Role of apparent diffusion coefficient values in differentiation between malignant and benign solitary thyroid nodules

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accurate imaging characterization of a solitary thyroid nodule has been clearly problematic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the differentiation between malignant and benign solitary thyroid nodules.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 67 consecutive patients with solitary thyroid nodules who underwent diffusion MR imaging of the thyroid gland. Diffusion-weighted MR images were acquired with b factors of 0, 250, and 500 s/mm² by using single-shot echo-planar imaging. ADC maps were reconstructed. The ADC values of the solitary thyroid nodules were calculated and correlated with the results of histopathologic examination. Statistical analysis was performed.RESULTS: The mean ADC value of malignant solitary thyroid nodules was 0.73 ± 0.19 × 10⁻³ mm²/s and of benign nodules was 1.8 ± 0.27 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. The mean ADC values of malignant nodules were significantly lower than those of benign ones (P = .0001). There were no significant differences between the mean ADC values of various malignant thyroid nodules, but there were significant differences between the subtypes of benign thyroid nodules (P = .0001). An ADC value of 0.98 × 10⁻³ mm²/s was proved as a cutoff value differentiating between benign and malignant nodules, with 97.5%, 91.7%, and 98.9% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively.CONCLUSION: The ADC value is a new promising noninvasive imaging approach used for differentiating malignant from benign solitary thyroid nodules.

Nodular thyroid is commonly detected on palpation in 4%–7% of the population,^1,2 on sonographic examination in 10%–40%, and by pathologic examination at autopsy in 50%.^3,4 In contrast, compared with the high prevalence of nodular thyroid disease, thyroid cancer is rare. The challenge of imaging thyroid nodules is to reassure most patients who have benign disease and to diagnose the minority of patients who will prove to have a malignancy.^5,6Ultrasonography has been used in the assessment of the thyroid nodules as a primary imaging technique.^2,7,8 Currently, there is no single sonographic criterion that can reliably distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodules.^4,9 The results of predicting thyroid cancer with color Doppler sonography are controversial, with some reporting that Doppler sonography is helpful and others reporting that it did not improve diagnostic accuracy.^4,5,10,11 The hazards of radiation exposure are unavoidable in nuclear scintigraphy,² and not all functioning nodules on scintigraphy are benign.^6,9 The risk of cancer in a cold nodule is 4 times more common than in a hot nodule.^3,6 Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) with cytologic evaluation is commonly used, but it is inconclusive in 15%–20% of patients, in addition to the possible, but less likely, associated hemorrhage.^2,4 The incidence of cancer in patients with thyroid nodules selected for FNAB is approximately 9.2%–13%.⁵ FNAB is considered an effective method for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.^4,7,12–14Routine T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging has a limited role in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. It cannot distinguish benign from malignant nodules or assess the functional status of thyroid nodules.^12–15 Diffusion-weighted MR imaging has been used to characterize head and neck tumors, in which there are significant differences in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of malignant tumors and benign lesions.^16–19 Tezuka et al,²⁰ in their study using diffusion-weighted MR imaging to assess the thyroid function, reported that the ADC values of patients with Grave''s disease exceeded those of patients with subacute thyroiditis, with a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 80%, respectively, in differentiating between both disease entities. They concluded that diffusion-weighted MR imaging could be clinically important in evaluating the thyroid function. To our knowledge, there have been no articles about diffusion-weighted MR imaging evaluating thyroid nodules.The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of ADC values in differentiating between malignant and benign solitary thyroid nodules.     

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.

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.     

Relation between cancer cellularity and apparent diffusion coefficient values using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between cancer cellularity and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 27 women who had undergone operation for breast cancer. There were 27 breast cancer lesions, 24 of which were invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 3 of which were noninvasive ductal carcinoma (NIDC). RESULTS: The mean ADC values of IDC, NIDC, and normal breasts were 1.07 +/- 0.19 .10(-3), 1.42 +/- 0.17 .10(-3), and 1.96 +/- 0.21 .10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. The mean ADC values of IDC and NIDC were significantly different from that of normal breasts (P < 0.001 each). The mean ADC values were also significantly different between IDC and NIDC (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between the ADC value and cancer cellularity. CONCLUSION: The mean ADC values for breast cancer were significantly different from that of normal breasts. The mean ADC value for breast cancer did not significantly correlate with cancer cellularity but did correlate with histological types.     

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.

