Value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the differentiation between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes

Purpose

To evaluate echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the differentiation between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.

Materials and methods

35 consecutive patients with 55 enlarged (>10 mm) cervical lymph nodes underwent MR imaging at 1.5-T. DWI was performed using a single-shot echo-planar (SSEPI) MR imaging sequence with b values (b: diffusion factor) of 0, 500 and 1000 s/mm². Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were reconstructed for all patients and ADC values were calculated for each lymph node. Imaging results were correlated with histopathologic findings after neck dissection or surgical biopsy, findings in PET/CT or imaging follow-up. Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

Results

Cervical lymph node enlargement was secondary to metastases from squamous cell carcinomas [n = 25], non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [n = 6], reactive lymphadenitis [n = 20], cat scratch lymphadenitis [n = 2] and sarcoidosis [n = 2]. The mean ADC values (×10⁻³ mm²/s) were 0.78 ± 0.09 for metastatic lymph nodes, 0.64 ± 0.09 for lymphomatous nodes and 1.24 ± 0.16 for benign cervical lymph nodes. ADC values of malignant lymph nodes were significantly lower than ADC values of benign lymph nodes. 94.3% of lesions were correctly classified as benign or malignant using a threshold ADC value of 1.02 × 10⁻³ mm²/s.

Conclusion

According to our first experience, DWI using a SSEPI sequence allows reliable differentiation between benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes.     

MR扩散加权成像中应用ADC值鉴别良、恶性淋巴结的Meta分析

目的 采用循证医学Meta分析的方法,探讨DWI-ADC值鉴别良、恶性淋巴结的可行性.方法 检索1998年至今公开发表的良、恶性淋巴结DWI-ADC值差别研究的中、英文文献,对符合纳入条件的原始研究进行质量评价,提取特征信息.对提取的信息进行异质性检验.根据异质性检验结果选择相应的效应量合并模型.合并效应量为ADC值差别的加权平均差和诊断性试验的敏感性、特异性、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、诊断比值比,计算验前、验后概率,以定性和定量的方法研究良、恶性淋巴结DWI-ADC值差别及临床应用价值.结果 符合纳入标准的文献共15篇,研究对象735例,淋巴结1963个.Meta回归分析、亚组分析和敏感性分析显示,2项良性淋巴结来自健康对照和1项采用化学位移选择法压脂技术的研究,对汇总结果影响较大,合并效应量时予以剔除.恶性淋巴结与良性淋巴结的ADC值的加权均数差值为-0.355×10-3mm2/s[95％可信区间(CI) -0.423×10-3～-0.288×10-3mm2/s].虽然各研究鉴别良、恶性淋巴结采用的ADC界值不同,但鉴别良、恶性淋巴结的诊断指标稳定,汇总敏感性、特异性、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、诊断比值比和汇总受试者工作特征曲线下面积分别为:0.87(95％ CI:0.79～0.92)、0.87 (95％ CI:0.82～0.90)、6.5 (95％ CI:4.7～9.2)、0.15(95％ CI:0.09～0.25)、43 (95％ CI:21～87)、0.93 (95％ CI:0.90～0.95),ADC提示良性的淋巴结验后恶性率为6％,ADC提示恶性的淋巴结验后恶性率为72％.结论 恶性淋巴结ADC值低于良性淋巴结,是一种准确性较高的鉴别良、恶性淋巴结的无创性检查方法.     

MR imaging of benign and malignant lesions in the buccal space

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate MRI characteristics of buccal space lesions and to discuss the sensitivity of MRI in predicting malignancy of those lesions. METHODS: Thirty patients with malignant (n=7) or benign (n=23) lesions originating in the buccal space were reviewed retrospectively. MR images were assessed for the margins, internal architecture, signal intensity of lesions and their relation to the surrounding structures. RESULTS: Two cases of soft tissue sarcoma were shown as ill-defined masses with infiltration into adjacent muscles and bone. On the other hand, all tumors of minor salivary gland origin, whether malignant (n=4) or benign (n=2), were well-defined and confined within the buccal fat pad without infiltration into surrounding structures. All haemangiomas (n=9) had very high T2-weighted signal intensity. Three out of them contained signal voids on all sequences thought to represent phleboliths, a finding strongly suggestive of the diagnosis. Inflammatory lesions were characterized by the presence of edema in the surrounding fat. When ill-defined margins, infiltration into muscles and bone destruction were used as the criteria for the malignancy, only two out of seven malignant tumors were correctly diagnosed (sensitivity 29%). CONCLUSIONS: Although MR imaging was useful in demonstrating the extent of buccal space lesions, its diagnostic value in predicting malignancy was very limited. It was especially true for malignant tumors of minor salivary gland origin, which were typically seen as well-defined masses without infiltration into surrounding structures on MRI.     

MR扩散加权成像在眼眶良恶性肿块鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 分析眶内良恶性肿块的扩散加权成像(DWI)特征,评价表观扩散系数(ADC)值对其诊断价值.方法 对77例眶内肿块进行常规MRI及DWI,其中良性肿块55例,恶性肿块22例.扩散敏感系数(b)值=0、1000 s/mm2,测量病变对侧颞叶脑白质感兴趣区DWI信号,获得相应的肿块区ADC(ADCM)值、病变对侧颞叶脑白质ADC(ADCw)值,计算二者比值(ADCR).以不同ADCM值及ADCR作为临界点区分眶内良恶性肿块绘制出受试者工作特征曲线(ROC).结果 眶内良性肿块ADCM值及ADCR分别为(1.56±0.75)×10-3mm2/s、1.85±0.91;恶性肿块ADCM值及ADCR分别为(1.09±0.42)×10-3mm2/s、1.28±0.53;良性肿块ADCM值及ADCR显著高于恶性肿块(t值分别为2.803、2.735,P值均＜0.01).以不同ADCM值、ADCR作为临界点判断眶内良恶性肿块绘制ROC,曲线下面积均为0.71±0.07.以ADCM值为1.05×10-3mm2/s作为判断眶内良恶性肿块的决定值,灵敏度、特异度和准确率分别为59.1%(13/22)、78.2%(43/55)和72.7%(56/77);以ADCR为1.24作为决定值,灵敏度、特异度和准确率分别为59.1%(13/22)、76.4%(42/55)和71.4%(55/77).结论 DWI可揭示眼眶肿块的扩散特征,ADC值对于良恶性肿块的鉴别诊断具有辅助诊断价值.     

MR imaging of mucocutaneous malignant melanoma in the head and neck

MR imaging was performed in three patients with mucocutaneous malignant melanoma of the head and neck, and surgical specimens were investigated in MR-pathological correlation. Two of 3 cases were revealed to be melanotic melanoma; one arose in the maxillary sinus, and another in the bulbar conjunctiva. The remaining case was amelanotic melanoma originating in the nasal cavity. Two cases of melanotic melanoma showed different intensity on T1WI according to the melanin concentration; the more the melanin-producing process existed, the higher intensity in the tumor was shown. On T2WI there were also some differences in signal intensity; the case having more concentration of melanin changed lower partially in the areas where very high intensity was noted on T1WI, while another case remained unchanged. These findings are based on the inherent paramagnetic effect mostly compatible with the previous reports. On the other hand, the amelanotic melanoma was demonstrated as an intermediate intensity both on T1- and T2WI. Because of the higher incidence of hemorrhage in/around the tumor, it is an important diagnostic clue to this tumor, as in our case of amelanotic type. On reviewing the three cases, we consider that MR imaging offers a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma.     

Ultrasonographic changes in malignant neck nodes during radiotherapy in head and neck squamous carcinoma

Limited information is available about the sonomorphological changes in metastatic neck nodes during radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of sonomorphological changes in metastatic neck nodes with radiotherapy. The study population consisted of 16 consecutive patients planned for radical radiotherapy to the head and neck. All patients were subjected to four ultrasound examinations: before therapy, at 46 Gy, at the conclusion of radiation and at first follow up. A total of 59 ultrasound examinations were performed on 16 patients. The difference between the mean number of nodes detected per patient before (10.6) and after (7.8) radiation was significant (P = 0.05). Sixteen nodes were categorized as malignant at first sonography, half of which reverted back to normal by the end of radiation. Changes in the sonomorphology of malignant cervical lymph nodes occur with radiotherapy with more that half demonstrating reversion to normal pattern. Future studies correlating this with histopathology should be considered.     

MR prediction of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures

We reviewed spinal MR images of 58 patients with 98 compressed vertebrae. Benign (47 vertebrae) or malignant (51 vertebrae) etiology was established by biopsy or radiologic follow-up. Compressed vertebrae were analyzed for presence and characteristics of signal abnormality, altered vertebral contour, Schmorl's nodes, pedicular involvement, and contrast uptake. Statistical analysis was performed. Diffuse and homogeneous decrease in signal intensity on T1-weighted images, convex vertebral contour, involvement of the pedicles, and a lumbar location were more frequently observed in malignant fractures (P < .01). A thoracic location, lack of signal change, or a band-like abnormality and absence of pedicular involvement or contour abnormality characterized benign fractures (P < .01). Schmorl's nodes and enhancement did not help establish a diagnosis. When a constellation of MR criteria are applied, the accuracy of the diagnosis of malignant and benign vertebral compression fractures may reach 94%.     

