The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWI) in Head and Neck Masses
Wiboon Suriyajukryuththana MD 1 , Theerapol Panyaping MD 1 ,
Sopita Navarat MD 1 , Adun Kampaengtip Msc 1 , Pawin Numthavaj MD 2
Affiliation :
1 Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To differentiate between benign from malignant head and neck masses using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and
measured the cutoff point of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value.
Materials and Methods : DWI and measured ADC value were performed in 24 patients with head and neck masses at Ramathibodi
Hospital from May 2013 to September 2015. The 37 lesions in 24 patients were divided into benign and malignant head and neck
masses.
Results : The 30 lesions were malignant and 7 lesions were benign head and neck masses. By visual inspection, DWI can differentiate
benign from malignant head and neck masses by 93.3% of sensitivity, 85.5% of specificity, 91.8% of accuracy, 96.6% of PPV and
75% of NPV. Mean ADC values in benign and malignant head and neck masses were 1.126 x 10 -3 mm 2 /s and 0.973 x 10 -3 mm 2 /s,
respectively, which was no statistical significant difference ( p -value of 0.445). The cutoff point of mean ADC value was 1.200x10 -3 mm 2 /s for differentiation of benign and malignant head and neck masses.
Conclusion : DWI can differentiate benign from malignant head and neck masses qualitatively. It should be applied to MR protocol
in the head and neck masses to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Keywords : DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging), ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient)
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