Proton MR spectroscopy of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: in vitro characteristics

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the ability of in vitro high-field-strength proton MR spectroscopy to differentiate squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract from uninvolved muscle.

Methods: Surgical specimens of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the upper aerodigestive tract (n = 18) and from muscle (n = 13) were examined in vitro using high-field (11 T) proton MR spectroscopy. The peak heights of choline and creatine were measured for tumor and muscle at echo times of 136 and 272. The choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) ratio was compared between tumor and normal tissue for each echo time. Student's t test was used to determine whether a significant difference existed between proton MR spectroscopic measurements of the Cho/Cr ratio for tumor and muscle.

Results: The mean Cho/Cr ratio was consistently higher in tumor than in muscle at all echo times; however, statistically significant differences between tumor and muscle were identified only at longer echo times (136 and 272).

Conclusion: The Cho/Cr peak height ratio can be used to differentiate tumor from muscle in vitro (at 11 T).