Comparison of contrast-enhanced magnetization transfer imaging and contrast-enhanced fat saturation T1-weighted imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced magnetization transfer (CEMT) imaging in the study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).


METHODS
The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of CEMT images was compared with the CNR of contrast-enhanced fat-saturation (CEFS) T1-weighted images in locoregional tumors and adenopathies of 50 patients with pathologically proven NPC.


RESULTS
The CEMT images showed higher CNRs than CEFS images of local nasopharyngeal regions. The mean CNRs of the precontrast T1-weighted, CEFS, and CEMT images were 4.9, 15.4, and 21.2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) in the CNRs of CEFS and CEMT images. In considering images of nodal metastasis, the mean values in these three groups were 0.7, 16.8, and 19.7, respectively, with the difference (p < 0.05) between CEFS and CEMT being statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The CEMT image with a larger CNR is superior to the CEFS image in detecting locoregional NPC. CEMT can be useful in imaging patients with possible small tumors and local recurrences.
Liu
Hon-Man
HM
Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan 10016. hml@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Hung
Jyi-Jyh
JJ
Huang
Kou-Mou
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA