title: Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging measurement of perfusion changes in the parotid gland provoked by gustatory stimulation: A pilot study.
abstract: To demonstrate the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging (IVIM) for quantification of perfusion changes in the parotid gland after gustatory stimulation.
  
  
  
  Eight healthy volunteers underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck at 3T with 11 dynamic acquisitions (9 b-values between 0 and 980 s/mm2, 2:40 min each). After 5:20 minutes, a lemon-mint-drop was administered orally. Perfusion fraction (Fp), pseudodiffusion (D*), tissue diffusion (Dt) coefficients, and optimal b-value threshold were measured using a multistep variable b-value threshold fitting approach. Dynamic changes in the coefficients between three exemplary timepoints (baseline, after stimulation, after dissolution) were compared using a Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction (P < 0.016 significance level).
  
  
  
  Mean values (95% confidence interval [CI]) for IVIM parameters at baseline were Fp: 0.11 (0.08-0.15), D*: 56.48 mm2/s (39.71-98.27), Dt: 1.01 mm2/s (0.84-1.06), b-value threshold: 30 s/mm2(21.25-105). After stimulation: Fp0.16 (0.15-0.24; P < 0.01), D* 93.83 mm2/s (77.98-129.53, P = 0.25), Dt0.93 mm2/s (0.87-1.08, P = 0.94), b-value threshold 20 s/mm2(13.75-26.25 s/mm2, P = 0.10), reflecting the increase in tissue perfusion. After dissolution of the drop: Fp: 0.13 (0.11-0.18, P = 0.38), D*: 101.61 mm2/s (90.68-144.55, P = 0.07), Dt: 0.91 mm2/s (0.85-1.05, P = 0.64), b-value threshold: 15 s/mm2(11.25-40, P = 0.38).
  
  
  
  The IVIM method allows for simultaneous quantification of changes in perfusion and diffusion effects after gustatory stimulation of the parotid gland.
  
  
  
  2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:570-578.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anton S
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8372-6496
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manoliu
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Moritz C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wurnig
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: diffusion weighted MRI; intravoxel incoherent motion imaging; perfusion quantification