Apparent diffusion coefficient values of normal testis and variations with age

The usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging （DWI） in the evaluation of scrotal pathology has recently been reported. A standard reference of normal testicular apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values and their variations with age is necessary when interpreting normal testicular anatomy and pathology. We evaluated 147 normal testes using DWI, including 71 testes from 53 men aged 20-39years （group 1）, 67 testes from 42 men aged 40-69 years （group 2） and nine testes from six men older than 70years （group 3）. DWI was performed along the axial plane, using a single shot, multislice spin-echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and b-values of 0 and 900 s mm-2. The mean and standard deviation of the ADC values of normal testicular parenchyma were calculated for each age group separately. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） followed by post hoc analysis （Dunnett T3） was used for statistical purposes. The ADC values （x 10-3 mm2s-1） of normal testicular tissue were different among age groups （group 1：1.08 ± 0.13; group 2：1.15 ±0.15 and group 3：1.31± 0.22）. ANOVA revealed differences in mean ADC among age groups （F= 11.391, P〈 0.001）. Post hoc analysis showed differences between groups 1 and 2 （P= 0.008） and between groups 1 and 3 （P= 0.043）, but not between groups 2 and 3 （P= 0.197）. Our findings suggest that ADC values of normal testicular tissue increase with advancing age.

Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC) of Diffusion eighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Common Renal Disease Diagnosis

Objective：To find the value of the apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of common renal diseases. Methods： There were 30 healthy subjects and 81 patients with renal lesions （56 cases of renal carcinoma, 18 lesions of 12 cases of renal angiomyolipomal and 21 lesions of 13 cases of renal cysts）. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging were carried out. We measured the average ADC value of the renal lesions and normal kidneys. ADC maps from different b values were generated by a statistical package. Results： The ADC values of normal kidneys with three different motion-probing gradients（b=500, 800, 1000 sec/mm^2） were 2.78 ± 0.14 × 10^-3mm^2s^-1, 2.45 ± 0.13 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 2.13 ± 0.14 × 10^-3mm^2s^-1, respectively. The ADC values of renal cell carcinoma with three different motion-probing gradients（b=500, 800, 1000 sec/mm^2） were 1.63 ± 0.14 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 1.31 ± 0.18 × 10^3mm^2s^-, 1.07 ± 0.15 × 10^-3mm^2s^-1, respectively. Among the renal cell carcinoma, the ADC value of clear cell type were 1.67 ± 0.09 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 1.36 ± 0.13 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 1.15 ± 0.14 × 10^3mm^2s^-1,respectively; the ADC values of granular cell type were 1.59±0.19 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 1.25 ± 0.22 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 0.97 ± 0.12 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, respectively. The ADC values of renal angiomyolipoma with three different motion-probing gradients（b=500, 800,1000 sec/mm^2） were 0.88 ± 0.08 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 0.63 ± 0.07 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 0.43 ± 0.04 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, respectively. The ADC values of renal cystic lesions with three different motionprobing gradients（b=500, 800, 1000 sec/mm^2） were 3.73 ± 0.18 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 3.44 ± 0.13 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, 3.09± 0.21 × 10^3mm^2s^-1, respectively. Statistically significant differences exists between the ADC values of normal kidney, renal carcinomas, renal angiomyolipomas and renal cysts when the b value is the same. Among the different cell types of renal carcinomas, the ADC value of granular cell carcinoma is lower than that of clear cell carcinomas. Conclusion： It is of benefit in diagnosing and distinguishing between benign and malignant renal tumors to know the ADC values in diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, these values help to know the internal structure of the tumor and the tumor typel, which is helpful to the treatment and in predicting the patient＇ s prognosis.

