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SU-E-I-24: Determining the Optimal B-Values to Use in Diffusion Weighted Imaging for Differentiating Benign and
1The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Purpose:
To investigate and determine the optimal b-values for Diffusion Weighted Imaging(DWI) for Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC) maps in differentiating normal, benign and malignant breast tissue.
Methods:
Twenty-five patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) and conventional breast MRI with suspicious breast fmdings(BIRADS >4). Breast lesions were defined by pathology. The DWI was acquired with different b-values ranging from 0,500, 600,750 and 1000s/mm2 . Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC) maps of breast tissue were constructed using different b-values, e.g., using either 2 b-values(0- 1000) or combinations of 3 or more (0,500,1000 or 0,600,750,1000). Quantitative analyses of the ADC maps of glandular, fatty and lesion tissue were obtained. Ratios of lesion to glandular tissue(L/GT) and signal to noise(SNR) were assessed. Paired t-tests were performed for statistical significance.
Results:
Eighteen patients had invasive ductal carcinoma and 7 had benign breast lesions. The mean ADC value for malignant lesions using all b values was 1.17±0.16×10-3mm2 /s with a lesion to glandular(L/GT) ratio=0.65. The benign lesions, ADC map value was 1.86±0.03×10-3mm2 /s with L/GT=0.98. There was a significant difference(P<0.05) between benign and malignant lesions ADC map value.The lowest SNR(12±6) was with single b-values. There was a significant difference(P<0.05) in SNR with multiple b-values(34±6) compared to single b-values. The highest SNR was given by using two b values greater than 500. Finally, the background noise for all combinations was surprising stable and ranged between 60±20%.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to investigate the effect of changing different b values in DWI breast imaging. There were significant differences in the SNR between single and multiple b values. Our data show suggest that the recommended b-values for DWI in breast are 0, and two that are 500 or greater. Therefore use of at least 3 b-values in DWI/ADC mapping of breast lesions are needed for better characterization of benign and malignant breast tissue. P50CA88843, Avon Foundation for Women:01-2008-012, U01CA070095, andU01CA140204.
