The diagnostic potential of diffusion weighted and dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging in the characterization of complex ovarian lesions

Abstract Purpose Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MR) in the diagnosis and characterization of complex ovarian lesions. Patients and methods We prospectively evaluated 59 patients with 65 complex ovarian lesions detected at US. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 T MRI machine. Masses were classified as benign (n = 30), borderline (n = 7) and malignant (n = 28). Regions of interest were drawn and parameters were calculated such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for the diffusion; maximum absolute enhancement (SI-max), maximum relative enhancement (MRE), time to peak (T-max) and wash-in-rate (WIR) for the dynamic parameters. Results There was a significant difference in ADC values (P  Conclusion The addition of DW and DCE-MRI to the conventional MRI improved its diagnostic value. They provide additional information for the lesion behavior. Thus they are recommended to be added to the routine conventional MRI to help characterization of complex masses.