Value of diffusion-weighted imaging for the prediction of prostate cancer location at 3T using a phased-array coil: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate the imaging quality of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for malignant and benign tissues in the peripheral zone (PZ) and transition zone (TZ), and evaluate whether T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) with DWI could improve the prediction of prostate cancer location when compared with T2WI at 3T using a phased-array coil.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients underwent T2WI and DWI before radical prostatectomy. The DWI technique with b = 0 and b = 1000 s/mm2 was used. ADC values were measured in benign and malignant tissues in the PZ or TZ. The prediction of prostate cancer location was evaluated in the PZ and TZ using T2WI and T2WI with DWI, respectively. Two readers in consensus recorded the presence of prostate cancer at magnetic resonance imaging and rated the imaging quality of DWI.


RESULTS
For the prediction of 68 prostate tumors, the overall sensitivity and positive predictive value of T2WI with DWI were 84% and 86%, whereas those of T2WI were 66% and 63%, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean ADC values of malignant and benign tissues in the PZ and TZ were 1.30 +/- 0.26 and 1.96 +/- 0.20, and 1.35 +/- 0.24 and 1.75 +/- 0.23 x 10(-3)mm2/s, respectively (P < 0.01). The overall imaging quality was satisfactory or better in 97% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
DWI is a feasible technique that can be used for the differentiation of malignant and benign tissues in the PZ and TZ. Additionally, T2WI with DWI is superior to T2WI alone for the prediction of prostate cancer location.
Kim
Chan Kyo
CK
Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. chankyokim@smc.samsung.co.kr
Park
Byung Kwan
BK
Lee
Hyun Moo
HM
Kwon
Ghee Young
GY
D000368:Aged; D004058:Diffusion; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity