Functional imaging of the parotid glands using blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)-MRI at 1.5T and 3T

✍ Scribed by Sonia C. Simon-Zoula; Chris Boesch; Frederik De Keyzer; Harriet C. Thoeny

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 173 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21071

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the function of the parotid glands before and during gustatory stimulation, using an intrinsic susceptibility‐weighted MRI method (blood oxygenation level dependent, BOLD‐MRI) at 1.5T and 3T.

Materials and Methods

A total of 10 and 13 volunteers were investigated at 1.5T and 3T, respectively. Measurements were performed before and during gustatory stimulation using ascorbate. Circular regions of interest (ROIs) were delineated in the left and right parotid glands, and in the masseter muscle for comparison. The effects of stimulation were evaluated by calculating the difference between the relaxation rates, ΔR~2~*. Baseline and stimulation were statistically compared (Student's t‐tests), merging both parotid glands.

Results

The averaged ΔR~2~* values prestimulation obtained in all parotid glands were stable (–0.61 to 0.38 × 10^–3^ seconds^–1^). At 3T, these values were characterized by an initial drop (to –2.7 × 10^–3^ seconds^–1^) followed by a progressive increase toward the baseline. No significant difference was observed between baseline and parotid gland stimulation at 1.5T, neither for the masseter muscle at both field strengths. A considerable interindividual variability (over 76%) was noticed at both magnetic fields.

Conclusion

BOLD‐MRI at 3T was able to detect ΔR~2~* changes in the parotid glands during gustatory stimulation, consistent with an increase in oxygen consumption during saliva production. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.