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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) modeling for estimation of the diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) is increasingly popular, but no consensus on standard protocols exists. This study provides a framework for optimization of b-value schemes for reduced estimation uncertainty of D and f from segmented model fitting.Theory
Analytical expressions for uncertainties of D and f from segmented model fitting were derived as Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs).Methods
Optimized b-value schemes were obtained for 3 to 12 acquisitions and in the limit of infinitely many acquisitions through constrained minimization of the CRLBs, with b-values constrained to be 0 or 200 to 800 s/mm2 . The optimized b-value scheme with eight acquisitions was compared with b-values linearly distributed in the allowed range using simulations and in vivo liver data from seven healthy volunteers.Results
All optimized b-value schemes contained exactly three unique b-values regardless of the total number of acquisitions (0, 200, and 800 s/mm2 ) with repeated acquisitions distributed approximately as 1:2:2. Compared with linearly distributed b-values, the variability of estimates of D and f was reduced by approximately 30% as seen both in simulations and in repeated in vivo measurements.Conclusion
The uncertainty of IVIM D and f estimates can be reduced by the use of optimized b-value schemes.
SUBMITTER: Jalnefjord O
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6772171 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Jalnefjord Oscar O Montelius Mikael M Starck Göran G Ljungberg Maria M
Magnetic resonance in medicine 20190531 4
<h4>Purpose</h4>Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) modeling for estimation of the diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) is increasingly popular, but no consensus on standard protocols exists. This study provides a framework for optimization of b-value schemes for reduced estimation uncertainty of D and f from segmented model fitting.<h4>Theory</h4>Analytical expressions for uncertainties of D and f from segmented model fitting were derived as Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs).<h4>M ...[more]