Xiaofan Zhang MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Lin Ma MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yang Qin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Xinchun Liu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yi Zhang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the efficacy of whole body diffusion weighted MR imaging (WB-DWI) in detecting pediatric primary malignant tumor and metastasis.

WB-DWI was performed in 40 pediatric patients with confirmed malignant tumors and 62 healthy pediatric volunteers. Comparative study was made by comparing conventional MR images with WB-DWI. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of primary tumor and metastasis were measured and compared with those of corresponding body regions of control group.

On WB-DWI, the metaphysis of long bone showed increased signal intensity in 63.1% of normal children under the age of 24 months, slightly increased signal in 40.0% between the age of 25 and 48 months, and slightly increased signal in 8.7% after 49 months, respectively. 100% (40/40) of primary malignant tumors and 90.6% (58/64) of metastasis were detected on WB-DWI. The lesions showed high signal on WB-DWI, and the mean ADC values of primary tumor and metastasis were (0.94+0.11)×10-3 mm2/s and (0.89+0.18)×10-3 mm2/s, respectively, which were lower than those of control group, (1.18+0.24)×10-3 mm2/s (P<0.05) and (1.09±0.21)×10-3 mm2/s (P<0.05).

Increased signals are more frequently observed in metaphysis of long bone in mormal children under 24 months on WB-DWI. With a high detection rate for primary malignant tumors and metastasis, WB-DWI is a suitable method of choice in detecting malignancy in pediatric patients and is suggested as an useful tool for whole body screening in such patients.

WB-DWI is a promising method of choice in detecting malignant tumor and metastasis in children

Zhang, X, Ma, L, Qin, Y, Liu, X, Zhang, Y, Preliminary Study of Whole Body Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in Detecting Pediatric Primary Malignant Tumor and Metastasis.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9015118.html