Ahmed Abdel Razek, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Mona Ghaniem, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nadia Nada, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Amir Eltantawey, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mohamed Hegazy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To asses soft tissue masses with diffusion weighted single shot echoplanar MR imaging.

This study included 45 patients (31 male & 14 female mean age is 41ys) with soft tissue mass. Routine MR imaging and diffusion weighted MR imaging were done on a 1.5tesla MR unit (Symphomy-Siemens). Diffusion MR imaging was done using a single shot echo planar imaging (EPI) with a diffusion-weighted factor, factor b of 0,500 & 1000 sec/mm2. The ADC map was reconstructed with calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. The ADC value was measured in the suspected lesion. The final diagnosis proved by pathology, aspiration cytology or MR appearance with clinical findings.

The mean ADC value of the malignant tumors (1.17±0.12X 10-3 mm2/sec), benign tumors (1.69 ±0.08X 10-3 mm2/sec), vascular lesions (1.52±0.11X 10-3 mm2/sec) and cystic lesions (2.85±0.09X 10-3 mm2/sec). There was significant different in the ADC value between malignant and benign soft tissue masses (P<0.03) and within different grades of malignancy (P<0.02). When apparent diffusion coefficient value of 1.44X 10-3 mm2/sec was used as a threshold value for differentiating soft tissue masses, the best results were obtained with an accuracy of 94%, sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 91%, positive predictive value of 85% and negative predictive value of 95%.

Diffusion weighted MR imaging is a new promising non-invasive imaging modality used for assessment and characterization of soft tissue mass as it can help in differentiation malignant tumor from benign lesions.

Diffusion weighted MR imaging can be added to routine MR imaging of soft tissue as it can differentiate malignant soft tissue tumors from benign lesions.

Abdel Razek, A, Ghaniem, M, Nada, N, Eltantawey, A, Hegazy, M, Assessment of Soft Tissue Masses with Diffusion-weighted Single Shot Echoplanar MR Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5009515.html