The added value of diffusion-weighted imaging to dynamic MRI in detecting and characterizing hepatic focal lesions

Abstract

Background Noninvasive diagnostic methods of hepatic lesions are often accomplished using contrast material-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has evolved as a standard technique in liver imaging. Aim The work aimed to evaluate the added value of DWI to magnetic resonance imaging in identifying and characterizing hepatic focal lesions. Patients and methods In all, 100 participants having the clinical criteria of hepatic focal lesions detected on ultrasound or computed tomography screening were involved in our research. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and DWI were done. Results Correlation between the nature of lesions, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and comorbidity of liver cirrhosis show a highly statistically significant difference between benign and malignant hepatic focal lesions according to DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis between the nature of lesions and lesions’ ADC value shows that at a cutoff value less than or equal to 1.5 (×10-3mm/s), with a sensitivity of 61.76% and specificity of 90.32%. It can predict malignant lesions with an area under the curve of 0.745 and a significant P value of less than 0.001. Conclusion DWI could identify malignant and benign hepatic tumors through ADC values producing high sensitivity and specificity; moreover, it is possible to identify subgroups of hepatic lesions depending on such values.