The role of diffusion – Weighted MRI in evaluation of prostate cancer

The aim of workTo illustrate the role of T2WI combined with diffusion WI (DWI) in the evaluation of patients with prostate cancer.Patients and methodsThis prospective study included 36 patients (mean age 61) with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer using surface coil at 1.5 T MR Unit. Axial, coronal, and sagittal high resolution (HR) T2WI were performed, DWI was applied using a single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence in axial orientation. Regions of interest were drawn on ADC maps on the site of visible restricted diffusion as well as the normal tissue, then the ADC value was calculated. Considering histopathological diagnosis the standard of reference, the results of T2WI alone were compared with those of combined T2WI and DWI.ResultsIn this prospective study, 36 men were examined and T2WI, DWI, ADC map and ADC values were measured. T2 low SI was detected in the peripheral zone of the prostate of 36 patients, and restricted diffusion in 31 patients.ConclusionOur study indicates that the addition of the ADC map and DWI to T2WI provide significantly more accurate results for prostate cancer detection and staging.