Intratumor hemodynamics using contrast-enhanced MRI in intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2022-06, Vol.133 (6), p.706-715
• Main Authors: Ito, Shintaro, Fuwa, Nobukazu, Nomura, Miwako, Daimon, Takashi, Ota, Suguru, Morishima, Takayuki, Ii, Noriko, Miyati, Tosiaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.11.007

The objectives of the study were to estimate the perfusion of tumors by drugs used in intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer with magnetic resonance imaging and to establish the factors involved in determining the optimal dose. Contrast agent was administered intra-arterially into either the lingual or maxillary artery in 43 patients. Triple-phase continuous fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Changes in blood water longitudinal relaxation rate (⊿R1) were measured in relation to imaging phase, type of artery, measurement site, and tumor size. ⊿R1 was significantly higher at the tumor margin than at the center for both arteries, except in the first phase for the lingual artery. ⊿R1 was greatest in the third phase for the lingual artery and in the second phase for the maxillary artery. For both arteries, as the tumor size increased, there was a significant decrease in ⊿R1 at the center of the tumor compared with the margin. The factors associated with ⊿R1 were imaging phase, type of artery, measurement site, and tumor size. When determining a drug's optimal dose, the type of artery and tumor size must be taken into consideration.