Bolus Timing Artifact
The bolus timing artifact is a type of MRI artifact that can occur in dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI scans, which are used to study the perfusion and vascularity of tissues. In DCE-MRI, a contrast agent is injected into the patient’s bloodstream to enhance the signal in the blood vessels and surrounding tissue.
The bolus timing artifact can occur if the timing of the contrast agent injection is not synchronized correctly with the MRI acquisition. If the acquisition begins too early, before the contrast agent has had time to reach the area being imaged, the signal intensity may be lower than expected. If the acquisition begins too late, after the contrast agent has already washed out of the area being imaged, the signal intensity may be higher than expected. Both of these scenarios can result in inaccurate measurements of tissue perfusion and vascularity.
Here are some strategies to minimize or avoid Bolus timing artifact :
To minimize the bolus timing artifact, it is important to carefully time the contrast agent injection with the MRI acquisition. This can be done using various methods, such as bolus tracking or test bolus techniques, which allow for precise timing of the contrast agent arrival at the area being imaged. Additionally, careful attention should be paid to the choice of MRI acquisition parameters, such as the repetition time and flip angle, to optimize the contrast-to-noise ratio and minimize the effects of the bolus timing artifact.