[Value of diffusion-weighted imaging in the evaluation of adnexal tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of adnexal tumors, especially to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors. Materials and methods. Fifty-four patients with pelvic tumors (32 malignant and 22 benign) were referred for MRI of the pelvis. DWI was obtained in all patients. Histological correlation was available in all cases. The signal of solid and cystic tumor components was evaluated on T2W and b=1000 DWI, and ADC values were obtained.


RESULTS
T2W hypointensity or absence of hyperintense signal on b=1000 DWI sequences was suggestive of a benign tumor. Hyperintensity on b=1000 DWI sequences was strongly correlated with malignant lesions. ADC values did not appear to discriminate between malignant and benign tumors. Also, the signal intensity of cystic tumor components on DWI sequences was not helpful to distinguish between malignant and benign tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of solid tumor components on DWI appears to be helpful for adnexal tumor characterization.
Roussel
A
A
Service d'Imagerie médicale, Hôpital Tenon, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris. apollineroussel@yahoo.fr
Thomassin-Naggara
I
I
Darai
E
E
Marsault
C
C
Bazot
M
M
D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult