Diffusion-Weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient value in assessment of intra-medullary spinal cord masses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate use of Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient value (ADC) in differentiation of intra-medullary spinal cord masses (IMSCM). Patients and methods: This study was carried out during the period from June 2013 to January 2016. It included 66 adult consecutive patients with intra-medullary SC masses. Results: The patients mean age was 45.48 ± 15.9 (18-72 y). Histopathological classification to benign/low grade malignancy group was in 53 patients and high grade malignancy group in 13 patients. No statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the patient age or their clinical presentation. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the tumor location and enhancement pattern. There was statistically significant difference between the benign/low grade IMSC masses and high grade IMSC tumors (p < 0.001). Calculated mean ADC values in the benign/low grade tumors were high (1.26 × 10-3 mm2/sec) compared to high grade tumors which were 0.89 ± 0.40 × 10-3 mm2/sec. Conclusion: DWI and ADC values may be useful in providing information about tumors grading not available with conventional MR imaging in the evaluation of IMSC masses.