Virtual magnetic resonance elastography and fractional order calculus model for assessing proliferation status in rectal carcinoma

Motivation: There is a strong correlation of Ki-67 overexpression with unfavorable prognosis and rapid rectal carcinoma progression. Goal(s): To investigate the significance of virtual MRE (vMRE) and fractional-order calculus (FROC) in assessing the proliferative status of rectal carcinoma. Approach: A total of 66 rectal carcinoma patients were enrolled. MRI scans were performed with a commercial 3.0T scanner equipped with a 30-channel phased-array body coil. Results: The patients with high-proliferation rectal carcinoma exhibited significantly higher μMRE and μ and significantly lower ADC, D, and β than those with low-proliferation rectal carcinoma. LR analysis showed that μMRE, D, and β were independent predictors. Impact: The vMRE, FROC, and DWI can effectively differentiate between high- and low-proliferation rectal carcinoma. and a composite diagnostic tool consisting of μMRE, D, and β may serve as a promising biomarker to help make optimal clinical decisions.