Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of bone and soft tissue tumors

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging for tissue characterization of the bone and soft tissue tumors in comparison with conventional MR and Gd-DTPA enhancement images. Sixteen patients with bone and soft tissue tumors (cystic: 3, solid: 12, mixed: 1) were studied. IVIM imaging was performed by 1.5 T Signa system and the diffusion weighted images were obtained (b value=270 s/mm2). For quantitative analysis, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was also calculated for individual tumor. Cystic tumors showed homogeneous signal attenuation according to the degree of diffusion of the fluid on diffusion weighted images. Mean value of ADC of abscess was considerably lower than other serous cysts. In solid tumors, inhomogeneous signal attenuation was visualized on diffusion weighted images, reflecting intratumoral inhomogeneity of diffusion and perfusion. These findings did not always coincide with those of Gd-DTPA enhancement study. ADC of solid tumors tended to be lower than cystic tumors. IVIM imaging may be useful for tissue characterization of bone and soft tissue tumors. (author)