Diffusion-weighted imaging in normal prostate and differential diagnosis of prostate diseases

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Prostate diseases are a growing global health concern.
• Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an MRI technique assessing tissue function.
• Investigating DWI and ADC for prostate disease diagnosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic and differential diagnostic value of DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in normal prostate glands and various prostate diseases.
• To analyze DWI and ADC characteristics in different prostate conditions.

Main Methods:

• 16 healthy volunteers, 9 prostate cysts, 29 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 21 prostate carcinoma (Pca) cases underwent DWI.
• DWI and ADC characteristics were analyzed for diagnostic and differential diagnostic value.
• Histological diagnosis was obtained for all BPH and Pca cases.

Main Results:

• DWI signal intensity differed: BPH nodules were nonhomogeneous and lower than the peripheral zone (PZ), Pca showed high intensity, and cysts showed low intensity.
• Mean ADC values varied significantly: normal central gland (1.352 ± 0.052) x 10⁻³ mm²/s, PZ (1.829 ± 0.071) x 10⁻³ mm²/s, prostate cyst (2.557 ± 0.084) x 10⁻³ mm²/s, BPH nodules (1.576 ± 0.101) x 10⁻³ mm²/s, and Pca foci (0.934 ± 0.166) x 10⁻³ mm²/s (P = 0.000).

Conclusions:

• Significant differences in DWI and ADC values exist for the normal central gland, PZ, prostate cysts, BPH nodules, and Pca.
• DWI and ADC are valuable tools for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of prostate diseases.