Arterial input function derived using the Xiphoid process as a reference tissue for breast DCE-MRI

Motivation: Solve the problem of accurately measuring the arterial-input-function (AIF) for breast DCE-MRI at 3T. Goal(s): To derive AIF from Xiphoid-process and compare with AIFs measured from the aorta with low and high dose (15% and 85% of standard-dose) DCE-MRI. Approach: DCE-MRI were acquired at 3T. Ktrans and ve for Xiphoid-process were measured with low-dose AIF using standard Tofts model, then used to derive AIF for high dose, and compared with high dose AIFs. Results: AIF derived using the Xiphoid-process has significantly higher peak than that measured from the aorta with a high dose, and can be used for quantitative analysis of breast DCE-MRI. Impact: The AIF derived using the Xiphoid-process as a reference tissue has significantly higher peak than that measured at descending aorta for regular-dose breast DCE-MRI, and can be used to quantitatively analyze breast DCE-MRI for diagnosis of breast cancer.