Minor salivary gland tumors in the oral cavity: diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for minor salivary gland tumors in the oral cavity.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two patients with minor salivary gland tumors were examined preoperatively using DCE-MRI. Their maximum contrast index (CImax), time of CImax (Tmax), Tpeak; i.e., the time that corresponded to the CImax × 0.90, and washout ratios (WR300 and WR600) were determined from contrast index (CI) curves. We compared these parameters between benign and malignant tumors and among the different histopathological types of minor salivary gland tumors. Then, we categorized the patients’ CI curves into four patterns (gradual increase, rapid increase with high washout ratio, rapid increase with low washout, and flat).

Results

Statistically significant differences in Tmax (P = 0.004) and Tpeak (P = 0.002) were observed between the benign and malignant tumors. Regarding each histopathological tumor type, significant differences in Tmax (P < 0.001), Tpeak (P < 0.001), and WR600 (P = 0.026) were observed between the pleomorphic adenomas and mucoepidermoid carcinomas. It was difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors using our CI curve classification because that two-thirds of the cases were classified into the same type (gradual increase).

Conclusion

The DCE-MRI parameters of minor salivary gland tumors contributed little to their differential diagnosis compared with those for major salivary gland tumors. During the diagnosis of minor salivary gland tumors, Tmax is useful for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors.     

A prospective study of three diagnostic sonographic methods in differentiation between benign and malignant salivary gland tumours

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of three diagnostic sonographic methods, greyscale sonography (GSS), colour Doppler sonography (CDS) and spectral Doppler (SPD), in differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland (SG) tumours.

Methods

44 patients with SG masses were examined using GSS, CDS and SPD. The morphological features of each tumour were evaluated using GSS, the distribution and number of detected blood vessels were assessed using CDS, and peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured on SPD. All cases underwent excisional biopsy and a definite tissue diagnosis was obtained.

Results

Histopathological examination revealed that 28 of the 44 tumours were benign and 16 were malignant. GSS showed that malignant SG tumours had a significantly higher incidence of ill-defined borders and lymph node involvement than benign tumours, but there was no significant difference between benign and malignant SG tumours regarding echogenicity, homogeneity or sonographic shape. CDS demonstrated malignant tumours with significantly higher vascularity and a scattered distribution. Using SPD, malignant tumours had significantly higher PSV, RI and PI compared with benign tumours.

Conclusion

RI values above 0.7, PI values above 1.2, PSV values above 44.3 cm s^–1, ill-defined borders, lymph node involvement, Grade 2 or 3 vascularity and hilar distribution of blood vessels should alert the clinician to suspect a malignant SG tumour. After consensus on the threshold values of PSV, RI and PI in differentiating benign from malignant SG tumours, these numbers should be incorporated into the software of ultrasound machines to guide the sonographer in his or her analysis.     

Time-intensity curve in the abdominal aorta on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with high temporal and spatial resolution: Gd-EOB-DTPA versus Gd-DTPA in vivo

Purpose

To evaluate the difference in the time-intensity curves (TICs) of the abdominal aorta on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) between Gd-DTPA and Gd-EOB-DTPA.

Materials and methods

Ten healthy volunteers underwent DCE-MRI three times with the following protocol: group A, Gd-DTPA at an injection rate of 3 ml/s; group B, Gd-EOB-DTPA, 3 ml/s; group C, Gd-EOB-DTPA, 1.5 ml/s. Signal intensities (SIs) of the abdominal aorta were measured, and the contrast enhancement ratio (CER) was calculated. Time-to-CER curves were compared among the three groups. The differences in maximum CER (CER_max) and time-to-peak of CER were analyzed.

Results

The time-to-CER curve showed a double peak pattern in group A and single-peak pattern in groups B and C. The mean time between the first and the second peak was 6.2 s. The mean CER_max of each group was 4.50, 4.52 and 4.27, respectively. In group A, B and C, the mean time-to-peak was 14.6, 10.6 and 12.6 s, respectively. There was a significant difference between group A and B (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

To set up the optimal protocol for abdominal DCE-MRI, it should be noted that TIC in the Gd-DTPA and Gd-EOB-DTPA group showed different patterns, and a slower injection rate showed a less abrupt SI change in the Gd-EOB-DTPA group than in the Gd-DTPA group.     

Assessment of salivary gland tumors using MRI and CT: impact of experience on diagnostic accuracy

Rationale and objectives

To analyze the accuracy of radiological diagnosis in MRI and CT studies of salivary gland tumors depending on the radiologist’s experience.

