Whole tumour quantitative measurement of first-pass perfusion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using 64-row multidetector computed tomography: correlation with microvessel density.
OBJECTIVE
To assess correlations between whole tumour first-pass perfusion parameters obtained with 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and microvessel density (MVD) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Thirty-one consecutive patients with surgically confirmed oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas were enrolled into our study. All the patients underwent whole tumour first-pass perfusion scan with 64-row MDCT. Perfusion parameters, including perfusion (PF), peak enhanced density (PED), blood volume (BV), and time to peak (TTP) were measured using Philips perfusion software. Postoperative tumour specimens were assessed for MVD. Pearson correlation coefficient tests were performed to determine correlations between each perfusion parameter and MVD.


RESULTS
Mean values for PF, PED, BV and TTP of the whole tumour were 28.85 ± 20.29 ml/min/ml, 23.16 ± 8.09 HU, 12.13 ± 5.21 ml/100g, and 35.05 ± 13.85 s, respectively. Mean MVD in whole tumour at magnification (×200) was 15.75 ± 4.34 microvessel/tumour sample (vessels/0.723 mm(2)). PED and BV were correlated with MVD (r=0.651 and r=0.977, respectively, all p<0.05). However, PF and TTP were not correlated with MVD (r=0.070 and r=0.100, respectively, all p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The BV value of first-pass perfusion CT could reflect MVD in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and can be an indicator for evaluating the tumour angiogenesis.
Chen
Tian-Wu
TW
Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37# Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. twchenscu@yahoo.com.cn
Yang
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Wang
Qi-Ling
QL
Li
Yuan
Y
Qian
Ling-Ling
LL
Chen
Hui-Jiao
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide