DCE-MRI, DW-MRI, and MRS in Cancer

Abstract

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) offers a unique insight into tumor biology by combining functional MRI techniques that inform on cellularity (diffusion-weighted MRI), vascular properties (dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI), and metabolites (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and has scope to provide valuable information for prognostication and response assessment. Challenges in the application of mpMRI in the clinic include the technical considerations in acquiring good quality functional MRI data, development of robust techniques for analysis, and clinical interpretation of the results. This article summarizes the technical challenges in acquisition and analysis of multi-parametric MRI data before reviewing the key applications of multi-parametric MRI in clinical research and practice.

Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging can be used to predict the pathologic stages of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

“…It can obtain the microvasculature function of tissue perfusion, vessel permeability and extracellular leakage space via monitoring the delivery and distribution of intravascular contrast agent [ 5 , 6 ]. To date, qDCE-MRI has been widely used for tumor detection and characterization, therapy monitoring and predicting prognosis in various tumors such as protaste cancer, breast cancer, and gliomas [ 12 ]. Nevertheless, the relative low reliability of this technique restricts its adoption in routine clinical practice [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the breast—a consensus and mission statement from the EUSOBI International Breast Diffusion-Weighted Imaging working group

“…Consequently, there is great interest to improve the generalizability and reproducibility of breast DWI across institutions and imaging platforms. Moreover, although technically challenging, DWI protocol standardization between different systems and vendors has been achieved in the breast and other organs [21,24,[37][38][39].…”

Review of quantitative multiscale imaging of breast cancer

“…Many researchers are tackling this problem, but there are calls for robust multicenter studies to evaluate reproducibility and accuracy. 162,163 However, macroscale MRI is not used in many multiscale imaging studies. The mesoscale implementation of MRI, also known as magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), 164 requires high magnetic field strengths, fast switching magnetic field gradients, and/or long imaging times to obtain mesoscale resolution.…”

“…166 Other studies have focused on improving quantitative data collection and analysis with MRM, to replicate the clinical efforts for robust metrics, e.g., cellularity, vascular properties, and metabolites. 162,163 Researchers could also look to bring MRM into the clinic. Clinical MRI units can now reach into the low macroscale in the hundreds of microns but are not quite capable of whole breast MRM in vivo.…”