Orazio Minutolo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Davide Ippolito MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Anna Chiara Cadonici MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cristina Capraro MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patrizia Perego, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sandro Sironi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess qualitatively and quantitatively the diagnostic value of dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced (DSC-DCE) perfusion MRI in detection and characterization of endometrial cancer.  

From Janury 2008 to December 2010 a total of 80 patients with histologically proven endometrial carcinoma underwent a dedicated pelvic MRI examination by using a pelvic phased array multicoil. Each patient scan consists of multiplanar T2 and T1 sequences and dynamic contrast enhanced THRIVE using a 1.5T MRI system (Achieva, Philips). Philips’s workstation was used to generate color permeability maps showing perfusion of enhancing tumors. After the placing of regions of interests (ROIs) on the site of the maps which best corresponded to the enhanced regions of the lesion, the following parameters were calculated: Relative Enhancement, Maximum Enhancement, Maximum Relative Enhancement and Time to Peak. Correlation between DCE-MRI perfusion parameters and clinical pathological classification was statistically analyzed.  

The pathological results of all patients were obtained either postoperatively and compared with DCE-MRI perfusion parameters. At histological examination 21 patients had G1 tumor, 44 had G2 tumor, 14 had G3 tumor and 1 had squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor locations visualized on T2w MRI and DSCE-MRI were consistent with histopathological findings and the quantitative analysis showed the following values for endometrial cancer: RE (%) 61,4 ± 36,4; ME 829,4 (%) ± 418,8; MRE (%) 69,4 ± 42,2 and TTP (sec) 179.5 ± 27.4. The corresponding values calculated in normal endometrium were: RE (%) 157,1 ± 61,3 ; ME (%) 1634,5 ± 625,7; MRE (%) 128,8 ± 51,6 and TTP (sec) 193.6 ± 23.8. In each of these parameters evaluated we observed a significant (p<0,001) decrease of RE, ME and MRE in the area of the tumor lesion in all of the patients examinated in comparison with the normal myometrium.  

The conventional MRI combined with perfusion DCE represents a feasible technique that provide,non-invasive, quantitative parameters of vascularization, useful in the assessment of diagnosis of patient with endometrial cancer.  

MRI perfusion proves to be a complementary diagnostic tool,offering quantitative and qualitative information about the biological characteristics of endometrial cancer,helpful in the correct diagnosis

Minutolo, O, Ippolito, D, Cadonici, A, Capraro, C, Perego, P, Sironi, S, Diagnostic Value of Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Perfusion MR Imaging in the Assessment of Endometrial Carcinoma: Preliminary Results.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11016215.html