title: Value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging performed with quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient values for cervical lymphadenopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) performed with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for the detection of cervical lymphadenopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies evaluating DWI-MRI for the detection of cervical lymphadenopathy were systematically searched for in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cancerlit, and Cochrane Library and other database from January 1995 to November 2010. By node-based data analyses, Cochrane methodology was used for the results of this meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies enrolling a total of 229 individuals were eligible for inclusion. Significant differences were found between malignant nodes and benign nodes of the mean ADC value (WMD [weighted-mean difference]: 1.19, 95% CI: [1.02, 1.35] × 10(-3) mm(2) /s, [P < 0.05]). In the secondary outcomes, significant differences were found between lymphomatous nodes and benign nodes (WMD: 1.33, 95% CI: [0.89, 1.77] × 10(-3) mm(2) /s), and nodes originating from highly or moderately differentiated cancer (WMD: 0.24, 95% CI: [0.21, 0.28] × 10(-3) mm(2) /s, [P < 0.05]), and nodes originating from poorly differentiated cancers (WMD: 0.10, 95% CI: [0.06, 0.14] × 10(-3) mm(2) /s, [P < 0.05]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DWI-MRI performed with ADC values shows significant differences among malignant nodes, lymphomatous nodes, and benign nodes in cervical lymphadenopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Lian-Ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jian-Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jiani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: ADC values; cervical lymph nodes; diffusion MR imaging; meta-analysis