Evaluation parameters between intra-voxel incoherent motion and diffusion-weighted imaging in grading and differentiating histological subtypes of meningioma: A prospective pilot study

Abstract Purpose To prospectively evaluate the usage of intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in grading and differentiating histological subtypes of meningiomas and in comparing their ability with the traditional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameter (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC). Methods In this prospective study, 102 participants underwent IVIM MRI and DWI. Traditional DWI and IVIM MRI were performed by using 2 b values (0, 1000 s/mm 2 ) and 12 b values (0–3500 s/mm 2 ), respectively. Finally, the values of ADC and IVIM parameters were collected from 72 Grade I and 11 Grade II meningiomas. Results The mean ADC values of Grade II and Grade I meningiomas were 0.909 ± 0.268 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s and 0.905 ± 0.194 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s, respectively, p = 0.967. The D values were lower in Grade II meningiomas than in Grade I meningiomas (0.459 ± 0.072 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s vs. 0.524 ± 0.030 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s, respectively, p = 0.005). In ROC curves, the cut-off D value that separated Grade II meningiomas from Grade I meningiomas was 0.479 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s with a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 76.7%. The secretory and angiomatous meningiomas had higher IVIM parameters than the other subtypes (all p  − 3  mm 2 /s vs. 5.125 ± 1.918 × 10 − 3  mm 2 /s, p  Conclusion IVIM MRI is a promising technique for distinguishing different grades of meningiomas. Different subtypes of meningiomas have different IVIM features, which may help to treatment decision and prognosis evaluation.