High resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound and 3-tesla dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative characterization of cervical lymph nodes: First results

Issue title: Papers of the 31st Conference of the German Society for Clinical Microcirculation and Hemorheology, Halle, Germany, 15–16 June 2012

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wendl, C.M. | Müller, S. | Meier, J. | Fellner, C. | Eiglsperger, J. | Gosau, M. | Prantl, L. | Stroszczynski, C. | Jung, E.M.

Affiliations: Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany | Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany | Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany | Department of Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Centre, Regensburg, Germany

Note: [] Present address: LipoFIT Analytic Gmbh, Josef-Engert-Straße 9, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.

Note: [] Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. E.M. Jung, Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 941 7401; Fax: +49 941 7402; E-mail: emjung@gmx.de

Abstract: The reliable detection of cervical lymph node (LN) metastases is the planning basis of a selective neck dissection for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) together are able to improve the preoperative characterisation of LNs. A time intensity curve analysis has been performed using CEUS and DCE-MRI for ten LNs, where one LN has been examined per patient. The studied LNs consist of five with and five without metastases. In CEUS the mean time to peak (TTP) was 18 s (range 13–29 s, standard deviation (SD) ± 7 s) for benign and 12 s (range 9–16 s, SD ± 4 s) for malignant LNs. In DCE-MRI the mean TTP was 27 s (range 18–36 s, SD ± 9 s) for benign and 21 s (range 18–27 s, SD ± 5 s) for malignant LNs. Moreover, the relative signal change with respect to reference tissue was significantly higher for LNs with than for those without metastases in both CEUS and DCE-MRI. A combination of imaging morphology, CEUS and DCE-MRI might be a promising method for a reliable differentiation of benign and malignant LNs.

Keywords: CEUS, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, lymph node metastases

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1593

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 52, no. 2-4, pp. 153-166, 2012