Texture analysis of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to identify atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the value of texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of atypically enhanced small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) and dysplastic nodules (DNs) in liver cirrhosis.@*Methods@#Data of 59 cases with atypical enhancement and solitary cirrhotic nodule (≤2 cm) confirmed by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI and surgical pathology specimen were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 37 cases were of atypically enhanced sHCC and 22 cases of DNS. The DWI signal characteristics of the lesions were analyzed to measure the average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the lesions, and the ADC ratio of the lesion to the liver parenchyma. MaZda software was used to manually draw the region of interest to extract the texture parameters of DWI lesions. The three sets (combination of Fisher coefficient, classification of error probability combined with average correlation coefficient and interactive information) were used to select the thirty optimal texture parameters. Raw data analysis (RDA), principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and non-linear discriminant analysis (NDA) were performed for texture classification. The difference of ADC value and ADC ratio between sHCC and DNS group was compared by independent sample t-test, and χ2 test was used to compare the count data (or rate). ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.@*Results@#The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI high-signal in the identification of atypically enhanced sHCC and DNs were 94.6% (35/37), 68.2% (15/22), and 84.7% (50/59), respectively. The ADC ratio of atypically enhanced sHCC was significantly lower than DNs, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 2.99, P = 0.002). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of atypically enhanced sHCC were 73.0% (27/37), 72.7% (16/22) and 72.9% (43/59), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI texture analysis in diagnosing atypically enhanced sHCC were 94.6% (35/37), 95.5% (21/22) and 94.9% (56/59).The diagnostic efficiency of DWI texture analysis (AUC = 0.94) was significantly higher than DWI high-signal (AUC = 0.81) and ADC ratio (AUC = 0.72).@*Conclusion@#The texture analysis based on DWI can identify atypically enhanced sHCC and dysplastic nodules under the background of cirrhosis, and its efficacy is better than qualitative and quantitative DWI.

Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of Unicystic Odontogenic Tumors for Differentiation of Unicystic Ameloblastomas from Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors

OBJECTIVE: Differentiating unicystic ameloblastomas from keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOT) is necessary for the planning of different treatment strategies; however, it is difficult based on conventional CT and MR sequences alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in the differentiation of the two tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 40 patients with odontogenic cysts and tumors of the maxillomandibular region using conventional MR imaging and DWI. ADCs were measured using 2 b factors (500 and 1000). RESULTS: Unicystic ameloblastomas (n = 11) showed free diffusion on DWI and a mean ADC value of 2.309 ± 0.17 × 10-3 mm2/s. KCOT (n = 15) showed restricted diffusion on DWI with a mean ADC value of 0.923 ± 0.20 × 10-3 mm2/s. The ADC values of unicystic ameloblastomas were significantly higher than those of KCOT (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). An ADC cut-off value of 2.0 × 10-3 mm2/s to differentiate KCOT and unicystic ameloblastomas resulted in a 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Dentigerous cysts (n = 3) showed restricted diffusion on DWI and similar ADC values (1.257 ± 0.05 × 10-3 mm2/s) to those of KCOT. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted imaging and ADC determination can be used as an adjuvant tool to differentiate between unicystic ameloblastomas and KCOT, although the ADC values of dentigerous cysts overlap with those of KCOT.

Detection of hypothalamic infarction in intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion model rat by DWI scanning / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To detect and evaluate the hypothalamic infarction in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rat. Methods: For 15 Sprague-Dawley rats weighed 200-250 g, aged 6-8 months, their right middle cerebral artery was occluded for 90 min by a silicon-coated 4-0 nylon filament and reperfused. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent diffusion weighted MR imaging (DWI) scanning (at 1 h and 24 h after reperfusion) and 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining (at 24 h after reperfusion) to determine the hypothalamic and cerebral infarct volume. The relationship between hypothalamic infarct volume and cerebral infarction volume was analyzed by DWI scanning. The results of TTC staining were compared with those of 24 h DWI scanning. Results: Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats successfully received intraluminal MCAO/reperfusion procedures. The incidences of hypothalamic infarction on brain DWI scanning and TTC staining were 100% and 40% at 24 h after reperfusion, respectively. Therefore, DWI scanning was more sensitive than TTC staining to detect hypothalamic injury (P=0.001). The hypothalamic infarct volume on DWI scanning was (8.59±2.89) mm3 and (11.65±3.19) mm3 at 1 h and 24 h after reperfusion, respectively. On DWI scanning, hypothalamic and cerebral infarct volume at 24 h after reperfusion were correlated with each other significantly (r=0.573, P=0.025), so were the increases of hypothalamic and cerebral infarct volume (r=0.554, P=0.032) from 1 h to 24 h. Conclusion: DWI scanning was more sensitive than TTC staining to detect hypothalamic injury in intraluminal transient MCAO model. Hypothalamic and cerebral infarct volume were correlated with each other.

Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Evaluation of Prostate Cancer: Optimal B Value at 3T

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively determine the optimal b value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for predicting the presence of localized prostate cancer, and to evaluate the utility of DWI under different b values in differentiating between cancers and benign prostatic tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with suspected prostate cancer underwent MRI including DWI at 3T, followed by radical prostatectomy. DWI was examined under different b values. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated by using b = 0, and other b values of 300, 700, 1000 or 2000 s/mm2. For predicting the presence of cancers, four different ADC maps were analyzed independently by two blinded readers. ADCs were measured in benign and malignant tissues. RESULTS: For predicting the presence of 110 prostate cancers, the sensitivity and area under the curve (AUC) for an experienced reader was significantly greater at b = 1000 (85% and 0.91) than b = 300, 700 or 2000 s/mm2 (p < 0.01). For a less-experienced reader, the AUC was significantly greater at b = 700, 1000 or 2000 than b = 300 s/mm2 (p < 0.01). Mean ADCs of the cancers in sequence from b = 300 to 2000 s/mm2 were 1.33, 1.03, 0.88 and 0.68 x 10(-3) mm2/s, which were significantly lower than those of benign tissues (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal b value for 3T DWI for predicting the presence of prostate cancer may be 1000 s/mm2.

Hepatic Cavernous Hemangiomas: Relationship between Speed of Intratumoral Enhancement during Dynamic MRI and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the speed of contrast-enhancement in hepatic hemangiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine hepatic hemangiomas (> or = 1 cm) were evaluated with DWI, by using multiple b values (b = 50, 400, 800 s/mm2), followed by a gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI. The lesions were classified into three groups, according to the speed of contrast-enhancement on the portal phase. ADCs were measured on the ADC map automatically, and were calculated by using the two different b values (mADC50-400 with b values = 50 and 400; mADC400-800 with b values = 400 and 800 s/mm2). RESULTS: The mean ADCs (x 10-3 mm2/s) were significantly higher in the rapid group (1.9 +/- 0.44) than in the intermediate (1.7 +/- 0.35, p = 0.046) or the slow groups (1.4 +/- 0.34, p = 0.002). There were significant differences between the rapid and the slow groups in mADC50-400 (2.12 vs. 1.48; p = 0.008) and mADC400-800 (1.68 vs. 1.22, p = 0.010), and between the rapid and the intermediate groups in mADC50-400 (2.12 vs. 1.79, p = 0.049). Comparing mADC50-400 with mADC400-800, there was a significant difference only in the rapid group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher ADCs of rapidly-enhancing hemangiomas may be related to richer intralesional vascular perfusion. Also, the restricted diffusion may be attributed to the difference of structural characteristics of hemangioma.

Cerebral Ischemia Detected with Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging after Protected Carotid Artery Stenting: Comparison of Distal Balloon and Filter Device

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of ischemia during protected carotid artery stenting (CAS) as well as to compare the protective efficacy of the balloon and filter devices on diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one consecutive protected CAS procedures in 70 patients with a severe (> 70%) or symptomatic moderate (> 50%) carotid artery stenosis were examined. A balloon device (PercuSurge GuardWire) and a filter device (FilterWire EX/EZ, Emboshield) was used in 33 cases (CAS-B group) and 38 cases (CAS-F group) to prevent distal embolization, respectively. All the patients underwent DWI within seven days before and after the procedures. The number of new cerebral ischemic lesions on the post-procedural DWI were counted and divided into ipsilateral and contralateral lesions according to the relationship with the stenting side. RESULTS: New cerebral ischemic lesions were detected in 13 (39.4%) out of the 33 CAS-Bs and in 15 (39.5%) out of the 38 CAS-Fs. The mean number of total, ipsilateral and contralateral new cerebral ischemic lesion was 2.39, 1.67 and 0.73 in the CAS-B group and 2.11, 1.32 and 0.79 in the CAS-F group, respectively. No statistical differences were found between the two groups (p = 0.96, 0.74 and 0.65, respectively). The embolic complications encountered included two retinal infarctions and one hemiparesis in the CAS-B group (9.09%), and one retinal infarction, one hemiparesis and one ataxia in the CAS-F group (7.89%). There was a similar incidence of embolic complications in the two groups (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: The type of distal protection device used such as a balloon and filter does not affect the incidence of cerebral embolization after protected CAS.

Applications in Evaluation of Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in Hepatic Echinococcosis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the application of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in hepatic echinococcosis.Methods Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)were performed in 23 patients with 30 hepatic echinococcosis(cystic echinococcosis 24, alveolaris echinococcosis 6).Results The mean ADC values of cystic echinococcosis, alveolaris echinococcosis and normal liver were (3.50?0.35)?10 -3 mm2/s,(2.22?0.22)?10 -3 mm2/s and (1.41?0.09)?10 -3 mm2/s respectively.The difference between the mean ADC values was significant(?