About

PkModeling is an extension of 3D Slicer that implements Tofts model fit to Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI signal. As a result PkModeling can be used to generate quantitative maps of Tofts model parameters:

• Ktrans - volume transfer constant between blood plasma and EES (extracellular-extravascular space)
• ve - fractional volume for extracellular space

This module also generates maps of some empirical (model-independent) parameters: time to peak (TTP) and area under the signal curve (AUC).

Modeling can be parameterized using the patient-specific Arterial Input Function (AIF), or a population-averaged AIF.

This extension can be used together with the MultiVolume Explorer module of 3D Slicer. MultiVolume Explorer module allows to interactively visualize the signal curve at the individual pixels, and also examine the quality of model fit relative to the original data.

Availability

Installation: PkModeling can be installed as an extension to 3D Slicer via 3D Slicer Extension manager. You can also build PkModeling as a standalone tool independent of 3D Slicer.

Documentation: link

Source code: link

Publications

• Huang W, Li X, Chen Y, et al. Variations of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of breast cancer therapy response: a multicenter data analysis challenge. Transl Oncol. 2014;7(1):153–166 link. - Quantitative Imaging Network (QIN) evaluation of DCE MRI modeling tools that included PkModeling
• Mehrtash A, Gupta SN, Shanbhag D, et al. Bolus arrival time and its effect on tissue characterization with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. J Med Imaging (Bellingham). 2016;3(1):014503 link. - Investigation of one of the parameters influencing DCE MRI analysis that utilized PkModeling

Grants support

• U54 EB005149
• U01 CA151261
• U24 CA180918