Materials and methods

Three radiologists with differing experience (R1 > 20, R2 > 11, and R3 > 7 years, respectively) retrospectively reviewed 128 cases (116 MRI, 12 CT studies) with suspected salivary gland tumors regarding dignity and classification using histopathology as a reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value and inter-observer agreement (using Cohen’s κ) were calculated to compare diagnostic performance.

Results

Lesions were benign in 87 and in 23 cases malignant. Neoplasia was absent in 18 cases (15 cases without neoplasia and 3 cases without disease). The highest inter-observer agreement for determining dignity using CT was found between R1 and R2 (κ = 0.74, p < 0.001), and the lowest between R2 and R3 (κ = 0.28, p < 0.001). MRI sensitivity/specificity for classifying pleomorphic adenomas was as follows: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (76.92%/87.01%), R3 (43.53%/67.53%), and for CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (100%/88.89%), R3 (66.67%/88.89%; for Warthin’s tumor using MRI: R1 (100%/97.44%), R2 (68.42%/83.33%), R3 (50.00%/67.95%), and using CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (50.00%/100%), R3 (100%/100%; for squamous cell carcinomas using MRI: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (75.00%/97.12%), R3 (75.00%/99.04%), and using CT: R1 (100%/100%), R2 (66.67%/88.89%), R3 (66.67%/66.67%). The highest agreement was found between R1 and R2 for MRI (κ = 0.62, p < 0.001), and the lowest between R1 and R3 at MRI (κ = 0.28, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of salivary gland tumors strongly depends on the observer’s expertise and increases with higher experience.

     

Slice-accelerated gradient-echo echo planar imaging dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI with blipped CAIPI: effect of increasing temporal resolution

Purpose

To assess the influence of high temporal resolution on the perfusion measurements and image quality of perfusion maps, by applying simultaneous-multi-slice acquisition (SMS) dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and methods

DSC-MRI data using SMS gradient-echo echo planar imaging sequences in 10 subjects with no intracranial abnormalities were retrospectively analyzed. Three additional data sets with temporal resolution of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 s were created from the raw data sets of 0.5 s. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume, mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP), and time to maximum tissue residue function (T _max) measurements were performed, as was visual perfusion map analysis. The perfusion parameter for temporal resolution of 0.5 s (reference) was compared with each synthesized perfusion parameter.

Results

CBF, MTT, and TTP values at temporal resolutions of 1.5 and 2.0 s differed significantly from the reference. The image quality of MTT, TTP, and T _max maps deteriorated with decreasing temporal resolution.

Conclusion

The temporal resolution of DSC-MRI influences perfusion parameters and SMS DSC-MRI provides better image quality for MTT, TTP, and T _max maps.

     

应用3TMR高空间分辨力动态增强检查预测前列腺癌突破包膜

目的评估通过3TMR动态增强(DCE)检查联合以直肠内线圈(ERC)为接收线圈的T2W成像预测前列腺癌突破包膜的诊断价值。方法本研究已得到伦理审查委员会批准。108例行前列腺全切术病人术前均行3TMR直肠内线圈前列腺检查。分别获得全部病人的T2W快速自旋回波影像和动态增强3D梯度回波影像。由诊断经验不同的医师分别对影像进行解读,并对各组结果进行分析。将基于MR所得的分期结果与根治术后的病理结果进行对照。所得结果进行描述性统计计算,通过ROC曲线下面积确定结果预测前列腺癌突破包膜的发生和前列腺癌的分期。结果整体上利用文中方法预测前列腺癌突破包膜的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为75%、92%、79%和91%。全部医师、经验丰富和缺乏经验的医师分期诊断的准确度分别为86%、80%和91%。结论在3T直肠内线圈MR检查中联合应用动态增强和T2WI检查前列腺,是一种适用于不同层次医师在病人治疗前预测前列腺癌突破包膜的准确分期方法。     

动态增强MRI时间信号强度曲线在卵巢良恶性肿瘤鉴别中的价值

目的探讨动态增强MRI时间信号强度曲线(TIC)鉴别卵巢肿瘤良恶性的价值。方法收集2016年1月—2017年8月间于我院超声检查发现盆腔附件肿块的71例女性病人,年龄14～78岁,中位年龄52岁。所有病人行MRI常规及动态增强检查后经手术获得病理结果。利用工作站在肿块实性区和正常子宫外肌层设置兴趣区获取TIC,以子宫外肌层强化曲线为基准,对卵巢肿块实性区的TIC类型进行校正,分析曲线类型与良恶性卵巢肿瘤的关系。采用χ~2检验比较良恶性肿瘤间3种TIC类型差异。结果 71例病人中包括卵巢恶性肿瘤40例,良性肿瘤26例,交界性肿瘤5例。上述3种肿瘤的TIC类型的差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。良性肿瘤以Ⅰ型TIC为主(73.1%),恶性肿瘤以Ⅲ型TIC为主(77.5%)。MRI+TIC鉴别肿瘤良恶性的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值较单独常规MRI检查各指标均有不同程度提高。结论动态增强MRI及其TIC对卵巢良恶性肿瘤具有重要的鉴别诊断价值。     

Relationship of temporal resolution to diagnostic performance for dynamic contrast enhanced MRI of the breast

Purpose:

To investigate the relationship between temporal resolution of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and classification of breast lesions as benign versus malignant.

