Application of Diffusion-weighted Imaging in Focal Hepatic Lesions

Objective To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on diagnosis and differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions. Methods Sixty eight patients with focal hepatic lesions which included hepatocellular carcinoma(n=17), liver cyst(n=25), hepatic hemangioma(n=26) were examined by MRI plain scan, DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced scan separately. The signal features of the lesions in the diffusion-weighted imaging were analyzed, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of normal liver and the lesions were measured in different b value. Results The focal hepatic lesions were showed as decreasing hyperintense with b value increasing on DWI. When the b value was 400s/mm2, the ADC value of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cyst and liver hemangioma was (1.20?.50)10-3mm2/s, (3.10?.41)10-3mm2/s, (2.18?.32)10-3 mm2/s respectively. There was a significant difference(P 0.01) among the three. Conclusion Diffusion-weighted imaging has a certain value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver hemangioma and hepatic cyst. But it is not suitable for diagnosis of small lesions.