Apparent diffusion coefficient by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging as a sole biomarker for staging and prognosis of gastric cancer

Objective： To investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging （DW-MRI） when applied to the 7th TNM classification in the staging and prognosis of gastric cancer （GC）. Methods： Between October 2009 and May 2014, a total of 89 patients with non-metastatic, biopsy proven GC underwent 1.5T DW-MRI, and then treated with radical surgery. Tumor ADC was measured retrospectively and compared with final histology following the 7th TNM staging （local invasion, nodal involvement and according to the different groups -- stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ）. Kaplan-Meier curves were also generated. The follow-up period is updated to May 2016. Results： Median follow-up period was 33 months and 45/89 （51%） deaths from GC were observed. ADC was significantly different both for local invasion and nodal involvement （P〈0.001）. Considering final histology as the reference standard, a preoperative ADC cut-offof 1.80×10-3 mm^2/s could distinguish between stages I and Ⅱ and an ADC value of ≤1.36-10-3 mm^2/s was associated with stage Ⅲ（P〈0.001）. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that the survival rates for the three prognostic groups were significantly different according to final histology and ADC cut-offs （P〈0.001）. Conclusions： ADC is different according to local invasion, nodal involvement and the 7th TNM stage groups for GC, representing a potential, additional prognostic biomarker. The addition of DW-MRI could aid in the staging and risk stratification of GC.

Prediction of different stages of rectal cancer: Texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficient maps

BACKGROUND It is evident that an accurate evaluation of T and N stage rectal cancer is essential for treatment planning.It has not been extensively investigated whether texture features derived from diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)images and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)maps are associated with the extent of local invasion(pathological stage T1-2 vs T3-4)and nodal involvement(pathological stage N0 vs N1-2)in rectal cancer.AIM To predict different stages of rectal cancer using texture analysis based on DWI images and ADC maps.METHODS One hundred and fifteen patients with pathologically proven rectal cancer,who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging,including DWI,were enrolled,retrospectively.The ADC measurements(ADCmean,ADCmin,ADCmax)as well as texture features,including the gray level co-occurrence matrix parameters,the gray level run-length matrix parameters and wavelet parameters were calculated based on DWI(b=0 and b=1000)images and the ADC maps.Independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish the models.The predictive performance was validated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS Dissimilarity,sum average,information correlation and run-length nonuniformity from DWIb=0 images,gray level nonuniformity,run percentage and run-length nonuniformity from DWIb=1000 images,and dissimilarity and run percentage from ADC maps were found to be independent predictors of local invasion(stage T3-4).The area under the operating characteristic curve of the model reached 0.793 with a sensitivity of 78.57%and a specificity of 74.19%.Sum average,gray level nonuniformity and the horizontal components of symlet transform(SymletH)from DWIb=0 images,sum average,information correlation,long run low gray level emphasis and SymletH from DWIb=1000 images,and ADCmax,ADCmean and information correlation from ADC maps were identified as independent predictors of nodal involvement.The area under the operating characteristic curve of the model reached 0.802 with a sensitivity of 80.77%and a specificity of 68.25%.CONCLUSION Texture features extracted from DWI images and ADC maps are useful clues for predicting pathological T and N stages in rectal cancer.

Histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient predicts response to radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: The aim of this study was to predict tumor progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) treated with radiofrequency ablation(RFA) using histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC).Methods: Breath-hold diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) was performed in 64 patients(33 progressive and 31 stable) with biopsy-proven HCC prior to RFA. All patients had pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and follow-up computed tomography(CT) or MRI. The ADC values(ADC_(10), ADC_(30_, ADC_(median) and ADC_(max))were obtained from the histogram's 10 th, 30 th, 50 th and 100 th percentiles. The ratios of ADC_(10), ADC_(30_,ADCmedian and ADCmax to the mean non-lesion area-ADC(RADC_(10), RADC_(30_, RADC_(median), and RADC_(max)) were calculated. The two patient groups were compared. Key predictive factors for survival were determined using the univariate and multivariate analysis of the Cox model. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, and pairs of survival curves based on the key factors were compared using the log-rank test.Results: The ADC_(30_, ADCmedian, ADCmax, RADC_(30_, RADC_(median), and RADC_(max) were significantly larger in the progressive group than in the stable group(P<0.05). The median progression-free survival(PFS) was 22.9 months for all patients. The mean PFS for the stable and progressive groups were 47.7±1.3 and 9.8±1.3 months,respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that RADC_(10), RADC_(30_, and RADC_(median) were significantly correlated with the PFS [hazard ratio(HR)=31.02, 43.84, and 44.29, respectively, P<0.05 for all]. Multivariate analysis showed that RADCmedian was the only independent predictor of tumor progression(P=0.04). And the cutoff value of RADC_(median) was 0.71.Conclusions: Pre-RFA ADC histogram analysis might serve as a useful biomarker for predicting tumor progression and survival in patients with HCC treated with RFA.

Apparent diffusion coefficient-based histogram analysis differentiates histological subtypes of periampullary adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND For periampullary adenocarcinoma,the histological subtype is a better prognostic predictor than the site of tumor origin.Intestinal-type periampullary adenocarcinoma(IPAC)is reported to have a better prognosis than the pancreatobiliary-type periampullary adenocarcinoma(PPAC).However,the classification of histological subtypes is difficult to determine before surgery.Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)histogram analysis is a noninvasive,nonenhanced method with high reproducibility that could help differentiate the two subtypes.AIM To investigate whether volumetric ADC histogram analysis is helpful for distinguishing IPAC from PPAC.METHODS Between January 2015 and October 2018,476 consecutive patients who were suspected of having a periampullary tumor and underwent magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)were reviewed in this retrospective study.Only patients who underwent MRI at 3.0 T with different diffusion-weighted images(b-values=800 and 1000 s/mm^2)and who were confirmed with a periampullary adenocarcinoma were further analyzed.Then,the mean,5th,10th,25th,50th,75th,90th,and 95th percentiles of ADC values and ADCmin,ADCmax,kurtosis,skewness,and entropy were obtained from the volumetric histogram analysis.Comparisons were made by an independent Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test.Multiple-class receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine and compare the diagnostic value of each significant parameter.RESULTS In total,40 patients with histopathologically confirmed IPAC(n=17)or PPAC(n=23)were enrolled.The mean,5th,25th,50th,75th,90th,and 95th percentiles and ADCmax derived from ADC1000 were significantly lower in the PPAC group than in the IPAC group(P<0.05).However,values derived from ADC800 showed no significant difference between the two groups.The 75th percentile of ADC1000 values achieved the highest area under the curve(AUC)for differentiating IPAC from PPAC(AUC=0.781;sensitivity,91%;specificity,59%;cut-off value,1.50×10^-3 mm^2/s).CONCLUSION Volumetric ADC histogram analysis at a b-value of 1000 s/mm2 might be helpful for differentiating the histological subtypes of periampullary adenocarcinoma before surgery.

Apparent diffusion coefficient in normal and abnormal pattern of intervertebral lumbar discs: initial experience

The aim of the present study was to compare the relationship of morphologically defined non-bulging/herni-ated, bulging and herniated intervertebral lumbar discs with quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC）. Thirty-two healthy volunteers and 28 patients with back pain or sciatica were examined by MRI. All intervertebral lumbar discs from L1 to S1 were classified according to morphological abnormality and degenerated grades. The ADC values of nucleus pulposus （NP） were measured and recorded. The significant differences about mean ADC values of NP were found between non-bulging/herniated discs and bulging discs as well as herniated discs （P 0.05）, whereas there were no significant differences in ADC values between bulging and herniated discs （P 0.05）. Moreover, statistically significant relationship was found in the mean ADC values of NP between ＂non-bulging/herniated and non-degenerated discs＂ and ＂non-bulging/herniated degenerated discs＂ as well as herniated discs （P 0.05）. Linear regression analysis between ADC value and disc level revealed an inverse correlation （r = -0.18）. The ADC map of the NP is a potentially useful tool for the quantitative assessment of componential and molecular alterations accompanied with lumbar disc abnormalities.

Combined value of apparent diffusion coefficient-standardized uptake value max in evaluation of post-treated locally advanced rectal cancer

