Comparison of acquired diffusion weighted imaging and computed diffusion weighted imaging for detection of hepatic metastases

Objective

To compare the accuracy of acquired diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) (b = 1000 s/mm²) with that of computed DWI (b = 1000 s/mm²) for the detection of hepatic metastases.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty patients underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 T for the evaluation of hepatic metastasis, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), heavily T2WI, DWI with b-values of 0, 500, 1000 s/mm², and three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), and 190 patients were included in the final study. Computed DWI (=1000 s/mm²) was synthesized from lower b-values (b = 0 and 500 s/mm²). Two groups were assigned and compared: group A (acquired DWI) and group B (computed DWI). Diagnostic performance using each imaging set was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

A total of 76 hepatic metastases were confirmed. The area under the ROC curve (Az) of group A was larger than that of group B (Observer 1; 0.919–0.915, Observer 2; 0.926–0.901), but there were no significant differences (observer 1, P = 0.500; observer 2, P = 0.190). There were 5 metastases visualized in group A, but these were difficult to detect in group B. However, there were 2 metastases that were better visualized in group B than in group A.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences between acquired DWI and computed DWI in the detection of hepatic metastasis.     

Diagnostic yield of combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion weighted imaging in intracranial neoplasms

Purpose

Our intention was to evaluate the role of combined diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in diagnosis and grading of brain tumors.

Materials and methods

Ninety-three included cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain lesion, stereotactic or open biopsies and histopathological examination. MRI protocol included DWI and calculated ADC values. Multivoxel MRS spectroscopic technique (MVS) was used and all MRS metabolic parameters were obtained.

Results

High grade tumors had significantly lower ADC values than low grade tumors (P < 0.001). ADC values were the lowest in lymphoma (0.54 × 10⁻³ mm²/s) and the highest in craniopharyngioma (1.9 × 10⁻³ mm²/s). MRS revealed a statistically significant difference in CHO/NAA and CHO/Cr ratios between low and high grade tumors with P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively. The mI/Cr ratio and presence of lactate, lipid and taurine also aided in differentiation and grading of brain tumors. The overall MRI/MRS sensitivity and specificity were 91%, 90.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

MRS has a robust diagnostic accuracy in cases of well defined high or low grade brain neoplasms. ADC value had the ability to confirm and differentiate low from high grade tumors in many situations where there were diagnostic confusions with MRS due to borderline values.     

Observer variation of magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion weighted imaging in pelvic lymph node detection

Aim

Conventional MRI and the recently developed diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) technique both are being used for the detection of pelvic lymph node metastasis in gynaecologic cancers. Little is known about the reproducibility of DWI. This study assesses the reproducibility of pelvic lymph node detection by conventional MRI and DWI.

Materials and methods

17 patients with gynaecological malignancies eligible for curative surgery were selected as population of interest. They had undergone preoperative conventional MRI and DWI on a 3.0 T MR scanner. All images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists. Inter- and intra-observer agreements were assessed, and whether lymph node size and region were related to reproducibility. Differences were tested by Chi-square statistics.

Results

The reproducibility ranged between 42% and 65% for the two observers and for the two imaging tests, conventional MRI and DWI. Higher percentages of agreement were found for larger lymph nodes, i.e. for long as well as short axis diameter exceeding 5 mm. Also, agreement was better for lymph nodes in the external iliac region and the obturator region compared to detection of lymph nodes in the common iliac area. Results for the newer technique, DWI, were comparable to the results of the more conventional MRI sequences.

Conclusion

Reproducibility of MRI and DWI in the detection of pelvic lymph nodes in patients with a gynaecological malignancy was similar. For lymph nodes exceeding 5 mm in both long and short axis diameter the agreement was considerably better than for smaller nodes.     

Whole body MRI: Improved lesion detection and characterization with diffusion weighted techniques

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is an established functional imaging technique that interrogates the delicate balance of water movement at the cellular level. Technological advances enable this technique to be applied to whole‐body MRI. Theory, b‐value selection, common artifacts and target to background for optimized viewing will be reviewed for applications in the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Whole‐body imaging with DWI allows novel applications of MRI to aid in evaluation of conditions such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and skeletal metastases, while the quantitative nature of this technique permits evaluation of response to therapy. Persisting signal at high b‐values from restricted hypercellular tissue and viscous fluid also permits applications of DWI beyond oncologic imaging. DWI, when used in conjunction with routine imaging, can assist in detecting hemorrhagic degradation products, infection/abscess, and inflammation in colitis, while aiding with discrimination of free fluid and empyema, while limiting the need for intravenous contrast. DWI in conjunction with routine anatomic images provides a platform to improve lesion detection and characterization with findings rivaling other combined anatomic and functional imaging techniques, with the added benefit of no ionizing radiation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:253–268. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Value of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and characterization of scrotal abnormalities

Background

MRI of scrotal lesions represents an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of scrotal diseases. Diffusion weighted (DW) MR imaging is a promising technique which proved to improve tissue characterization.

