ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of cervical metastatic lymph nodes by T1 perfusion-weighted imaging and analyse the effect of age on perfusion.Methods 18 cases of cervical lymph node metastasis (case group)and 30 healthy people (control group)were performed T1 perfusion-weighted imaging.The semi-quantitative parameters (including in maximum relative enhancement ratio,wash in rate,wash out rate and peak time)and time-intensity curve (TIC)were compared between case group and control group.Moreover,the effect of age on perfusion was investigated by the age of 40 years old.Results The inflow rate was statistically significant difference between the two groups (P0.05).The time-intensity curve in metastatic lymph nodes and normal lymph nodes were common in typeⅡ. The maximum relative enhancement ratio and wash in rate negatively correlated with the age and the maximum relative enhancement ratio and wash in rate below the age of 40 years old were higher than above the age 40.Conclusion The wash in rate is helpful to dif-ferentiate metastatic lymph nodes and normal lymph nodes.The effect of age on perfusion is considered.