Apparent diffusion coefficient in malignant lymphoma and carcinoma involving cavernous sinus evaluated by line scan diffusion-weighted imaging

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of malignant lymphomas and carcinomas involving cavernous sinus by line scan diffusion-weighted imaging (LSDWI) and to determine the usefulness of this method for differentiating between the two tumors. Materials and Methods: Four patients with malignant lymphomas and six patients with carcinomas were prospectively studied. LSDWI images were obtained with two different b values of 5 seconds/mm2 and 1000 seconds/mm2 in the coronal plane. The ADC values of the two types of tumors were calculated and compared. Results: LSDWI provided diagnostic images with minimum susceptibility artifacts and enabled measurement of the ADC. The ADC value (mean ± SD) was 0.51 ± 0.06 × 10-3 mm2/second in malignant lymphomas and 0.99 ± 0.08 × 10-3 mm2/second in carcinomas. A significant difference in ADC values was found between the two (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Malignant lymphomas showed significantly lower ADC value than carcinomas. ADC provides additional useful information about differentiation between these tumors. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.