Diffusion-weighted MRI and its role in prostate cancer

• Published in: NMR in biomedicine Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 25 - 38
• Main Authors: Tamada, Tsutomu, Sone, Teruki, Jo, Yoshimasa, Yamamoto, Akira, Ito, Katsuyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: apparent diffusion coefficient; Computer programs; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; diffusion-weighted MRI; Gleason score; histologic type of neoplasm; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Male; MRI; peripheral zone; prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Prostatic Neoplasms - therapy; transition zone; Gleason score; apparent diffusion coefficient; peripheral zone; prostate cancer; MRI; histologic type of neoplasm; diffusion-weighted MRI; transition zone
• ISSN: 0952-3480; 1099-1492
• DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2956

In the last 5 years, the multiparametric approach has been investigated as the method for the MRI of prostate cancer. In multiparametric MRI of the prostate, at least two functional MRI techniques, such as diffusion‐weighted MRI (DW‐MRI) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI, are combined with conventional MRI, such as T2‐weighted imaging. DW‐MRI has the ability to qualitatively and quantitatively represent the diffusion of water molecules by the apparent diffusion coefficient, which indirectly reflects tissue cellularity. DW‐MRI is characterized by a short acquisition time without the administration of contrast medium. Thus, DW‐MRI has the potential to become established as a noninvasive diagnostic method for tumor detection and localization, tumor aggressiveness, local staging and local recurrence after various therapies. Accordingly, radiologists should recognize the principles of DW‐MRI, the methods of image acquisition and the pitfalls of image interpretation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Diffusion‐weighted MRI (DW‐MRI) has the ability to qualitatively and quantitatively represent the diffusion of water molecules by the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which reflects indirectly the tissue cellularity. DW‐MRI is characterized by a short acquisition time without the administration of contrast medium. T2‐weighted image (T2WI) shows an area of low signal intensity in the middle left region of the peripheral zone (arrow). Two images of DWI and T2WI are successfully co‐registered using fusion software, and the fused image (DWI fused on T2WI) demonstrates the correspondence of the abnormal signal area on the two images (arrow).