Apparent diffusion coefficient maps obtained from high b value diffusion-weighted imaging in the preoperative evaluation of gliomas at 3T: comparison with standard b value diffusion-weighted imaging.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether ADC maps obtained from high b value DWI were more valuable in preoperatively evaluating the grade, Ki-67 index and outcome of gliomas.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients with gliomas, who underwent preoperative multi b value DWI at 3 T, were enrolled. The ADC, ADC and ADC maps were generated. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted to determine the area under the curve (AUC) in differentiating high-grade gliomas (HGG) from low-grade gliomas (LGG). Pearson correlation coefficients (R value) were calculated to investigate the correlation between parameters with the Ki-67 proliferation index. Survival analysis was conducted by using Cox regression.

RESULTS

The AUC of the mean ADC value (0.820) was lower than that of the mean ADC value (0.847) and mean ADC value (0.875) in differentiating HGG from LGG. The R value of the mean ADC value (-0.499) was less negative than that of the mean ADC value (-0.530) and mean ADC value (-0.567). The mean ADC value was an independent prognosis factor for gliomas (p = 0.008), while the mean ADC and ADC values were not.

CONCLUSION

ADC maps obtained from high b value DWI might be a better imaging biomarker in the preoperative evaluation of gliomas.

KEY POINTS

• ADC maps could improve the differentiation between HGG and LGG. • The mean ADC value had a closer correlation with the Ki-67 index. • The mean ADC value was an independent prognosis factor for gliomas.