Jinna Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jaeseok Park PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eun Soo Kim, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Eung Yeop Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seung-Koo Lee MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dong Ik Kim MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

3D thin-section imaging is helpful for the detection of small lesions, and we have developed 3D contrast-enhanced black-blood imaging (CEBBI) for the evaluation of small oral cavity lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 3D CEBBI for preoperative assessment of early tongue cancer, by comparing the measured invasion depth on 3D CEBBI with those on 3D contrast-enhanced T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence (SE MP RAGE) and by correlating with histopathologic results.

Ten patients, diagnosed with T1 or T2 oral tongue cancer originating from the lateral border of the tongue, underwent preoperative MR imaging with both 3D CEBBI and 3D contrast-enhanced SE MP RAGE sequence, and received surgical excision as primary treatment. The calculated tumor thickness on MR imaging and the invasion depth of surgical specimen were compared.

All tongue cancers were detected on both MR sequences except 1 lesion on 3D contrast-enhanced SE MP RAGE. The average invasion depths of the tumor were 11.5 mm in 3D CEBBI, 10.5 mm in 3D contrast-enhanced SE MP RAGE, and 11.3 mm on histopathologic examination. The relation coefficient of measured invasion depth on 3D CEBBI and histopathologic depth was 0.848, and accuracy 87%, which showed higher correlation compared with 3D contrast-enhanced SE MP RAGE.

3D CEBBI provides a satisfactory accuracy for detection of the tumor and measurement of invasion depth in the preoperative imaging evaluation of the patients with early tongue cancer.

Preoperative 3D CEBBI is recommended to assist in treatment planning for the patients with early oral tongue cancer.

Kim, J, Park, J, Kim, E, Kim, E, Lee, S, Kim, D, Accurate Prediction of Invasion Depth in Early Oral Tongue Cancer: Correlation of Dedicated MR Imaging Sequence with Pathology.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8013032.html