Sherif Abdelfattah MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

 To elicit the diagnostic impact of echo planar DW Imaging in distinguishing benign from malignant musculoskeletal soft tissue masses using ADC mapping as a quantitative assessment tool.

73 patients with musculoskeletal tumors underwent MR at our institution from October 2007 to November 2009. We evaluated 73 tumors (11 bone tumors and 62 soft tissue tumors). MR examinations were performed with a 1.5-Tesla system. Diffusion-weighted single-shot EPI images were obtained in all patients. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated by using b factors of 0 and 1,000 sec/mm2.ADC value measurements were compared with the histopathological findings.  

The average ADC of benign cases was 1.50±0.27, and that of malignant soft tissue tumors was 1.33±0.62.  This malignant soft tissue tumor ADC value was significantly lower than that of the benign tumor group (p<0.0001).

Diffusion measurements of neoplastic soft tissue masses is a noninvasive tool in differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue lesions. It provides important additional information, it is complementary for the routine MRI sequences.

Diffusion measurements of soft tissue masses is a noninvasive tool in differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue lesions.

Abdelfattah, S, Diagnostic Impact of Echo Planar Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWI) in Musculoskeletal Neoplastic Masses Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Mapping as a Quantitative Assessment Tool.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9001795.html