Key factors in the acquisition of contrast kinetic data for oncology

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has recently emerged as a promising method for both diagnosis and prognosis of cancer d espite considerable variation in both the methods of data acquisition and a nalysis, Both to facilitate integration of results from multiple institutio ns and to ensure that the data reflect the underlying physiology as accurat ely as possible, several aspects of data acquisition should be taken into a ccount when developing protocols for DCE-MRI regardless of how the data are analyzed, Among the relevant issues are the relationship between signal en hancement and contrast agent concentration, intra- or inter-patient variati on in the blood contrast agent concentration as a function of time, require ments for spatial and temporal resolution, the impact of tumor heterogeneit y, and the impact of patient motion during the study. This review considers these factors and, when possible, makes specific recommendations for addre ssing them experimentally. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.