title: Role of perfusion computed tomography in assessing submandibular gland radiochemotherapy-induced injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to detect changes in the volume and perfusion parameters of the submandibular glands during and after radiochemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients underwent computed tomography (CT) and perfusion CT before radiochemotherapy, after 40 Gy, after 70 Gy, and 3 months after radiochemotherapy. Submandibular gland volume, blood volume, permeability surface area product, and blood flow were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Submandibular gland volumes during and after therapy were significantly lower compared with the baseline value (P < .001). Blood volume, blood flow, and permeability surface area product values showed statistically significant reduction during and 3 months after therapy. A significant linear correlation was found between changes in submandibular gland volume and of the perfusion parameter blood volume in the period between baseline and 3 months after therapy (P = .012; RP = -0.697).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in submandibular gland volume and dynamics of perfusion parameters imply that radiation-induced injury of submandibular glands develops early during radiochemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: katarina.surlan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Katarina Surlan
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Popovic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harej
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tjaša
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furlan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Popovič
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, Oncology Institute Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Primož
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strojan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*