Materials and Methods:

Patients underwent T₁‐weighted DCE MRI with 15 s/acquisition temporal resolution using 1.5 Tesla (n = 48) and 3.0T (n = 33) MRI scanners. Seventy‐nine patients had pathologically proven diagnosis and 2 had 2 years follow‐up showing no change in lesion size. The temporal resolution of DCE MRI was systematically reduced as a postprocessing step from 15 to 30, 45, and 60 s/acquisition by eliminating intermediate time points. Average wash‐in and wash‐out slopes, wash‐out percentage changes, and kinetic curve shape (persistently enhancing, plateau, or wash‐out) were compared for each temporal resolution. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to compare kinetic parameters and diagnostic accuracy.

Results:

Sixty patients (74%) had malignant lesions and 21 patients (26%) had benign lesions. All temporal‐resolution parameters significantly predicted benign versus malignant diagnosis (P < 0.05). However, 45 s/acquisition and higher temporal‐resolution datasets showed higher accuracy than the 60 s/acquisition dataset by ROC curve analysis (0.72 versus 0.69 for average wash‐in slope; 0.85 versus 0.82, for average wash‐out slope; and 0.88 versus 0.80 for kinetic curve shape assessment, for 45 s/acquisition versus 60 s/acquisition temporal‐resolution datasets, respectively (P = 0.027).

Conclusion:

DCE MRI data with at least 45‐s temporal resolution maximized the agreement between the kinetic parameters and correct classification of benign versus malignant diagnosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:999–1004. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Investigation and optimization of parameter accuracy in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

PURPOSE: To present a modified pharmacokinetic model for improved parameter accuracy and to investigate the influence of an inaccurate arterial input function (AIF) on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI parameter estimates of the transfer constant (Ktrans), blood volume (vp), and interstitial volume (ve). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue uptake curves were simulated over a large range of physiological values and analyzed for different AIF measurement errors and temporal resolutions. The AIF measurement was assumed to be inaccurate in the bolus amplitude (rapid sampling) or susceptible to unknown temporal offsets (slow sampling with biexponential decay fit). RESULTS: The modified model adequately reduces errors in parameter estimates arising from transit time effects. An error in the AIF bolus amplitude results in an inversely proportional error in Ktrans and vp; ve remains robust. More consistent error in Ktrans (approximately 20% underestimation) was obtained using a biexponential AIF, at the expense of severely underestimating vp. CONCLUSION: While an accurate, high temporal resolution AIF is essential for estimating vp, a biexponential AIF acquired at low temporal resolution (<20 seconds) provides robust estimates of ve and results in a Ktrans underestimation comparable to that from a 25% error in the initial AIF bolus amplitude.     

Evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic response of breast cancer using dynamic MRI with high temporal resolution

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in both size and contrast enhancement of breast tumors during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, using dynamic MRI with high temporal resolution. Patients with advanced breast cancer (n=21) underwent a 1.5-T MRI scan prior to and following neoadjuvant chemotherapy with four cycles. Dynamic contrast enhancement was measured using a fast turbo-FLASH sequence and quantified using a two-compartment model with the parameters k_ep and amplitude. Image analysis was done on images overlayed with a color map of parameters. The correlation between tumor diameter measured by histopathology and MRI was 0.7 (p<0.003). A reduction of tumor size after chemotherapy of more than 25% was associated with a decrease of both analyzed contrast enhancement parameters (k_ep: p<0.002; amplitude: p<0.006), where k_ep began to drop already after the first cycle of chemotherapy (p<0.008). A clear reduction of tumor size was only noted after the third cycle (p<0.008). In patients without tumor regression there was also a trend towards an early reduction of contrast enhancement. We assume that MRI with high temporal resolution and color mapping is a novel tool to assess therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast tumors, which deserves further prospective evaluation. Electronic Publication     

