MRI-based texture analysis for the evaluation of the response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIT) has emerged as a promising approach for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). However, the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) should be taken seriously. And subsequent treatment strategies are determined on the basis of the neoadjuvant effect.

The value of Synthetic MRI in discriminating metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, compared with DWI and subjective experience.

Objectives: To explore the role of Synthetic MRI (SyMRI) histogram parameters in differentiating metastatic from non-metastatic cervical lymph nodes (LNs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, and construct a practical model.

Methods: A total of 149 pathologically confirmed LNs (metastatic LNs: 58, non-metastatic LNs: 91) were included in the study. LNs were stratified and randomly divided into a training set and an independent validation set in a ratio of 7:3.

The Potential of Model-Free Parameters Derived From IVIM in Evaluating Pathological Indicators and Long-Term Survival in NPC.

Background: IVIM is a useful quantitative tool for predicting prognosis, but it is labor-intensive. Simplified b-value settings and post-processing could be more practicable for clinical applications.

Purpose: To assess the value of model-free parameters (virtual MR elastography [vMRE] and signature-index [S-index]) derived from IVIM in evaluating pathological indicators and long-term survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to compare those with model-based parameters.

Model-free parameters derived from intravoxel inherent motion combined with tumor aggressiveness indicators in predicting 5-year treatment outcome in NPC.

Purpose: To evaluate the value of model-free parameters (virtual magnetic resonance elastography [vMRE] and signature index [S-index]) and tumor aggressiveness indicators (contralateral pharyngeal recess invasion [CPRI] and tumor growth type [TGT]) in forecasting 5-year treatment outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 106 patients were included in this study. Only two b-values were employed to calculate vMRE and S-index.

Pretreatment arterial spin labeling combined with radiological depth of invasion predicts treatment outcome in nonmetastatic NPC.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) and radiological depth of invasion (rDOI) in predicting long-term treatment outcomes in nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 113 patients with NPC were included and randomly divided into training (n = 81) and validation (n = 32) cohorts. Tumor blood flow (TBF) parameters derived from the ASL (TBF, TBF, and nTBF) were obtained.

Histogram analysis of quantitative parameters from synthetic MRI: correlations with prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between histogram parameters derived from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) and prognostically relevant factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive NPC patients were prospectively enrolled. Quantitative parameters (T1, T2, and proton density (PD)) were obtained by outlining the three-dimensional volume of interest (VOI) of all lesions.

Pretreatment synthetic magnetic resonance imaging predicts disease progression in nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensity modulation radiation therapy.

Background: To investigate the potential of synthetic MRI (SyMRI) in the prognostic assessment of patients with nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the predictive value when combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as well as clinical factors.

Methods: Fifty-three NPC patients who underwent SyMRI were prospectively included. 10th Percentile, Mean, Kurtosis, and Skewness of T1, T2, and PD maps and ADC value were obtained from the primary tumor.

Histogram analysis of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging: Correlations with histopathological factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To analyse the association between histogram parameters derived from synthetic MRI (SyMRI) and different histopathological factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Method: Sixty-one patients with histologically proven primary HNSCC were prospectively enrolled. The correlations between histogram parameters of SyMRI (T1, T2 and proton density (PD) maps) and histopathological factors were analysed using Spearman analysis.

The utility of texture analysis based on quantitative synthetic magnetic resonance imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a preliminary study.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and occipital clivus (OC) invasion, but a proportion of lesions may be missed using non-enhanced MRI. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic performance of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) in differentiating NPC from nasopharyngeal hyperplasia (NPH), as well as evaluating OC invasion.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with NPC and 48 volunteers who underwent SyMRI examination were prospectively enrolled.

Splenomegaly during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy: impact on blood parameters and anti-neoplastic treatment.

Background: Oxaliplatin induces splenomegaly, which can cause blood sequestration and relevant cytopenia, leading to further dose reductions and schedule modifications of chemotherapy. Here, we aimed to explore the changes of spleen volume induced by oxaliplatin as well as its impact on blood parameters and anti-neoplastic treatment in patients with colon cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with resectable stage II-IV colon cancer who were treated with oxaliplatin and capecitabine at our institution from January 2016 to December 2017.

MRI-based radiomics for pretreatment prediction of response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics in predicting the treatment response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer (LACSC).

Methods: In total, 198 patients (training: n = 138; testing: n = 60) with LACSC treated with CCRT between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Responses were evaluated by MRI and clinical data performed at one month after completion of CCRT according to RECIST standards, and patients were divided into the residual group and nonresidual group.

Arterial spin labeling and diffusion-weighted imaging for identification of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: To evaluate the parameters derived from arterial spin labeling (ASL) and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLNs) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: This prospective study included 50 newly diagnosed NPC and 23 healthy control (HC) participants. RLNs of NPC were diagnosed according to the follow-up MRI after radiotherapy.

Whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram as a quantitative biomarker to preoperatively differentiate stage IA endometrial carcinoma from benign endometrial lesions.

Background: To assess the value of whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis in differentiating stage IA endometrial carcinoma (EC) from benign endometrial lesions (BELs) and characterizing histopathologic features of stage IA EC preoperatively.

