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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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