Application of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to differentiate malignant lymphoma from squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck

Because malignant lymphoma, the second most common malignant tumor of the head and neck, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck, require different treatments, it is important to be able to differentiate them. In the present study, we attempted to differentiate malignant lymphomas from SCCs using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Seventeen lesions (in 8 cases) of malignant lymphoma and 30 cases of SCC were compared by DCE-MRI. Thirteen of 17 malignant lymphomas (76.5%) showed the maximum contrast index (CI) at 90-180 s, while 26 of 30 SCCs (86.7%) showed the maximum Cl at a much faster 60-105 s. There was a statistically significant difference between SCC and malignant Lymphoma in the time needed reach the maximum CI (p = 0.0177). There was also significant difference between SCC and malignant lymphoma in their maximum Cls (p < 0.001), with the maximum Cls of 29/30 SCCs (96.7%) above 2.0, while 12/17 malignant lymphomas (70.6%) showed Cis of less than 2.0. We consider these findings to be useful for distinguishing lymphomas from SCCs. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.