Methods: One hundred and six BEL and 126 stage IA EC patients were retrospectively enrolled. Eighteen volumetric histogram parameters were extracted from the ADC map of each lesion.

MRI-based radiomics value for predicting the survival of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background: To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics value in predicting the survival of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer (LACSC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: A total of 185 patients (training group: n = 128; testing group: n = 57) with LACSC treated with CCRT between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. A total of 400 radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient map, arterial- and delayed-phase contrast-enhanced MRI.

Multimodal MRI-Based Radiomics-Clinical Model for Preoperatively Differentiating Concurrent Endometrial Carcinoma From Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia.

Objectives: To develop and validate a radiomics model based on multimodal MRI combining clinical information for preoperative distinguishing concurrent endometrial carcinoma (CEC) from atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH).

Materials And Methods: A total of 122 patients (78 AEH and 44 CEC) who underwent preoperative MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. Radiomics features were extracted based on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps.

The Value of Whole-Tumor Texture Analysis of ADC in Predicting the Early Recurrence of Locally Advanced Cervical Squamous Cell Cancer Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: To investigate the value of whole-tumor texture analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map in predicting the early recurrence of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer (LACSC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and establish a combined prediction model including clinical variables and first-order texture features.

Methods: In total, 219 patients (training: n = 153; testing: n = 66) with stage IIB-IVA LACSC treated by CCRT between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Clinical variables and 22 first-order texture features extracted from ADC map were collected.

Added-value of texture analysis of ADC in predicting the survival of patients with 2018 FIGO stage IIICr cervical cancer treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the value of texture analysis of ADC in predicting the survival of patients with 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIICr cervical squamous cell cancer (CSCC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: A total of 91 patients with stage IIICr CSCC treated by CCRT between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectivelyenrolled in this study. Clinical variables and 21 first-order texture features extracted from ADC maps were collected.

Added-value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI on prediction of tumor recurrence in locally advanced cervical cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the DCE-MRI derived parameters integrated into clinical and conventional imaging variables may improve the prediction of tumor recurrence for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: Between March 2014 and November 2019, 79 consecutive LACC patients who underwent pelvic MRI examinations with DCE-MRI sequence before treatment were prospectively enrolled. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS).

Different Primary Sites of Hypopharyngeal Cancer Have Different Lymph Node Metastasis Patterns: A Retrospective Analysis From Multi-Center Data.

Background: Most hypopharyngeal cancers (HPCs) develop lymph node metastasis (LNM) at initial diagnosis. Understanding the pattern of LNM in HPC could help both surgeons and radiologists make decisions in the management of cervical lymph nodes.

Methods: A total of 244 newly diagnosed HPC patients between January 2010 and December 2018 were recruited from three specialized cancer hospitals in mainland China.

Retropharyngeal Lymph Node Metastasis Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis From Chinese Multi-Center Data.

Background: To assess the prevalence, risk factors and prognostic significance of retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) metastasis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Methods: 259 patients from three cancer institutions in China from Jan 2010 to Dec 2018 were analyzed, retrospectively. All the patients had been given pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of head and neck and were then treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Whole-tumor texture model based on diffusion kurtosis imaging for assessing cervical cancer: a preliminary study.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) functional maps with whole-tumor texture analysis in differentiating cervical cancer (CC) subtype and grade.

Methods: Seventy-six patients with CC were enrolled. First-order texture features of the whole tumor were extracted from DKI and DWI functional maps, including apparent kurtosis coefficient averaged over all directions (MK), kurtosis along the axial direction (Ka), kurtosis along the radial direction (Kr), mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), and ADC maps, respectively.

Investigating the value of arterial spin labeling and intravoxel incoherent motion imaging on diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma in T1 stage.

Background: To investigate the diagnostic value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in distinguishing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in T1 stage from healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Forty-five newly diagnosed NPC patients in the T1 stage and thirty-one healthy volunteers who underwent MR examinations for both 3D pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) and IVIM were enrolled in this study. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the mean values of blood flow (BF) derived from pCASL and IVIM derived parameters, including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure molecular diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f) between NPC tumor and benign nasopharyngeal mucosa of HC.

Differentiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma from adenocarcinoma of cervix using kinetic parameters derived from DCE-MRI.

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to investigate the value of kinetic parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) from adenocarcinoma of cervix (AdC).

Methods: Seventy-five newly diagnosed patients with distinctive pathology underwent DCE-MRI. Observers independently calculated the tumor diameters and DCE-MRI parameters using both population and individual-based arterial input function (AIF).

Multiple mathematical models of diffusion-weighted imaging for endometrial cancer characterization: Correlation with prognosis-related risk factors.

Purpose: To investigate mono-exponential, bi-exponential, and stretched-exponential models of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for evaluation of prognosis-related risk factors of endometrial cancer (EC).

Method: Sixty-one consecutive patients with EC who preoperatively underwent pelvic MRI with multiple b value DWI between September 2016 and May 2018 were enrolled. The apparent-diffusion-coefficient (ADC), bi-exponential model parameters (D, D* and f) and stretched-exponential model parameters (DDC and α) were measured and compared to analyze the following prognosis-related risk factors confirmed by pathology: histological grade, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical stromal infiltration (CSI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVSI).