Diagnostic value of quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the evaluation of different pathological grades of cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI parameters in the diagnosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in 55 patients with pathologically diagnosed cervical squamous cell carcinoma without prior treatment. They were divided into three groups based on grade of differentiation: well differentiated(6 patients),moderately differentiated(28 patients)and poorly differentiated group(21 patients). Capacity volume transfer constant (Ktrans),exchange rate constant(Kep) and extravascular extracellular volume fraction(Ve) were measured in each group of patients, and comparing the correlation with ANOVA, DCE-MRI parameters and grading of squamous differentiation using Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results Ktrans of the poorly, moderately and well differentiated cervical squamous cell carcinoma were (2.42±0.58),(1.71± 0.78),(1.27±0.78)/min respectively, Kep were (4.17±1.23), (3.08±1.58), (2.55±0.87)/min respectively, Ve were 0.60 ± 0.12,0.60 ± 0.19, 0.43 ± 0.17 respectively. Statistical difference of Ktransand Kep were found among the subgroups of different pathological grading.(F values were 7.518 and 4.234,P all 0.05). Statistical difference of Ktransand Kep were seen in multiple comparisons, between the groups of poorly and moderately differentiated groups poorly and well differentiated groups (P all 0.05). There were moderate negative correlation between Ktrans,Kep and the pathological degree (r=-0.531 and-0.446, P=0.001and0.002) , Ve had no correlation between pathological grade (r=-0.220, P = 0.141). Conclusion DCE-MRI parameters Ktrans and Kep reveal perfusion characteristics in different pathological grades of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Key words: Uterine cervix neoplasms; Magnetic resonance imaging