Sensitivity of quantitative relaxometry and susceptibility mapping to microscopic iron distribution

Purpose Determine the impact of the microscopic spatial distribution of iron on relaxometry and susceptibility‐based estimates of iron concentration. Methods Monte Carlo simulations and in vitro experiments of erythrocytes were used to create different microscopic distributions of iron. Measuring iron with intact erythrocyte cells created a heterogeneous distribution of iron, whereas lysing erythrocytes was used to create a homogeneous distribution of iron. Multi‐echo spin echo and spoiled gradient echo acquisitions were then used to estimate relaxation parameters (R2 and R2*) and susceptibility. Results Simulations demonstrate that R2 and R2* measurements depend on the spatial distribution of iron even for the same iron concentration and volume susceptibility. Similarly, in vitro experiments demonstrate that R2 and R2* measurements depend on the microscopic spatial distribution of iron whereas the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) susceptibility estimates reflect iron concentration without sensitivity to spatial distribution. Conclusions R2 and R2* for iron quantification depend on the spatial distribution or iron. QSM‐based estimation of iron concentration is insensitive to the microscopic spatial distribution of iron, potentially providing a distribution independent measure of iron concentration.