Repeatability of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Estimates of Healthy Male and Female Pelvic Tissues

Abstract

Establishing ADC repeatability is important for clinical translation of quantitative DWI. Pelvic ADC repeatability in healthy men and premenopausal women are not well-defined. Four men were scanned twice and six women were scanned each week of their normal 28-day menstrual cycle using a 3.0T scanner. Prostate, cervix, and uterine tissue ROIs were drawn to calculate median ADC values. Minimum reliably detectable ADC change (RC) was estimated at 16% and 11% within the prostatic peripheral and transition zones, respectively. Female reproductive tissue ADCs and repeatability varied across the menstrual cycle, with the greatest RCs displayed by endometrium (40%) and cervix (36%).