Functional magnetic resonance imaging of head and neck cancer: Performance and potential

Ahmed H El Beltagi; Ahmed H Elsotouhy; Ahmed M Own; Wael Abdelfattah; Kavitha Nair; Surjith Vattoth

doi:10.1177/1971400918808546

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of head and neck cancer: Performance and potential

Neuroradiol J. 2019 Feb;32(1):36-52. doi: 10.1177/1971400918808546. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Authors

Ahmed H El Beltagi^{1

2}, Ahmed H Elsotouhy^{1

2}, Ahmed M Own³, Wael Abdelfattah⁴, Kavitha Nair⁴, Surjith Vattoth^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ 1 Weill Cornell Medical College, Education City, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar.
² 2 Neuroradiology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
³ 3 Neuroradiology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
⁴ 4 Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC), MOH, Kuwait.

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors of the head and neck usually encompasses diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and intravenous (IV) contrast T1 dynamic perfusion imaging (DCE-MRI or PWI). Both techniques can characterize different tissues by probing into their microstructure, providing a novel approach in oncological imaging. In this pictorial review, we will cover the important technical aspects of DWI and PWI, the pathophysiological background and the current applications and potential of these functional MRI techniques in the imaging of head and neck cancer.

Keywords: Diffusion-weighted MRI; functional MRI; head and neck cancer; post-contrast dynamic MRI.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Contrast Media
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / physiopathology
Humans
Image Enhancement / methods
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*

Substances

Contrast Media