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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 10/2016

01-10-2016 | Hepatobiliary-Pancreas

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the pancreas: optimizing b-value for visualization of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Authors: Yoshihiko Fukukura, Toshikazu Shindo, Hiroto Hakamada, Koji Takumi, Tomokazu Umanodan, Masanori Nakajo, Kiyoshisa Kamimura, Aya Umanodan, Junnichi Ideue, Takashi Yoshiura

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 10/2016

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Abstract

Objectives

To determine the optimal b-value of 3.0-T diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for visualizing pancreatic adenocarcinomas

Methods

Fifty-five patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent DWI with different b-values (b = 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 s/mm2) at 3.0 T. For each b-value, we retrospectively evaluated DWI findings of pancreatic adenocarcinomas (clear hyperintensity relative to the surrounding pancreas, hyperintensity with an unclear distal border, and isointensity) and image quality, and measured tumour-to-pancreas signal intensity (SI) ratios. DWI findings, image quality, and tumour-to-pancreas SI ratios were compared between the four b-values.

Results

There was a significantly higher incidence of tumours showing clear hyperintensity on DWI with b-value of 1500 s/mm2 than on that with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 (P < 0.001), and on DWI with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 than on that with b-value of 500 s/mm2 (P < 0.001). The tumour-to-distal pancreas SI ratio was higher with b-value of 1500 s/mm2 than with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 (P < 0.001), and with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 than with b-value of 500 s/mm2 (P < 0.001). A lower image quality was obtained at increasing b-values (P < 0.001); the lowest scores were observed with b-value of 2000 s/mm2.

Conclusions

The use of b = 1500 s/mm2 for 3.0-T DWI can improve the delineation of pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Key Points

• Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been used for diagnosing pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• The techniques for DWI, including the choice of b-values, vary considerably
• DWI often fails to delineate pancreatic adenocarcinomas because of hyperintense pancreas
• DWI with a higher b-value can improve the tumour delineation
• The lowest image quality was obtained on DWI with b-value = 2000 s/mm 2
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Metadata
Title
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the pancreas: optimizing b-value for visualization of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors
Yoshihiko Fukukura
Toshikazu Shindo
Hiroto Hakamada
Koji Takumi
Tomokazu Umanodan
Masanori Nakajo
Kiyoshisa Kamimura
Aya Umanodan
Junnichi Ideue
Takashi Yoshiura
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 10/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4174-5

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