HSIAO-WEN CHUNG2018-09-102018-09-102009http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-59249108362&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/350380We aimed to quantitatively investigate the alteration of parotid perfusion after irradiation using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) based on a two-compartment tracer kinetic model. This study enrolled 19 patients (53.2 ± 14.9 years) treated by head and neck radiotherapy and 19 age-relevant and sex-matched subjects as a control group. Perfusion parameters (Kel, k21 and A) of parotid glands were analyzed based on the Brix model from T1-weighted DCE-MRI. Suitability of the Brix model was evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation for the goodness-of-fit. Analysis of nonlinear goodness-of-fit showed that the Brix model is appropriate in evaluating the parotid perfusion (R2 = 0.938 ± 0.050). The irradiated parotid glands showed significantly lower Kel(P < 0.0005) and k21 (P < 0.05) and consequently significantly higher value of peak enhancement (P < 0.0005) and time-to-peak (P < 0.0005) compared with non-irradiated ones, suggestive of gradual and prolonged accumulation and delayed wash-out of contrast agent due to increased extracellular extravascular space and decreased vascular permeability in the irradiated glands. Linear regression analysis showed dose-dependent perfusion changes of the irradiated parotid glands. We conclude that quantitative DCE-MRI is a potential tool in investigating parotid gland perfusion changes after radiotherapy. ? European Society of Radiology 2008.Magnetic resonance imaging; Parotid glands; Perfusion; Radiation injury[SDGs]SDG3gadolinium pentetate; adult; article; blood vessel permeability; cancer radiotherapy; clinical article; contrast enhancement; controlled study; drug elimination; female; flow kinetics; human; male; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; parotid gland disease; priority journal; quantitative analysis; radiation dose; radiation injury; tissue perfusion; xerostomia; Adult; Aged; Contrast Media; Female; Gadolinium DTPA; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Parotid Gland; Radiation Injuries; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Xerostomia; Young Adultjournal article10.1007/s00330-008-1104-9