Insight into the quantitative metrics of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To evaluate the reliability of four CEST imaging metrics for brain tumors, at varied saturation power levels and magnetic field strengths (3-9.4 Tesla (T)).

Methods

A five-pool proton exchange model (free water, semisolid, amide, amine, and NOE-related protons) was used for the simulations. For the in vivo study, eight glioma-bearing rats were scanned at 4.7 T. The CEST ratio (CESTR), CESTR normalized with the reference value (CESTR^nr ), inverse Z-spectrum-based (MTR_Rex ), and apparent exchange-related relaxation (AREX) were compared.

Results

The simulated CEST signal intensities using MTR_Rex and AREX were substantially increased at relatively high radiofrequency (RF) saturation powers at 3 T and 4.7 T, whereas CESTR and CESTR<

SUBMITTER: Heo HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5107181 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature