Francesca Bolacchi, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Barbara De Angelis MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sonia Crusco, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elsa Cossu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chiara Adriana Pistolese, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Simonetti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To prospectively monitor changes in breast carcinoma perfusion after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with perfusion computed tomography (CT) and to evaluate whether perfusion CT findings correlate with response to therapy.

Sixteen patients with biopsy proven breast carcinoma underwent perfusion CT; all of them underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery. In all the patients, perfusion CT was repeated after chemotherapy. Perfusion CT was performed after intravenous injection of contrast medium (80 mL, 370 mg iodine per milliliter, 4 mL/sec). A 64 slice CT scanner was used in the study. Blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability-surface area product (PS) were computed in the tumor and in normal breast tissue by two independent blinded radiologists. Microvessel density was evaluated in pretreatment biopsy specimens in all the patients. Wilcoxon signed-rank and rank sum tests were used for paired and independent comparisons, respectively.

BF, BV, and PS were significantly higher in breast cancer than in normal breast tissue (P < .002). BF, BV, and PS significantly decreased after chemotherapy (P < .004). No correlation was found between perfusion parameters and microvessel density. Baseline BF in the 7 patients who failed to respond to treatment was significantly lower than in the 9 responders

Perfusion CT has potential for monitoring the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and predicting the response of breast cancer to such therapy.

Perfusion CT has potential for monitoring the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and predicting the response of breast cancer to such therapy.

Bolacchi, F, De Angelis, B, Crusco, S, Cossu, E, Pistolese, C, Simonetti, G, CT Perfusion for the Monitoring of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Carcinoma.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6019506.html