AIM:To assess the clinical diagnostic value of functional imaging,combining quantitative parameters of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and standardized uptake value(SUV)max,before and after chemo-radiation therapy,in prediction of tumor response of patients with rectal cancer,related to tumor regression grade at histology.METHODS:A total of 31 patients with biopsy proven diagnosis of rectal carcinoma were enrolled in our study.All patients underwent a whole body ^(18)FDG positron emission tomography(PET)/computed tomography(CT) scan and a pelvic magnetic resonance(MR)examination including diffusion weighted(DW) imaging for staging(PET1,RM1) and after completion(6.6 wk)of neoadjuvant treatment(PET2,RM2).Subsequently all patients underwent total mesorectal excision and the histological results were compared with imaging findings.The MR scanning,performed on 1.5 T magnet(Philips,Achieva),included T2-weighted multiplanar imaging and in addition DW images with b-value of 0 and 1000 mm^2/s.On PET/CT the SUVmax of the rectal lesion were calculated in PET1 and PET2.The percentage decrease of SUVmax(△SUV) and ADC(△ADC) values from baseline to presurgical scan were assessed and correlated with pathologic response classified as tumor regression grade(Mandard's criteria;TRG1 = complete regression,TRG5 = no regression).RESULTS:After completion of therapy,all the patients were submitted to surgery.According to the Mandard's criteria,22 tumors showed complete(TRG1) or subtotal regression(TRG2) and were classified as responders;9tumors were classified as non responders(TRG3,4 and5).Considering all patients the mean values of SUVmax in PET 1 was higher than the mean value of SUVmax in PET 2(P < 0.001),whereas the mean ADC values was lower in RM1 than RM2(P < 0.001),with a △SUV and △ADC respectively of 60.2%and 66.8%.The best predictors for TRG response were SUV2(threshold of4.4) and ADC2(1.29 × 10^(-3) mm^2/s) with high sensitivity and specificity.Combining in a single analysis both the obtained median value,the positive predictive value,in predicting the different group category response in related to TRG system,presented R^2 of 0.95.CONCLUSION:The functional imaging combining ADC and SUVmax in a single analysis permits to detect changes in cellular tissue structures useful for the assessment of tumour response after the neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer,increasing the sensitivity in correct depiction of treatment response than either method alone.

Apparent diffusion coefficient evaluation for secondary changes in the cerebellum of rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion

Supratentorial cerebral infarction can cause functional inhibition of remote regions such as the cerebellum, which may be relevant to diaschisis. This phenomenon is often analyzed using positron emission tomography and single photon emission CT. However, these methods are expensive and radioactive. Thus, the present study quantified the changes of infarction core and remote regions after unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion using apparent diffusion coefficient values. Diffu- sion-weighted imaging showed that the area of infarction core gradually increased to involve the cerebral cortex with increasing infarction time. Diffusion weighted imaging signals were initially in- creased and then stabilized by 24 hours. With increasing infarction time, the apparent diffusion co- efficient value in the infarction core and remote bilateral cerebellum both gradually decreased, and then slightly increased 3-24 hours after infarction. Apparent diffusion coefficient values at remote regions （cerebellum） varied along with the change of supratentorial infarction core, suggesting that the phenomenon of diaschisis existed at the remote regions. Thus, apparent diffusion coefficient values and diffusion weighted imaging can be used to detect early diaschisis.

Whole lesion histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient predicts therapy response in locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Whole-tumor apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)histogram analysis is relevant to predicting the neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy(nCRT)response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).AIM To evaluate the performance of ADC histogram-derived parameters for predicting the outcomes of patients with LARC.METHODS This is a single-center,retrospective study,which included 48 patients with LARC.All patients underwent a pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scan for primary tumor staging and a second restaging MRI for response evaluation.The sample was distributed as follows:18 responder patients(R)and 30 non-responders(non-R).Eight parameters derived from the whole-lesion histogram analysis(ADCmean,skewness,kurtosis,and ADC10^(th),25^(th),50^(th),75^(th),90^(th) percentiles),as well as the ADCmean from the hot spot region of interest(ROI),were calculated for each patient before and after treatment.Then all data were compared between R and non-R using the Mann-Whitney U test.Two measures of diagnostic accuracy were applied:the receiver operating characteristic curve and the diagnostic odds ratio(DOR).We also reported intra-and interobserver variability by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC).RESULTS Post-nCRT kurtosis,as well as post-nCRT skewness,were significantly lower in R than in non-R(both P<0.001,respectively).We also found that,after treatment,R had a larger loss of both kurtosis and skewness than non-R(Δ%kurtosis and Δ skewness,P<0.001).Other parameters that demonstrated changes between groups were post-nCRT ADC10^(th),Δ%ADC10^(th),Δ%ADCmean,and ROIΔ%ADCmean.However,the best diagnostic performance was achieved byΔ%kurtosis at a threshold of 11.85%(Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve[AUC]=0.991,DOR=376),followed by post-nCRT kurtosis=0.78×10^(-3)mm^(2)/s(AUC=0.985,DOR=375.3),Δskewness=0.16(AUC=0.885,DOR=192.2)and post-nCRT skewness=1.59×10^(-3)mm^(2)/s(AUC=0.815,DOR=168.6).Finally,intraclass correlation coefficient analysis showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver agreement,ensuring the implementation of histogram analysis into routine clinical practice.CONCLUSION Whole-tumor ADC histogram parameters,particularly kurtosis and skewness,are relevant biomarkers for predicting the nCRT response in LARC.Both parameters appear to be more reliable than ADCmean from one-slice ROI.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in cancer: Reported apparent diffusion coefficients,in-vitro and invivo reproducibility

There is considerable disparity in the published apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) values across different anatomies. Institutions are increasingly assessing repeatability and reproducibility of the derived ADC to determine its variation,which could potentially be used as an indicator in determining tumour aggressiveness or assessing tumour response. In this manuscript,a review of selected articles published to date in healthy extracranial body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is presented,detailing reported ADC values and discussing their variation across different studies. In total 115 studies were selected including 28 for liver parenchyma,15 for kidney(renal parenchyma),14 for spleen,13 for pancreatic body,6 for gallbladder,13 for prostate,13 for uterus(endometrium,myometrium,cervix) and 13 for fibroglandular breast tissue. Median ADC values in selected studies were found to be 1.28 × 10-3 mm2/s in liver,1.94 × 10-3 mm2/s in kidney,1.60 × 10-3 mm2/s in pancreatic body,0.85 × 10-3 mm2/s in spleen,2.73 × 10-3 mm2/s in gallbladder,1.64 × 10-3 mm2/s and 1.31 × 10-3 mm2/s in prostate peripheral zone and central gland respectively(combined median value of 1.54×10-3 mm2/s),1.44 × 10-3 mm2/s in endometrium,1.53 × 10-3 mm2/s in myometrium,1.71 × 10-3 mm2/s in cervix and 1.92 × 10-3 mm2/s in breast. In addition,six phantom studies and thirteen in vivo studies were summarized to compare repeatability and reproducibility of the measured ADC. All selected phantom studies demonstrated lower intra-scanner and inter-scanner variation compared to in vivo studies. Based on the findings of this manuscript,it is recommended that protocols need to be optimised for the body part studied and that system-induced variability must be established using a standardized phantom in any clinical study. Reproducibility of the measured ADC must also be assessed in a volunteer population,as variations are far more significant in vivo compared with phantom studies.

Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging quantitative parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient value with pathological breast cancer

BACKGROUND China ranks 120th worldwide for the incidence of breast cancer and 163rd for mortality.Early screening,diagnosis,and timely determination of the optimal treatment plan can help ensure clinical efficacy and prognosis.AIM To investigate the relationship between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging parameters,apparent diffusion coefficient value,pathological immunohistochemical status,and patient prognosis.METHODS A total of 108 patients with breast cancer(breast cancer group)and 110 patients with benign breast tumors(benign group)confirmed by pathological examination at our Hospital from September 2013 to August 2016 were selected.All patients had undergone preoperative magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)examinations,and the quantitative parameters of MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values for the two groups were compared.The MRI quantitative parameters and ADC values of patients with different estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor,and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 expression were statistically analyzed.The relationship between the quantitative parameters of MRI and ADC values and patient recurrence was analyzed using receiver operating curves.RESULTS The measured values of the quantitative parameters of MRI-Ktrans,Kep,and Ve in the breast cancer group were higher than those in the benign group;the ADC value in the breast cancer group was lower than that in the benign group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The Ktrans,Ve,and ADC values in patients with ER-positive breast cancer were significantly lower than those in patients with negative ER expression(P<0.05).After 5 years of follow-up,22 patients with breast cancer experienced postoperative recurrence.The Kep,Ve,and ADC values of the recurrence group were significantly lower than those of the non-recurrence group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION MRI quantitative parameters and ADC are related to the expression of breast cancer-related immunological receptor factors and have certain clinical value in assessing postoperative recurrence in patients.

