Background: Our purpose was to elucidate possible correlations between histogram parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with several histopathological features in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).
Methods: Thirty patients with primary HNSCC were prospectively acquired. Histogram analysis was derived from the DCE-MRI parameters: K trans, K ep, and V e. Additionally, in all cases, expression of human papilloma virus (p16) hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (Hif1-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and tumor suppressor protein p53 were estimated.
Results: K ep kurtosis was significantly higher in p16 tumors, and V e min was significantly lower in p16 tumors compared to the p16 negative tumors. In the overall sample, K ep entropy correlated well with EGFR expression (p=0.38, P=0.04). In p16 positive carcinomas, K trans max correlated with VEGF expression (p=0.46, P=0.04), K trans kurtosis correlated with Hif1-alpha expression (p=0.46, P=0.04), and K trans entropy correlated with EGFR expression (p=0.50, P=0.03). Regarding K ep parameters, mode correlated with VEGF expression (p=0.51, P=0.02), and entropy correlated with Hif1-alpha expression (p=0.47, P=0.04). In p16 negative carcinomas, K ep mode correlated with Her2 expression (p=-0.72, P=0.03), V e max correlated with p53 expression (p=-0.80, P=0.009), and V e p10 correlated with EGFR expression (p=0.68, P=0.04).
Conclusion: DCE-MRI can reflect several histopathological features in HNSCC. Associations between DCE-MRI and histopathology in HNSCC depend on p16 status. K ep kurtosis and V e min can differentiate p16 positive and p16 negative carcinomas.