Abstract
We investigated the incremental diagnostic value of short tau inversion recovery (STIR) MRI to detect cervical nodal metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty-six patients with cervical nodal metastases underwent MRI preceding neck dissection. Two readers evaluated MRI versus MRI with STIR. Level-based analysis was performed: interobserver agreements (kappa) for detecting normal and metastatic lymph nodes; sensitivities and specificities for detecting at least 1 metastatic lymph node per level; linear regression analysis to determine performances of MRI with STIR in detecting correct numbers of normal and metastatic lymph nodes. Histopathology was the reference standard. One hundred eighty neck levels were evaluated. MRI with STIR showed better kappas for metastatic and normal lymph nodes, was more accurate to estimate numbers of metastatic and normal lymph nodes, and showed improvement of sensitivities and specificities. Incorporation of STIR into the conventional MR protocol significantly improves the detection of cervical lymph node metastases.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
