Applications of Quantitative Perfusion and Permeability in the Body

Abstract Perfusion allows the delivery of oxygen and nutrition to tissues and organs in the body through blood flow. Quantification of perfusion parameters using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides important information about the microvasculature and thus has the potential to be applied in a variety of clinical applications. While the method was first developed for brain imaging, pioneering studies have been performed to translate the technique for quantitative perfusion mapping in the body. In this chapter, we review recent developments of perfusion MRI techniques for body imaging and their application in clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Studies performed on different organs in the body, including the kidney, pancreas, prostate, breast, and heart, are described. While promising results have been obtained with potential application for detection, staging, and monitoring of various diseases in the body, further advances in technical development and clinical validation are needed to make quantitative perfusion MRI more applicable for routine clinical use in the body.