Evaluation of multimodality imaging using image fusion with MRI and CEUS in an experimental animal model

Issue title: Selected Presentations held at the 34th Conference of the German Society for Clinical Microcirculation and Hemorheology, Regensburg, Germany, 27–28 November, 2015

Guest editors: L. Prantl, E.M. Jung and F. Jung

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Paprottka, P.M.^{a; *} | Zengel, P.^b | Cyran, C.C.^a | Paprottka, K.J.^a | Ingrisch, M.^a | Nikolaou, K.^a | Reiser, M.F.^a | Clevert, D.A.^a

Affiliations: [a] Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital, Munich, Germany | [b] Institute for Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine, Munich, Germany

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Philipp Marius Paprottka, Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital, Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. Tel.: +49 89 7095 3620; Fax: +49 89 7095 8832; E-mail: philipp.paprottka@med.uni-muenchen.de

Abstract: PURPOSE:To evaluate the diagnostic benefits of multimodality imaging using image fusion with magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced-ultrasound (CEUS) in an experimental small-animal-squamous-cell-carcinoma-model for the assessment of tissue hemodynamics and morphology. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Human hypopharynx-carcinoma-cells were injected subcutaneously into the left flank of 15 female athymic nude rats. After 10 daysof subcutaneous tumor growth, CEUS and MRI measurements were performed using a high-end-ultrasound-system and 3-T-MRI. After successful point-to-point or plan registration, the registered MR-images were simultaneously shown with the respective ultrasound sectional plane. Data evaluation was performed using the digitally stored video sequence data sets by two experienced radiologists using a subjective 5-point scale. RESULTS:CEUS and MRI are well-known techniques for the assessment of tissue hemodynamics (score: mean 3.8 ± 0.4 SD and score 3.8 ± 0.4 SD). Real-time image fusion of MRI and CEUS yielded a significant (p <  0.001) improvement in score (score 4.8 ± 0.4 SD). Reliable detection of small necrotic areas was possible in all animals with necrotic tumors. No significant intraobserver and interobserver variability was detected (kappa coefficient = +1). CONCLUSION:Image fusion of MRI and CEUS gives a significant improvement for reliable differentiation between different tumor tissue areas and simplifies investigations by showing the morphology as well as surrounding macro-/microvascularization.

Keywords: Image fusion, multimodality imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), experimental animal model

DOI: 10.3233/CH-151986

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 143-150, 2015