MR动态增强成像在诊断良恶性骨病中的应用价值

目的:探讨MR动态增强成像在诊断良恶性骨病中的应用价值。方法:36例骨病患者(良性14例,恶性22例)行DCE-MRI检查。于动态增强图像上测量信号增强幅度(SEE)、早期动态增强斜率值(Slope值)、向心性增强率(DER),判断TIC曲线类型,采用受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线选择良恶性病变鉴别诊断的阈值,计算各参数对病变潜在恶性估计的敏感度、特异度和准确度。结果:①36例病例中,恶性病变组共22例,均为Ⅲ型(100%);良性病变组共14例,呈Ⅲ型者2例(14.29%),呈Ⅱ型者5例(35.71%),Ⅰ型者7例(50%)。若以Ⅲ型为恶性病变,Ⅰ、Ⅱ型均视为良性病变为诊断标准,则TIC类型对病变潜在恶性评估的准确度为94.3%;②良恶性两组间SEE、Slope值、DER分别为227.96±172.08、325.6±125.86(P0.05);(0.97±0.67)%/s、(2.53±0.91)%/s(P0.05);0.2043±0.0487、0.2267±0.0402(P0.05)。Slope值对病变潜在恶性估计的准确度为91.4%。结论:DCE-MRI可以反应病变组织的血管化与灌注,有助于鉴别骨骼系统病变的良恶性,且以TIC类型准确度最高,最有价值。     

MR 动态增强联合扩散加权成像对壶腹区良恶性病变的鉴别

目的：研究M R动态增强联合扩散加权成像（DWI）在鉴别壶腹区良恶性病变的价值。方法回顾性分析43例胆总管下段狭窄患者的M R动态增强及DWI的数据。其中包括32例恶性病变和11例慢性炎症。1位影像医生对壶腹周围良恶性病变的M R动态增强信号强度及DWI信号进行分析,另外2位影像医生对壶腹周围病变的M R动态增强影像以及M R动态增强联合DWI影像进行评估。应用 Logistic回归分析比较灵敏度及特异性。结果壶腹周围良恶性病变MR动态增强表现差异无统计学意义;DWI影像中,壶腹周围癌比炎症更多地表现为高信号,表观扩散系数（ADC）图表现为低信号（P＜0．001）。2位读片者在结合DWI影像后对恶性壶腹周围病变的诊断灵敏度均有提高,分别从84．4％提高到96．9％和从87．7％提高到96．6％。结论 M R动态增强联合DWI可提高鉴别壶腹周围区良恶性狭窄的诊断准确率。     

MR factor analysis: improved technology for the assessment of 2D dynamic structures of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors

PURPOSE: To establish an MR factor analysis technique for two-dimensional (2D) MR dynamic structures of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using a surface coil was performed on 36 patients with benign (N = 24) or malignant (N = 12) salivary gland tumors. Signal intensity kinetics in each pixel of the tumors after contrast medium injections were semiautomatically categorized into four patterns (slow uptake, rapid uptake with high washout, rapid uptake with low washout, and flat). The 2D distributions of the kinetic patterns in the tumors were compared with the histological features of the corresponding parts of the excised tumors and with overall kinetics obtained by a conventional analysis. RESULTS: The MR factor analysis technique allowed the pixel-to-pixel evaluation of the contrast enhancement kinetics of the salivary gland tumors. The 2D distributions of the time-intensity curve (TIC) patterns correlated well with the histological features of the salivary gland tumors and allowed more detailed dynamic structures of the tumors compared with the results obtained by the conventional dynamic study analysis. CONCLUSION: The proposed MR factor analysis would be clinically feasible to diagnose salivary gland tumors and tumor-like lesions.     

DWI及动态增强磁共振成像在口底病变良恶性鉴别中的应用

目的:评价扩散加权成像(DWI)和动态增强MRI(DCE-MRI)在口底病变良恶性鉴别中的价值.方法:回顾性分析2012-2014年经病理确诊的75例非囊性口底病变的磁共振图像.经后处理获得病变的表观扩散系数(ADC)和时间-信号强度曲线(TIC),并采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析和Logistic回归分析法评价这两个指标与口底病变良恶性的相关性.结果:良恶性口底病变的ADC值和TIC形态的差异均有统计学意义(P=0.015和P＜0.001),其曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.754和0.704.当联合应用ADC值和TIC形态进行良恶性鉴别时,诊断效能更佳,最佳诊断标准为ADC≤1.23×10-3mm2/s且平台/退出型TIC曲线,其AUC值为0.820,敏感度98.3％,特异度88.9％.结论:磁共振扩散加权成像和动态增强扫描对于口底病变的良恶性鉴别具有辅助诊断价值,两者联合应用的诊断价值更高.     

