PERFUSION CT IN THE EVALUATION OF NECK MASSES

Neck cancer is among the most prevalent carcinomas globally, with squamous cell carcinoma being the predominant type. Two-thirds of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, making early detection critical to provide optimal treatment. Angiogenesis is pivotal in cancer growth/metastases and is typically assessed through invasive microvascular density (MVD) evaluation which is an invasive procedure with limitation in routine use. This study investigates the role of perfusion CT in characterizing neck masses by correlating perfusion parameters with histopathological ndings. A prospective study was conducted on 30 patients with neck masses. Perfusion parameters—blood ow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and permeability surface area product (PMB)—were quantied and compared with biopsy or surgical specimen results. Results showed that malignant lesions exhibited signicantly higher BF, BV, and PMB, and shorter MTT compared to benign lesions, aiding in differentiation. The study underscores the clinical relevance of perfusion CT in diagnosing and staging neck masses, suggesting it as a valuable tool for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.