The apparent diffusion coefficient does not reflect cytotoxic edema on the uninjured side after traumatic brain injury

After traumatic brain injury, vasogenic and cytotoxic edema appear sequentially on the involved side. Neuroimaging investigations of edema on the injured side have employed apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in diffusion tensor imaging. We investigated the changes occurring on the injured and uninjured sides using diffusion tensor imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient and histological samples in rats. We found that, on the injured side, that vasogenic edema appeared at 1 hour and intracellular edema appeared at 3 hours. Mixed edema was observed at 6 hours, worsening until 12–24 hours post-injury. Simultaneously, microglial cells proliferated at the trauma site. Apparent diffusion coefficient values increased at 1 hour, decreased at 6 hours, and increased at 12 hours. The uninjured side showed no significant pathological change at 1 hour after injury. Cytotoxic edema appeared at 3 hours, and vasogenic edema was visible at 6 hours. Cytotoxic edema persisted, but vasogenic edema tended to decrease after 12–24 hours. Despite this complex edema pattern on the uninjured side with associated pathologic changes, no significant change in apparent diffusion coefficient values was detected over the first 24 hours. Apparent diffusion coefficient values accurately detected the changes on the injured side, but did not detect the changes on the uninjured side, giving a false-negative result.

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Mapping Using a Multi-Shot Spiral MRI Sequence of the Rat Brain

Purpose: Commonly used diffusion weighted (DW) imaging such as DW spin echo (SE) type echo planar imaging (DW-SE-EPI) is known to be a snapshot-like acquisition and to have a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio. Spiral MRI sequence (SPIRAL) has characteristics similar to these of EPI, but it has rarely been used for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). In vivo DW-SPIRAL of the rat brain has almost never been reported. Our purpose in this study was to examine the potential of SE-type two-dimensional (2D) multi-shot spiral acquisition MRI for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping of the rat brain in vivo. Materials and Methods: We made an SE-type DW-2D-spiral MRI sequence (DW-SPIRAL) which was prepared on a 2.0-T animal-experiment MR scanner. Comparing the phantom experimental result of DW-SPIRAL with the phantom experimental result of DW SE-type echo-planar imaging (DW-SE-EPI) and conventional DW spin echo imaging (DW-SE), we estimated the characteristics of DW-SPIRAL and assessed the clinical application of DW-SPIRAL in an animal experiment on the rat brain. Results: There was not much difference between the calculated water/glycerol phantom diffusion coefficient of DW-SPIRAL and the calculated diffusion coefficient of DW-SE. This result shows that the DW-SPIRAL sequence is appropriate for use in diffusion weighted imaging. There were fewer phantom image distortions and ghosting artifacts with DW-SPIRAL than with DW-SE-EPI, and this tendency was similar in the animal experiment on the rat brain. Conclusion: The DW-SPIRAL sequence had been successfully tested in phantom experiments and rat brain experiments. It has been demonstrated that the DW-SPIRAL sequence is capable of producing in vivo rat brain DWI.

Textural differences based on apparent diffusion coefficient maps for discriminating pT3 subclasses of rectal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND The accuracy of discriminating pT3a from pT3b-c rectal cancer using highresolution magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)remains unsatisfactory,although texture analysis(TA)could improve such discrimination.AIM To investigate the value of TA on apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)maps in differentiating pT3a rectal adenocarcinomas from pT3b-c tumors.METHODS This was a case-control study of 59 patients with pT3 rectal adenocarcinoma,who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)between October 2016 and December 2018.The inclusion criteria were:(1)Proven pT3 rectal adenocarcinoma;(2)Primary MRI including high-resolution T2-weighted image(T2WI)and DWI;and(3)Availability of pathological reports for surgical specimens.The exclusion criteria were:(1)Poor image quality;(2)Preoperative chemoradiation therapy;and(3)A different pathological type.First-order(ADC values,skewness,kurtosis,and uniformity)and second-order(energy,entropy,inertia,and correlation)texture features were derived from whole-lesion ADC maps.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the diagnostic value for pT3b-c tumors.RESULTS The final study population consisted of 59 patients(34 men and 25 women),with a median age of 66 years(range,41-85 years).Thirty patients had pT3a,24 had pT3b,and five had pT3c.Among the ADC first-order textural differences between pT3a and pT3b-c rectal adenocarcinomas,only skewness was significantly lower in the pT3a tumors than in pT3b-c tumors.Among the ADC second-order textural differences,energy and entropy were significantly different between pT3a and pT3b-c rectal adenocarcinomas.For differentiating pT3a rectal adenocarcinomas from pT3b-c tumors,the areas under the curves(AUCs)of skewness,energy,and entropy were 0.686,0.657,and 0.747,respectively.Logistic regression analysis of all three features yielded a greater AUC(0.775)in differentiating pT3a rectal adenocarcinomas from pT3b-c tumors(69.0%sensitivity and 83.3%specificity).CONCLUSION TA features derived from ADC maps might potentially differentiate pT3a rectal adenocarcinomas from pT3b-c tumors.

