Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of ovarian tumors: differentiation of benign and malignant solid components of ovarian masses.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the feasibility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement in differentiating benign and malignant ovarian tumors.


METHODS
Surgically proven 49 ovarian tumors (39 malignant/borderline malignant and 10 benign) were examined.


RESULTS
The solid portion of all 39 malignant tumors showed homogeneous or heterogeneous high intensity on DWI, whereas only 3 of the 10 benign tumors (3 thecomas) showed high intensity. The mean (SD) ADC value in the 39 malignant tumors (1.03 [0.19]) was significantly lower than that in 10 benign tumors (1.38 [0.30]). A relatively low ADC (1.08-1.20) in the 3 thecomas may reflect their abundant cellular nature, and the presence of low intensity on T2-weighted images was suggestive for benign fibrous tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Low intensity on DWI with high ADC may suggest benign lesions; however, it may be occasionally difficult to differentiate benign and malignant lesions only on the basis of DWI.
Takeuchi
Mayumi
M
Department of Radiology, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan. mayumi@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Matsuzaki
Kenji
K
Nishitani
Hiromu
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric