title: Correlations Between DCE MRI and Histopathological Parameters in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) can characterize perfusion and vascularization of tissues. DCE MRI parameters can differentiate between malignant and benign lesions and predict tumor grading. The purpose of this study was to correlate DCE MRI findings and various histopathological parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients with histologically proven HNSCC (11 cases primary tumors and in 5 patients with local tumor recurrence) were included in the study. DCE imaging was performed in all cases and the following parameters were estimated: Ktrans, Ve, Kep, and iAUC. The tumor proliferation index was estimated on Ki 67 antigen stained specimens. Microvessel density parameters (stained vessel area, total vessel area, number of vessels, and mean vessel diameter) were estimated on CD31 antigen stained specimens. Spearman's non-parametric rank sum correlation coefficients were calculated between DCE and different histopathological parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean values of DCE perfusion parameters were as follows: Ktrans0.189 ± 0.056 min-1, Kep0.390 ± 0.160 min-1, Ve0.548 ± 0.119%, and iAUC 22.40 ± 12.57. Significant correlations were observed between Kepand stained vessel areas (r = 0.51, P = .041) and total vessel areas (r = 0.5118, P = .043); between Veand mean vessel diameter (r = -0.59, P = .017). Cell count had a tendency to correlate with Ve(r = -0.48, P = .058). In an analysis of the primary HNSCC only, a significant inverse correlation between Ktransand KI 67 was identified (r = -0.62, P = .041). Our analysis showed significant correlations between DCE parameters and histopathological findings in HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: alex.surow@medizin.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: Alexey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Surov
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans Jonas
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gawlitza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne-Kathrin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Höhn
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 10-14, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boehm
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stumpp