Abstract
In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases. Twenty HNSCC patients scheduled for lymph node dissection underwent DCE-MRI, dynamic PET, and DWI using a PET-MR scanner within one week prior to their planned surgery. During surgery, resected nodes were labeled to identify their nodal levels and sent for routine clinical pathology evaluation. Quantitative parameters of metastatic and normal nodes were calculated from DCE-MRI (ve, vp, PS, Fp, Ktrans), DWI (ADC) and PET (Ki, K1, k2, k3) to assess if an individual or a combination of parameters can classify normal and metastatic lymph nodes accurately. There were 38 normal and 11 metastatic nodes covered by all three imaging methods and confirmed by pathology. 34% of all normal nodes had volumes greater than or equal to the smallest metastatic node while 4 normal nodes had SUV > 4.5. Among the MRI parameters, the median vp, Fp, PS, and Ktrans values of the metastatic lymph nodes were significantly lower (p = <0.05) than those of normal nodes. ve and ADC did not show any statistical significance. For the dynamic PET parameters, the metastatic nodes had significantly higher k3 (p value = 8.8 × 10−8) and Ki (p value = 5.3 × 10−8) than normal nodes. K1 and k2 did not show any statistically significant difference. Ki had the best separation with accuracy = 0.96 (sensitivity = 1, specificity = 0.95) using a cutoff of Ki = 5.3 × 10−3 mL/cm3/min, while k3 and volume had accuracy of 0.94 (sensitivity = 0.82, specificity = 0.97) and 0.90 (sensitivity = 0.64, specificity = 0.97) respectively. 100% accuracy can be achieved using a multivariate logistic regression model of MRI parameters after thresholding the data with Ki < 5.3 × 10−3 mL/cm3/min. The results of this preliminary study suggest that quantitative MRI may provide additional value in distinguishing metastatic nodes, particularly among small nodes, when used together with FDG-PET.
Highlights
In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases
Patients with biopsy-proven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (n = 20, mean age 62 ± 16 years ; 15 males and 5 females; Table 1) who were scheduled for cervical lymph node dissection as part of their standard treatment at NYU Langone Medical Center or Bellevue hospital were recruited for this HIPAA-compliant institutional review board-approved study
On post-contrast MRI, an experienced neuroradiologist (MH with 12 years of experience) manually selected 3D regions of interest (ROI) for internal carotid artery, normal/negative (n = 38) and metastatic/positive (n = 11) nodes that were included in the fields of view of three imaging modalities (DCE-MRI, DWI, and PET) and specified by the operative note from the neck dissection and pathology reports
Summary
We investigate the feasibility of using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases. Accurate identification and characterization of lymph node metastasis by non-invasive imaging has important therapeutic and prognostic significance in patients with newly diagnosed HNC as well as in evaluating treatment response[2,3,4,5]. Identification of metastatic lymph nodes with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on nodal size is limited as demonstrated by variable sensitivity and specificity reported depending on the size criteria used. The limitations of this sizebased characterization system are well known: metastases can be present in non-enlarged lymph nodes and not all enlarged nodes are m alignant[9]. Detection of lymph node metastasis based on nodal size and the presence of necrosis remains difficult
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
