Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the normal pancreas: reproducibility and variations of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement at 1.5- and 3.0-Tesla
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Published on: December 15, 2014
M Barral1, P Soyer, W Ben Hassen
1Department of Radiology, Groupe Henri-Mondor Albert-Chenevier, 51 avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, Créteil cedex, France.
Purpose:
To evaluate reproducibility and variations in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement in normal pancreatic parenchyma at 1.5- and 3.0-Tesla and determine if differences may exist between the four pancreatic segments.
Materials And Methods:
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the pancreas was performed at 1.5-Tesla in 20 patients and at 3.0-Tesla in other 20 patients strictly matched for gender and age using the same b values (0, 400 and 800s/mm(2)). Two independent observers placed regions of interest within the four pancreatic segments to measure ADC at both fields. Intra- and inter-observer agreement in ADC measurement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and comparison between ADC values obtained at both fields using non-parametrical tests.
Results:
There were no significant differences in ADC between repeated measurements and between ADC obtained at 1.5-Tesla and those at 3.0-Tesla. The 95% limits of intra-observer agreement between ADC were 2.3%-22.7% at 1.5-Tesla and 1%-24.2% at 3.0-Tesla and those for inter-observer agreement between 1.9%-14% at 1.5-Tesla and 8%-25% at 3.0-Tesla. ADC values were similar in all pancreatic segments at 3.0-T whereas the tail had lower ADC at 1.5-Tesla.
Conclusion:
ADC measurement conveys high degrees of intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. ADC have homogeneous distribution among the four pancreatic segments at 3.0-Tesla.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in the pancreas show high reproducibility at both 1.5-T and 3.0-T MRI. Pancreatic ADC values are similar across segments at 3.0-T, unlike at 1.5-T.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement is a key technique in diffusion-weighted MRI.
- Understanding ADC variations in normal pancreatic parenchyma is crucial for accurate interpretation.
- Evaluating MRI field strength impacts on ADC measurements is important for standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reproducibility of pancreatic ADC measurements at 1.5-T and 3.0-T.
- To identify potential variations in ADC values across the four pancreatic segments.
- To compare ADC measurements between different magnetic field strengths.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion-weighted MRI of the pancreas was performed on 40 patients (20 at 1.5-T, 20 at 3.0-T).
- Standardized b-values (0, 400, 800 s/mm²) were used for all scans.
- Two independent observers measured ADC in four pancreatic segments, with analysis of intra- and inter-observer agreement.
Main Results:
- ADC measurements demonstrated high intra- and inter-observer reproducibility at both 1.5-T and 3.0-T.
- No significant differences were found in ADC values between the two field strengths.
- At 3.0-T, ADC values were homogeneous across pancreatic segments; however, the pancreatic tail showed lower ADC at 1.5-T.
Conclusions:
- Pancreatic ADC measurement offers high degrees of reproducibility.
- ADC distribution is homogeneous across pancreatic segments at 3.0-T MRI.
- 3.0-T MRI may provide more consistent ADC values across pancreatic segments compared to 1.5-T.
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