     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Respiratory gated diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: value of apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in the differentiation between most commonly encountered benign and malignant focal liver lesions

The purpose of this study was to measure apparent diffusion coefficient values of normal liver parenchyma and focal liver lesions utilizing a respiratory gated diffusion sequence with multiple b-values and to investigate whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements may be utilized to characterize and differentiate between malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions. Thirty-eight consecutive patients underwent MRI of the liver including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). A single-shot echo planar imaging sequence was applied in coronal orientation with multiple b-values (0, 50, 500, 1,000 s/mm²) and respiratory gating. ADC values were recorded on corresponding maps utilizing region of interest measurements in patients with benign (group A), malignant (group B) focal lesions and liver parenchyma (group C). Statistical analysis was applied to check whether differences in mean ADC values were significant (p<0.05). No focal lesions were detected in 11 patients, with a mean ADC value (CI 95%) of liver parenchyma 1.25×10⁻³ mm²/s (1.21×10⁻³ mm²/s−1.29×10⁻³ mm²/s). Differences in mean ADC of liver parenchyma between group A and B were not significant (p=0.054, 1.30×10⁻³ mm²/s and 1.31×10⁻³ mm²/s, respectively). Mean ADC value (95% CI) of 22 benign lesions found in 18 patients was 2.55×10⁻³ mm²/s (2.35×10⁻³ mm²/s−2.74×10⁻³ mm²/s), while the mean ADC value (95% CI) of 16 malignant lesions recorded in 9 patients was 1.04×10⁻³ mm²/s (0.9×10⁻³ mm²/s−1.17×10⁻³ mm²/s). The difference between mean ADC values of benign and malignant focal lesions was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Respiratory gated diffusion-weighted imaging in the liver is technically feasible. Apparent diffusion coefficient measurements can be useful in differentiating malignant from benign focal liver 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.

Efficiency of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance in differentiation between benign and malignant endometrial lesions

Objectives

To assess the role of DW-MRI and ADC values in distinguishing benign from malignant endometrial disorders.

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.     

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.     

Role of PROPELLER diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient in the evaluation of pituitary adenomas

Objective

The relationship between tumor consistency and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values is controversial. We evaluated the role of the ADC using an advanced diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) technique. We employed periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) DWI acquired on a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to assess the consistency of pituitary adenomas and examined the relationship between the ADC and the hormone secretion status of the tumors and their MIB-1 labeling index (MIB-1 LI).

Materials and methods

The study protocol was approved by our institutional review board. We retrospectively studied 24 operated patients with pituitary adenomas who had undergone PROPELLER DWI on a 3-T MRI scanner. Conventional MRI findings were expressed as the ratio of the signal intensity (SI) in the lesions to the SI of the normal white matter and the degree of contrast enhancement. Minimum-, mean-, and maximum ADC (ADC_min, ADC_mean, ADC_max) values were calculated. The consistency of the tumors was determined by neurosurgeons. All surgical specimens were submitted for histological study to calculate the MIB-1 LI and the percent collagen content. Preoperative MRI-, intraoperative-, and histological findings were analyzed by a statistician.

Results

Our study included 15 soft-, 5 fibrous-, and 4 hard tumors. Tumor consistency was strongly associated with the percent collagen content. However, neither the tumor consistency nor the percent collagen content was correlated with MRI findings or ADC values. The SI of growth hormone-producing adenomas on T2-WI was lower than of the other pituitary adenomas studied (p < 0.01); no other significant difference was found in the ADC or on conventional MRI between pituitary adenomas with different secretory functions. The MIB-1 LI of pituitary adenomas was not correlated with their appearance on conventional MRI or their ADC values.

Conclusion

Using the PROPELLER DWI technique we confirmed that the ADC was not correlated with the consistency of pituitary adenomas. We also demonstrate that the ADC was not associated with the hormone-secreting status or the MIB-1 LI of pituitary adenomas.     

Imaging parameter effects in apparent diffusion coefficient determination of magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose

Although an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value is often used for differential diagnosis of tumours, it varies with scanning parameters. The present study was performed to investigate the influence of imaging parameters, i.e., b value, repetition time (TR) and echo time (TE), on ADC value.

Methods

The phantoms were scanned using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) with changing b values (b = 0-3000 s/mm²), TR and TE to determine the influence on ADC. Moreover, ADC of the brain in normal volunteers was determined with varying b values (b = 0-1000 s/mm²).

Results

Diffusion decay curves were obtained by biexponential fitting in all phantoms. The points where fast and slow components of the biexponential decay crossed were called turning points. The b values of turning points that crossed from the biexponential curve were different in each phantom. The b values of turning points depended on ADC of fast diffusion component. When ADC is calculated using two b values of front and back for the turning point, the ADC value may be different. Therefore, it was necessary to perform calculations by b value until the turning point to obtain the ADC value of the fast component. In addition, b ≥ 100 was recommended to avoid the influence of perfusion by blood. Furthermore, the choice of long TR and short TE was effective for accurate measurement of ADC.

Conclusion

It is important to determine the turning point for measuring ADC.     

