Perfusion MRI using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and arterial spin labeling for the characterization of small renal masses: preliminary study.

Functional imaging using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and arterial spin-labeling (ASL), which is a non-contrast technique, have been proposed to quantitatively assess perfusion and vascular flow in small renal masses (SRM) and may provide complementary information. In our initial series, we found significant differences in certain DCE-MRI quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) versus benign tumors (Vp, wash-in, wash-out TTP and AUC) and between ccRCC versus non-clear cell (non-cc)RCC (Ve), while no differences existed between groups for ASL. Certain pharmacokinetic parameters derived from DCE-MRI appear promising for SRM characterization