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Characterization of focal liver lesions by ADC measurements using a respiratory triggered diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar MR imaging technique

  • Hepatobiliary-Pancreas
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of focal liver lesions on the basis of a respiratory triggered diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar MR imaging sequence (DW-SS-EPI) and to evaluate whether ADC measurements can be used to characterize lesions. One hundred and two patients with focal liver lesions [11 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), 82 metastases, 4 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNH), 56 hemangiomas and 51 cysts; mean size, 16.6 mm; range 5–92 mm] were examined on a 1.5-T system using respiratory triggered DW-SS-EPI (b-values: 50, 300, 600 s/mm2). Results were correlated with histopathologic data and follow-up imaging. The ADCs of different lesion types were compared, and lesion discrimination using optimal thresholds for ADCs was evaluated. Mean ADCs (×10−3mm2/s) were 1.24 and 1.04 for normal and cirrhotic liver parenchyma and 1.05, 1.22, 1.40, 1.92 and 3.02 for HCCs, metastases, FNHs, hemangiomas and cysts, respectively. Mean ADCs differed significantly for all lesion types except for comparison of metastases with HCCs and FNHs. Overall, 88% of lesions were correctly classified as benign or malignant using a threshold value of 1.63 × 10−3mm2/s. Measurements of the ADCs of focal liver lesions on the basis of a respiratory triggered DW-SS-EPI sequence may constitute a useful supplementary method for lesion characterization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Melanie Bruegel, Konstantin Holzapfel, Jochen Gaa, Klaus Woertler, Simone Waldt, Carl Ganter & Ernst J. Rummeny

  2. Siemens, Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany

    Berthold Kiefer & Alto Stemmer

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  1. Melanie Bruegel
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  2. Konstantin Holzapfel
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  3. Jochen Gaa
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  4. Klaus Woertler
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  5. Simone Waldt
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  6. Berthold Kiefer
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  7. Alto Stemmer
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  8. Carl Ganter
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  9. Ernst J. Rummeny
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Correspondence to Melanie Bruegel.

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Bruegel, M., Holzapfel, K., Gaa, J. et al. Characterization of focal liver lesions by ADC measurements using a respiratory triggered diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar MR imaging technique. Eur Radiol 18, 477–485 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-007-0785-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-007-0785-9

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