Distribution of intranodal vessels in differentiating benign from metastatic neck nodes

AIM: Recent studies report high accuracy of power Doppler sonography in the differentiation of benign from malignant cervical lymphadenopathy. This study was undertaken to identify which of the parameters used in Doppler sonography of cervical lymph nodes is accurate and readily applicable in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the power Doppler ultrasound examinations of 50 patients with cytologically proven metastatic nodes from nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 50 patients with proven reactive lymphadenopathy. All the examinations had been performed by an experienced sonologist, and intranodal vascular distribution and resistance were evaluated during real-time ultrasound. Twenty metastatic nodes and 40 reactive nodes were less than 10 mm in maximum transverse diameter. The vascular patterns of lymph nodes were classified into three categories: (1) hilar; (2) capsular; (3) hilar and capsular. The resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured by spectral Doppler. RESULTS: Although metastatic nodes (RI, 0.81 +/- 0.11; PI, 1.89 +/- 0.89) tended to have higher intranodal vascular resistance than reactive nodes (RI, 0.65 +/- 0.08; PI, 1.07 +/- 0.26), there was considerable overlap of the resistance parameters between benign and malignant nodes. Most of the metastatic nodes showed the presence of capsular vascularity (capsular, 16%; capsular and hilar, 78%), whereas the majority of the reactive nodes showed hilar vascularity (98%), and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: The distribution of intranodal vascularity appears to be more useful than RI or PI in differentiating benign from malignant cervical lymphadenopathy. It is also easier to evaluate the distribution and the results are therefore readily applicable in routine clinical practice.     

Imaging of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors of the neck

Soft tissue tumors of the neck are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms arising from adipose, muscular, and fibrous tissue. With the exception of lymphomas, they account for only a small fraction of neck masses. Nevertheless, accurate diagnosis is important since the behavior of these neoplasms differs markedly from each other and from other head and neck masses. Noninvasive imaging, usually with CT and MR imaging, plays an important role in diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning for these tumors. In some cases, imaging features may be suggestive of a single entity. In most cases, imaging is needed to assess the location and extent of the tumor prior to biopsy or excision. This article discusses imaging techniques used for such assessment, the imaging features that help to separate these neoplasms from other head and neck tumors, and the behavior and imaging features of each of the more common benign and malignant soft tissue tumors that occur in the neck.     

Combined diffusion-weighted MRI and MR spectroscopy: Feasibility to improve the MRI capability in differentiation between benign and malignant neck lymphadenopathy

The study aims to evaluate the additional value of MRS and DWI in differentiating malignant and benign neck lymphadenopathy.Materials and methods: Thirty-three patients with enlarged neck lymph nodes of malignant suspicious underwent DWI and MRS. ADC values, presence of Cho peak and Cho/Creatine ratio of the dominant node were assessed and results were compared with histopathological results.Results: the patients were classified into benign (n = 9) and malignant (n = 24: 17 metastases and 7 lymphoma). The mean ADC values of the benign, metastasis and lymphoma patients were 1.56 ± 0.23, 1.01 ± 0.23 and 0.71 ± 0.02 × 10^?3 mm²/s respectively. It was significantly higher in benign than malignant (p < 0.0001) and in metastatic than lymphomatous (p = 0.001) as well as in well- and moderately than poorly differentiated metastatic (p = 0.01) lymph nodes. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), cutoff value of 1.15 × 10^?3 mm²/s of ADC could differentiate benign from malignant nodes with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.6%, 77.7%, 91.9%, 77.7%, KAPPA = 0.69 and p < 0.001 respectively.Malignant nodes showed a significant choline peak (n = 24, 100%) while benign nodes showed choline peak in only two cases (22%). Mean Cho/Cr ratio was significantly higher in malignant nodes than benign ones (2.64 ± 1.16 versus 1.09 ± 0.04) (p < 0.0001), furthermore it was significantly higher in lymphoma versus metastatic (4.3 ± 0.35 versus 1.94 ± 0.34, p < 0.001) as well as poor versus Well- to moderately differentiated metastases (2.3 ± 0.11 versus 1.69 ± 0.18, p < 0.01). The MRS sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and Kappa in differentiating benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes were 100.0, 77.7, 92.3, 100.0% and 0.83 and p value = 0.001.Combination of DWI and MRS showed higher diagnostic value than DWI or MRS alone with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and Kappa of 100, 88.9, 96, 100% and 0.92 respectively (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: ADC and MRS can help in the differentiation between malignant and benign neck lymph nodes. Combination of both techniques achieved higher diagnostic performance.     

Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging in distinguishing malignant from benign head and neck tumors: A pilot study

Purpose

To preliminarily investigate the utility of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging in distinguishing malignant from benign head and neck tumors.

Material and methods

Seventy eight patients with head and neck masses underwent single shot dynamic susceptibility contrast T2*-weighted perfusion weighted MR imaging after bolus infusion of gadolinium-DTPA was administrated. The signal intensity time curve of the lesion was created. Dynamic susceptibility contrast percentage (DSC%) was calculated and correlated with pathological findings.

Results

The mean DSC% of malignant tumor (n = 40) was 39.3 ± 9.6% and of benign lesions (n = 38) was 24.3 ± 10.3%. There was a statistically significant difference of the DSC% between benign and malignant tumors (P = 0.001) and within benign tumors (P = 0.001). When DSC% of 30.7% was used as a threshold for differentiating malignant from benign tumors, the best results were obtained: accuracy of 84.6%, sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 89.2%.

Conclusion

Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted MR imaging is a non-invasive imaging technique that can play a role in differentiation between malignant and benign head and neck tumors.     

MR microimaging of the lung using volume projection encoding

Radial acquisition (RA) techniques have been extended to produce isotropic, three-dimensional images of lung in live laboratory animals at spatial resolution down to 0.013 mm³ with a signal-to-noise ratio of 30:1. The pulse sequence and reconstruction algorithm have been adapted to allow acquisition of image matrices of up to 256³ in less than 15 min. Scan-synchronous ventilation has been incorporated to limit breathing motion artifacts. The imaging sequence permits randomizing and/or discarding selected views to minimize the consequences of breathing motion. The signal in lung parenchyma was measured as a function of flip angle (α) for different repetition times and found to follow the predictions for which there is an optimum excitation (Ernst) angle. A single T₁, relaxation value of 780 ± 54 ms fits all data from six guinea pigs at 2.0 T. This T₁, value parameterizes the signal and allows for a priori optimization, such as calculation of the Ernst angle appropriate for lung imaging.     

Differentiation of benign and malignant ampullary obstructions on MR imaging

Objective

To define diagnostic criteria for differentiating malignant ampullary carcinoma from benign ampullary obstruction on MR imaging.

Materials and methods

Nineteen patients with ampullary carcinoma and 22 patients with benign ampullary obstruction were enrolled. At the first session, two radiologists independently evaluated specific imaging findings, and then reached consensus decisions. At the second session, another two radiologists, who were informed about useful differentiation criteria based on the results from the first session, reviewed images and determined the causes of ampullary obstruction. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each interpretation session, and the Cohen κ statistic was used to evaluate interobserver agreement.

Results

Findings of the presence of an ampullary mass (P < 0.001), papillary bulging (P < 0.001), irregular (P = 0.021) and asymmetric (P < 0.001) common bile duct (CBD) narrowing, and proportional biliary dilatation (P < 0.001) were more commonly seen in patients with an ampullary carcinoma. The sensitivity and specificity of the first session were 84.2% and 86.4% after consensus. The sensitivity increased to 100% for both the readers at the second session, while the specificity decreased to 63.6% and 59.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Identification of an ampullary mass, papillary bulging, irregular and asymmetric narrowing of the CBD, or proportional biliary dilatation may improve the diagnosis of ampullary carcinoma in patients with ampullary obstruction.     

