Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of (deep infiltrating) endometriosis: the value of diffusion-weighted imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of magnetic resonance (MR)diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).


METHODS
In a prospective single-center study, DWI was added to the standard MRI protocol in 56 consecutive patients with known or suspected endometriosis. Endometriotic lesions as well as (functional) ovarian cysts were analyzed for location, size, and signal intensity on T1, T2, and DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated using b-values of 50, 400, 800,and 1200 s/mm(2). Statistical analysis included the Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.


RESULTS
A total of 110 lesions (62 endometrial cysts and 48 DIE) were detected, 60 of which were large enough to analyze. Mean ADC values of endometrial cysts and functional ovarian cysts were 1.10 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s and 2.14 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s, respectively. Mean ADC values of DIE retrocervical, infiltrating the colon, and bladder were 0.70 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s, 0.77 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s, and 0.79 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s, respectively. ADC values of DIE did not show a significant difference between varying pelvic locations (P = 0.63).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of our study suggest that ADC values of DIE are consistently low, without significant difference between pelvic locations.
Busard
M P H
MP
Department of Radiology, Endometriosis Center VUMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mijatovic
V
V
van Kuijk
C
C
Pieters-van den Bos
I C
IC
Hompes
P G A
PG
van Waesberghe
J H T M
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult