Role of apparent diffusion coefficient values and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules

ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules using nodule-spinal cord signal intensity and nodule apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI).Materials and MethodsForty-four patients (27 females, 17 males; mean age, 49 years) with nodules who underwent DW-MRI were included in this study. The images were acquired with 0, 50, 400 and 1000 s/mm² b values. ADC maps were calculated afterwards. Fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) were performed at the same day with DW-MRI acquisition. The diagnosis in patients where malignity was detected after FNAB was confirmed by histopathologic analysis of the operation material. The signal intensities of the spinal cord and the nodule were measured additionally, over b-1000 diffusion-weighted images. Nodule/cord signal intensity (SI) ratios were obtained and the digital values were calculated by dividing to ADC values estimated for each nodule. Statistical analysis was performed.ResultsThe (nodule SI-cord SI)/nodule ADC ratio is calculated in the DW images, and a statistically significant relationship was found between this ratio and the histopathology of the nodules (P<.001). The ratio was determined as 0.27 in benign and 0.86 in malignant lesions. The result of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was statistically significant, and the area under curve (100%) was considerably high. The threshold value was calculated as 0.56 according to the ROC analysis. According to this threshold value, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy rates for (nodule SI/cord SI)/ADC ratios in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules are calculated as 100%, 97%, 83%, 100%, and 98%, respectively.ConclusionWe have found that (nodule/cord SI)/nodule ADC ratio has the highest values for sensitivity and specificity among the tests defined for characterization of nodules.     

The efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient value calculation in differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) calculation in differentiation between malignant and benign thyroid nodules.Methods and materialsA prospective study was conducted in 52 patients. Diffusion-weighted echoplanar imaging was performed and b factors were taken as 0 and 400 s/mm².ResultsThe mean ADC value for malignant thyroid nodules was 0.829±0.179×10^?3 mm²/s and that for benign thyroid nodules was 1.984±0.482×10^?3 mm²/s. The mean ADC value for malignant nodules was significantly lower than that for benign nodules (P=.0001).ConclusionADC value calculation is an effective method in differentiation of malignant thyroid nodules from benign ones.     

Initial experience of 3 tesla apparent diffusion coefficient values in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Purpose:

To evaluate the role of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules using a 3 Tesla (T) MRI scanner.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty‐eight nodules in 25 patients and 14 healthy control cases were included in the study. DWMRI was acquired with 6 b values with a 3T MRI scanner. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the nodules were calculated from reconstructed ADC map images and were compared with the final histopathological diagnoses.

Results:

The mean ADC value of the benign nodules was 1548 ± 353.4 (×10^?6 mm²/s), and the mean ADC of the malignant nodules was 814 ± 177.12 (×10^?6 mm²/s). The normal thyroid tissue had a mean ADC value of 1323.43 ± 210.35 × 10^?6 mm²/s (958–1689 × 10^?6 mm²/s) in the healthy control group. The ADC values were significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.001). An ADC value of 905 × 10^?6 mm²/s was determined to be the cutoff value for differentiating benign and malignant nodules, with 90% (55.5–98.3) sensitivity and 100% (81.3–100.0) specificity.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that the ADC values of nodules measured with a 3T MRI scanner could help in differentiating benign thyroid nodules from malignant nodules. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1077–1082. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

     

Role of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Objective

Is to evaluate the potential application of diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in patients referred for FNAC and to correlate the imaging patterns & values of these lesions with their pathological nature.

表观扩散系数值鉴别良恶性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的价值

目的 探讨MR DWI的ADC值鉴别良、恶性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的价值.方法 对18例良性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变和26例恶性骨肿瘤行DWI.采用单激发EPI序列,3个扩散敏感梯度,b值分别为0.500、1000 s/nun2.在ADC图上测量每个病变的最低、最高和整体ADC值.结果 良性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的最低ADC值[(1.28±0.49)×10-3mm2/s]高于恶性骨肿瘤[(0.92±0.35)×10-3mm2/s,t=2.839,P<0.01],整体ADC值[(1.62±0.51)×10-3mm2/s]也高于恶性骨肿瘤[(1.21±0.36)×10-3mm2mm/s,t=3.092,P<0.01],但两者都有很大重叠.良性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的最高ADC值[(2.02±0.55)×10-3mm2/s]与恶性骨肿瘤的最高ADC值[(1.71±0.65)×10-3mm2/s]差异无统计学意义(t:1.669,P＞0.05).去掉以囊腔为主的骨囊肿及动脉瘤样骨囊肿病例,则良性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变的最低、最高和整体ADC值分别为(1.11±0.31)×10-3mm2/s、(1.88±0.49)×10-3mm2/s和(1.45±0.35)×10-3mm2/s,与恶性骨肿瘤比较差异无统计学意义(t值分别为1.728、0.964、2.012,P值均>0.05).结论 ADC值不能鉴别良、恶性骨肿瘤及肿瘤样病变.     