Perfusion MR imaging for differentiation of benign and malignant meningiomas

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to determine whether perfusion MR imaging can be used to differentiate benign and malignant meningiomas on the basis of the differences in perfusion of tumor parenchyma and/or peritumoral edema. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with preoperative meningiomas (25 benign and 8 malignant) underwent conventional and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging. Maximal relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and the corresponding relative mean time to enhance (rMTE) (relative to the contralateral normal white matter) in both tumor parenchyma and peritumoral edema were measured. The independent samples t-test was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in the mean rCBV and rMTE ratios between benign and malignant meningiomas. RESULTS: The mean maximal rCBV values of benign and malignant meningiomas were 7.16+/-4.08 (mean+/-SD) and 5.89+/-3.86, respectively, in the parenchyma, and 1.05+/-0.96 and 3.82+/-1.39, respectively, in the peritumoral edema. The mean rMTE values were 1.16+/-0.24 and 1.30+/-0.32, respectively, in the parenchyma, and 0.91+/-0.25 and 1.24+/-0.35, respectively, in the peritumoral edema. The differences in rCBV and rMTE values between benign and malignant meningiomas were not statistically significant (P>0.05) in the parenchyma, but both were statistically significant (P<0.05) in the peritumoral edema. CONCLUSION: Perfusion MR imaging can provide useful information on meningioma vascularity which is not available from conventional MRI. Measurement of maximal rCBV and corresponding rMTE values in the peritumoral edema is useful in the preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant meningiomas.     

MR灌注成像在前列腺疾病诊断中作用的初步探讨

目的探讨MR灌注成像在前列腺良恶性病变中的初步应用,评价血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和微血管密度(MVD)与MR灌注成像各指标的关系。方法对临床诊断为前列腺疾病的70例患者,其中良性前列腺增生(BPH)42例,前列腺癌(PCa)28例,进行MR灌注成像,并对标本进行免疫组织化学检测;分析病变的灌注曲线最大线性斜率(SSmax)、T2*弛豫率(△R2* peak)与免疫组织化学检查结果(VEGF、MVD)的相关性。结果(1)BPH组增生结节灌注曲线的SSmax及△R2*peak分别为:33．5±3．1、1．5±0．1;PCa组癌灶灌注曲线的SSmax及△R2*peak分别为:58．4±4．7、3．1±0．5,两者之间差异有统计学意义(t值分别为2．13、2．29,P值均<0．05);PCa组高、中、低分化腺癌的SSmax分别为:52．3±3．4、56．4±4．3、60．7±5．2,差异有统计学意义(F=132．04,P< 0．05),△R2*peak分别为:2．9±0．4、3．1±0．5、3．2±0．7,差异有统计学意义(F=114．82,P<0．05)。(2)BPH组VEGF阳性9例,MVD值为22．76±6．54;PCa组VEGF阳性为24例,MVD值为71．38±9．17;PCa的VEGF和MVD的表达水平明显高于BPH患者(X2=27．86,P<0．01;t=20．4,P< 0．01),PCa、BPH的VEGF表达与MVD表达呈正相关性(P<0．01);灌注加权成像(PWI)参数SSmax、△R2*peak与VEGF、MVD具有相关性(P<0．01)。结论PWI的有关指标(SSmax、△R2*peak)与MVD和VEGF的表达水平相关,有可能为前列腺疾病良恶性的鉴别提供信息。     

MR imaging of edema accompanying benign and malignant bone tumors

To evaluate the incidence, quantity, and presentation of intra- and extraosseous edema accompanying benign and malignant primary bone lesions, the magnetic resonance (MR) studies of 63 consecutive patients with histologically proven primary bone tumors were reviewed. MR scans were assessed for the presence and quantity of marrow and soft tissue edema and correlated with peroperative findings, resected specimens and follow-up data. The signal intensity and enhancement of tumor and edema prior to and after intravenous administration (if any) of gadolinium-labled diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Gd-DTPA) was analyzed. Marrow edema was encountered adjacent to 8 of 39 malignant tumors and 14 of 24 benign lesions. Soft tissue edema was found accompanying 28 of 39 malignancies and 10 of 24 benign disorders. On unenhanced T1-weighted MR images tumor and edema were difficult to differentiate. Tumor inhomogeneity made this differentiation easier on T2-weighted sequences. In 36 patients the contrast medium Gd-DTPA was used. Edema was present in 27 of these patients and the respective enhancement of tumor and edema could be compared. Edema always enhanced homogeneously, and in most cases it enhanced to a similar degree as or more than tumor. Marrow and, more specifically, soft tissue edema is a frequent finding adjacent to primary bone tumors. The mere presence and quantity of marrow and soft tissue edema are unreliable indicators of the biologic potential of a lesion. Unenhanced MR scans cannot always differentiate between tumor and edema, but the administration of Gd-DTPA is of assistance in differentiating tumor from edema. Awareness of marrow and/or soft tissue edema adjacent to bone lesions is of importance because edema can be a pitfall in the diagnostic work-up and staging prior to biopsy or surgery.     