Aim

To assess the diagnostic value and role of DWMR imaging in the detection and characterization of scrotal lesions.

Results

A prospective study included 50 scrotal lesions (35 intratesticular and 15 extra testicular) with 50 normal testes used as control. DW sequences were obtained using a b factor of 0, 500 and 900 s/mm²². The accuracy of conventional sequences, DW images alone and DW imaging combined with conventional images in differentiating benign from malignant scrotal lesions was calculated. There was significant difference between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of testicular malignancies, normal testis and benign intratesticular lesions, and the ADC values of benign extra testicular lesions from those of normal epididymis. The overall accuracy of conventional imaging, DW imaging alone and DWMR combined with conventional sequences in the characterization of intratesticular lesions was 90%, 87% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that DWMR imaging and ADC values may provide valuable information in the diagnosis and characterization of scrotal diseases.     

Differentiation of acute osteoporotic from malignant vertebral compression fractures with conventional MRI and diffusion MR imaging

Aim

To evaluate the role of using a single shot spin echoplanar DW sequence (SSSEP-DWI) compared to conventional MRI and contrast enhanced T1WI in differentiation between vertebral osteoporotic fractures and malignant compression fractures. The sensitivity and specificity of (SSSEP-DWI) will also be calculated.

Prostate cancer detection with 3 T MRI: Comparison of diffusion‐weighted imaging and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in combination with T2‐weighted imaging

Purpose:

To evaluate the diagnostic ability of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging (DCEI) in combination with T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) for the detection of prostate cancer using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a phased‐array body coil.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty‐three patients with elevated serum levels of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) were evaluated by T2WI, DWI, and DCEI prior to needle biopsy. The obtained data from T2WI alone (protocol A), a combination of T2WI and DWI (protocol B), a combination T2WI and DCEI (protocol C), and a combination of T2WI plus DWI and DCEI (protocol D) were subjected to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results:

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve (Az) for region‐based analysis were: 61%, 91%, 84%, and 0.8415, respectively, in protocol A; 76%, 94%, 90%, and 0.8931, respectively, in protocol B; 77%, 93%, 89%, and 0.8655, respectively, in protocol C; and 81%, 96%, 92%, and 0.8968, respectively in protocol D. ROC analysis revealed significant differences between protocols A and B (P = 0.0008) and between protocols A and D (P = 0.0004).

Conclusion:

In patients with elevated PSA levels the combination of T2WI, DWI, DCEI using 3 T MRI may be a reasonable approach for the detection of prostate cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:625–631. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Malignant germ cell tumours of undescended testes: imaging features with pathological correlation

AIM: To illustrate the imaging features of malignant germ cell tumours complicating undescended testes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this condition and providing a correct diagnosis to facilitate appropriate management. METHODS: The clinical presentation, ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) features of eight consecutive patients with malignant germ cell tumours of undescended testes were reviewed. RESULTS: CT performed in seven patients showed well-circumscribed soft-tissue masses with inhomogeneous enhancement in all cases. US in four patients showed circumscribed masses with inhomogeneous echogenicity. On pathological examination, there were two cases of embryonal carcinoma and six cases of seminoma. All tumours showed necrosis that correlated to inhomogeneous areas on imaging. CONCLUSION: The radiologist has an important role as he may be the first physician to suggest the diagnosis.     

Diagnostic performance of conventional diffusion weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging for the liver fibrosis and inflammation

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of liver apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measured with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (CDI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and inflammation.

Materials and methods

Thirty-seven patients with histologic diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis and 34 healthy volunteers were included in this prospective study. All patients and healthy volunteers were examined by 3 T MRI. CDI and DTI were performed using a breath-hold single-shot echo-planar spin echo sequence with b factors of 0 and 1000 s/mm². ADCs were obtained with CDI and DTI. Histopathologically, fibrosis of the liver parenchyma was classified with the use of a 5-point scale (0–4) and inflammation was classified with use of a 4-point scale (0–3) in accordance with the METAVIR score. Quantitatively, signal intensity and the ADCs of the liver parenchyma were compared between patients stratified by fibrosis stage and inflammation grade.

Results

With a b factor of 1000 s/mm², the signal intensity of the cirrhotic livers was significantly higher than those of the normal volunteers. In addition, ADCs reconstructed from CDI and DTI of the patients were significantly lower than those of the normal volunteers. Liver ADC values inversely correlated with fibrosis and inflammation but there was only statistically significant for inflammatory grading. CDI performed better than DTI for the diagnosis of fibrosis and inflammation.