Difference Analysis of MRI Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and R_(2)^(*)Value Between Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cirrhosis Nodules

Objective:To investigate the differences of apparent diffusion coefficient and transverse relaxation rate(R_(2)^(*))in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)between micro hepatocellular carcinoma and nodules of cirrhosis.Method:The clinical data of 68 patients with micro hepatocellular carcinoma(76 lesions)and 45 patients with nodular cirrhosis(48 lesions)were retrospectively analyzed.Diffusion weighted imaging and R_(2)^(*)imaging were performed on all patients.The differences of apparent diffusion coefficient and R_(2)^(*)values in patients with micro hepatocellular carcinoma and nodular cirrhosis were compared.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient values and R_(2)^(*)values for microhepatocellular carcinoma.Result:Compared with nodules of cirrhosis,the mean apparent diffusion coefficient and R_(2)^(*)value of micro-hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The diagnosis threshold of apparent diffusion coefficient is at 1.35×10^(-3)mm^(2)/s,and the sensitivity for the diagnosis of micro-hepatocellular carcinoma was 80.88%,and the specificity was 91.11%,and the corresponding area under the ROC curve was 0.88;The diagnostic threshold for R_(2)^(*)value was at 53.96 Hz,and the sensitivity for the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma was 91.18%,and the specificity was 77.78%,and the corresponding area under the ROC curve was 0.84.Conclusion:MRI apparent diffusion coefficient value and R_(2)^(*)value can be used to differentiate and diagnose micro hepatocellular carcinoma and nodules of cirrhosis,in which the apparent diffusion coefficient of nodules of cirrhosis was less than 1.35×10^(-3)mm^(2)/s,R_(2)^(*)values were lower than 53.96 Hz may indicate the occurrence of nodular canceration.

Magnetic resonance imaging apparent diffusion coefficient before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer and its correlation with tumor load

Objective:To study the magnetic resonance imaging apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer and its correlation with tumor load.Methods: Patients with stage II-III breast cancer who intended to receive radical operation for breast cancer in our hospital between May 2015 and February 2018 were selected and divided into the experimental group who accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the control group who received surgery directly according to the adoption of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or not in the history data. Experimental group underwent magnetic resonance imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to measure the ADC, and control group underwent magnetic resonance imaging before surgery to measure the ADC;the tumor tissues surgically removed from the two groups of patients were collected to measure the expression of oncogenes and invasion genes.Results:ADC value of experimental group after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was higher than that before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, ADC value of experimental group before neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not significantly different from that of control group whereas ADC value after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly higher than that of control group;MCM3, CyclinD1, TC-1,β-catenin, YAP and MMP2 mRNA expression levels in surgically removed tumor tissues of experimental group were significantly lower than those of control group whereas CCN5, ARID1A and PDCD4 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher than those of control group;MCM3, CyclinD1, TC-1,β-catenin, YAP and MMP2 mRNA expression levels in tumor tissues with high ADC value were significantly lower than those in tumor tissues with low ADC value whereas CCN5, ARID1A and PDCD4 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher than those in tumor tissues with low ADC value.Conclusion:The increase of ADC after breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy is related to the activity of cancer cell proliferation and invasion, and can be used to evaluate the changes of tumor load before and after chemotherapy.

The Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Differential Diagnosis of Ovarian Cystic Adenoid Tumors

Objective:To quantitatively analyze apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of cystic composition and solid composition in ovarian cystadenocarcinoma,borderline cystadenoma and cystadenoma by 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and to investigate its diagnostic and differential diagnostic values in ovarian cystic adenoid tumors.Methods:Retrospective analysis was carried out on 28 patients with ovarian cystic adenoid tumor as confirmed by surgical and pathological examinations.Examination was performed by Siemens 3.0T MRI scanner.Tumor size,margin,composition(cystic or solid),signal characteristic and presence of ascites were observed.Combined with localization using T2WI and diffusion weighted imaging(DWI),ADC value was calculated from ADC mapping using region of interest ROI(the largest surface area of cystic and solid compositions in tumor).Statistical analysis was performed.Results:Among the 28 ovarian tumors,there were 13 cases of cystadenomas(5 serous cystadenomas and 9 mucinous cystadenomas),4 borderline mucinous cystadenomas and 11 cystadenocarcinoma(9 serous cystadenocarcinoma and 2 mucinous cystadenocarcinoma).There was no significant intragroup difference in ADC values of cystic composition and solid composition in ovarian cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma respectively(P>0.05).The ADC value of solid composition between benign cystadenoma and borderline cystadenoma(P<0.05)showed statistically significantly difference.The difference in ADC value of solid composition between benign cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma was also statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in ADC value of cystic composition between benign cystadenoma,borderline cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma(P>0.05).Conclusion:Quantitative analysis of ADC value of solid composition using 3.0T MRI has great value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian cystic adenoid tumors.Its combination with conventional MRI method can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of ovarian cystic adenoid tumors.

Correlation of MRI apparent diffusion coefficient of invasive breast cancer with tumor tissue growth and angiogenesis

Objective: To study the correlation of MRI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC value) of invasive breast cancer with tumor tissue growth and angiogenesis. Methods: Patients with breast mass who were treated in Wuhan No. 6 Hospital between March 2014 and May 2017 were selected as the research subjects and divided into group A with invasive ductal carcinoma, group B with intraductal carcinoma and group C with benign lesion according to the biopsy results, magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging was conducted to determine ADC values, and biopsy tissue was taken to determine the expression of proliferation genes and angiogenesis genes. Results: USP39, CyclinD1, VEGF, bFGF, Angplt-2, Angplt-3 and Angplt-4 protein expression levels in lesions of group A and group B were significantly higher than those of group C while ADC value as well as ALEX1 and Bax protein expression levels were significantly lower than those of group C;USP39, CyclinD1, VEGF, bFGF, Angplt-2, Angplt-3 and Angplt-4 protein expression levels in lesions of group A were significantly higher than those of group B while ADC value as well as ALEX1 and Bax protein expression levels was significantly lower than those of group B;USP39, CyclinD1, VEGF, bFGF, Angplt-2, Angplt-3 and Angplt-4 protein expression levels in invasive breast cancer tissue with high ADC value were significantly lower than those in invasive breast cancer tissue with low ADC value while ALEX1 and Bax protein expression levels were significantly higher than those in invasive breast cancer tissue with low ADC value. Conclusion: The decrease of ADC value of invasive breast cancer is closely related to cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis.

Diffusion tensor imaging reveals brain structure changes in dogs after spinal cord injury

Based on the Wallerian degeneration in the spinal cord pathways,the changes in synaptic connections,and the spinal cord-related cellular responses that alter the cellular structure of the brain,we presumed that brain diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)parameters may change after spinal cord injury.However,the dynamic changes in DTI parameters remain unclear.We established a Beagle dog model of T10 spinal cord contusion and performed DTI of the injured spinal cord.We found dynamic changes in DTI parameters in the cerebral peduncle,posterior limb of the internal capsule,pre-and postcentral gyri of the brain within 12 weeks after spinal cord injury.We then performed immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of neurofilament heavy polypeptide(axonal marker),glial fibrillary acidic protein(glial cell marker),and NeuN(neuronal marker).We found that these pathological changes were consistent with DTI parameter changes.These findings suggest that DTI can display brain structure changes after spinal cord injury.