Role of diffusion weighted imaging in characterization of pancreatic pathology

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to show the value of combination of conventional MRI with DWI to raise the sensitivity and specificity considering the differentiation between pancreatic benign and malignant lesions.Patients and methodsStudy included 30 patients performed in the radiology department, Cairo University, as well as in a private center: 21 males and 9 females. Age of patients ranged between 27 and 76 years.The study was performed between August 2012 and April 2014. Patients were subjected to proper history taking, conventional MRI and DWI.ResultIn our study using combined qualitative analysis of diffusion weighted imaging and quantitative analysis of ADC values we found that results of diffusion weighted MRI are approaching that of contrast enhanced MRI not only in detecting pancreatic tumors but also in detection of tumor necrosis and liver metastasis which are essential information to reflect disease prognosis and treatment strategies.ConclusionConventional MRI in combination with functional diffusion weighted imaging gave us helpful information regarding the characterization of pancreatic benign and malignant lesions. Diffusion weighted imaging may detect small masses better than conventional MRI although it has poor spatial resolution.