can produce significant blurring and loss of object contrast in fast spin-echo images but that this blurring may be not be obvious in practice because the noise is unaffected by the PSF. It is also shown that the signal from small lesions with short T2 can easily be lost through this blurring mechanism. The importance of signal loss from small objects and its implication for the clinical use of such sequences as fast spin-echo or rapid acquisition relaxation-enhanced and echo planar imaging is stressed.     

Dual-bolus approach to quantitative measurement of pulmonary perfusion by contrast-enhanced MRI

PURPOSE: To evaluate a dual-bolus approach to pulmonary perfusion MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dual-bolus approach uses a separate low-dose measurement for the arterial input function (AIF) to ensure linearity. The measured AIF is constructed according to a subsequent higher dose used for the tissue concentration curves in the lung. In this study a prebolus of 0.01 mmol/kg followed by doses of 0.04 mmol/kg and 0.08 mmol/kg was used. Measurements were performed using time-resolved two-dimensional fast low-angle shot (2D FLASH) MRI (TE/TR = 0.73 msec/1.73 msec; flip angle = 40 degrees ; generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) factor = 3; temporal resolution = 400 msec) in end-inspiratory breath-hold. RESULTS: The combination of prebolus/0.04 mmol/kg resulted in a pulmonary blood flow (PBF) of 211 +/- 77 mL/min/100 mL, and a pulmonary blood volume (PBV) of 20 +/- 3 mL/100 mL. The combination of prebolus/0.08 mmol/kg resulted in approximately 50% lower perfusion values, most likely due to saturation effects in the lung tissue. CONCLUSION: A dual-bolus approach to pulmonary perfusion MRI is feasible and may reduce the problem of lacking linear relationship between the contrast-agent concentration and signal intensity.     

Variable echo time imaging: signal characteristics of 1-M gadobutrol contrast agent at 1.5 and 3T.

Gadobutrol (Gd-Bt; Gadovist(R), Schering AG) is a 1-M Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent. Its higher Gd concentration allows for reduction of injection volumes in first pass contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and should increase bolus sharpness and image quality. However, ambivalent results were reported. In order to explore the performance of 1-M contrast agents such as Gd-Bt and its dependence on molecular environment and temperature, signal characteristics were analyzed for a series of increasing Gd-Bt concentrations for different temperature-controlled samples in water and human blood plasma. Relaxation times, relaxivities, and signal-concentration curves were assessed for several Gd-Bt concentrations in water at 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C and in plasma at 37 degrees C for 1.5T and 3T. Gd-Bt concentration influence on signal intensity (SI) could be effectively simulated and compared with experimental measurements as well as simulations with other contrast agents at realistic in vivo concentrations. Particular attention was given to T(2)- and T(*) (2)-induced losses at high concentrations, which annihilate benefits from T(1) shortening. Based on these findings, variable echo time (VTE) approaches with readout bandwidth varying with k-space position were explored in order to enhance the signal to noise performance of gradient echo imaging at high contrast agent concentrations. Results indicate the potential of VTE for imaging with increased SNR at high contrast agent concentrations.     

Effects of MR image noise on estimation of short T2 values from T2 -weighted image series.

We examined how the noise from magnetic resonance (MR) imaging affects the calculation of T(2) in skeletal muscle, a tissue with short T(2) values. The measured pixel intensity of the MR image (: the magnitude image) was the superimposed signal which was composed of the MR signal and the noise, and we demonstrated that noise from a magnitude image matches the DC component of the T(2) decay curve. In materials with long T(2) values, the noise has no influence on the selective echo time (TE) in calculating T(2). However, in materials with short T(2) values, noise clearly influences the selective TE. In this study, we proposed a T(2) effective signal-ratio, T(2)SR, as an index for determining whether the noise of the magnitude image can be ignored in calculating T(2). When T(2)SR and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), an index of image quality, were compared as indices to evaluate the influence of noise in the calculation of T(2), T(2)SR was useful and SNR was not. The use of multiple spin echo (MSE) technique shortened imaging time, but required detailed understanding of the MSE. Our results indicated that T(2) can be calculated correctly for skeletal muscle and other tissues with short T(2) even when the receiver coil has a low SNR and few measurement points are available.     

The impact of partial-volume effects in dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance perfusion imaging

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the degree of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimation bias that could arise from distortion of the arterial input function (AIF) as a result of partial-volume effects (PVEs) in dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A model of the volume fraction an artery occupies in a voxel was devised, and a mathematical relationship between the amount of PVE and the measured baseline MR signal intensity was derived. Based on this model, simulation studies were performed to assess the impact of PVE on CBF. Furthermore, the effectiveness of linear PVE compensation approaches on the concentration function was investigated. RESULTS: Simulation results showed a nonlinear relationship between PVE and the resulting CBF measurement error. In addition to AIF underestimation, PVE also causes distortions of AIF frequency characteristics, leading to CBF errors varying with mean transit time (MTT). An uncorrected AIF measured at a voxel with a partial-volume fraction of 相似文献