The value of diffusion weighted imaging in the diagnosis of focal lesions in liver

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and differential diagnosis value of diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)in focal lesions of liver.Methods:Routine MR,dynamic enhanced MR and diffusion weighted images were obtained in 50 patients with focal hepatic lesions(14 hepatocellular carcinomas,17 metastatic tumors,11 hemangiomas,5 cysts,3 focal nodal hyperplasia).All signal character in DWI was analyzed and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values were evaluated with different sequences.Results:All lesions showed high signals and signal intensity was decreased according to the increase of b value.The ADC value of hepatocellular carcinomas,metastatic tumors,cysts hemangiomas,and focal nodal hyperplasia was(0.81±0.12)×10-3 mm2/s、(1.13±0.26)×10-3 mm2/s、(3.07±0.37)×-3 mm2/s、(2.18±0.30)×10-3 mm2/s、(1.67±0.17)×10-3 mm2/s respectively when b value was 500;The ADC value was significantly different between benign and malignant lesions(P0.05).Conclusion:According to DWI,ADC values and their characteristics,The focal lesions of liver can be easily diagnosed and distinguished.DWI improve the accuracy in diagnosing hepatic focal lesions.