The Correlations Between MRI Perfusion, Diffusion Parameters, and 18F-FDG PET Metabolic Parameters in Primary Head-and-Neck Cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET in patients with primary head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).A total of 34 patients with primary HNSCC underwent DCE-MRI, DWI, and 18F-FDG PET before treatment. The perfusion parameters (Ktrans, Ktransmax, Kep, Ve, Vp, and AUC60) from DCE-MRI and ADC (ADCmean, ADCmin) values from DWI were calculated within the manually placed ROI around the main tumor. Standardized uptake value (SUVmax, SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG = SUVmean × MTV) were calculated with thresholds of 3.0 SUV. The associations between parameters were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis.Significant correlations were identified between Ktrans and Kep (r = 0.631), Ktrans and Ve (r = 0.603), Ktrans and ADCmean (r = 0.438), Ktransmax and Kep (r = 0.667), Ktransmax and Vp (r = 0.351), Ve and AUC60 (r = 0.364), Ve and ADCmean (r = 0.590), and Ve and ADCmin (r = 0.361). ADCmin was reversely correlated with TLG (r = –0.347). Tumor volume was significantly associated with Ktransmax (r = 0.348).The demonstrated relationships among parameters from DCE, DWI, and 18F-FDG PET suggest complex interactions among tumor biologic characteristics. Each diagnostic technique may provide complementary information for HNSCC.

Advanced diffusion models in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: Goodness of fit, relationships among diffusion parameters and comparison with dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion

“…In addition, the SEM and the DKI model were better than the mono-exponential model in the high b-value range (i.e., . To the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated relationships among imaging parameters derived from advanced diffusion models and DCE-MRI in HNSCC [17][18][19], and the present study is the first to the EES or cellular space reflected by these diffusion coefficients was probably overlapped to a degree. Bi-exponential fitting can divide the fast and slow water diffusion, but in the present study we observed that this fitting method was not superior to the tri-exponential fitting in regard to the goodness of fitting in the multiple (i.e., 12) b-value data used in the current study.…”

Multimodality functional imaging using DW-MRI and 18F-FDG-PET/CT during radiation therapy for human papillomavirus negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Meixoeiro Hospital of Vigo Experience

“…The use of multimodality imaging ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT, DW-MRI, DCE-MRI) in general HNSCC populations for assessing both the association between the quantitative imaging biomarkers obtained from each imaging technique and their combined or respective roles in prognosis and/or prediction of outcome[8,25,32,33]. The major technical challenges in IMRT persist in the use of functional images for treatment, one of which includes the identification of a reproducible, RT-compatible patient positioning setup that is consistent between functional techniques and RT.…”

The Predictive Value of Early Assessment After 1 Cycle of Induction Chemotherapy with 18F-FDG PET/CT and Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Response to Radical Chemoradiotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Biologic changes measured by FMI are usually evident before morphologic changes (12), and this confers a potential advantage over conventional imaging for early response assessment. Several studies have identified 18 F-FDG PET/CT and diffusionweighted MRI (DW MRI) as promising imaging biomarkers for HNSCC (13)(14)(15)(16), with different, but complementary, biologic information from each modality (17). Most FMI studies are largely based on post-IC imaging, but an earlier time point for assessment during IC is required to allow time for an individualized treatment plan based on tumor response to therapy.…”