Role of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRIPerfusion in the Assessment of Vascular Permeability of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma as a Predictor of Treatment Response

Abstract

Background: Cancers of squamous cell type are of growing incidence, especially those affecting the head and neck.
Emerging non-invasive radiological tools can now aid in predicting and monitoring response of tumor tissue to
treatment, hence improving the whole treatment plan. One of these emerging modalities is dynamic contrast
enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), which is further investigated as regards its accuracy in
predicting disease prognosis and monitoring changes in tumor characteristics with treatment. Methods: DCE-MRI
perfusion was performed for 14 patients before and after receiving non-invasive treatment for different types of head
and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Pharmakokinentic parameters were measures and compared before and after
treatment including (Ktrans, Kep, Vp and iAUC). Results: 14 patients with a total of 40 lesions were included in the
study. In all primary and nodal sites, Ktrans values were significantly lower in normal tissue compared to tumoral
sites with a p value as low as 0. Pre-treatment values for Ktrans, Kep and iAuc showed statistically significant lower
values in post-treatment scans compared to pre-treatment scans as regards Ktrans, Kep and iAUC values with p
values of about 0. Conclusion: Ktrans, Kep and IAUC can be used as significant markers for assessment of tumor
response in patients with HNSCC, Further studies are required to correlate the values between responders and nonresponders.