Diffusion-weighted MRI: a useful technique to discriminate benign versus malignant ovarian surface epithelial tumors with solid and cystic components

Abstract

ADC values determined from 1.5 T MR DWI of benign and malignant ovarian masses were found to be significantly different.

Differentiation of Benign from Malignant Adnexal Masses by Functional 3 Tesla MRI Techniques: Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Time-Intensity Curves of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

“…Furthermore, the mean ADC values were significantly lower in malignant adnexal masses. Our results are consistent with the previous studies by Takeuchi et al (2010), Li et al (2012) and Zhang et al (2012) that suggested ADC value as a useful measurement for differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses.…”

“…However, there is considerable overlap between benign and malignant masses in the mentioned parameters (Timmerman et al, 2000;Katayama et al, 2002;Thomassin-Naggara et al, 2009). Researchers in different studies have investigated more recent functional MR techniques such as DCE-MRI, DWI, and its quantitative derivative, ADC in distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses (Katayama et al, 2002;Takeuchi et al, 2010;ThomassinNaggara et al, 2011;Li et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012). The present study showed that DWI, mean ADC value, and TIC type contribute to differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses, with TIC type being more accurate than DWI and mean ADC value.…”

“…Some studies showed that ADC value is useful in discriminating benign from malignant masses (Takeuchi et al, 2010;Li et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012). Li et al (2012)showed that lower mean ADC values were significantly associated with malignant epithelial ovarian tumors, with a cut-off value of 1.25×10 -3 mm 2 /s. On the contrary, the results of some other studies demonstrated Axial fast spin-echo T2-weighted image shows a homogenous high signal intensity mass in left adnexa.…”

“…There is controversy in the literature regarding the role of the mean ADC value in distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses. Some studies showed that ADC value is useful in discriminating benign from malignant masses (Takeuchi et al, 2010;Li et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012). But on the contrary, the results of the studies by Thomassin-Naggara et al (2009), Katayama et al (2002), and Fujii et al (2008) demonstrated that ADC measurements did not contribute to differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses.…”

“…Thus prior studies have been carried out to investigate the role of more recent functional MR techniques such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and its quantitative derivative, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses, and to determine the value of adding these sequences to a conventional MR protocol (Katayama et al, 2002;Thomassin-Naggara et al, 2008a;Takeuchi et al, 2010;Li et al, 2012). DWI provides a tissue contrast, based on the differences of water mobility in different tissues.…”