Conclusion

ADC values measured with CDI and DTI may help in the detection of liver fibrosis. They may also give contributory to the inflammatory grading, particularly in distinguishing high from low grade.     

不同期相脑梗死在扩散加权成像中的信号特征及临床应用

目的:探讨在不同期相脑梗死中DWI(核磁共振扩散加权成像)及ADC图(表观弥散系数图像)的信号特点及其成像技术对脑梗死的应用价值。方法:对54例脑梗死患者,应用SE-T1WI、FSE-T2WI、T2-FLAIR、DWI序列进行横断位扫描,及ADC图像重建,并按发病时间分为超急性期、急性期、亚急性期和慢性期,观察并测量DWI图像及ADC图在不同期相脑梗死中的信号强度和ADC值的大小。结果:对于超急性期和急性期的脑梗死病灶,其DWI信号明显高于正常脑组织(P<0.05),其ADC值则低于正常脑组织(P<0.05),二图对其均有很高的显示度;对于亚急性期病灶,其DWI信号高于正常脑组织(P<0.05),其ADC值与正常脑组织信号差别不大(P>0.05),DWI可以显示病灶;对于慢性期病灶,DWI信号等或稍低于正常脑组织,对病灶显示意义不大(P>0.05),而ADC值高于正常脑组织(P<0.05),可以显示病灶区域。结论:DWI和ADC图对超急性期、急性期脑梗死都有很大的诊断意义,DWI对亚急性期病灶有一定显示度,ADC图对慢性期梗死灶也有一定诊断意义。     

Solitary thyroid nodule: Diagnostic yield of combined diffusion weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Aim

The scope of this study is to evaluate the combined application of MR-DWI and MRS in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Impact of fibroglandular tissue and background parenchymal enhancement on diffusion weighted imaging of breast lesions

PurposeTo evaluate the influence of the amount of fibroglandular breast tissue (FGT) and background-parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on lesion detection, quantitative analysis of normal breast tissue and of breast lesions on DWI.Materials and methodsIRB approved this retrospective study on focal findings at contrast-enhanced (CE) breast MR and DWI performed during July–December 2011. Patients with cysts, previous irradiation, silicone implants and current chemotherapy were excluded. DWI with fat suppression was acquired before dynamic acquisition (b factors: 0.1000 s/mm²) using 1.5 and 3 T scanners. Using correlation with dynamic and T2 images, ROIs were drawn free-hand within the borders of any visible lesion and in contralateral normal breast. Fisher's exact test to evaluate visibility and Wilcoxon-rank-sum test for comparison of ADC values were used. The amount of FGT and BPE was visually assessed by concurrent MRI. Analysis was stratified by menopausal status.Results25/127 (20%) lesions were excluded for technical reasons. 65/102 (64%) lesions were visible on DWI (median diameter: 1.85 cm). Mass lesions (M) were more visible (43/60 = 72%) than non-mass enhancement (NME) (22/42 = 52%) and malignant lesions were more visible (55/72 = 76%) than benign (10/30 = 33%). BPE and FGT did not influence visibility of M (p = 0.35 and p = 0.57 respectively) as well as of NME (p = 0.54 and p = 0.10). BPE and FGT did not influence visibility of malignant (p = 0.96 and p = 1.0) and benign lesions (p = 1.0 and p = 0.10). Results were confirmed adjusting for menopausal status. The ADC value of normal breast tissue was not influenced by BPE, while it was lower in predominantly fatty breasts compared to dense ones (p = 0.002).ConclusionsFGT affects the quantitative evaluation of ADC in normal breast tissue whereas BPE does not. Furthermore, both BPE and FGT do not influence visibility of benign or malignant findings, including both mass lesions and non-mass enhancement, on DWI.     

Role of diffusion weighted MRI in differentiating typical from atypical meningiomas at 1.5 and 3T MRI

Purpose

Atypical and malignant meningiomas are considered to have a higher rate of recurrence and show aggressive behavior compared to benign variety. The purpose of our study was to study the role of diffusion weighted imaging and determination of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and ADC ratios to differentiate typical meningiomas from atypical/malignant variety at 1.5 and 3T MRI.

Materials and methods

A total of 94 adult patients (48 patients at 3T and 46 patients at 1.5T) with pathologically proven meningiomas were retrospectively evaluated on conventional and diffusion weighted MRI. The signal intensity of the lesions on DW imaging was evaluated. ADC values and ADC ratios were calculated from lesion and contralateral normal white matter.

