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An analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient in the myometrium of normal uterus between the menopausal and premenopausal phases

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of normal uterine myometrium between menopausal phase and premenopausal phases (menstrual, proliferating and secretory phases).

Materials and methods

Magnetic resonance images of 96 healthy women were obtained with a 3.0T MRI device. According to their physiological cycles, they were further divided into four groups: group A (menopausal phase), group B (menstrual phase), group C (proliferating phase), and group D (secretory phase). The ADC values were measured using a GE post-processing workstation. Variations of the ADC values were compared among the four groups by statistical analysis.

Results

The ADC values of normal uterine myometrium were significantly different among the four groups [menopausal phase, (1.15 ± 0.20) × 10−3 mm2/s; menstrual phase, (1.89 ± 0.35) × 10−3 mm2/s; proliferative phase, (1.70 ± 0.18) × 10−3 mm2/s; secretory phase, (1.86 ± 0.12) × 10−3 mm2/s] (P < 0.001). The ADC values of myometrium in the menopausal phase were significantly lower than those in the premenopausal phase (P < 0.001). The ADC values of myometrium in the secretory phase were significantly greater than those in the proliferative phase (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the menstrual and secretory phase and between the menstrual and proliferating phase (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

A wide variation of ADC values of normal myometrium was observed during four different physiological phases, and it should be taken into account by radiologists for diagnosis of uterine diseases, particularly in the menopausal phase.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Miss Jia Li, Miss Feifei Zhao, Miss Yalin Qu and the colleague in the Department of Radiology for technical assistance. A special thanks to all the volunteers for joining us in the study. This research was supported by the National Key Clinical Specialties Construction Program of China [Grant Number No. 544 Medical Letter in the Ministry of Public Health (2013)] and the Science and Technology Planning Project at Yuzhong district of Chongqing [Grant Number No. 20120211].

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang, Yuzhong District, 400016, Chongqing, China

    Bo Chen, Zhibo Xiao, Furong Lv, Fajin Lv, Bo Sheng & Xiaolin Shi

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  1. Bo Chen
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  2. Zhibo Xiao
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  3. Furong Lv
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  4. Fajin Lv
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  5. Bo Sheng
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  6. Xiaolin Shi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Furong Lv.

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Chen, B., Xiao, Z., Lv, F. et al. An analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient in the myometrium of normal uterus between the menopausal and premenopausal phases. Jpn J Radiol 33, 455–460 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-015-0443-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-015-0443-0

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