title: Diffusion-weighted imaging in normal prostate and differential diagnosis of prostate diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the past several years, the morbidities of prostate diseases have increased sharply all over the world. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an MR-based technique that probes the function of tissues. We attempt to investigate the diagnostic value of DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in normal prostate gland and prostate diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 healthy volunteers, 9 prostate cysts, 29 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 21 prostatic carcinoma (Pca) underwent DWI, respectively. Their DWI and ADC characteristics were analyzed, and the diagnostic and differential diagnostic values of DWI and ADC were summarized. All of the BPH and Pca received a histological diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In DWI, the signal intensity of BPH nodule was nonhomogeneous and lower than that of the peripheral zone (PZ). Pca showed high signal intensity while the prostate cyst showed low intensity. The mean ADCs for the normal central gland, PZ, prostate cyst, BPH nodules, and Pca foci were (1.352 +/- 0.052) x 10(-3 )mm(2)/s, (1.829 +/- 0.071) x 10(-3 )mm(2)/s, (2.557 +/- 0.084) x 10(-3 )mm(2)/s, (1.576 +/- 0.101) x 10(-3 )mm(2)/s, and (0.934 +/- 0.166) x 10(-3 )mm(2)/s, respectively (P = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diffusion-weighted imaging and ADCs for the normal central gland, PZ, prostate cyst, BPH nodules, and Pca demonstrate significant differences, and those can be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the diseases of prostate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Road No. 15, Xi'an, 710032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: HaiTao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: YaLi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: YingJuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*