In Vivo Microstructure Imaging in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using the Random Walk With Barriers Model

Abstract

BackgroundApparent diffusion coefficient is not specifically sensitive to tumor microstructure and therapy‐induced cellular changes.PurposeTo investigate time‐dependent diffusion imaging with the short‐time‐limit random walk with barriers model (STL‐RWBM) for quantifying microstructure parameters and early cancer cellular response to therapy.Study TypeProspective.PopulationTwenty‐seven patients (median age of 58 years and 7.4% of females) with p16+/p16− oropharyngeal/oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC/OCSCC) underwent MRI scans before therapy, of which 16 patients had second scans at 2 weeks of the 7‐weeks chemoradiation therapy (CRT).Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, diffusion sequence with oscillating gradient spine echo (OGSE) and pulse gradient spin echo (PGSE).AssessmentDiffusion weighted images were acquired using OGSE and PGSE. Effective diffusion times were derived for the STL‐RWBM to estimate free diffusion coefficient D0, volume‐to‐surface area ratio of cellular membranes V/S, and cell membrane permeability κ. Mean values of these parameters were calculated in tumor volumes.Statistical TestsTumor microstructure parameters were compared with clinical stages of p16+ I‐II OPSCC, p16+ III OPSCC, and p16− IV OCSCC by Spearman's rank correlation and with digital pathological analysis of a resected tissue sample. Tumor microstructure parameter responses during CRT in the 16 patients were assessed by paired t‐tests. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe derived effective diffusion times affected estimated values of V/S and κ by 40%. The tumor V/S values were significantly correlated with clinical stages (r = 0.47) as an increase from low to high clinical stages. The in vivo estimated cell size agreed with one from pathological analysis of a tissue sample. Early tumor cellular responses showed a significant increase in D0 (14%, P = 0.03) and non‐significant increases in κ (56%, P = 0.6) and V/S (10%, P = 0.1).Data ConclusionEffective diffusion time estimation might impact microstructure parameter estimation. The tumor V/S was correlated with OPSCC/OCSCC clinical stages.Level of Evidence1Technical Efficacy Stage1