Diffusion-weighted imaging of pancreatic cancer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a reliable and accurate imaging method for the evaluation of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a relatively recent technological improvement that expanded MRI capabilities, having brought functional aspects into conventional morphologic MRI evaluation. DWI can depict the random diffusion of water molecules within tissues (the so-called Brownian motions). Modifications of water diffusion induced by different factors acting on the extracellular and intracellular spaces, as increased cell density, edema, fibrosis, or altered functionality of cell membranes, can be detected using this MR sequence. The intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model is an advanced DWI technique that consent a separate quantitative evaluation of all the microscopic random motions that contribute to DWI, which are essentially represented by molecular diffusion and blood microcirculation (perfusion). Technological improvements have made possible the routine use of DWI during abdominal MRI study. Several authors have reported that the addition of DWI sequence can be of value for the evaluation of patients with PDAC, especially improving the staging; nevertheless, it is still unclear whether and how DWI could be helpful for identification, characterization, prognostic stratification and follow-up during treatment. The aim of this paper is to review up-to-date literature data regarding the applications of DWI and IVIM to PDACs.     

Diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging of normal and diseased uterus

Owing to technical advances and improvement of the software, diffusion weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DWI and DTI) greatly improved the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic region. These imaging sequences can exhibit important tissue contrast on the basis of random diffusion (Brownian motion) of water molecules in tissues. Quantitative measurements can be done with DWI and DTI by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values respectively. ADC and FA values may be changed by various physiological and pathological conditions providing additional information to conventional MRI. The quantitative DWI assists significantly in the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions. It can demonstrate the microstructural architecture and celluler density of the normal and diseased uterine zones. On the other hand, DWI and DTI are useful for monitoring the treatment outcome of the uterine lesions. In this review, we discussed advantages of DWI and DTI of the normal and diseased uterus.     

前列腺癌MRI诊断技术研究进展

前列腺癌是世界上第二常见的男性恶性肿瘤, 我国前列腺癌的发病率亦呈逐年上升趋势。MRI有着良好的软组织分辨率及多方位成像优势, 能较好地显示前列腺的解剖结构及相邻的组织结构, 随着MRI技术的不断发展, 其对前列腺癌的诊断发挥着越来越重要的作用。该文从前列腺癌MRI常规序列的影像表现着手, 对各种功能MRI在前列腺癌的诊断和鉴别诊断中的应用进行了详细地论述, 如MR灌注加权成像、MR波谱、MR扩散加权成像、MR扩散张量成像、体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像、MR磁敏感加权成像等, 介绍了功能MRI相对于常规扫描的优势及其所能提供的更多的影像学资料, 通过系列半定量和定量数据, 能进一步提供前列腺癌的血流灌注、水分子扩散、微循环状态、物质代谢及生化成分变化等信息。     

Abdominal applications of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: Where do we stand

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is one of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences providing qualitative as well as quantitative information at a cellular level. It has been widely used for various applications in the central nervous system. Over the past decade, various extracranial applications of DWI have been increasingly explored, as it may detect changes even before signal alterations or morphological abnormalities become apparent on other pulse sequences. Initial results from abdominal MRI applications are promising, particularly in oncological settings and for the detection of abscesses. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinically relevant basic concepts of DWI, techniques to perform abdominal DWI, its analysis and applications in abdominal visceral MR imaging, in addition to a brief overview of whole body DWI MRI.     

