Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Diffusion-weighted MRI for distinguishing non-neoplastic cysts from solid masses in the mediastinum: problem-solving in mediastinal masses of indeterminate internal characteristics on CT.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance images for distinguishing non-neoplastic cysts from solid masses of indeterminate internal characteristics on computed tomography (CT) in the mediastinum.

METHODS: We enrolled 25 patients with pathologically proved mediastinal masses who underwent both thoracic CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MRI was performed in patients with mediastinal masses of indeterminate internal characteristics on CT. Two thoracic radiologists evaluated the morphological features and quantitatively measured the net enhancement of the masses at CT. They also reviewed MR images including unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images, gadolinium-enhanced images and DW images.

RESULTS: The enrolled patients had 15 solid masses and ten non-neoplastic cysts. Although the morphological features and the extent of enhancement on CT did not differ significantly between solid and cystic masses in the mediastinum (P > 0.05), non-neoplastic cysts were distinguishable from solid masses by showing signal suppression on high-b-value DW images or high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of more than 2.5 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (P < 0.001). ADC values of non-neoplastic cysts (3.67 ± 0.87 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) were significantly higher than that of solid masses (1.46 ± 0.50 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: DWI can help differentiate solid and cystic masses in the mediastinum, even when CT findings are questionable.

KEY POINTS: • Non-invasive diagnosis of non-neoplastic cysts can save surgical biopsy or excision. • Conventional CT or MRI findings cannot always provide a confident diagnosis. • Mediastinal masses can be well-characterised with DWI. • Non-neoplastic mediastinal cysts show significantly higher ADC values than cystic tumours. • DWI is useful to determine treatment strategy.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app