Advisor(s)
Harrison Kim
Committee Member(s)
Andrew Smith
Anna Sorace
David Littlefield
Desiree Morgan
Mark Bolding
School
School of Engineering
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Engineering
Date of Award
1-6-2025
Abstract
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) monitors the temporal changes in contrast agent concentration within human tissues to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters of that tissue. Traditionally, these scans are evaluated qualitatively, but quantitative DCE-MRI (qDCE) may improve patient care by enabling more objective and accurate data analysis. One significant challenge hindering the broader adoption of qDCE is the variability of data across different MRI machines. Each manufacturer employs unique hardware and software configurations, leading to inconsistencies in quantifying the contrast agent concentration in tissues and, consequently, the pharmacokinetic parameters. Even using the same scanner, measurements can drift due to hardware instability. A phantom with a known contrast concentration, small enough to fit inside the MRI bore alongside the patient, could be used to detect and correct inter- and intra-scanner variability, ensuring accurate qDCE measurements. The Point-of-Care Portable Perfusion Phantom (P4) was developed to address this problem. The P4 is an innovative dual-chambered perfusion phantom that can be placed inside the MRI bore with the patient during scanning. It generates a consistent and reproducible contrast enhancement curve (CEC), which can serve as a reference to correct inter- and intra-scanner variability. A range of peripherals, including the P4 cassette, patient bed panels, and an MRI-compatible syringe pump, were also created to enhance the P4's functionality. The reproducibility of qDCE measurements, such as the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) for various abdominal tissues, significantly improved across three different MRI scanners after applying P4-based error correction (Intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.39 vs. 0.98). The clinical application of P4-based error correction was tested on patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and glioblastoma. After applying P4-based correction, Ktrans demonstrated 100% accuracy in determining the therapy responsiveness of PDAC within 6-8 weeks. Additionally, a new, smaller P4 phantom was developed for use in brain coils, allowing Ktrans and τi to distinguish between true and pseudo-progression of glioblastoma with 100% accuracy following P4-based correction. Additionally, the Portable Phantom Toolkit (PPT) was developed to enhance the utility of the P4 phantom in routine clinical settings. This toolkit integrates four key components—phantoms, an MRI-compatible syringe pump, an MR-readable thermometer, and a phantom/pump cassette—into a reliable, robust, user-friendly, and transportable device. The PPT has the potential to assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of various abdominal conditions, including cancerous, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases.
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Holland, Martin Dawson, "Point-Of-Care Portable Perfusion Phantom For Accurate Dce-Mri Measurement" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 7298.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7298
