This book provides a selection of essential knowledge on the image-based quantification of
biophysical parameters for the purpose of clinical diagnosis. The authors regard clinical
imaging scanners as physical measurement systems capable of quantifying intrinsic parameters
for depiction of the constitution and biophysical properties of in vivo tissue. On the one hand
this approach supports the development of new methods of imaging highly reproducible
system-independent and quantitative biomarkers and these methods receive detailed attention
in the book. On the other hand the reader will also gain a deeper understanding of how
physical tissue properties interact with the generation of signals in medical imaging opening
new windows on the intricate and fascinating relationship between the structure and function of
living tissues. The book will be of interest to all who recognize the limitations of basing
clinical diagnosis primarily on visual inspection of images and who wish to learn more about
the diagnostic potential of quantitative and biophysics-based medical imaging markers and the
challenges that the paucity of such markers poses for next-generation imaging technologies.
