Diffusion weighted echo planar imaging:applications in evaluation of hepatic masses

Objective To evaluate the application of diffusion weighted echo planar imaging(EPI) and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) in hepatic masses Methods Forty eight patients with 58 liver masses had diffusion weighted EPI Among the 58 cases, 30 were hepatomas, 16 hemangiomas,and 12 hepatic cysts Multi diffusion weighted images with different b values were integrated to ADC map, and the average ADC values were obtained Results Average ADC values of hepatoma, liver hemangioma and liver cysts were (1 25±0 51)×10 -3 、(1 75±0 6)×10 -3 , and (3 15±0 43)×10 -3 mm 2/s, respectively The difference between the average ADC values was significant ( P 0 01) Conclusion Diffusion weighted EPI is useful in differentiation among hepatoma, liver hemangioma and liver cysts It is, however, difficult to detect or identify small liver lesions with diffusion weighted EPI