Multiparametric MRI approach to head and neck masses: Combined utility of DWI and DCE-MRI

Head and neck masses present significant diagnostic challenges, which necessitate the unequivocal differentiation between benign and malignant tumors. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional MR and CT imaging are lower, so diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) are ideal alternatives. For the discrimination of benign from malignant head and neck tumors, this study assesses the diagnostic accuracy of ADC values of DWI and the perfusion curve analysis of DCE-MRI. 

This study included 100 patients prospectively examined with DWI (b-values of 600 and 800 s/mm²) and analyzed with DCE-MRI time-intensity curve analysis. MRI findings were compared with the histopathological reports. Out of the 100 cases, 78 were malignant cases. Using DWI MRI, ADC (B:600) had 100% sensitivity and 77.2% specificity; ADC (B:800) had 100% sensitivity and 86.36% specificity. Differential curve types of DCE-MRI have significantly differed in malignancy detection (p < 0.0001). Functionally, DWI and DCE-MRI enhance diagnostic accuracy in evaluating head and neck tumors. While DWI offers rapid assessment devoid of contrast, DCE-MRI highly characterizes lesions. Integrating these sequences into routine imaging could significantly contribute to better diagnosis and planning for therapy.