Diffusion-weighted mr imaging for diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas

Purpose Leiomyomas are among the most commonly encountered woman pelvic tumors. The objective of this study is to reveal typical characteristics of leiomyomas by using diffusion-weighted MR imaging. Materials and Methods All MR examinations are performed using GE Signa HDx 1.5 T machine. Thirtyeight patients with leiomyomas proved histopathologically underwent diffusion weighted MR imaging and finally 69 leiomyomas were evaluated. Sagittal T2W, axial T2W, fat-suppressed axial T1W, and diffusion b 800 sequences of MRI were performed. ADC maps were generated and ADC measurements were obtained by placing ROI over the areas of the leiomyomas which were not cystic, calcific or hemorrhagic. Results Of the 69 leiomyomas, 54 were typical-ordinary leiomyomas, 5 were degenerated and 10 were cellular leiomyomas. Patients aged between 27 and 66 (mean=44). The size of leiomyomas were varyied from 2 to 10 cm (average=5,37cm). The location included 53 intramural, 12 subserosal and 4 submucosal regions of the uterus. 71 Diffusion-weighted MR imaging showed high signal in %100 percent of cellular leiomyomas, in %20 percent of degenerated leiomyomas and in %5,6 percent of ordinary leiomyomas. The mean ADC values of ordinary leiomyomas, degenerated leiomyomas and cellular leiomyomas are measured as 1.29 x10-3 , 1.86 x10-3 , 1.11 x10- 3 respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between ADC values. There was also significant difference between ADC values of leiomyomas smaller than 8 cm and leiomyomas larger 8 cm. Conclusion The knowledge of typical characteristics of leiomyomas in diffusion weighted MR imaging may be useful in differentiation of leiomyomas from other malignant tumors such as leiomyosarcoma and uterine malignancies.