An adaptive complex independent component analysis to analyze dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI

Pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling of tumors provides information about perfusion and vascular permeability of tumors. Identifying arterial input function (AIF) is crucial in PK modeling using dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI. An adaptive complex independent component analysis method is developed to identify and separate AIF from complex DCE-MRI data. The results are compared with a previously introduced AIF estimation method that applied ICA to magnitude DCE-MRI data. Using simulation and experimental phantom studies it is shown that using both magnitude and phase data (complex) results in a more robust and more accurate AIF measurement algorithm.