MRI Multi-Parametric Response Mapping for Assessment of Early Therapeutic Efficacy in Head & Neck Cancer

Yonggang Lu¹, Jacobus F. A. Jansen², Hilda E. Stambuk¹, Nancy Lee¹, Jason A. Koutcher¹, Amita Shukla-Dave¹

This study proposes to develop and implement a multi-parametric response mapping (mPRM) method by combining DWI, DCE MRI and T2 mapping in head and neck cancers. The method employs multiple MRI derived parameters to generate an integrated voxel-by-voxel response map. In this study, ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient), Ktrans (volume transfer constant) and T2 values (transverse relaxation time) were used to construct mPRM to assess early therapeutic efficacy. The parametric response indices provided from mPRM were compared with WHO response criterion. mPRM may provide more comprehensive information than the use of a single parameter for early assessment of treatment response.