title: Diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient for the accurate assessment and differentiation of intracranial meningiomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) along with the calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), is a novel, non-invasive, and reliable technique of choice for accurate assessment and for the treatment planning of different types of brain tumors. It is more advantageous in the distinction and differentiation of benign from malignant meningiomas on the basis of ADC values.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the utility of DW magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained at two b-values for an authentic and preoperative characterization of meningiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients with clinically diagnosed or histologically verified meningioma (18 benign and 8 malignant) underwent imaging including DWI at 1.5 T. DW images were obtained at b = 1000 s/mm(2) and b = 2000 s/mm(2), ADC maps were generated at both the b-values. Signal intensities (SIs) and ADCs for solid tumorous tissues, contralateral normal tissues, and peritumoral edema were calculated and normalized ADC (NADC) ratio were determined for tumorous tissues. SI scores, ADC maps, and ADC values were analyzed visually and quantitatively, and were compared at both the b-values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DW images at b = 2000 s/mm(2) were more conspicuity (either hyperintense or hypointense) with improved contrast. The mean ADC of malignant meningiomas (0.64 ± 0.05 and 0.42 ± 0.03) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) as compared with benign meningiomas (1.04 ± 0.12 and 0.80 ± 0.07) at both the b-values. Mean NADC ratio in the malignant type was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the benign type at both the b-values. Mean ADC values for peritumoral edema do not differ between benign and malignant meningiomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1.5-T DWI using high b-values improved our ability to differentiate benign from malignant meningiomas. DWI may play an important role in the preoperative radiological evaluation and the recognition of these types for proper surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shazia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bano
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College B.V. Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mustansar Mahmood
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Waraich
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Afzal
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saeed Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Buzdar
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College B.V. Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzur
keywords: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI); apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC); benign; malignant; meningioma