Application of MR Whole Body Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Screening Body Neoplasms

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of MR whole body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) in screening body neoplasms. Materials and Methods A total of 30 healthy volunteers and 54 patients (221 lesions) with histologically confirmed tumors were enrolled in this study. WB-DWI examination was performed on GE 1.5T MR scanner using embedded body coil. The WB-DWI appearances of healthy volunteers were assessed using three-dimensional maximum intensity projection (3D MIP) reformatted images. The ADC values of 221 lesions in 54 patients were measured and ADC values of benign and malignant lesions were compared. Results In 30 healthy volunteers, brain, thyriod, spleen, kidney, urinary bladder, intervertebral discs, prostate, uterus and lymph nodes showed high signal intensity on WB-DWI. 221 lesions in 54 patients showed high signal on DWI, all of which were confirmed by conventional MRI examination. The mean ADCs of malignancy were significantly lower than those of benign tumors [(1.04±0.46)×10-3 mm2/s vs (2.53±0.43)×10-3 mm2/s](t=19.12, P0.05). Conclusion WB-DWI is excellent in screening body neoplasms and shows important application in differentiating benign and malignant tumors.