64-row MDCT perfusion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: technical feasibility and quantitative analysis of perfusion parameters

Objectives To evaluate the technical feasibility of 64-row computed tomography (CT) quantitative perfusion imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods Twenty-nine patients with a total of 29 pathologically proven SCC underwent a cine-mode CT perfusion acquisition covering the lesion site. The acquisition started 10 s after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast material and lasted 50 s. On a dedicated workstation, regions of interest (ROI) were traced within the SCC, on a healthy portion of tissue (H), and on the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (M). Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability–surface product (PS) were calculated. Results In SCC, BF, BV and PS were higher compared with H ( p < 0.0001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively) and M ( p < 0.0001). Conversely, MTT was lower in SCC than in H ( p = 0.0009) and M ( p = 0.0003). All datasets were free from substantial motion artefacts and ROI misregistration phenomena. No substantial discomfort or adverse events were experienced by any of the patients. Conclusion 64-row CT quantitative perfusion imaging allows head and neck SCC to be distinguished from normal tissues.