title: The role of diffusion-weighted MRI in the classification of liver hydatid cysts and differentiation of simple cysts and abscesses from hydatid cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to identify the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the classification of liver hydatid cysts (HCs) and their differentiation from simple cysts and liver abscesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients that were sent to our department with preliminary diagnoses of HCs or abscess were included in the study. Thirty lesions were evaluated. MRI included T1-weighted fast gradient echo, T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo, and DW single-shot echo planar pulse sequencing (b, 0, 50, and 1000 s/mm²). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (mm²/s) of the HCs, abscesses, and simple cysts were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found between the ADC values of type 1 and 3 (P > 0.05) HCs and of simple cysts and type 1 HCs (P > 0.05). The ADC values of abscesses were significantly lower than those of type 1 and type 3 HCs, and simple cysts. No statistically significant difference was found between the ADC values of abscesses and type 4 HCs (P > 0.05). Type 4 lesions exhibited significantly lower ADC values in comparison to type 1 and 3 HCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DW-MRI helps differentiate type 4 lesions from other cysts and can distinguish abscesses from hydatid cysts other than type 4 as well as from simple cysts. Type 1 HCs cannot be differentiated from simple cysts using ADC values alone, and type 4 lesions are indistinguishable from abscesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Uludağ University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oruç
authors.forename: Nalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yıldırım
authors.forename: Naile Bolca
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Topal
authors.forename: Sadık
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kılıçturgay
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akgöz
authors.forename: Gürsel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Savcı
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult