Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging inDetecting and Characterizing Benign and Malignant LiverTumors in Adults

AbstractBackground: DWI is done by quantifying the amount ofdiffusion through tissues and calculating ADC values. Tumors,which consist of excessive proliferation of cells, wouldexpectantly show restricted diffusion. ADC values can aid incharacterizing focal liver lesions as benign vs. malignant.DWI when used in combination with dynamic MRI can beused to enhance the accuracy of liver lesion characterizationand diagnosis.Aim of Study: To assess the role of diffusion-weightedmagnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in detection and charac-terization of hepatic focal lesions, and its value in differenti-ating benign from malignant masses.Patients and Methods: A total of 60 liver disease patients (21 males and 39 females) with ages ranged from 20 to 63years old were included in the study. All of the patientsunderwent MRI examination including pre-contrast imaging,dynamic study and diffusion study. The morphological featuresof each lesion were recorded and diffusion images werereviewed for final radiological characterization and detection of focal lesions. ADC values were calculated for all patients.Results: This study included 60 patients with varioustypes of lesions, 40 of which had benign lesions and 20 withmalignant lesions. The diffusion images aided in diagnosisof malignant lesions with different components. AbsoluteADC values of different types of lesions were not similar.Benign hepatic lesions have generally higher ADC valuescompared with malignant lesions. The ADC values we foundfor different lesions were consistent with previous studies.Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted MRI sequence withquantitative ADC measurement should be used as an additionalsequence to supplement conventional MRI protocol studiesfor proper detection and characterization of solid liver lesions.