title: Optimal b value of diffusion-weighted imaging on a 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner in Crohn's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal b value of diffusion-weighted imaging for detecting active inflammation in Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients clinically diagnosed with active Crohn's disease were referred for magnetic resonance examination. All patients were scanned on a 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner using the same protocol involving four different b values (800, 1500, 2000 and 2500 s/mm(2)). The diagnostic effect of diffusion-weighted imaging was evaluated and compared with endoscopic findings. The diffusion-weighted image quality of four b value groups was evaluated and apparent diffusion coefficient was measured for both normal and inflammatory intestinal segments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The contrast-to-noise ratio and signal-to-noise ratio were not satisfied when b value 2000 or 2500 s/mm(2) was adopted (36.52 ± 14.95 vs 34.78 ± 24.83, P > 0.05; 53.58 ± 23.45 vs 47.58 ± 29.67, P > 0.05). The qualitative image quality was not enough to meet diagnostic requirement. No matter which b value was chosen, the apparent diffusion coefficient of inflammatory intestinal segments was significantly lower than that of normal intestinal segments (1.38 ± 0.28 vs 2.00 ± 0.38, P < 0.01; 1.09 ± 0.20 vs 1.50 ± 0.28, P < 0.01; 0.95 ± 0.19 vs 1.34 ± 0.28, P < 0.01; 0.88 ± 0.14 vs 1.20 ± 0.21, P < 0.01). The lesion detection rate (90.32%), diagnostic sensitivity (81.18%) and specificity (95.10%) would be appropriate when b value 1500 s/mm(2) was adopted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High b value is suitable for intestinal DW examination on a high field MR scanner.
authors.affiliation: Qi Feng, Yun-Qi Yan, Jiong Zhu, Jian-Rong Xu, Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Qi Feng, Yun-Qi Yan, Jiong Zhu, Jian-Rong Xu, Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Qi
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Qi Feng, Yun-Qi Yan, Jiong Zhu, Jian-Rong Xu, Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors.forename: Jiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Qi Feng, Yun-Qi Yan, Jiong Zhu, Jian-Rong Xu, Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Lu
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Qi Feng, Yun-Qi Yan, Jiong Zhu, Jian-Rong Xu, Department of Radiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3.0 Tesla; Crohn’s disease; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Magnetic resonance image; b value