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Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: diffusion-weighted MR imaging for prediction and monitoring of treatment response

  • Head and Neck
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting and monitoring chemoradiotherapy response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Diffusion-weighted imaging was performed pre-treatment (n = 50), intra-treatment (n = 41) and post-treatment (n = 20). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were correlated with locoregional failure (LF).

Results

Locoregional failure occurred in 20/50 (40%) patients. A significant correlation was found between LF and post-treatment ADC (p = 0.02) but not pre- or intra-treatment ADC. Serial change in ADC was even more significant (p = 0.00001), using a fall in ADC early (pre- to intra-treatment) or late (intra- to post-treatment) to indicate LF, achieved 100% specificity, 80% sensitivity and 90% accuracy.

Conclusions

Single ADC measurements pre- or intra-treatment did not predict response, but ADC post-treatment was a marker for LF. Serial change in ADC was an even stronger marker, when using an early or late treatment fall in ADC to identify LF.

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Acknowledgements

The work described in this study was fully supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project number 4300/04).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China

    Ann D. King, David K. W. Yeung, Kunwar S. Bhatia, Jeffrey K. T. Wong & Anil T. Ahuja

  2. State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, Hong Kong Cancer Institute and Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China

    Frankie K. F. Mo & Kwok-Hung Yu

  3. Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Hua Zhou

  4. Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 30–32 Ngai Shing Street, New Territories, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China

    Gary M. K. Tse

  5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 30–32 Ngai Shing Street, New Territories, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China

    Alexander C. Vlantis

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  1. Ann D. King
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  2. Frankie K. F. Mo
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  3. Kwok-Hung Yu
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  4. David K. W. Yeung
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  5. Hua Zhou
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  6. Kunwar S. Bhatia
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  7. Gary M. K. Tse
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  8. Alexander C. Vlantis
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  9. Jeffrey K. T. Wong
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  10. Anil T. Ahuja
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ann D. King.

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King, A.D., Mo, F.K.F., Yu, KH. et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: diffusion-weighted MR imaging for prediction and monitoring of treatment response. Eur Radiol 20, 2213–2220 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1769-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1769-8

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