title: The role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis, lymph node staging and assessment of treatment response of head and neck cancer.
abstract: Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography continue to be the imaging modalities of choice in staging and reviewing patients with head and neck cancer. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is an advanced imaging modality that records the molecular diffusion of protons and thus provides an opportunity to further assess tissue character. Interest in DW-MRI of the head and neck continues to grow, especially its application to the assessment and treatment of head and neck cancer. We highlight the potential role of DW-MRI in the delineation, characterization, and lymph node staging of head and neck tumours. Furthermore, we discuss the ability of DW-MRI to provide a real opportunity to differentiate post-treatment tumour recurrence from chemoradiotherapy-induced local tissue changes. The future impact of these findings upon the clinical practice of the head and neck surgeon is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK. Electronic address: karlpayne@nhs.net.
authors.forename: K F B
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haq
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Radiology, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
keywords: MRI; diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging; head and neck cancer; oncology; radiology