Diffusion-weighted imaging in pancreatic tumours

Introductions: The basis of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DW-MRI), the role of b and ADC values. The possibilities of DW-MRI as work in progress in the abdominal organs' diseases.

Matherial, methods, results: Markusovszky Hospital is one of the oncologic centres in Hungary and this fact defines the main stream of diagnostic imaging. In January 2009 a 3 T magnetic strength field MR was settled in order to reveal the different types of cancer as early as possible. Pancreas tumour is the 4-th leading cause of death in Hungary. After CT awaking suspicion of pancreatic tumour MRCP and diffusion-weighted MR examinations were performed at 52 patients. To establish healthy reference of ADC values 7 persons with intact pancreas were examined. At the beginning 2 (0, 1000), but in the last year 3 b values (0, 600, 1000) were used at DW-MRI measures. Altogether 32 malignant tumours were diagnosed, and verified by percutaneous, intraoperative biopsy or autopsy. DW-MRI is a definitive method not only in the dignity of lesion, but ADC value can add useful information about the type of malignancy, mostly in adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions: In patients suffering from cancer the basis of therapy is the correct histological diagnosis. Till now this could be achieved by an invasive way. It has been realized that DWI-MRI has nearly the same diagnostic value as PET in selected oncological diseases, and ADC makes biopsy unnecessary.