Enhancing MR Perfusion Analysis: Advanced Multi-Echo Time Tuning and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio

This paper presents theoretical and simulation-based evidence to challenge the conventional approach in the study of Magnetic Resonance (MR) perfusion for determining blood flow. It argues against the prevalent practice of maximizing arterial input levels in the blood flow calculation for a specific echo time (TE). The study highlights the crucial role of the contrast concentration curve noise power, which is intrinsically linked to its maximum value due to the nonlinearity between MR intensity and the contrast concentration. According to the results, when the experimental concentration level and TE are adjusted to produce an MR intensity curve with a signal loss of the contrast MR signal intensity, the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNRcc) for a contrast concentration curve can be reached. We demonstrate that the stability of blood flow parameters determined using the singular value decomposition (SVD) deconvolution approach is enhanced with the selected Echo Time setting and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), where the maximum signal loss in the tissue curve. Additionally, deviations from these optimal conditions significantly influence the stability and accuracy of SVD-determined blood flow parameters, depending on the residue function mean transit time. Our research recommends adjusting the experimental TE value to avoid regions of rapidly deteriorating SNRcc in both tissue and arterial curves. This study contributes to the refinement of blood flow determination methods in MR perfusion studies, offering insights for more accurate and stable assessments.