Maier SE, Wallström J, Langkilde F, Johansson J, Kuczera S, Hugosson J, Hellström M. Prostate Cancer Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Does the Choice of Diffusion-Weighting Level Matter?
J Magn Reson Imaging 2021;
55:842-853. [PMID:
34535940 DOI:
10.1002/jmri.27895]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging plays an important role in multiparametric assessment of prostate lesions. The derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) could be a useful quantitative biomarker for malignant growth, but lacks acceptance because of low reproducibility.
PURPOSE
To investigate the impact of the choice of diffusion-weighting levels (b-values) on contrast-to-noise ratio and quantitative measures in prostate diffusion-weighted MRI.
STUDY TYPE
Retrospective and simulation based on published data.
SUBJECTS
Patient cohort (21 men with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2 score ≥3) from a single-center study.
FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE
3 T/diffusion-weighted imaging with single-shot echo-planar imaging.
ASSESSMENT
Both clinical data and simulations based on previously acquired data were used to quantify the influence of b-value choice in normal peripheral zone (PZ) and PZ tumor lesions. For clinical data, ADC was determined for different combinations of b-values. Contrast-to-noise ratio and quantitative diffusion measures were simulated for a wide range of b-values.
STATISTICAL TESTS
Tissue ADC and the lesion-to-normal tissue ADC ratios of different b-value combinations were compared with paired two-tailed Student's t-tests. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
Findings about b-value dependence derived from clinical data and from simulations agreed with each other. Provided measurement was limited to two b-values, simulation-derived optimal b-value choices coincided with PI-RADSv2 recommendations. For two-point measurements, ADC decreased by 15% when the maximum b-value increased from 1000 to 1500 seconds/mm2 , but corresponding lesion-to-normal tissue ADC ratio showed no significant change (P = 0.86 for acquired data). Simulations with three or more measurement points produced ADCs that declined by only 8% over this range of maximum b-value. Corresponding ADC ratios declined between 2.6% (three points) and 3.8% (21 points). Simulations also revealed an ADC reduction of about 19% with the shorter echo and diffusion time evaluated.
DATA CONCLUSION
The comprehensive assessment of b-value dependence permits better formulation of protocol and analysis recommendations for obtaining reproducible results in prostate cancer diffusion-weighted MRI.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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