Diffusion-weighted MRI for differentiation of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma/ganglioneuroma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of neuroblastic tumours and to evaluate if the ADC can enable differentiation of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma/ganglioneuroblastoma.


METHODS
16 histologically classified tumours (10 neuroblastomas and 6 ganglioneuroma/ganglioneuroblastoma) were investigated in 15 children. Diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging was performed with a b-value of 800s/mm². The contrast of tumour tissue depicted with T2-weighted images and diffusion-weighted images was evaluated by means of region-of-interest (ROI) measurements and a calculation of the ADC by a software tool. The ADC of the psoas-muscle was measured to establish an internal standard, too.


RESULTS
The mean ADC of the 10 neuroblastomas was 0.81×10⁻³mm²/s (SD 0.29×10⁻³mm²/s, range 0.39-1.47×10⁻³)mm²/s). The mean ADC of the four ganglioneuroma and two ganglioneuroblastoma was 1.6×10⁻³mm²/s (SD 0.340×10⁻³mm²/s, range 1.13-1.99)×10⁻³mm²/s. The difference was significant in the t-test (p=0.01). We found no ganglioneuroma or ganglioneuroblastoma with an ADC below 1.1×10⁻³mm²/s.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant difference of the ADC of neuroblastoma compared to the ADC of ganglioneuroma/ganglioneuroblastoma. These first results suggest that the diffusion-weighted imaging could differentiate neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma/ganglioneuroblastoma by calculating the ADC.
Gahr
Nina
N
Department of Radiology, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany. nina.gahr@gmx.de
Darge
Kassa
K
Hahn
Gabriele
G
Kreher
Björn W
BW
von Buiren
Miriam
M
Uhl
Markus
M
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis*