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European Radiology

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01-12-2017 | Magnetic Resonance

Differentiating metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients using monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion-weighted MR imaging

Authors: Qingxia Wu, Dandan Zheng, Ligang Shi, Mingbo Liu, Meiyun Wang, Dapeng Shi

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 12/2017

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the diagnostic value of monoexponential, biexponential and stretched exponential models for identifying lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with cervical cancer.

Materials and methods

Fifty female patients with cervical cancer underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The diffusion parameters of the LNs were calculated by fitting the values to monoexponential, biexponential and stretched exponential models and were compared between the metastatic and non-metastatic LN groups.

Results

A total of 157 LNs with high signal intensity on multi-b-value DWI were detected, 41 of which were pathologically shown to be metastatic. Metastatic LNs presented with higher pure water diffusion (D) values, lower perfusion fraction (f) values, higher diffusion heterogeneity (α) values, higher short diameter (Size-S), long diameter (Size-L) and short long diameter ratio (S/L Ratio) than non-metastatic LNs (P<0.05). The Size-S of LNs exhibited the highest diagnostic value, with an area under the curve of 0.844.

Conclusions

Compared with the size parameters, the diffusion parameters derived from multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging cannot reliably discriminate metastatic from non-metastatic LNs in daily clinical routine due to limited sensitivity and specificity.

Key Points

• Biexponential and stretched exponential diffusion models can help to characterise LN status.

• Metastatic LNs present with higher D and α values, lower f values.

• Diffusion parameters were less reliable in discriminating LNs than size parameters.

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Title: Differentiating metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients using monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion-weighted MR imaging
Authors: Qingxia Wu
Dandan Zheng
Ligang Shi
Mingbo Liu
Meiyun Wang
Dapeng Shi
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-4873-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Differentiating metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients using monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion-weighted MR imaging

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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