Application of whole-lesion intravoxel incoherent motion analysis using iZOOM DWI to differentiate malignant from benign thyroid nodules

BackgroundIntravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters derived from iZOOM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be used to quantitatively identify malignant thyroid nodules. However, the criteria are not standardized.PurposeTo determine IVIM parameter values derived from iZOOM DWI that can differentiate malignant from benign thyroid nodules.Material and MethodsForty-two patients with 46 pathologically confirmed thyroid nodules. All patients underwent preoperative examinations with conventional and iZOOM DWI. A three-dimensional region of interest was drawn on multiple slices to cover the entire nodule. IVIM parameters (D, pure diffusion; f, perfusion fraction; and D*, pseudodiffusion) were measured. The IVIM parameters of the malignant and benign thyroid nodules were compared using independent samples t-tests, a multiple logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsD, D*, and f exhibited good reproducibility. The D and f values in the malignant nodules (D = [0.72...