Diffusion weighted imaging in differentiating malignant and benign neuroblastic tumors

Abstract

Our study stands out as the most comprehensive study with larger sample size on this topic. Moreover, we are able to suggest a cut-off value which can discriminate neuroblastoma from ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma. We believe that ADC will evolve to an objective, quantitative measurement in discrimination among malignant and benign neuroblastic tumors.

Diagnostic Value of Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Tumor Characterization, Differentiation and Monitoring in Pediatric Patients with Neuroblastic Tumors

“…≤ 1.27 with a large ROI, or ≤ 0.98 with a small ROI. The ADC values we measured for GNB and GN were markedly higher than those reported by Serin et al [12], resulting in a better discrimination between the tumor entities in our study. The underlying causes of this inconsistency remain unclear.…”

“…Gahr et al recorded a mean ADC value of 0.81, ranging from 0.39 to 1.47, in 10 NB patients, while 4 GN and 2 GNB showed a mean ADC of 1.60, ranging from 1.13 to 1.99 [11]. A recent report on 24 children with 15 NB, 5 GNB and 4 GN observed a mean ADC of 0.869 in NB, 0.97 in GNB and 1.147 in GN with significant overlap and a proposed cut-off ADC value of 0.93 [12]. Our data on ADC of NB/ GNB and GN compare well to previously reported results.…”

“…Preliminary results suggest that, based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, DWI can indeed distinguish between NB, GNB and GN with some confidence [10,11]. Recent reports confirm these findings [12] and propose diagnostic value for detecting metastases [13] and for monitoring therapy response [14].…”

Characteristics and management of ganglioneuroma and ganglioneuroblastoma‐intermixed in children and adolescents

“…Based on increasing concerns about exposures to ionizing radiation associated with CT and gadolinium from MRI, ultrasound has been increasingly been used for follow‐up when feasible based on tumor location. The ability to incorporate MRI‐diffusion techniques into the assessment of pNTs and in particular, to determine whether diffusion metrics can be used to predict future growth and correlate with differentiation status, may further enable observation strategies…”

Role of diffusion‐weighted imaging in distinguishing thoracoabdominal neuroblastic tumours of various histological types and differentiation grades

“…Although conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is very difficult to differentiate different types of pNTs, diffusion‐weighted MR imaging (DWI) may show correlated results with histology, and seems to be of great value for differential diagnosis …”