Abstract | BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide ( USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to plain MRI in patients with a clinical N+ neck using histology as a gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients underwent unenhanced and USPIO-enhanced MRI using T1-weighted spin echo (SE) sequences and high resolution Turbo-Spin-Echo (TSE) T2-weighted sequences, as well as T2-weighted Gradient Echo (GE) sequences in axial and sagittal slice orientation. The signal intensity (SI) decrease was measured by a region of interest evaluation and visual analysis was performed. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation of 363 lymph nodes revealed 34 as metastatic. USPIO MRI detected 28 metastases (sensitivity 82.3%) and 329 non-metastatic lymph nodes (specificity 100%). Regarding lymph node size, USPIO MRI was correct in all patients who underwent surgery. One lymph node with microinfiltration of tumor cells was detected by USPIO MRI. CONCLUSION: There were no side-effects during or after application of the contrast agent. This study confirms the efficacy of MRI with USPIO in patients with head and neck cancer. USPIO-enhanced MRI could have an important effect on surgery planning. Because of its high specificity, USPIO-enhanced MRI seems to be a diagnostic modality able to differentiate borderline-sized lymph nodes.
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Authors | Mehran Baghi, Martin G Mack, Markus Hambek, Joerg Rieger, Thomas Vogl, Wolfgang Gstoettner, Rainald Knecht |
Journal | Anticancer research
(Anticancer Res)
2005 Sep-Oct
Vol. 25
Issue 5
Pg. 3665-70
ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece |
PMID | 16101198
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Ferric Compounds
- ferric oxide
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Ferric Compounds
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
(diagnosis, pathology)
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(methods)
- Magnetics
- Male
- Middle Aged
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