Comparison of apparent diffusion coefficient values among different MRI platforms: a multicenter phantom study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Diffusion-Weighted MRI

Background:

• Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is a valuable technique for assessing tissue microstructure.
• Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values are quantitative metrics derived from DW-MRI.
• Standardization of ADC measurements across different MRI scanners is crucial for reliable clinical interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) examinations across multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners from different vendors.

Main Methods:

• A custom phantom solution was used for DW-MRI examinations on six different 1.5 Tesla MR scanners (A-F) with consistent sequence parameters.
• ADC maps were generated using b factors of 0 and 1000 s/mm(2).
• ADC measurements were performed using regions of interest and various software programs, including postprocessing workstations, PACS, and operator console software.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in ADC values were observed among the tested MRI scanners (P = 0.002).
• Scanners A and F showed higher ADC values, while scanner B showed lower values compared to others.
• Intra-vendor differences in ADC values were statistically significant (P < 0.001), though differences between scanners C and E were not significant (P = 0.15).

Conclusions:

• Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values can exhibit variability depending on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vendor and system used.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering the MRI vendor when interpreting DW-MRI data in clinical settings.
• Further standardization efforts are needed to ensure consistency in ADC measurements across different MRI platforms.