[Dynamic magnetic resonance tomography (dMRT). It's value in advanced head-neck tumors treated with radiochemotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
With the help of dynamic magnetic resonance tomography (dMRT) the status of tissue microcirculation can be visualized.


METHODS
Dynamic MRI was performed in 13 patients with advanced, nonresectable oro- or hypopharynx carcinoma at the beginning and the end of therapy. Maximal signal intensity and exchange rate constant in the tissue of the tumor and the lymph node metastases were analyzed using a pharmacokinetic two-compartment model.


RESULTS
In all six patients with clinical complete response (CR), the maximal signal intensity increased after therapy in the tissue of the primary tumor and the lymph node metastases. Furthermore, a high decrease in the parameter k(21) was associated with a better prognosis and could be observed especially after combined radiochemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our first results indicate that contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI studies before and after radio- or combined radiochemotherapy offer important information about the changes of microcirculation in the tissue of the tumor and lymph node metastases. Furthermore, this information seems to be a promising predictor for clinical outcome of therapy.
Helbig
M
M
HNO-Klinik, Universität, Heidelberg. Matthias.Helbig@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Schlemmer
H-P
HP
Lumer
M
M
Knopp
M V
MV
Dietz
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003287:Contrast Media; D016190:Carboplatin; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D005472:Fluorouracil