Application of whole body diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with metastatic tumor

FENG Pingyong; SONG Zhenhu; CHENG Hao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2013.20.001

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the application value of whole body diffusion-weighted imaging ( WB-DWI) in patients with metastatic tumor .Methods The abnormal signal and abnormal density focus showed by WB-DWI and CT images in 51 patients with metastatic tumor were classified and comparatively analyzed . Results In respiratory system , WB-DWI revealed 51 metastatic carcinomas around hilar nodes , however 57 smaller carcinomas within lungs were not found ,while CT could find these tumor focus ,which suggested that the detection sensitivity of WB-DWI was worse for smaller metastatic carcinomas within lungs .In abdominal solid organs,89%of metastases could be detected by WB-DWI,which could also be clearly revealed by CT ,but the other 11.1%of them were not showed by CT.In skeletal system,WB-DWI found 477 abnormal signals,however, CT revealed only 309 abnormal changes of bone tissue ,in which 56 abnormal signals of bone tissues in 9 patients were showed by WB-DWI,however,which were showed normal by CT,after several months,CT scan showed bone destruction in corresponding site .The results suggested that WB-DWI could detect more and earlier tumor focus in solid organ and skeletal system,as compared with CT.In lymph system,25 lymph nodes (diameter>1cm) showed by CT were not detected by WB-DWI,however,74 smaller lymph nodes showed by CT were showed high signal on WB-DWI images,part of them was lymph metastasis identified by pathology .Conclusion WB-DWI is suitable for physical examination and screening for metastatic carcinomas in total body ,which can provide valuable information for qualitation diagnosis of lymph node .