Lymph node staging in bladder cancer: role of diffusion weighted magnetic resonant imaging compared to histopathology

ABSTRACT

Background: lymph node metastasis is important prognostic factor in bladder cancer paients.It also helps in treatment planning.Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a new technique for lymph node evaluation depending on tissue cellurality rather than size of lymph nodes. Purpose: The aim of this work is to study the role of DW_MRI in detecting LNs metastasis and staging in bladder cancer. Methods: The study has been carried out at the department of Urology, Zagazig University Hospitals from July 2016 till December 2018. Results: 33 patients with radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy whom were evaluated by DW-MRI preoperatively. The overall senstivity of DW-MRI was 85.7% and overall specificty was 94.7%. Conclusion: DW-MRI is a safe non invasive technique in lymph node staging in bladder cancer patients with high senstivity and specificty