[Diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging in assessment of malignant focal liver lesions].
BACKGROUND
The study was designed to determine if there was a difference between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) MRI technique between different malignant focal liver lesions.


METHODS
The study included 63 patients with focal hepatic lesions: fourteen patients (22.2%) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 16 patients (25.4%) with hepatic metastatic colorectal tumors, 17 patients (26.9%) with cavernous haemangioma and 16 patients (25.4%) with hepatic cysts. MRI was performed with 1.5T scanner, using EPI sequence with ADC values being determined for all lesions based on three b values.


RESULTS
ADC values were statistically different among the groups (F = 70.7, p < 0.01): HCC patients 1.11 +/- 0.29 x 10(-3) s/mm2, metastatic tumours 2.18 +/- 0.15 x 10(-3) s/mm2, haemangioma 2.22 +/- 0.32 x 10(-3) s/mm, cysts 3.08 +/- 0.03 x 10(-3) s/mm2. Furthermore, there was statistically significant difference between benign lesions (haemangiom and cysts, 2.36 +/- 0.43 x 10(-3) s/mm2), and malignant diseases (HCC and secondary tumors, 1.52 +/- 0.58 x 10(-3) s/mm2), t = 5,6, p < 0.01.


CONCLUSIONS
DWI technique could be helpful in defining the focal liver lesions.
Maksimović
R M
RM
Medicinski fakultet, Univerziteta u Beogradu, Centar za radiologiju i magnetnu rezonancu, KCS, Beograd.
Dunjić
M S Kratovac
MS
Lilić
G B
GB
Milenković
R M
RM
Masulović
D M
DM
Milićević
M
M
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged