Differential diagnostic value of computed tomography perfusion combined with vascular endothelial growth factor expression in head and neck lesions.
There are numerous types of head and neck lesions (HNLs), and conventional computed tomography (CT) has low specificity and sensitivity in the definitive and differential diagnosis of HNLs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of perfusion CT (CTP) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the differentiation between malignant and benign HNLs. In total, 41 HNLs, which were pathologically confirmed, underwent CTP and VEGF expression analysis. All lesions were divided into three groups: Group A, benign hypovascular lesions; Group B, benign hypervascular lesions; and Group C, malignant lesions. Time density curve (TDC) and CTP parameters [maximum intensity projection (MIP), blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), mean transit time and capillary permeability] were analyzed. The association between perfusion measurements and VEGF was assessed using Pearson's correlation. TDCs were classified into three types, and type I was more frequently identified in benign tumors (Groups A and B) compared with malignant tumors (Group C) (P=0.003). Malignant tumors primarily had a TDC of type II and III. MIP, BF and BV were all significantly higher in Groups B and C compared to Group A (P<0.01). VEGF expression of malignant tumors was significantly higher than benign tumors (P=0.007). No correlation was identified between VEGF and any CTP parameter. The present findings suggest that CTP combined with VEGF may differentiate between malignant and benign HNLs, and between benign hypovascular and hypervascular lesions.
Department of Radiology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Jie
J
Wang
Department of Radiology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Zuohua
Z
Tang
Department of Pathology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Shuyi
S
Wang
Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.
Wenjiao
W
Zeng
Department of Radiology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Wen
W
Qian
Department of Radiology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Lingjie
L
Wu
Department of Radiology, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.
Wenzhong
W
Wang
Department of Health Statistics and Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.
Jianfeng
J
Luo
angiogenesis; computed tomography; head and neck lesions; perfusion; vascular endothelial growth factor