Comparison of sonography and CT for differentiating benign from malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVE: We compared the ability of sonography and CT to differentiate benign from malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 209 cervical nodes (102 metastatic and 107 nonmetastatic) from 62 patients with head and neck cancer. These nodes were topographically correlated by node between images and surgical specimens, and accordingly between sonography and CT. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z) value) for the overall impressions of metastatic or nonmetastatic nodes was significantly greater for sonography (power Doppler sonography plus gray-scale sonography, 0.97 +/- 0.005; gray-scale sonography, 0.95 +/- 0.004) than for CT (0.87 +/- 0.018). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis also showed that the greater ability of sonography to depict the internal architecture of the nodes (A(z) value, 0.96 +/- 0.006) compared with CT (A(z) value, 0.81 +/- 0.027) significantly contributed to the better performance of sonography compared with CT in diagnosing metastatic nodes in the neck. On the other hand, size criterion (the short-axis diameter) was equally predictive in sonography and CT. The greater contributions of internal architectures relative to the size criterion of the node in the sonographic assessment for metastatic nodes were further evidenced by the findings that sonography provided higher sensitivity and specificity than CT did, whereas the cutoff points for the short-axis diameter in both tests were equivalent. CONCLUSION: Sonography performed significantly better than CT in depicting cervical metastatic nodes. Sonography could be a useful adjunct to CT in surveying cervical metastatic nodes.     

超顺磁氧化铁粒子增强MRI区分肿瘤转移性与良性淋巴结的实验研究

目的：研究超顺磁氧化铁粒子（SPIO）增强MRI鉴别肿瘤转移淋巴结与 正常和反应增生性淋巴结的价值。方法：新西兰兔18只，体重2．0－2．5kg。分析6只正常兔平扫及皮下间隙注射SPIO（10μmol Fe/肢）后1－48h的信号变化，用于研究SPIO增强效应－时间曲线；6只兔后腿肌内注射蛋黄乳胶，用于建立Guo窝淋巴结的反应性增生模型；6只兔后腿肌肉接种VX2肉瘤，并与病理检查对照.结果：平扫时正常、反应性增生的淋巴结和肿瘤转移淋巴结的信号强度无明显差异。SPIO增强后，正常和反应性增生淋巴结的信号强度降低，在12h时最明显，至48h时仍较明显，在T1WI、T2WI、质子密度加权像（PDWI）和T2WI分别为平扫时信号强度的51％、22％、41％和11％（P值均＝0．000）；肿瘤转移淋巴结的信号强度保持不变。结论：皮下间隙注射SPIO后MR成像可鉴别肿瘤转移淋巴结与正常和反应增生性淋巴结。     

Comparison between malignant and benign abdominal lymph nodes on diffusion-weighted imaging

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to review the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of benign and metastatic abdominal lymph nodes on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with a total of 40 benign (20 patients) and 16 malignant (8 patients) lymph nodes who underwent DWI MRI of the abdomen (b = 0.600) were enrolled in the study. ADC values of the lymph nodes were measured and comparison was made between benign and malignant groups. RESULTS: Mean ADC value of lymph nodes was 2.38 +/- 0.29 and 1.84 +/- 0.37 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec in the benign and malignant groups, respectively. There was a significant statistical difference between the ADC values of benign and malignant lymph nodes (P < .0005). CONCLUSION: A wide range of ADC values exist in patients with metastatic abdominal lymph nodes, with a tendency of higher ADC values in benign lymph nodes.     

Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging of head and neck lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: To compare findings on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images of the head and neck with those from resected lymph node specimens and to determine the effect of such imaging on surgical planning in patients with histopathologically proved squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients underwent MR imaging with nonenhanced and SPIO-enhanced (2.6 mg Fe/kg intravenously) T1-weighted (500/15 [repetition time msec/echo time msec]) and T2-weighted (1,900/80) spin-echo and T2-weighted gradient-echo (GRE) (500/15, 15 degrees flip angle) sequences. Signal intensity decrease was measured, and visual analysis was performed. Surgical plans were modified, if necessary, according to MR findings. Histopathologic and MR findings were compared. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation of 1,029 lymph nodes revealed 69 were metastatic. MR imaging enabled detection of 59 metastases. Regarding lymph node levels, MR diagnosis was correct in 26 of 27 patients who underwent surgery: Only one metastasis was localized in level II with MR imaging, whereas histopathologic evaluation placed it at level III. Extent of surgery was changed in seven patients. SPIO-enhanced T2-weighted GRE was the best sequence for differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: SPIO-enhanced MR imaging has an important effect on planning the extent of surgery. On a patient basis, SPIO-enhanced MR images compared well with resected specimens.