Differentiation between malignant and benign solitary thyroid nodules by fluorescent scanning.

A quantitative fluorescent technique has been developed for making in vivo iodine content determinations of the total thyroid gland or of selected parts. In solitary thyroid nodules "cold" to radionuclide studies, the ratio of iodine content in the nodule to that in a corresponding area of the contralateral lobe has proven to be a good indicator of malignancy. In a preliminary study of 42 surgical patients, an iodine content ratio (ICR) below 0.60 (chosen a posteriori) proved to be an excellent indication of malignancy with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity (predictive value) of 79%, and an overall accuracy of 90%. Further definitive studies are needed to verify these preliminary observations.     

The role of apparent diffusion coefficient values in differentiation between adrenal masses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in differentiation between solid adrenal masses. The ADC values of 73 adrenal lesions (54 benign, 19 malignant) in 69 patients were measured at b 100, 600 and 1000 gradients on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). No statistically significant difference was found between ADC values of benign and malignant adrenal masses, nonadenomatous benign adrenal masses and malignant adrenal masses, adrenal adenomas and nonadenomatous lesions, adenomas and metastases, adenomas and pheochromocytomas, metastases and pheochromocytomas. ADC values are not helpful in the differentiation between solid adrenal masses.     

The role of proton MR spectroscopy and apparent diffusion coefficient values in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules: preliminary results

PurposePerformance of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules.MethodIn a retrospective study with malignant nodules of 14 patients, H-MRS and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) were performed. Choline (Cho) peak, Cho/creatine (Cr) ratio, and ADC values of malignant nodules were correlated with the five benign nodules and four normal-appearing thyroid lobe parenchymata. The gold standard reference was fine needle aspiration biopsy and histopathology.ResultsAt echo time 40–144-ms acquisitions, average Cho/Cr ratio for the malignant nodules was 2.95±1.54–5.30±2.38, cutoff values were >0.805 and >1.225, and ADC values were 0.06±0.02.ConclusionH-MRS acquisitions, DWI, and ADC mapping give diagnostic data about the nature of the nodules.     

甲状腺良恶性结节的超声鉴别诊断

目的探讨甲状腺良恶性结节声像图表现及鉴别诊断。方法对经手术病理证实的60例甲状腺良性结节和21例恶性结节的超声二维及彩色多普勒血流声像图（CDFI）表现进行对比分析。结果良恶性结甲在形态,边界,内部回声,彩色血流分布,阻力指数,颈部淋巴结肿大等指标有统计学显著性差异。结论形态不规整,边界不清,内部不均匀低回声,微钙化,内部血流丰富而周边少或无血流,RI〉0．7等可以作为恶性结节的主要指标;不清晰、不完整、宽窄不一的晕环及颈部淋巴结肿大高度提示恶性;囊性结节可作为排除恶性指标。微小乳头状癌结节及良恶性并发的多源性结节常常会被误诊。     

磁共振扩散加权成像在乳腺良性与恶性病变中表观扩散系数值分布的特征比较研究简

目的：对乳腺良恶性病变及其周围腺体的磁共振扩散加权成像（DWI）中表观扩散系数（ADC）值分布特征进行分析。方法回顾性分析经病理证实的41个浸润性导管癌和23个纤维腺瘤的DWI图像,测量瘤区（G1）、近瘤区（G2）、远瘤区（G3）及对侧正常腺体区（G4）ADC值,比较不同区域的分布及差异。结果41个浸润性导管癌DWI为高信号,平均ADC值（1．13±0．16）×10-3 mm2/s,而23例纤维腺瘤DWI为等或略高信号为主,平均ADC值（1．69±0．18）×10-3 mm2/s,两者ADC值比较差异有统计学意义（t＝12．31,P＜0．05）。浸润性导管癌自G1区至G4区ADC值逐渐升高,其中G1与G4区、G2与G4区、G1与G2区ADC值比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）,G3与G4区的ADC值比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）;纤维腺瘤各区与对侧正常腺体G4区之间及G1与G2区之间ADC值比较差异均无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。结论 ADC值在浸润性导管癌内部及周围区域的分布有一定的规律,通过对近瘤区ADC值测量,有助于判断乳腺癌是否周围浸润及为保乳手术提供依据。     

Apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in the differentiation between benign and malignant neck masses

Aim

Evaluate the role of ADC value measurements in the differentiation between benign and malignant neck masses.

Methods

From April 2011 to February 2013, prospective study was conducted on 30 patients (17 male and 13 female), with the mean age 43.3 ± 6 years. Collected from wards and clinics of General Surgery and Otolaryngology Departments complaining from neck masses. MRI, Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (b value 0, 100, 500 and 1000 s/mm) and ADC value calculation were performed and the results were correlated with histopathological results and/or follow up.

Results

The present study include 30 patients (Lymphadenopathy {(n = 15) (11 as single entity), (4 associated with other entities)}, Focal thyroid swelling (n = 5), Salivary gland masses (n = 3) {Parotitis (1 case), Parotid carcinoma (2 cases)}, Nasopharyngeal masses (n = 5), Oropharyngeal masses (n = 2), Ludwig angina (n = 2) and Laryngeal masses (n = 2).The mean ADC of the malignant neck masses was (0.699 + 0.267 × 10^-3 mm²/s) while that of the benign masses was (1.879 + 0.751 × 10^-3 mm²/s).The results confirmed by biopsy in 23 cases and follow up (7 cases).The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall accuracy of quantitative diffusion WI in differentiating benign from malignant neck masses were 95.4%, 83.3%, 95.4%, 83%, and 92%.

Conclusion

ADC value calculation are promising noninvasive imaging approach that can be used in distinguishing between benign and malignant neck masses. Benign lesions have higher mean ADC values than malignant lesions, the cutoff value was 1.25 × 10^-3 mm²/s while 0.8 × 10^-3 mm²/s in thyroid lesions.     

Role of ultrasound,color doppler,elastography and micropure imaging in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Purpose

To evaluate the role of ultrasound elastography, Doppler and micropure imaging in the assessment of thyroid nodules, using the pathological analysis as the reference standard.

磁共振扩散加权成像在眼眶良恶性肿瘤鉴别中的应用

目的 探讨磁共振扩散加权成像(DWI)及表观扩散系数(ADC)在眼眶良恶性肿瘤鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 回顾性分析40例(良性组∶恶性组=25∶15)眼眶肿瘤病例的DWI及ADC图像,分析其DWI及ADC图像信号特点.逐层勾画肿瘤边界以获得整体感兴趣区(ROD,得到肿瘤平均ADC值(ADCM).眼眶良恶性肿瘤的信号特点比较采用Fisher精确检验,2组间ADCM值比较采用独立样本t检验.炎性假瘤及淋巴瘤的ADCM值比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验.采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)法分析AIDCM值对眼眶良恶性肿瘤的鉴别诊断价值.结果 眼眶良恶性肿瘤组间DWI图像信号特点无明显统计学差异(P＞0.05),2组ADC图像信号特点有明显统计学差异(P＜0.05).良性肿瘤的ADCM明显高于恶性肿瘤(P＜0.05),其中炎性假瘤的ADCM明显高于淋巴瘤(P＜0.05).以ADC值≥1.289×10-3 mm2/s判断眼眶肿瘤良恶性,可获得最优的诊断价值[曲线下面积(AUC)0.968;敏感度0.960;特异度0.933].结论 磁共振DWI及ADC值在眼眶肿瘤良恶性鉴别中具有重要价值.     

Role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions

Objective

To assess the role of DWI and ADC in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Materials and methods

51 patients (age range 24–66 years; mean age 48 years) were included in our study. MRI was done using bilateral fat-suppressed T2- weighted fast spin-echo, STIR, axial T1-weighted fast spin-echo. DWI series were acquired using echo planar imaging pulse sequences incorporated with diffusion gradients and finally dynamic contrast enhancement study was done.

