Evaluation of tumor angiogenesis using magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeMCW Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorKathleen M. Schmainda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two sets of time course NMR data are acquired using an EPI pulse sequence in which both gradient recalled echo NMR signals and spin-echo NMR signals are acquired after bolus injection of a contrast agent. The gradient-echo signals and spin-echo NMR signals are employed to calculate rCBV maps which are corrected for contrast leakage and used as a measure of tumor angiogenesis. Both the gradient echo and spin echo signals are employed to calculate a ΔR2 weighting ratio which is also a measure of tumor angiogenesis.
Claims7
A method for producing an image of a patient's brain using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the steps comprising:
- a) injecting a contrast agent which alters the T1 relaxation constant in blood flowing through the patient's brain;
- b) acquiring two time course image data sets using the MRI system during the first passage of the contrast agent through the patient's brain with a pulse sequence in which gradient-recalled NMR signals are acquired to form one time course image data set and in which spin-echo NMR signals are acquired to form a second time course image data set;
- c) producing a relative cerebral blood volume image (rCBV) using images reconstructed from NMR signals in one of the time course image data sets;
- and
- d) correcting the rCBV image for leakage of contrast agent out of the patient's vasculature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.