Results

94 lesions comprising of 66 benign and 28 atypical meningiomas were evaluated. The mean ADC values at 3T MRI were 0.82 ± 0.12 × 10⁻³ in benign (typical) meningiomas and 0.68 ± 0.10 × 10⁻³ in atypical meningiomas. At 1.5T, the mean ADC values of benign meningiomas were 0.83 ± 0.11 × 10⁻³ and 0.70 ± 0.09 × 10⁻³ in atypical meningiomas. The mean ADC ratios were 1.08 ± 0.17 and 0.85 ± 0.15 for benign and atypical meningiomas respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean ADC ratios and the mean ADC values of typical and atypical meningiomas (P < 0.001) at both 1.5T and 3T MRI.

Conclusion

DWI with calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and ADC ratios has a potential role in differentiating benign from atypical meningiomas at both 1.5 and 3T MRI. The differences in mean ADC values between benign and atypical meningiomas were similar at both 1.5 and 3T MRI.     

Prostate cancer detection with multi‐parametric MRI: Logistic regression analysis of quantitative T2, diffusion‐weighted imaging,and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI

Purpose

To develop a multi‐parametric model suitable for prospectively identifying prostate cancer in peripheral zone (PZ) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐five radical prostatectomy patients (median age, 63 years; range, 44–72 years) had T2‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), T2‐mapping, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI at 1.5 Tesla (T) with endorectal coil to yield parameters apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2, volume transfer constant (K^trans) and extravascular extracellular volume fraction (v_e). Whole‐mount histology was generated from surgical specimens and PZ tumors delineated. Thirty‐eight tumor outlines, one per tumor, and pathologically normal PZ regions were transferred to MR images. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated using all identified normal and tumor voxels. Step‐wise logistic‐regression modeling was performed, testing changes in deviance for significance. Areas under the ROC curves (A_z) were used to evaluate and compare performance.

Results

The best‐performing single‐parameter was ADC (mean A_z [95% confidence interval]: A_z,ADC: 0.689 [0.675, 0.702]; A_z,T2: 0.673 [0.659, 0.687]; A_z,Ktrans: 0.592 [0.578, 0.606]; A_z,ve: 0.543 [0.528, 0.557]). The optimal multi‐parametric model, LR‐3p, consisted of combining ADC, T2 and K^trans. Mean A_z,LR‐3p was 0.706 [0.692, 0.719], which was significantly higher than A_z,T2, A_z,Ktrans, and A_z,ve (P < 0.002). A_z,LR‐3p tended to be greater than A_z,ADC, however, this result was not statistically significant (P = 0.090).

Conclusion

Using logistic regression, an objective model capable of mapping PZ tumor with reasonable performance can be constructed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:327–334. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

磁共振扩散加权成像在宫颈癌诊断中的应用

目的评价MR弥散加权成像(DWI)在宫颈癌诊断中应用的价值。方法对30例非宫颈肿瘤女性的子宫颈和50例宫颈癌患者的子宫颈进行常规MRI扫描和横断面DWI(b=600s/mm2),比较正常宫颈和宫颈癌病灶的表观弥散系数(apparent diffusion coefficient,ADC)值。结果正常子宫颈DWI表现为粘液,内、中、外带四层结构,其平均ADC值〔(1.71±0.14)×10-3 mm2/s)〕显著高于宫颈癌的ADC值〔(0.97±0.13)×10-3 mm2/s)〕(P<0.01)。结论 ADC值可有效地定量区分宫颈癌与正常宫颈,DWI更容易显示宫颈癌及其周围侵犯和盆腔淋巴结转移。     

磁共振弥散加权成像在肝海绵状血管瘤中的应用价值

目的:分析肝海绵状血管瘤不同b值的MRI弥散加权成像特性,提高病变检出率和图像质量。方法:对连续的MRI平扫和增强明确诊断的13例肝海绵状血管瘤,比较弥散加权成像b值分别为0s/mm2,100s/mm2和700s/mm2时的特征。结果:MRI平扫和增强分别显示34个(87%)和29个(74%)病变;在弥散加权成像中,b为0s/mm2时显示21个(54%),小的病变与血管和胆管易混淆;b为100s/mm2时显示39个(100%),病变与周围组织界限清晰;b为700s/mm2时显示33个(85%)。正常肝组织的信噪比以b值为100s/mm2最高(19.15±0.85);病变的信噪比以b值为0s/mm2时最高(12.89±0.96);病变与周围正常肝组织的对比度以b为700s/mm2时最低(0.37±0.02)。结论:MRI弥散加权成像进一步提高了对肝海绵状血管瘤的敏感性,以b值为100s/mm2时,病变检出率和图像质量最高。