64-row MDCT perfusion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: technical feasibility and quantitative analysis of perfusion parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technical feasibility of 64-row computed tomography (CT) quantitative perfusion imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with a total of 29 pathologically proven SCC underwent a cine-mode CT perfusion acquisition covering the lesion site. The acquisition started 10 s after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast material and lasted 50 s. On a dedicated workstation, regions of interest (ROI) were traced within the SCC, on a healthy portion of tissue (H), and on the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (M). Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability-surface product (PS) were calculated.


RESULTS
In SCC, BF, BV and PS were higher compared with H (p<0.0001, p=0.002 and p=0.004, respectively) and M (p<0.0001). Conversely, MTT was lower in SCC than in H (p=0.0009) and M (p=0.0003). All datasets were free from substantial motion artefacts and ROI misregistration phenomena. No substantial discomfort or adverse events were experienced by any of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
64-row CT quantitative perfusion imaging allows head and neck SCC to be distinguished from normal tissues.
Faggioni
Lorenzo
L
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2 - 56100, Pisa, Italy. lfaggioni@sirm.org
Neri
Emanuele
E
Cerri
Francesca
F
Picano
Eugenia
E
Seccia
Veronica
V
Muscatello
Luca
L
Franceschini
Stefano Sellari
SS
Bartolozzi
Carlo
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media