Purposes: To compare the characteristics of DCE-MRI between metastatic and benign lymph nodes (LNs). To explore the effect of sizes of LNs on the value of Ktrans, Ve and iAUC.
Materials and methods: Metastatic and benign LNs were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test and two sample t-test were applied to TICs and parameters. One factor covariance analysis was used to explore the effect of diameters on the value of Ktrans, Ve and iAUC.
Results: The value of Ktrans, Ve and iAUC of metastatic LNs were statistically higher (all p < 0.001) than those of benign LNs. The short-axis diameters had no influence on parameters.
Conclusions: DCE-MRI is useful to differentiate the metastatic LNs from benign LNs. Sizes of LNs has no effect on parameters.
Keywords: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; lymph node.