ADC值与MR T_1WI最大强化值相关性分析评估肝癌的临床随访价值

目的定量分析原发性及继发性肝癌肿瘤组织的表观扩散系数(ADC)值,探讨MR扩散加权成像(DWI)在临床上评估肝癌患者的治疗疗效及预后的能力。资料与方法对53例肝癌患者行MR DWI、常规平扫T1WI、T2WI和T1WI钆对比剂增强扫描,系统化分析并观察病灶内部存活的肿瘤组织与肿瘤液化坏死组织成分的DWI与增强图像上的信号特征,测量各组信号强度值,并计算出各组ADC值与对应的MR T1WI增强扫描最大强化值,进行统计学相关性分析。结果 MR DWI像上肝癌病灶内残存或复发的肿瘤组织表现为稍高信号,增强扫描显示明显正性强化;液化坏死部分表现为明亮高信号,增强扫描无明显强化;ADC图上肿瘤组织为稍高于正常肝实质的高信号,肿瘤坏死组织部分为低信号;均数ADC值分别为:b=500 s/mm2时,肝癌肿瘤组织约为(1.15±0.43)×10-3mm2/s,肿瘤坏死囊变组织约为(1.88±0.43)×10-3 mm2/s,正常肝实质约为(1.31±0.16)×10-3 mm2/s;b=800 s/mm2时,肝癌肿瘤组织约为(1.02±0.37)×10-3mm2/s,肿瘤坏死组织约为(1.71±0.32)×10-3mm2/s...     

MRI在肝外胆管癌诊断中的应用

胆管癌是一种少见的恶性肿瘤,预后不良,大多数发生于肝外胆管。肝外胆管癌（EHCC）的定位诊断常依赖于影像检查,MRI为目前诊断EHCC常用的影像检查方法之一。随着MR技术的发展,越来越多的序列如扩散加权成像（DWI）、体素内不相干运动（IVIM）、扩散峰度成像（DKI）等应用于EHCC的诊断,并且可以对肿瘤的病理级别进行预测和评估,对判断病人的预后及肿瘤的复发具有重要意义。就不同MR成像序列在EHCC诊断中的应用予以综述。     

MR扩散加权成像在宫颈癌诊断和分期中的应用价值

目的 探讨磁共振扩散加权成像（DWI）在宫颈癌诊断的敏感性、分期的准确性及盆腔淋巴结转移的检出率和定性准确率中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析经术后病理证实的98例宫颈癌患者的影像资料,比较DWI联合常规MRI序列与单纯常规MRI序列在宫颈癌诊断、分期及盆腔淋巴结转移方面的差异.结果 DWI联合常规MRI序列对Ⅰb期的漏诊率（1/20）低于单纯常规MRI序列漏诊率（5/20）.DWI联合常规MRI序列对Ⅱb期分期准确率（21/23）高于单纯常规MRI序列准确率（14/23）;其余各期分期,两者无明显差异.DWI联合常规MRI序列对盆腔淋巴结转移的检出率（135/148）和定性准确率（76/82）均高于单纯常规MRI序列的检出率（101/148）和定性准确率（56/82）.结论 相对于常规MRI序列,DWI联合常规MRI序列对宫颈癌的诊断更敏感,Ⅱb期分期更准确,盆腔淋巴结检出率和定性准确率更可靠.     

创伤性脑损伤弥散加权及弥散张力成像研究

磁共振弥散加权及弥散张力成像是基于水分子运动的成像技术,提供脑生理或病理状态的信息,为创伤性脑损伤,特别是弥漫性轴索损伤的早期诊断、指导临床治疗及预测预后提供一定信息,作为传统影像学的补充,弥散加权成像及弥散张力成像越来越成为TBI检查的可供选择的有价值的方法。     

Diffusion weighted imaging of female pelvic cancers: Concepts and clinical applications

Early applications of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) were limited to neuroimaging, concentrating either on stroke or brain tumours. With recent advances in MRI hardware and software DWI is now increasingly being investigated for cancer assessment throughout the body.Clinical applications of DWI relating to female pelvic cancers have largely concentrated on detection, localisation and staging of disease. More recently investigators have started to evaluate the ability of DWI for determining tumour histology and even predicting the outcome of chemoradiation treatment.This article reviews the physical concepts of MR diffusion weighting, illustrates the biophysical basis of diffusion contrast and reports the clinical applications of DWI for cervical, endometrial, ovarian, rectal and bladder tumours.     