Results

Sixty three lesions were detected in 51 patients included in our study. Twenty one lesions were malignant, three lesions were intermediate and twenty two lesions were fibroadenoma according to the final histopathological study and seventeen lesions were breast cysts. A total of 21 lesions showed lower ADC values than benign lesions and were in the range of 0.76–1.29 × 10⁻³ mm²/s and were diagnosed as malignant breast lesions. The sensitivity and specificity for DWI in the differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions were calculated and showed 95.4% and 97.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

DWI is easy to obtain in short scan time and easy to evaluate, and ADC values can differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions with high sensitivity and specificity.     

The influence of the b‐value combination on apparent diffusion coefficient based differentiation between malignant and benign tissue in cervical cancer

Purpose:

To analyze the influence of different b‐value combinations on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)‐based differentiation of known malignant and benign tissue in cervical cancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 35 patients with stage IB1, IB2, IIA cervical cancer underwent a 3.0T MRI scan prior to radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Conventional T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences and a diffusion‐weighted sequence (b = 0, 150, 500, 1000 seconds/mm²) were performed. Regions‐of‐interest (ROI) were drawn on ADC maps derived from five different b‐value combinations (0, 500; 0, 150, 500; 0, 1000; 0, 150, 500, 1000; 150, 500, 1000 seconds/mm²). The influence of the b‐value combination on ADC‐based differentiation of benign and malignant tissue was analyzed using receiver‐operating‐characteristics curves.

Results:

For all b‐value combinations, ADCs were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in cervical malignancies (1.15 ± 0.21·10^?3; 1.10 ± 0.21·10^?3; 0.97 ± 0.18·10^?3; 0.97 ± 0.23·10^?3 and 0.85 ± 0.18·10^?3 mm²/second respectively to the aforementioned b‐value combinations) than in benign cervix (2.08 ± 0.31·10^?3; 2.00 ± 0.29·10^?3; 1.62 ± 0.23·10^?3; 1.54 ± 0.21·10^?3 and 1.42 ± 0.22·10^?3 mm²/second respectively). The diagnostic accuracy was high for all b‐value combinations and without statistical differences between the combinations.

Conclusion:

ADC‐based differentiation of benign from malignant cervical tissue is independent of the tested b‐value combinations. The results support the inclusion and possible pooling of studies using different b‐value combinations in meta‐analyses on ADC‐based tissue differentiation in cervical cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:376–382. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

     

Differentiation of benign and malignant pathology in the head and neck using 3T apparent diffusion coefficient values: early experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to study differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between benign and malignant head and neck lesions at 3T field strength imaging.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study population in this retrospective study was derived from the patient population who had undergone routine neck 3T MR imaging (for clinical indications) from December 2005 to December 2006. There were 33 patients identified: 17 with benign and 16 with malignant pathologies. In all of the subjects, conventional MR imaging sequences were performed apart from diffusion-weighted sequences. The mean ADC values in the benign and malignant groups were compared using an unpaired t test with unequal variance with a P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (P = .004) between the mean ADC values (in 10⁻³ mm²/s) in the benign and malignant lesions (1.505 ± 0.487; 95% confidence interval, 1.305–1.706, and 1.071 ± 0.293; 95% confidence interval, 0.864–1.277, respectively). There were 2 malignant lesions with ADC values higher than 1.3 × 10⁻³ mm²/s and 5 benign lesions with ADC values less than 1.3 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. The lack of overlap of ADC values within 95% confidence limits suggests that a 3T ADC value of 1.3 × 10⁻³ mm²/s may be the threshold value for differentiation between benign and malignant head and neck lesions.CONCLUSION: ADC values of benign and malignant neck pathologies are significantly different at 3T imaging, though larger studies are required to establish threshold ADC values that can applied in daily clinical practice.

CT and conventional MR imaging (using spin-echo [SE] T1-weighted and T2-weighted images) are extensively used at present for evaluation of both palpable and nonpalpable neck lesions, as well as characterization of biologic behavior using imaging criteria, which include necrosis, invasion of adjacent structure, and perineural spread. However, it is not uncommon to encounter lesions that have indeterminate findings on cross-sectional imaging and necessitate further investigation.Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values has been investigated in the past in an attempt to distinguish between benign and malignant head and neck lesions.^1–4 These previous studies have been performed at 1.5T strength.^1–4 3T imaging with dedicated 16-channel head and neck coils results in substantially improved signal intensity to noise compared with 1.5T and has the potential to produce better quality DWI and ADC maps compared with conventional field strengths.However, ADC values may vary with field strength, and some authors indicate that the quantitative ADC values obtained at 1.5T may not be transferable to 3T.⁵ The purpose of our study was to determine whether ADC mapping performed at 3T with a dedicated 16-channel head and coils can differentiate between benign and malignant pathologies of the head and neck and to compare these findings with previously reported findings at 1.5T.     

