Correlative Study between Multi-slice CT Perfusion Imaging and Molecular Pathology in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective To study the correlation of the perfusion CT parameters and the molecular pathology characteristics of the renal cell carcinoma( RCC ),and to discuss the value of multi-slice CT(MSCT) perfusion imaging in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of RCC.Methods 42 patients with clinically suspected renal tumors underwent MSCT perfusion imaging.The maps of renal blood volume (BV),blood flow (BF),permeability surface (PS)and mean transit time (MTT)were obtained.Regions of interest (ROI)were drawn within the tumor and the region of normal area adjacent to the tumor.All of the tumors were proved by surgery and pathology withRCC ( n = 42 ).Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and micro-vascular density (MVD) were measured with immuno-histology chemistry technique( SP technique).Results Of the 42RCC,the mean BF,BV and PS value were obviously lower than that of normal renal cortex;moreover,the above-mentioned parameters in grade Ⅲweresignificantly higher than that of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ RCC.A significant inverse correlation (P ＜ 0.05 )was observed between the mean MTT value and the VEGF expression.The mean BF,BV and PS of RCC had a significant positive correlation with VEGF expression(P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Tumor angiogenesis,blood flow perfusion and permeability surface could be quantitatively evaluated by MSCT perfusion imaging.It provides useful information for pre-surgical staging of RCC and benefit s the clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of RCC. Key words: Tomography,X-ray computed;  Perfusion imaging;  Renal neoplasms