MR弥散技术对脊柱压缩性骨折诊断价值初探

目的：初步评价MR弥散技术对脊柱单纯性和病理性压缩性骨折的诊断价值。方法：7l例脊柱椎体压缩性骨折行X线、MRI平扫和弥散序列检查(35例加作增强扫描)，其中53例另作CT检查。病理性骨折38例(包括转移性肿瘤29例，骨髓瘤4例，嗜酸性肉芽肿2例，结核3例)；单纯性分析33例(包括单纯外伤所致18例，骨质疏松所致l5例)。病理性分析者行CT引导下经皮骨穿刺检查或手术病理证实；外伤或骨质疏松所致椎体压缩性骨折均符合临床、实验室检查及MRI表现，部分经随访证实。结果：急性单纯性压缩性骨折和病理性骨折在常规MRI上有各自的特点。9％(3／33)单纯性压缩性骨折在DWI表现为等低信号混有条状高信号；24％(8／33)表现为等低信号；67％(22／33)表现为高信号。93％(36／38)病理性椎体压缩性骨折DWI上表现为高信号；7％(2／38)表现为等低信号。DWI上均至高信号的单纯性压缩和病理性压缩经统计分析无显著性意义(P＞0．05)。结论：单凭MRI弥散序列的信号改变不能非常准确地鉴别脊柱单纯性压缩性分析和病理性骨折，需进一步深入定量研究。     

Diffusion-weighted whole-body MR screening

Diffusion-weighted sequence (DWI) of the entire body is a new promising technique feasible to evaluate multifocal disease. DWI has revealed great potential in the evaluation of patients with cancer or benign disease, as it supplies both quantitative and qualitative information of the whole body. The technical aspects of the diffusion-weighted whole body (DWWB) MR sequence are described with special emphasis on the processing and analysis of the imaging. DWWB MR sequence should be used combined with the other standard sequences such as FSE T1-weighted and STIR images. A complete whole-body MR imaging protocol including the DWI can be performed in less than 40min. The possibilities, limitations and the preliminary clinical results of the whole-body MR imaging using a DWI of the entire body are reviewed.     

3.0T MR扩散张量成像在脑梗死诊断中的应用

目的：探讨3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像（DTI）对脑梗死的诊断价值。方法：对75例不同时期脑梗死患者进行MRI常规检查、扩散加权成像（DWI）及DTI检查,重建平均扩散系数（DCavg）图及部分各向异性（FA）图。以T2WI与DWI图像为参照,测定各期脑梗死灶及对侧正常脑组织的平均DCavg值、平均FA值,并进行统计学处理。结果：与对侧正常脑组织相比,脑梗死平均DCavg值在超急性期及急性期显著减低（P〈0.01）,随着时间延长呈逐渐恢复升高的变化趋势;脑梗死平均FA值在超急性期无一致性变化,与对侧正常脑组织相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,可轻度升高或轻度降低,随着病程进展呈不可恢复持续减低规律。结论：联合DCavg值与FA值可对脑梗死进行更精确的临床分期,有助于及时准确了解脑梗死的病理生理改变,为临床治疗及预后判断提供依据。     

Neuroimaging of pediatric posterior fossa tumors including review of the literature

Conventional, anatomical MRI is an essential tool for diagnosis and evaluation of location, quality, and extent of posterior fossa tumors, but offers limited information regarding tumor grade and type. Advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may improve the specific diagnosis of brain tumors in the posterior fossa in children. In this review the conventional neuroimaging findings, as well as the DWI, and DTI characteristics of common pediatric posterior fossa tumors are discussed and summarized.     

