High temporal resolution DCE-MRI improves the performance of model fitting parameters

Recent advance in data acquisition makes fast DCE-MRI data acquisition feasible. This work investigated the impact of DCE-MRI temporal resolution on the data’s pharmacokinetic modeling and the water exchange effect imparted into the model parameters. Using both the Tofts model and the water-exchange sensitized Shutter-Speed model, our results showed that DCE data with higher temporal resolution (shorter intersample interval) is beneficial in model parameter precision and in quantifying transcytolemmal water exchange effect. The later may offer additional lesion-detection specificity in clinical prostate MRI.