Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of high-definition diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)sequence combined with T1 WI-fat suppression(FS)dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)sequence for preoperative T-stage of rectal cancer by using 3.0T MRI standardized scanning.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on MRI images of 57 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by pathology.Before surgery,the patients underwent 3.0T MRI standardized rectal cancer scan methods,including routine sequence,high-definition DWI sequence,and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,etc.Then two experienced physicians evaluated the T-stage of preoperative rectal cancer through high-definition DWI(transverse and sagittal sections)and T1 WI-FS DCE sequences in the double-blind method.Using the postoperative pathological results of rectal cancer as the"gold standard",two sequences were combined to evaluate the accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of rectal cancer T-stage.Results Among the 57 cases,there were 9 cases of upper rectal cancer,39 cases of middle rectal cancer,and 9 cases of lower rectal cancer.The accuracy rates of preoperative T-stage diagnosis for rectal cancer by two evaluator were both 85.7％(6/7)in T1 stage,88.2％(15/17)and 94.1％(16/17)in T2 stage,96.9％(31/32)and 93.8％(30/32)in T3 stage,and both 100.0％(1/1)in T4 stage.For evaluator 1,the sensitivity and specificity of the rectal cancer T-stage diagnosis were 96.1％and 83.3％,and for evaluator 2 were 94.1％and 83.3％,respectively.For rectal cancer MRI diagnosis,the accuracy rates and sensitivity were higher when combining the high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,compared with a single high-definition DWI sequence or T1 WI-FS DCE sequence,and the difference was statistically significant.The average preoperative apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of rectal cancer was compared between the corresponding postoperative pathological T1 to T4 stage groups,and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion The combination of high-definition DWI sequence and T1 WI-FS DCE sequence improves the accuracy of rectal cancer T-stage,providing assistance for personalized clinical treatment.

Objective:To explore the value of nomogram based on arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI perfusion parameters and clinicopathological features in predicting the response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC, stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ).Methods:From June 2018 to January 2021, 70 patients with ANPC confirmed by pathology were prospectively enrolled in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University. Nasopharyngeal MRI plain scan, ASL and contrast-enhanced scan were performed before CRT, and routine MRI re-examination was performed within 1 week after the end of CRT. The pre-CRT perfusion parameter tumor blood flow (TBF) from ASL and clinicopathological features were recorded, and the maximum diameter (MD) of the tumor on T 1WI images was measured. The patients were divided into CRT effective group (48 cases) and ineffective group (22 cases) according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. The independent sample t test was used to compare the differences of TBF, age and MD between effective group and ineffective group. The χ 2 test was used to compare the differences of gender, clinical stage and pathological type between the 2 groups. Using binary logistic regression analysis, clinicopathological model and TBF combined clinicopathological model were constructed, and the nomogram of combined model was constructed. The diagnostic efficacy of the models was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and the area under the ROC curves (AUC) of the 3 models were compared by DeLong method. The calibration curve for the nomogram was generated, and the concordance index (C index) was acquired. Results:The TBF of the effective group and the ineffective group were (113±9) and (97±14) ml·100 g -1·min -1, with a statistical difference ( t=5.17, P<0.001). The MD value of the effective group was smaller than that of the ineffective group, with a statistical difference ( t=-2.24, P=0.028). There were statistical differences in clinical stage and pathological type between the 2 groups (χ 2 values were 12.21 and 12.95, respectively, both P<0.001). Three independent predictors, including TBF (OR=7.749), clinical stage (OR=0.129) and pathological type (OR=5.228), were included in logistic regression analysis. The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of TBF model in predicting the response to CRT were 0.843, 87.5% and 72.7%, of clinicopathological model were 0.822, 80.2% and 59.1%, of the nomogram model were 0.893, 81.2% and 90.9%. There was no statistical difference of AUC between the nomogram model and TBF model ( Z=1.23, P=0.215). However, the AUC of the nomogram model was greater than that of the clinicopathological model ( Z=2.47, P=0.031). The calibration curve showed that there was a good concordance index (C index=0.892) between the predicted value of nomogram and the actual clinical observation value. Conclusion:TBF, clinical stage and pathological type are independent predictors of the response to CRT in ANPC patients, and the nomogram based on these three factors has a good ability in predicting the response to CRT.

