Evaluating Efficacy of Dynamic MR Perfusion Imaging in Soft Tissue Tumors

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI perfusion parameters and signal intensity–time curves in distinguishing between benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.
Methods: The study included 51 patients with soft tissue tumors who underwent DCE MRI at 3.0 T. Among these patients, 30 had benign tumors, while 21 had malignant tumors. Perfusion parameters such as k-trans, kep, Ve, and iAUC were measured. Calculations were performed at the most contrast-enhanced areas of the lesions using circular regions of interest measuring 0.2-0.4 cm². The findings were illustrated using signal intensity–time (SIT) curves, which were categorized into 5 types for evaluation.
Results: In the benign group, 19 out of 30 lesions (63.3%) showed contrast enhancement patterns corresponding to type 1-2 SIT curves, and 11 out of 30 lesions (36.7%) exhibited patterns corresponding to type 3-4-5 SIT curves. In contrast, all 21 malignant lesions (100%) displayed type 3-4-5 patterns. Mean values of K-trans (P < .001), Ve (P=.004), and iAUC (P <.001) were significantly higher in malignant lesions compared to benign ones. There was no significant difference in Kep values between the 2 groups (P=.628).
Conclusion: The perfusion parameters K-trans, Ve, and iAUC, along with the contrast enhancement patterns observed in DCE MRI, can aid in differentiating between benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

Cite this article as: Ozdas I, Firat Oztepe M, Tokgoz N, Ucar M. Evaluatıng efcacy of dynamic MR perfusion imaging in soft tissue tumors. Current Research in MRI, 2024;3(2):43-48.