Evaluation of Parotid Gland Function using Equivalent Cross-relaxation Rate Imaging Applied Magnetization Transfer Effect

• Published in: JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 138 - 144
• Main Authors: Shimizu, Hidetoshi, Matsushima, Shigeru, Kinosada, Yasutomi, Miyamura, Hiroki, Tomita, Natsuo, Kubota, Takashi, Osaki, Hikaru, Nakayama, Masashi, Yoshimoto, Manabu, Kodaira, Takeshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England THE JAPAN RADIATION RESEARCH SOCIETY 01.01.2012; The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chemoradiotherapy - adverse effects; Chemotherapy; Correlation; Cross relaxation; Diagnostic imaging; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Equivalence; Exocrine glands; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Humans; Imaging systems; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetization; Male; Medical imaging; Middle Aged; Parotid Gland - diagnostic imaging; Parotid Gland - drug effects; Parotid Gland - metabolism; Parotid Gland - physiopathology; Parotid Gland - radiation effects; Radiation Injuries - etiology; Radiation Injuries - physiopathology; Radiation therapy; Radionuclide Imaging; Salivary glands; Salivary Glands - diagnostic imaging; Scintigraphy; Xerostomia - etiology; Xerostomia - physiopathology; Young Adult; Function; Scintigraphy; Parotid gland; Radiotherapy; ECRI
• ISSN: 0449-3060; 1349-9157; 1349-9157
• DOI: 10.1269/jrr.11059

Safe imaging modalities are needed for evaluating parotid gland function. The aim of this study was to validate the utility of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tool, equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging (ECRI), as a measurement of parotid gland function after chemoradiotherapy. Subjects comprised 18 patients with head-neck cancer who underwent ECRI and salivary gland scintigraphy. First, we calculated ECR values (signal intensity on ECRI), maximum uptake rate (MUR) and washout rate (WOR) from salivary gland scintigraphy data at the parotid glands. Second, we investigated correlations between ECR values and each parameter of MUR (uptake function) and WOR (secretory function) obtained by salivary gland scintigraphy at the parotid gland. Next, we investigated each dose-response for ECR, MUR and WOR at the parotid gland. A correlation was detected between ECR values and MUR in both the pre- (r=-0.55, p<0.01) and post-treatment (r=-0.50, p<0.05) groups. A significant post-treatment correlation was detected between the percentage change in ECR values at 3-5 months after chemoradiotherapy and median dose to the parotid gland (Pearson correlation, r=-0.62, p<0.05). However, no correlations were detected between median dose to the parotid gland and either MUR or WOR. ECRI is a new imaging tool for evaluating the uptake function of the parotid gland after chemoradiotherapy.