Diagnostic value of combined diffusion-weighted imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement MRI in differentiating...

To determine the diagnostic value of combined diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions.

DWI and DCE-MRI were performed in 36 patients (14 were benign and 22 were malignant). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and signal enhanced extent (SEE), slope value, and time-signal intensity curve (TIC) type were recorded by two observers. Between-group comparison was made using the independent sample t-test and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

There was a significant difference between the mean ADC value of the benign ([1.75±0.50]×10^-3 mm²/s) and malignant ([1.11±0.47]×10^-3 mm²/s) groups (p=0.001). The threshold ADC value of ≤1.10×10^-3 mm²/s resulted in a sensitivity of 77.3%, a specificity of 92.9%, and an accuracy of 85.1%. A type III curve was found in 23 cases (21 malignant and two benign), a type II curve was seen in six cases (one malignant and five benign), and a type I curve in seven cases (all were benign). The SEE and slope values in the benign and malignant groups were 227.96±172.08, 325.60±125.86 (p=0.058); 0.97±0.67%/s, 3.19±3.20%/s (p=0.016), respectively. ROC analysis showed a sensitivity of 95.5%, a specificity of 85.7%, and an accuracy of 90.6% for malignancy, based on a slope cut-off value of >1.46%/s. Combining ADC and slope values resulted in a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 85.7%, and an accuracy of 92.9%.

Both DWI and DCE-MRI showed promising results for differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions. A combination of DWI and DCE-MRI was the most valuable of the three.