乳腺MR扩散、灌注及动态增强成像诊断价值研究

目的探讨MR扩散、灌注及动态增强成像在乳腺病变中的诊断价值。资料与方法80例乳腺病变患者行术前MR扩散、T2*W首过灌注及动态增强检查,回顾性分析乳腺病变MRI表现,分析比较扩散、灌注及动态增强的诊断价值。结果乳腺良、恶性病变表观扩散系数(ADC)值具有显著差异,诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为80%、89.19%、79.38%;恶性病变T2*W首过灌注最大信号丢失率明显高于良性病变(P<0.05),诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为81.82%、83.78%、82.61%;动态增强扫描诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为76.36%、83.78%、79.35%;三者联合诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性分别为92.73%,91.89%、92.39%。结论乳腺MR扩散、灌注成像有助于乳腺良恶性病变的鉴别。     

胰腺疾病的MRI诊断

随着MBI成像技术的迅速发展和MBI的广泛应用，利用MBI诊断胰腺疾病正引起人们的普遍关注。现代MRI技术包括屏气T1加权成像及其脂肪抑制、T2加权成像及其脂肪抑制、MBI动态增强扫描、MR胰胆管成像和MR血管成像。这些脉冲序列各自有不同的组织对比机制，而且是互相补充的，它们的综合应用，可以较全面地评价胰腺及胰腺病变，从而明显改善了MBI对胰腺疾病的检测和诊断。本文着重介绍胰腺的MR成像技术，正常解剖、先天性异常和常见疾病的NR诊断价值。     

磁共振STIR-EPI序列在肺良恶性结节鉴别诊断中的应用

目的探讨磁共振STIR-EPI序列在良恶性肺结节鉴别诊断中的临床应用价值。方法对CT平扫发现肺结节且未进行放、化疗的97例患者进行MR常规扫描及STIR-EPI序列弥散加权成像。观察肺结节的MRI形态学表现,并对肺结节的信号强度进行评分,测量其表观弥散系数(ADC)值与信噪比(SNR)值。结果 MR对肺结节形态学的细微结构的显示并不优于CT(P>0.05),但对肺结节宽基底与胸膜相连征的显示优于CT,对鉴别诊断有意义(χ2=7.762,P=0.005);恶性肺结节的信号强度评分(3.93±1.26)明显高于良性结节(2.26±1.37),其差异具有统计学意义(t=-3.629,P=0.001);恶性肺结节的ADC值(1.392±0.237)×10 mm-3/s)明显低于良性结节(1.948±0.416)×10 mm-3/s,两者差异具有统计学意义(t=2.874,P=0.006);恶性肺结节的SNR值(275.01±77.33)明显高于良性结节(195.63±58.27),两者差异具有统计学意义(t=0.629,P=0.033)。结论磁共振STIR-EPI序列弥散加权成像非常有助于良、恶性肺结节的鉴别诊断,可成为肺结节定性诊断的重要手段。     

磁共振扩散加权成像在甲状腺良恶性病变鉴别诊断中的价值

目的：探讨MR扩散加权成像在甲状腺良恶性病变鉴别诊断中的价值。方法：采用平面回波成像（EPI）技术。对50例甲状腺局灶性病变（良性组36例,恶性组14例）行DWI检查,分别测量b值取0、150、300和500s/mm2时良恶性病灶的信号强度和ADC值,并比较其差异。所有患者均经手术（49例）或活检（1例）病理证实。结果：良性与恶性病变的信号强度在b值为0、150、300和500s/mm2时差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。b值为150、300和500s/mm2时良性组与恶性组之间ADC值的差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。以恶性组ADC值95%可信区间上限作为诊断阈值,则b值为150、300和500s/mm2时,诊断阈值分别为1.992×10^-3、1.582×10-3和1.410×10-3mm2/s。应用ROC曲线分析不同b值时ADC阈值诊断恶性病变的作用,显示b值为150s/mm2时价值最大,其诊断敏感度、特异度、符合率、阳性和阴性预测值分别为78.57%、84.62%、82.50%、73.33%和88.00%。结论：甲状腺恶性病变的ADC值低于良性病变,b值取150s/mm2、阈值设为1.992×10-3mm2/s有助于良恶性病变的鉴别。     

