Permeability parameters measured with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: Correlation with the extravasation of evans blue in a rat model of transient cerebral ischemia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate permeability parameters measured with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using a clinical 3-tesla scanner with extravasation of Evans blue in a rat model with transient cerebral ischemia. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 13) with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion were imaged using a 3-tesla MRI with an 8-channel wrist coil. DCE-MRI was performed 12 hours, 18 hours, and 36 hours after reperfusion. Permeability parameters (K^trans, v_e, and v_p) from DCE-MRI were calculated. Evans blue was injected after DCE-MRI and extravasation of Evans blue was correlated as a reference with the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Correlation analysis was performed between permeability parameters and the extravasation of Evans blue. Results: All permeability parameters (K^trans, v_e, and v_p) showed a linear correlation with extravasation of Evans blue. Among them, K^trans showed highest values of both the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination (0.687 and 0.473 respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Permeability parameters obtained by DCE-MRI at 3-T are well-correlated with Evans blue extravasation, and K^trans shows the strongest correlation among the tested parameters.