Comparison of fitting methods and b-value sampling strategies for intravoxel incoherent motion in breast cancer.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Cho G, Moy L, Zhang J, Baete S, Lattanzi R, Moccaldi M, Babb J, Kim S, Sodickson D, Sigmund E
Journal Magn Reson Med
Volume 74
Issue 4
Pagination 1077-85
Date Published 10/09/2014
ISSN 1522-2594
Keywords Breast Neoplasms, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Abstract PURPOSE: To compare fitting methods and sampling strategies, including the implementation of an optimized b-value selection for improved estimation of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters in breast cancer. METHODS: Fourteen patients (age, 48.4 ± 14.27 years) with cancerous lesions underwent 3 Tesla breast MRI examination for a HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board approved diffusion MR study. IVIM biomarkers were calculated using "free" versus "segmented" fitting for conventional or optimized (repetitions of key b-values) b-value selection. Monte Carlo simulations were performed over a range of IVIM parameters to evaluate methods of analysis. Relative bias values, relative error, and coefficients of variation (CV) were obtained for assessment of methods. Statistical paired t-tests were used for comparison of experimental mean values and errors from each fitting and sampling method. RESULTS: Comparison of the different analysis/sampling methods in simulations and experiments showed that the "segmented" analysis and the optimized method have higher precision and accuracy, in general, compared with "free" fitting of conventional sampling when considering all parameters. Regarding relative bias, IVIM parameters fp and Dt differed significantly between "segmented" and "free" fitting methods. CONCLUSION: IVIM analysis may improve using optimized selection and "segmented" analysis, potentially enabling better differentiation of breast cancer subtypes and monitoring of treatment.
DOI 10.1002/mrm.25484
PubMed ID 25302780
PubMed Central ID PMC4439397
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