Work

MR imaging with 15-channel dental coil compared with standard 20-channel coil in patients with head and neck tumours and suspected bone invasion

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of a 15-channel dental coil with that of a standard 20-channel coil in the evaluation of head and neck tumours with suspected bone invasion. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 40 patients (18 females, mean age 67.0 ± 15.1 years) with head and neck cancer and clinical suspicion of bone invasion underwent MRI using both coils. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the images for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), subjectively for bone infiltration, image quality, metal artefacts and tumour delineation using a 5-point grading scale. The sensitivity and specificity of both coils in detecting bone invasion were calculated in histopathological correlation. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa. RESULTS: SNR and CNR values of tumours were significantly higher with the 15-channel coil (SNR: 12.1 vs. 9.9; CNR: 3.6 vs. 1.5). The 15-channel coil was superior in image quality, metal artifacts, lesion delineation, and assessment of bone infiltration. Interobserver agreement was very good for bone infiltration assessment, overall image quality and artefact reduction, and substantial for lesion delineation. The 15-channel coil was found to be more sensitive (100% vs. 76%) and more specific (97% vs. 82%) in detecting bone invasion. Twenty-three histopathologically confirmed tumours with bone invasion were correctly detected with the 15-channel coil, whereas sixteen were detected with the standard coil. CONCLUSIONS: MRI with the 15-channel coil provides significantly better image quality and accuracy in the assessment of head and neck cancer, particularly in cases of bone invasion, compared with the standard coil. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The use of a 15-channel coil enhances diagnostic accuracy in the detection and characterization of head and neck cancer especially regarding bone infiltration and contributes to more individualized cancer treatment.

Source: European Journal of Radiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112575