title: Myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted 3.0-T MR imaging--initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the diagnostic accuracy of fused T2-weighted and high-b-value diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) images at 3 T for evaluation of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. From May 2006 to October 2007, 48 consecutive patients aged 25-80 years (mean age, 57 years) who had endometrial cancer were prospectively enrolled for preoperative evaluation by using a 3-T MR unit. Two radiologists interpreted the depth of myometrial invasion on T2-weighted images, dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR images, and fused T2-weighted and DW MR images (b = 1000 sec/mm(2)). Statistical methods included kappa statistics for reader agreement, Pearson analysis for pathologic correlation, accuracy assessment, and receiver operating characteristic analysis for diagnostic performance comparison. Surgical pathologic findings were the reference standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reader agreement was excellent for fused T2-weighted and DW images (weighted kappa, 0.79), with a significant pathologic correlation regarding the depth of myometrial invasion (r = 0.94, P < .0001). For assessing any myometrial involvement, addition of fused T2-weighted and DW imaging to dynamic contrast-enhanced or dynamic contrast-enhanced and T2-weighted imaging was significantly better compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging alone (P < .001) or dynamic contrast-enhanced and T2-weighted (P = .001) imaging; T2-weighted imaging combined with fused T2-weighted and DW imaging also was better than dynamic contrast-enhanced and T2-weighted imaging (P = .001). Tumor apparent diffusion coefficients were 0.60-1.32 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec (median, 0.75 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec), with no significant correlation with the depth of myometrial invasion (P = .31, r = -0.15).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fused T2-weighted and high-b-value DW images at 3 T can provide accurate information for preoperative evaluation of myometrial invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kueishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Gigin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Koon-Kwan
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Chee-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jiun-Jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kung-Chu
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Tzu-Chen
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Tzu-I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu-Ruei
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shu-Hang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Shih-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Ting-Chang
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chyong-Huey
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface