Diffusion-weighted imaging of the prostate at 3 T for differentiation of malignant and benign tissue in transition and peripheral zones: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prospectively the use of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for the differentiation of malignant and benign tissue in the transition (TZ) and peripheral (PZ) zones of the prostate diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a phased-array coil.


METHODS
The DWI at 3-T MRI was performed on a total of 35 patients before radical prostatectomy. A single-shot echo-planar imaging DWI technique with b = 0 and b = 1000 s/mm2 was used. The ADC values were measured in both benign and malignant tissues in the PZ and TZ using regions of interest. Differences between PZ and TZ ADC values were estimated using a paired Student t test. Presumed ADC cutoff values in the PZ and TZ for the diagnosis of cancer were assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis.


RESULTS
The ADC values of malignant tissues were significantly lower than those of benign tissues in the PZ and TZ (P < 0.001; 1.32 +/- 0.24 x 10(-3) mm2/s vs 1.97 +/- 0.25 x 10(-3) mm2/s, and 1.37 +/- 0.29 x 10(-3) mm2/s vs 1.79 +/- 0.19 x 10(-3) mm2/s, respectively). For tumor diagnosis, cutoff values of 1.67 x 10(-3) mm2/s (PZ) and 1.61 x 10(-3) mm2/s (TZ) resulted in sensitivities and specificities of 94% and 91% and 90% and 84%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The DWI of the prostate at 3T MRI using a phased-array coil was useful for the differentiation of malignant and benign tissues in the TZ and PZ.
Kim
Chan Kyo
CK
Departments of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Byung Kwan
BK
Han
Jae Joon
JJ
Kang
Tae Wook
TW
Lee
Hyun Moo
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA