Ahmed Abdel Razek, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Rady Warda, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ali Elsherif, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Khaled Abdel Hamid, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the role of single shot echoplanar diffusion weighted MR imaging in differentiation malignant spinal tumors from benign lesions.

Prospective study was conducted on 67 consecutive patients (47M, 30F aged 21-74 ys: mean 47ys) with spinal lesions. They underwent diffusion weighted MR imaging using a single shot echo planar imaging with a b-factor of 0,250 & 500 sec/mm2. The scanning parameters were: TR= 10000 ms, TE=108ms, NEX=8-16, bandwidth=125 kHz, slice thickness =4 mm. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was reconstructed. The ADC value of the spinal lesion was calculated and correlated with surgical findings or biopsy.

Adequate ADC maps were obtained in 63 patients. The mean ADC value was 1.02±0.13X 10-3 mm2/sec in metastasis, 0.97±0.12X 10-3 mm2/sec in lymphoma, 0.86±0.07X 10-3 mm2/sec in benign tumors, 1.47±0.07X 10-3 mm2/sec in pyogenic infection, 1.59±0.08X 10-3 mm2/sec in tuberculous infection and 1.61±0.11X 10-3 mm2/sec in traumatic and osteoporotic fracture. There was statistically difference in ADC values between malignant spinal tumors and benign lesions (p<0.021). When apparent diffusion coefficient value of 1.30 X 10-3 mm2/sec was used as a threshold value for differentiating of malignant tumors from benign spinal lesions, the best result was obtained with an accuracy of 88%, sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 95% and negative predictive value of 81%.

Single shot echoplanar diffusion weighted MR imaging is a rapid non invasive imaging modality that provide valuable information for differentiating malignant spinal tumors from benign lesions.

Single shot echoplanar diffusion weighted MR imaging can be used for characterization of the spinal lesions so, it is recommended to be added to routine MR imaging of the spine.

Abdel Razek, A, Warda, R, Elsherif, A, Abdel Hamid, K, Role of Single Shot Echoplanar Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in Differentiation of Malignant Spinal Tumors from Benign Lesions.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5000247.html