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

Objective. 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. Study Design. 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 (dR1) were measured in relation to imaging phase, type of artery, measurement site, and tumor size. Results. dR1 was significantly higher at the tumor margin than at the center for both arteries, except in the first phase for the lingual artery. dR1 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 dR1 at the center of the tumor compared with the margin. Conclusions. The factors associated with dR1 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. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2022;133:706-715)