title: Ultrahigh b-values MRI in normal human prostate: Initial research on reproducibility and age-related differences.
abstract: To investigate the reproducibility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with ultrahigh b-values, and analyze the age-related differences in normal prostates.
  
  
  
  In all, 67 healthy participants were divided into three age groups (group A, 15-30 years; group B, 31-50 years; group C, ≥51 years), and underwent DWI scanning twice with 15 b-factors from 0 to 3000 at 3.0T. Triexponential fits were applied to calculate the molecular diffusion coefficient (D), the pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), the ultrahigh apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCuh), and perfusion fraction (f). The interobserver and short-term interscan reproducibility were evaluated, and the change in these parameters with age were assessed.
  
  
  
  The D, ADCuh, and f values presented good to excellent reproducibility. With increasing age, a trend of increasing D values was observed, with significant difference in both peripheral zone (PZ, P = 0.01) and central gland (CG, P = 0.01) of normal prostate tissue. The f value increased in the CG beginning at 50 years of age while the ADCuhvalue decreased in the PZ after 50 years of age; all of them showed significant differences between groups A and C and groups B and C (P = 0.01/0.01).
  
  
  
  The D, ADCuh, and f values have good to excellent reproducibility in the normal prostate, and these values change with age. The ultrahigh b-values magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information (ADCuh), which is different from the IVIM (intravoxel incoherent motion)-derived parameters.
  
  
  
  1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:801-812.
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Changzheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zeyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hanwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Liangping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DWI; age-related; normal prostate; reproducibility