Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can quantitatively identify malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) from SIP with coexisting malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma (MT-SIP). Methods: This retrospective study included 122 patients with 88 SIP and 34 MT-SIP. Quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI were compared between SIP and MT-SIP. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent indicators and construct regression model for distinguishing MT-SIP and SIP. Diagnostic performance of independent indicators and regression model were evaluated using receiver operating coefficient (ROC) analysis and compared using DeLong test. Results: There were significant differences in maximum slope of increase, contrast-enhancement ratio, bolus arrival time, volume of extravascular extracellular space (Ve), and rate constant (Kep) between SIP and MT-SIP (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in initial area under the gadolinium curve (p = 0.174) and volume transfer constant (p = 0.105) between two groups. Multivariate analysis results showed that Ve and Kep were identified as the independent indicators for differentiating MT-SIP from SIP (p < 0.001). Areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for predicting MT-SIP were 0.779 for Ve and 0.766 for Kep. The AUC of the combination of Ve and Kep was 0.831, yielding 83% specificity and 76.5% sensitivity. Conclusion: DCE-MRI can quantitatively differentiate between MT-SIP and SIP. The combination of Ve and Kep yielded an optimal performance for discriminating SIP from its malignant mimics. Advances in knowledge: DCE-MRI with quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters can provide valuable evidences for quantitatively identifying MT-SIP.