Updates in advanced diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the evaluation of prostate cancer

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is considered part of the standard imaging protocol for the evaluation of patients with prostate cancer. It has been proven valuable as a functional tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of prostate cancer beyond anatomical MRI sequences such as T2-weighted imaging. This review discusses ongoing controversies in DW-MRI acquisition, including the optimal number of b-values to be used for prostate DWI, and summarizes the current literature on the use of advanced DW-MRI techniques. These include intravoxel incoherent motion imaging, which better accounts for the non-mono-exponential behavior of the apparent diffusion coefficient as a function of b-value and the influence of perfusion at low b-values. Another technique is diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Metrics from DKI reflect excess kurtosis of tissues, representing its deviation from Gaussian diffusion behavior. Preliminary results suggest that DKI findings may have more value than findings from conventional DW-MRI for the assessment of prostate cancer.     

应用ROC曲线评价DWI诊断直肠癌的价值

目的应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)评价DWI对直肠癌的诊断价值。方法选取60例经病理证实的直肠癌患者,所有患者术前均行高分辨MRI扫描检查,同时采用b值为600、1000 s/mm2对其进行弥散加权成像(DWI)检查,并计算直肠癌瘤体的表观弥散系数(ADC)值;选取15例非直肠癌患者作为对照组,并计算对照组直肠壁的ADC值。结果单独使用高分辨MRI及高分辨MRI联合DWI对直肠癌诊断的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.879、0.988;高分辨MRI结合DWI诊断直肠癌的灵敏度、特异度分别为90%,100%;同一b值下直肠癌瘤体的ADC值与对照组直肠壁比较有显著性差异(P<0.05),并确定不同b值下诊断直肠癌的最佳ADC阈值(1.856×10-3 mm/s2、1.560×10-3 mm/s2)。结论 ROC曲线评价显示DWI联合高分辨MRI对直肠癌具有较高的诊断准确度,DWI可以作为诊断直肠癌的重要补充序列。     

3.0 T磁共振扩散加权成像及表观扩散系数在淋巴瘤诊断及随访中的应用价值

目的 观察恶性淋巴瘤的扩散加权成像(DWI)特征及表观扩散系数(ADC)值在治疗前后的变化,探讨 DWI及ADC值在淋巴瘤诊断和随访中的应用价值.资料与方法 恶性淋巴瘤初发患者15例,男8例,女7例,平均年龄48.7岁.其中10例化疗后进行复查;健康志愿者10名,男5名,女5名,平均年龄48.4岁.在3.0 T MRI上行常规MRI及DWI检查.在ADC图上分别测量恶性淋巴瘤患者及健康志愿者颈部淋巴结的ADC值.10例复查患者在初次检查相一致部位再次测量淋巴结的ADC值,并进行前后对比,同时与健康志愿者进行比较.采用PSS 11.0统计软件,对淋巴瘤患者及正常对照组淋巴结的ADC值进行独立样本的t检验.结果 DWI与常规T2WI脂肪抑制序列比较,DWI能更敏感、直观地显示淋巴结.15例恶性淋巴瘤患者平均ADC值(753.33±31.28)×10-3 mm2/s,化疗后复查,平均ADC值(1088.32±51.28)×10-3 mm2/s.化疗前后ADC值差异有统计学意义(t=5.79,P＜0.05).健康志愿者颈部淋巴结平均ADC值(1264.20±71.60)×10-3 mm2/s.15例淋巴瘤患者治疗前ADC值与健康志愿者差异有统计学意义(t=6.53,P＜0.05),治疗后ADC值与正常人差异无统计学意义(t=1.97,P＞0.05).结论 3.0 T磁共振DWI及ADC值测量为淋巴瘤的诊断及疗效的观察提供了有价值的信息.