title: Head and neck cancer: value of perfusion CT in depicting primary tumor spread.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess head and neck squamous cell cancer and surrounding tissue in computed tomography contrast enhanced and perfusion studies, and to examine the role of perfusion imaging in depiction of tissue infiltration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated 43 primary malignant head and neck tumors, using standard CT followed by perfusion. Blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability values were obtained using regions of interest (ROIs) over lesions and surrounding tissue. Results were compared with histological analysis of resected tissue. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were calculated for both methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant differences between infiltrated and non-infiltrated tissue, especially with regard to muscles. In case of bone and salivary gland infiltration, change in perfusion parameters did not allow proper diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTP shows promise in depicting malignant infiltration. The combined use of CECT plus CTP results in correct staging of the majority of head and neck tumors.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical University in Lublin, Lublin, Poland. agnieszka30@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trojanowska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trojanowski
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drop
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jargiełło
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klatka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*