Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of chest tumors

Abstract

This review provides an overview of the current status of the published data on diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of chest tumors. Diffusion MR imaging is a non-invasive imaging technique that measures the differences in water mobility in different tissue microstructures and quantifies them based on the apparent diffusion coefficient. Diffusion MR imaging has been used for the characterization, grading and staging of lung cancer as well as for differentiating central tumors from post-obstructive consolidation. In addition, this technique helps in differentiating malignant from benign pulmonary and mediastinal tumors as well as in the characterization of pleural mesothelioma and effusion. Diffusion MR imaging can be incorporated into routine morphological MR imaging to improve radiologist confidence in image interpretation and to provide functional assessments of chest tumors during the same examination. Diffusion MR imaging could be used in the future as a functional imaging technique for tumors of the chest.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in children

“…In highly cellular malignant tumors, extracellular water diffusion is restricted by cell membranes; this will lead to a short diffusional path and a reduced ADC value. Conversely, for benign tumors with fewer structural barriers, the longer diffusional path would be associated with a higher ADC value [14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…The potential problem when using diffusionweighted MR imaging for mediastinal imaging is intrinsic low spatial resolution. Use of fusion software enables overlaying of anatomic and diffusion-weighted MR imaging sequences, partially solving this problem [14,15].…”

“…Diffusion of water molecules is affected by many of the characteristic features of malignant tumors, including rapid cell proliferation, high cell density, large nuclei, high intracellular macromolecular proteins, high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio, and reduced extracellular space compared with normal tissue. Diffusionweighted MR imaging of the chest [14,15] is used for assessment of pulmonary [16] and mediastinal masses…”

Does steatosis affect the performance of diffusion-weighted MRI values for fibrosis evaluation in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4?

“…A circular region of interest (ROI) measured 5-7 cm2 was placed on the ADC map at three different regions of hepatic parenchyma, on three consecutive slices away from the biliary and vascular structures and more than 2 cm far from the surface of the liver (Figure 1) (17,18). The mean of nine regions was calculated, which represents the ADC value of the liver in each patient.…”

Usefulness of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Biopsy: Pyothorax-associated Lymphoma

“…However, with advances in MRI techniques, DW-MRI can currently be applied to extracranial lesions such as those located in the trunk and especially in the abdomen and pelvis (5). To date, this technique has been used to characterize, grade and stage intrathoracic lesions such as lung tumors and mediastinal masses, as well as to differentiate central tumors from post-obstructive atelectasis (6). It is beginning to be used for the staging and response assessment of lymphomas (7)(8)(9)(10).…”