To investigate the value of parameters derived from IVIM model in grading of uterine cervical cancer and the relationship between perfusion parameters derived from IVIM and that from DCE-MRI.
Methods
Parameters of DWI (ADC, D, f, D*) and semi-quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI (Slop, Maxslop, CER, Washout, AUC90) were assessed in 24 female with cervical cancers. Except for ROIs encompassed all of the area of tumors in axial plane (A_all), ROIs on tumor edge (A_peri) and tumor center (A_central) were drawn. All of the parameters were compared among three pathology grades. Perfusion parameters derived from IVIM were correlated with that from DCE-MRI.
Results
For G1, G2 and G3 tumors, on tumor edge ADC = (1.03 ± 0.11), (1.05 ± 0.10), (0.90 ± 0.05) × 10− 3 mm2/s, D = (0.80 ± 0.11), (0.78 ± 0.07), (0.69 ± 0.06) × 10− 3 mm2/s, and f = (0.19 ± 0.03), (0.22 ± 0.02), (0.24 ± 0.03). The differences among groups were significant (P < 0.05). On tumor center, ADC = (0.90 ± 0.10), (0.85 ± 0.03), (0.80 ± 0.07) × 10− 3 mm2/s with significant differences (P = 0.027). The other parameter, D and f of tumor center, as well as D* of all tumor areas, were of no statistic significance. Most of the DCE-MRI parameters negatively correlated with tumor volume. Although the correlation between f and slop was statistic significant, R = 0.277 meant a negligible correlation. f had week correlation with Maxslop, CER and AUC90 (R = 0.361, 0.400 and 0.405; P < 0.001). D* showed no statistic significant correlation with all of the DCE parameters.
Conclusion
IVIM model could possibly be used to evaluate tumor differentiation and perfusion, providing an alternative for DCE-MRI.
