Echo time dependence of biexponential and triexponential intravoxel incoherent motion parameters in the liver

• Purpose: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) studies are performed with different acquisition protocols. Comparing them requires knowledge of echo time (TE) dependencies. The TE-dependence of the biexponential perfusion fraction f is well-documented, unlike that of its triexponential counterparts f1 and f2 and the biexponential and triexponential pseudodiffusion coefficients D*, (Formula presented.), and (Formula presented.). The purpose was to investigate the TE-dependence of these parameters and to check whether the triexponential pseudodiffusion compartments are associated with arterial and venous blood. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers (19-58 y; mean: 24.7 y) underwent diffusion-weighted imaging of the abdomen with 24 b-values (0.2-800 s/mm2) at TEs of 45, 60, 75, and 90 ms. Regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn in the liver. One set of bi- and triexponential IVIM parameters per volunteer and TE was determined. The TE-dependence was assessed with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: TE-dependence was observed for f (P <.001), f1 (P =.001), and f2 (P <.001). Their median values at the four measured TEs were: f: 0.198/0.240/0.274/0.359, f1: 0.113/0.139/0.146/0.205, f2: 0.115/0.155/0.182/0.194. D, D*, (Formula presented.), and (Formula presented.) showed no significant TE-dependence. Their values were: diffusion coefficient D (10−4 mm2/s): 9.45/9.63/9.75/9.41, biexponential D* (10−2 mm2/s): 5.26/5.52/6.13/5.82, triexponential (Formula presented.) (10−2 mm2/s): 1.73/2.91/2.25/2.51, triexponential (Formula presented.) (mm2/s): 0.478/1.385/0.616/0.846. Conclusion: f1 and f2 show similar TE-dependence as f, ie, increase with rising TE; an effect that must be accounted for when comparing different studies. The diffusion and pseudodiffusion coefficients might be compared without TE correction. Because of the similar TE-dependence of f1 and f2, the triexponential pseudodiffusion compartments are most probably not associated to venous and arterial blood.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Keyword

diffusion

echo time

IVIM

liver

perfusion

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)