The intravertebral cleft in benign vertebral compression fracture: the diagnostic performance of non-enhanced MRI and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced MRI

We compared the diagnostic performance of non-enhanced MRI and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI) in diagnosing intravertebral clefts in benign vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). We retrospectively reviewed 99 consecutive patients who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty for VCFs. A cleft was defined as a signal void or hyperintense area on non-enhanced MRI (T₁ and T₂ weighted imaging) or as a hypointense area within a diffusely enhanced vertebra on CEMRI. A cleft was confirmed as a solid opacification on post-procedural radiographs. The interobserver reliability and MRI diagnostic performance were evaluated. The interobserver reliability of non-enhanced MRI was substantial (k _ 0.698) and the interobserver reliability of CEMRI was almost perfect (k _ 0.836). Post-procedural radiographs showed solid cleft opacification in 32 out of the 99 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of non-enhanced MRI were 0.72 and 0.82 (observer 1) and 0.63 and 0.87 (observer 2), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CEMRI were 0.94 and 0.63 (observer 1) and 0.85 and 0.60 (observer 2), respectively. The sensitivity of CEMRI was significantly higher than that of non-enhanced MRI, and the specificity of non-enhanced MRI was higher than that of CEMRI. CEMRI was highly reliable and sensitive, and non-enhanced MRI was specific for intravertebral clefts. Therefore, spine MRIs, including CEMRI, could provide useful information about intravertebral clefts before percutaneous vertebroplasty.Intravertebral clefts associated with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are radiographic signs representing cavities within fractured vertebrae and have long been considered pathognomonic for avascular necrosis of the spine (Kümmell’s sign) [1–3]. However, several investigators have observed that intravertebral clefts are common in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures [4–6]. Currently, clefts are thought to represent corticocancellous disruption in mobile osteoporotic fractures, rather than avascular necrotic disease [4, 6].Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is an effective and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures [7, 8]. The advent of PV as the major treatment option for VCFs has prompted interest in intravertebral clefts occurring in benign VCFs. Recent studies have suggested that the clinical outcomes and complications associated with PV are influenced by the presence of clefts [4, 9–13]. Thus, radiological detection of clefts is indispensable for managing patients with VCFs.Spine MRI is commonly used for the evaluation of acute VCFs. MRI is useful in distinguishing malignancy from acute osteoporotic VCFs [14, 15] and is effective in demonstrating bone marrow oedema associated with acute compression fractures, which is one of the indications for performing PV [14, 16]. The MRI findings associated with intravertebral clefts have been well described [3–5]. However, there is controversy concerning the efficacy of MRI in diagnosing clefts. Specifically, the reliability and effectiveness of contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI), first assessed by Oka et al in 2005 [11], has not been properly evaluated. Such evaluation is important, given that CEMRI entails additional expense.To evaluate the efficacy of the CEMRI for the prediction of intravertebral clefts, we assessed the interobserver reliability and diagnostic performance of non-enhanced T₁ weighted and T₂ weighted MRI (T1WI and T2WI) and CEMRI in the identification of intravertebral clefts in VCFs. We then compared the diagnostic performance of CEMRI with that of non-enhanced MRI.     

Solitary pulmonary nodules: dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging--perfusion differences in malignant and benign lesions

PURPOSE: To determine whether dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with use of kinetic and morphologic parameters reveals statistically significant differences between malignant and benign solitary pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria of a solitary 5-40-mm pulmonary nodule without calcification or fat at computed tomography. Fifty-one patients were examined successfully; 46 received a histologic diagnosis, and five received a diagnosis by means of observation over 2 years. Dynamic MR images were acquired every 10 seconds for a total of 4 minutes. Diagnostic characteristics for differentiation were examined by using threshold values for maximum peak enhancement, slope of enhancement, and washout. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to test the usefulness of these parameters. The diagnostic performance of a combination of curve profiles and morphologic contrast material distribution were tested by using a decision tree. RESULTS: Frequency of malignancy was 53% (27 of 51 nodules). Malignant nodules showed stronger enhancement with a higher maximum peak and a faster slope (P <.001). Significant washout (>0.1% increase in signal intensity per second) was found only in malignant lesions (14 of 27 lesions). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 96%, 88%, and 92%, respectively, for maximum peak; 96%, 75%, and 86% for slope; and 52%, 100%, and 75% for washout. When curve profiles and morphologic enhancement patterns were combined, sensitivity increased to 100%. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MR imaging delineates significant kinetic and morphologic differences in vascularity and perfusion between malignant and benign solitary pulmonary nodules. Washout seems to be highly specific for malignancy.