Computer-aided differentiation of malignant from benign solitary pulmonary nodules imaged by high-resolution CT

We investigated the possibility of using computer analysis of high-resolution CT images to radiologically classify the shape of pulmonary nodules. From a total of 107 HRCT images of solid, solitary pulmonary nodules with prior differentiation as benign (n=55) or malignant (n=52), we extracted the desired pulmonary nodules and calculated two quantitative parameters for characterizing nodules: circularity and second central moment. Using discriminant analysis for two thresholds in differentiating malignant from benign states resulted in a sensitivity of 76.9%, a specificity of 80%, a positive predictive value of 78.4%, and a negative predictive value of 78.6%.     

甲状腺良、恶性结节的研究进展

甲状腺肿瘤是较常见的内分泌腺肿瘤,临床最初多表现为无痛性甲状腺结节,发病率为4%～7%,其中大多数为良性,约有5%为恶性.甲状腺癌的预后与患者的年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、肿瘤类型、是否转移等有关,其中乳头状癌的病死率为8%～11%,滤泡癌为24%～33%,髓样癌为50%,未分化癌为75%～90%.早期诊断、早期治疗可以明显降低病死率,对甲状腺结节的正确判断是早期发现甲状腺癌的关键.     

Role of quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI and H MR spectroscopy in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Background and purpose

The imaging characterization of thyroid nodules is mandatory to exclude malignancy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of quantitative diffusion MRI and ¹H MR spectroscopy in differentiation between benign and malignant Thyroid nodules.

Methods

From February 2012 to May 2013, prospective study was conducted on 25 patients with 41 thyroid nodules (11 males, 14 females, age range, 16–74 years with mean 45.3 years) collected from wards and clinics of Internal Medicine and General Surgery Departments, 20 healthy individuals as control cases were included in the study. 1.5-T ¹H-MR spectroscopy (at echo-times (TE) 144 and 35 ms) and diffusion-weighted imaging (b value 0, 250 and 1000 s/mm²) were performed and the results were correlated with histopathological results.

Results

The mean ADC of the malignant thyroid nodules (13 nodules) was 0.59 ± 0.24 × 10⁻³ mm²/s while that of the benign thyroid nodules (28 nodules) was 1.78 ± 0.21 × 10⁻³ mm²/s (p value <0.0001).Choline is present in all malignant nodules (13 nodules) and two benign nodules (mild elevation) while absent in 26 other benign nodules. Choline/creatine ratio in malignant nodules ranged from 1.3 to 5.4, while in two benign nodules it was 0.9 and 1.1.The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall accuracy of diffusion and MRS in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules were 100%, 93%, 96%, 100% and 79%, respectively.

Conclusion

MRS and diffusion WI are useful noninvasive diagnostic modalities in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.     

Diagnostic performance of PET/CT in differentiation of malignant and benign non-solid solitary pulmonary nodules

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) can distinguish benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) with non-solid components. METHODS: [F-18] FDG-PET/CT scans were performed on 53 consecutive patients (30 men, 23 women; mean age 65 years) who had SPNs with non-solid components identified by CT screening for lung cancer. All patients underwent surgical resection, and all lesions were pathologically proved. Visual score, maximal, and mean standardized uptake value (SUV), and maximal and mean lesion-to-normal tissue count density ratio (LNR) were calculated in all lesions. In addition, clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, and CT findings were assessed. RESULTS: Benign SPNs with non-solid components had a higher uptake on [F-18] FDG-PET/CT. Visual score, maximal and mean SUV, and maximal and mean LNR were significantly higher in the benign when compared with the malignant SPNs (P < 0.001). When the cutoff of 1.5 was assigned for maximal SUV, the diagnostic performance of [F-18] FDG-PET/CT in predicting benign SPN revealed 100.0% sensitivity, 96.4% specificity, and 100.0% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: [F-18] FDG-PET/CT is useful for the differential diagnosis of SPNs with non-solid components.