Objective TostudythevalueofDCE-MRItechniqueindifferentialdiagnosisofthyroidadenoma(TA)andpapillary thyroidcarcinoma(PTC).Methods 71thyroidnoduleswereanalyzedretrospectively,includingTA (28cases)andPTC (43cases), whichwereconfirmedbyhistologyafterMRIscanning.AfterconventionalMRIandDCE-MRIwereperformed,TICswereobtained. ThediagnosticindicatorsofPTCwithDCE-MRItechniquewereanalyzed,includingthesensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positivepredictive valueandnegativepredictivevalue.Results 23TAshowedⅠcurve,41PTCshowedⅢcurve,5TAand2PTCshowedⅡcurve, withstatisticallysignificantdifference(P＝0.000).Thesensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positivepredictivevalueandnegativepredictive valuewere95.3%,82.1%,90.1%,89.1%and92.0%,respectively.Conclusion DCE-MRItechniquehelpstoidentifyTAandPTC, andTICcanbeamorecomprehensivemethodtoanalyzemicrovascularhemodynamicprocessesofTAandPTC.

Objective To evaluate the application of exponential apparent diffusion coefficient (eADC)value in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules.Methods Routine MR sequences and axial diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)sequences with different b-values(0, 300,500,800 s/mm2)were performed in 46 patients with 51 histopathologically confirmed thyroid nodules,including 35 malignant nodules and 1 6 benign nodules.The eADC values of each thyroid nodules’solid component with different b-values were measured and assessed by independent samples t test.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curves were drawn and used to determine the diagnostic threshold and assess the screen test.Results The eADC values of the malignant nodules were higher than that of benign nodules (P<0.05)in all of the three different b-values.The eADC values of the malignant nodules and the benign nodules were 0.618±0.080 and 0.492±0.071 (b=300 s/mm2),0.520±0.104 and 0.371±0.077 (b=500 s/mm2)and 0.407±0.114 and 0.286±0.097 (b=800 s/mm2)respectively. According to the ROC curve,the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.883,0.890 and 0.824 when the b-value was set as 300,500 and 800 s/mm2respectively.When the b-value was set as 500 s/mm2and the diagnostic threshold was 0.454,the sensitivity,specificity, positive predictive value,negative predictive value and Youden index were 74.3%,93.8%,96.3%,60.9% and 0.68,respectively.Conclusion The eADC value is helpful in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules,and the best result can be obtained by using DWI with b-value of 500 s/mm2.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of preoperative multi b values of DWI and ADC for the prediction of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods Between January 2013 and February 2017,MR images including dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) and DWI images of 81 patients diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma in the Affiliated Renmin Hospital of Jiangsu University were retrospectively analyzed.ADC values were measured on solid regions of tumors.The differences of ADC were compared between tumors with total ETE(minimal ETE,extensive ETE) and without ETE by independent-samples t test.Results When b=500 s/mm2,ADC values of PTCs with ETE[(1.27±0.17)× 10-3mm2/s]were significantly lower than those from PTCs without ETE [(2.12±0.72)× 10-3mm2/s,(t=9.126,P=0.000)].ADC values of PTCs with extensive ETE[(1.23±0.17)× 10-3mm2/s] were significantly lower than those from PTCs with minimal ETE[(1.29±0.16)× 10-3mm2/s,(t=1.467,P=0.147)].When b=500 s/mm2,the cutoff value of ADC to discriminate PTCs with and without ETE was 1.530×10-3 mm2/s with a sensitivity of 69.0％,specificity of 93.7％,positive predictive value of 77.6％,negative predictive of 77.5％ and ROC curve area of 0.887.Conclusion ADC values of the solid tumor tissue of PTC with ETE are significantly lower than those of PTC without ETE.DWI may be helpful in the determination of thyroid papillary carcinoma ETE.