Title:Diffusion-weighted MRI at the Late Stage after Radiotherapy for Evaluating
Salivary Gland Injury
Volume: 20
Author(s): Xiaoxue Xia, Lifen Wu, Tong Li, Qi Tang and Lizhong Liang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 52 Meihua East Road, Zhuhai 519000,
Guangdong, China
Keywords:
Diffusion-weighted MRI, Salivary gland injury, Radiotherapy, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, ADC, NPC.
Abstract:
Objective:
Salivary gland injury is the main complication of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. The purpose of this study was to
evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a reliable tool to assess salivary gland function in NPC
patients after radiotherapy.
Materials and Methods:
This study analysed the MR images of 31 NPC patients at different time points within 2-3 years after radiotherapy. The changes in the apparent
diffusion coefficient (ADC) and its relationship with radiation dose were analysed.
Results:
Both the parotid and submandibular gland ADC values increased significantly 3-6 months after radiotherapy and then decreased gradually. The
ADC value of the parotid gland was positively correlated with radiation dose at the late stage (P = 0.012, r = 0.359). The submandibular gland
ADC change value (P = 0.035) and change ratio (P = 0.027) of the high radiation dose group were significantly lower than those of the low dose
group at the late stage.
Conclusion:
The correlation between ADC values of parotid and submandibular glands and the radiation dose indicated that DW-MRI could be helpful in
evaluating salivary gland injury after radiotherapy.
