Improving Contrast Agent Based Cerebral Perfusion Assessment: Arterial input function measurement and leakage correction

This dissertation advances contrast agent based perfusion MRI techniques for cerebral perfusion assessment in brain tumors by addressing key challenges in dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI. Building on a comprehensive review of glioma imaging, the research identifies the need for standardized acquisition and analysis protocols. Additionally, we introduces innovative methodologies to enhance arterial input function (AIF) determination. It demonstrates that DCE-derived AIFs are more reproducible and reliable than traditional DSC-based methods, and presents a novel approach to simultaneously correct for inflow and partial volume effects—validated in a clinical study. Furthermore, an integrated analysis framework is developed to correct for contrast agent leakage in DSC MRI, yielding precise vascular parameter estimates with minimal bias. Collectively, these improvements pave the way for more accurate, reliable, and clinically applicable perfusion assessments in neuro-radiology.