The added value of the apparent diffusion coefficient calculation to magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation and grading of malignant brain tumors

OBJECTIVE: ADC calculation can improve the diagnostic efficacy of MR imaging in brain tumor grading and differentiation. METHODS: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and ratios of 33 low-grade (23 astrocytomas, 10 oligodendrogliomas) and 40 high-grade (25 metastases and 15 high-grade astrocytomas) malignant tumors were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Tumoral ADC values (r=-0.738, P <0.000) and ratios (r=-0.746, P < 0.000) were well correlated with higher degree of malignancy and quite effective in grading of malignant brain tumors (P < 0.000). By using cutoff values of 0.99 for tumoral ADC value and 1.22 for normalized ADC ratio, the sensitivity of MR imaging could be increased from 72.22% to 93.75% and 90.63%, the specificity from 81.08% to 92.68% and 90.24%, PPV from 78.79% to 90.91% and 87.88%, and NPV from 75.00% to 95.00% and 92.50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: ADC calculation was quite effective in grading of malignant brain tumors but not in differentiation of them and added more information to conventional contrast-enhanced MR imaging.     

Whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient mapping for staging patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Objective

To design a whole-body MR protocol using exclusively diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with respiratory gating and to assess its value for lesion detection and staging in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with integrated FDG PET/CT as the reference standard.

Methods

Fifteen patients underwent both whole-body DWI (b?=?50, 400, 800 s/mm²) and PET/CT for pretreatment staging. Lymph node and organ involvement were evaluated by qualitative and quantitative image analysis, including measurement of the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).

Results

A total of 296 lymph node regions in the 15 patients were analysed. Based on International Working Group size criteria alone, DWI findings matched PET/CT findings in 277 regions (94%) (kappa score?=?0.85, P?<?0.0001), yielding sensitivity and specificity for DWI lymph node involvement detection of 90% and 94%. Combining visual ADC analysis with size measurement increased DWI specificity to 100% with 81% sensitivity. For organ involvement, the two techniques agreed in all 20 recorded organs (100%). All involved organ lesions showed restricted diffusion. Ann Arbor stages agreed in 14 (93%) of the 15 patients.

Conclusion

Whole-body DWI with ADC analysis can potentially be used for lesion detection and staging in patients with DLBCL.     

Evolution of lesions in Susac syndrome at serial MR imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient values

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Susac syndrome is a rare disorder consisting of encephalopathy, hearing loss, and retinal arteriolar occlusions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evolution of lesions in this disease by using serial MR imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). Abnormalities in the nonlesional white matter (NLWM) were also analyzed. METHODS: Serial MR and DWI findings in two patients with Susac syndrome were reviewed retrospectively. ADCs of the lesions and the NLWM were compared with values of the corresponding anatomical regions in 16 control subjects. RESULTS: T2-weighted images, DWIs, and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) images demonstrated diffuse small hyperintense lesions predominantly involving the corpus callosum, white matter, cerebral cortex, and deep gray structures. During the whole course in the two patients, 437, 295, and 113 lesions were depicted on FLAIR images, T2-weighted images, and DWIs, respectively. With the aggravation and mitigation of the clinical symptoms, the size and number of the lesions changed over time. Of 65 lesions with measured ADCs, six had restricted ADCs (5.29-6.91 x 10(-4) mm(2)/s), and 29 had elevated ADCs (8.02-13.5 x 10(-4) mm(2)/s). With disease progression, ADCs in the NLWM changed from normal to elevated; this corresponded to the diffuse signal-intensity change seen in the white matter. CONCLUSION: FLAIR imaging is the most sensitive sequence for detecting lesions of Susac syndrome. DWI is useful in demonstrating the heterogeneous nature of lesions, depicting occult abnormalities in the white matter, elucidating underlying pathologic processes, and conducting patient follow-up.     

Characterization of head and neck lesions with diffusion-weighted MR imaging and the apparent diffusion coefficient values

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the role of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in characterization of head and neck lesions.

Patients and methods

MR imaging including diffusion-weighted sequences was performed on 43 patients presented with head and neck lesions. Images were obtained with a diffusion-weighted factor (b factor) of 100, 500, and 1000 s/mm². ADC maps were reconstructed, and the ADC value of the lesions was calculated.

Results

The mean ADC value of malignant tumors was (1.02 ± 0.22) × 10⁻³ mm²/s (n = 31). The mean ADC value of benign tumors was (1.62 ± 0.27) × 10⁻³ mm²/s (n = 12). The mean ADC of lymphomas was significantly lower than that of carcinomas. The difference in the ADC value between the malignant tumors and benign lesions was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Selection of (1.2) × 10⁻³ mm²/s as a threshold value of ADC for differentiating benign from malignant tumors yielded the best result, with an accuracy of 94%, sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 92% and negative predictive value of 94%.

Conclusion

DWI and the ADC measurement are promising, non-invasive imaging approach that can be used for characterization of head and neck lesions. It can help differentiate malignant tumors from benign lesions.