[Diffusion weighted imaging features of normal uterine cervix and cervical carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a feasible method to detect, diagnose and stage cervical cancer. This study was to analyze the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) features of normal uterine cervix and cervical carcinoma, and assess the values of DWI in diagnosis and monitor of cervical carcinoma after radiotherapy.


METHODS
Routine MRI sequence and axial diffusion weighted sequence (b=800 s/mm2) were performed in 20 patients with cervical carcinoma and in 16 healthy women as control. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of normal uterine cervix and cervical carcinoma were compared. The ADC values of 7 cervical carcinoma patients before and after radiotherapy were compared.


RESULTS
Normal uterine cervix presented 3 layers in DWI. The ADC value was significantly higher in normal uterine cervix than in cervical carcinoma [(1.71+/-0.14) x 10-3 mm2/s vs. (0.97+/-0.13) x 10(-3) mm2/s, P<0.01]. The ADC value of cervical carcinoma after radiotherapy was higher than that before radiotherapy [(1.49+/-1.40) x 10(-3) mm2/s vs. (1.02+/-0.06) x 10(-3) mm2/s], but was still lower than that of normal uterine cervix.


CONCLUSIONS
DWI could be used to distinguish cervical carcinoma from normal uterine cervix, evaluate the extension of cervical carcinoma before therapy, and monitor the treatment response of cervical carcinoma after radiotherapy.
Department of Radiology, The Socond Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR China.
Yun
Y
Zhang
Bi-Ling
BL
Liang
Li
L
Gao
Rui-Xin
RX
Ye
Jun
J
Shen
Jing-Lian
JL
Zhong
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy