Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the head and neck.

摘要: Extracranial applications of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are gaining increasing importance, including in head and neck radiology. The main indications for performing DW this relatively small but challenging region the body tissue characterization, nodal staging, therapy monitoring, early detection treatment failure by differentiating recurrence from posttherapeutic changes. Lower apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) have been reported adults children most malignant lesions, as compared with ADCs benign lesions. For has shown promise helping detect lymph node metastases, even (subcentimeter) nodes lower ADCs, normal or reactive nodes. Follow-up response to is reflected an ADC increase primary tumor metastases; whereas nonresponding lesions tend reveal only a slight decrease during follow-up. Optimization standardization technical parameters, comparison images morphologic images, experience, however, prerequisites successful application technique evaluation various pathologic conditions.