ABSTRACT

We investigated the diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging and apperent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping on differential diagnosis of benign and malignant focal liver masses.

Diffusion - weighted MR imaging sequence was applied on 34 patients with a focal liver mass before contrast enhanced imaging. Diffusion - weighted images were obtained by applying 3 diffusion gradients at b level (b=50, b=400, b=800 s/mm2) with single shot echo-planar spin in axial plan in 1.5 Tesla MR tool. Average ADC values were determined by placing ROI at the size of 1 cm on average over ADC maps.

62 lesions (46 benign, 16 malign) greater than 1 cm, in size were evaluated. Average ADC value of 46 benign lesions was 2.17±0.55 x 10-3 mm2/s and varied between (0,98 x 10-3 mm2/s 2.65 ± 0.54 x 10-3 mm2/s) and average ADC value of 16 malignant lesion was 0.84± 0.40 x 10-3 mm2/s (0.14 x 1010-3 mm2/s -1.32 x 10-3 mm2/s).

Diffusion - weighted MR imaging and comparison of ADC values provide additional information in differentiating benign and malignant focal liver masses and particularly help us in differential diagnosis of patients to whom we cannot deliver IV contrast.

Keywords: Liver mass, Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, ADC value