The influence of microperfusion and fat suppression technique on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of normal fibroglandular breast tissue was investigated. Seven volunteers (14 breasts) were scanned using diffusion weighting factors (b values) up to 1600 s/mm(2) and the four different fat suppression techniques: STIR, fat saturation, SPAIR, and Water Excitation. The relationship between the logarithmic DW attenuation curves and b was linear for b values up to 600 s/mm(2) (R(2) > 0.999). Small differences were noted between the ADC values obtained with the various fat suppression methods, especially at the higher b values. Water Excitation had the highest mean SNR, exceeding STIR (p = 0.03) though not significantly different from fat saturation and SPAIR. In conclusion, the ADC of fibroglandular breast tissue is not influenced by microperfusion and Water Excitation is recommended because it yielded the best SNR values. These factors may be crucial in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.

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Background There are limited therapeutic options to slow the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Recent clinical studies indicate that somatostatin analogues are promising for treating polycystic liver disease and potentially also for the kidney phenotype. We report on the design of the DIPAK 1 (Developing Interventions to Halt Progression of ADPKD 1) Study, which will examine the efficacy of the somatostatin analogue lanreotide on preservation of kidney function in ADPKD. Study Design The DIPAK 1 Study is an investigator-driven, randomized, multicenter, controlled, clinical trial. Setting & Participants We plan to enroll 300 individuals with ADPKD and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 who are aged 18-60 years. Intervention Patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to standard care or lanreotide, 120 mg, subcutaneously every 28 days for 120 weeks, in addition to standard care. Outcomes Main study outcome is the slope through serial eGFR measurements starting at week 12 until end of treatment for lanreotide versus standard care. Secondary outcome parameters include change in eGFR from pretreatment versus 12 weeks after treatment cessation, change in kidney volume, change in liver volume, and change in quality of life. Measurements Blood and urine will be collected and questionnaires will be filled in following a fixed scheme. Magnetic resonance imaging will be performed for assessment of kidney and liver volume. Results Assuming an average change in eGFR of 5.2 ± 4.3 (SD) mL/min/1.73 m2 per year in untreated patients, 150 patients are needed in each group to detect a 30% reduction in the rate of kidney function loss between treatment groups with 80% power, 2-sided α = 0.05, and 20% protocol violators and/or dropouts. Limitations The design is an open randomized controlled trial and measurement of our primary end point does not begin at randomization. Conclusions The DIPAK 1 Study will show whether subcutaneous administration of lanreotide every 4 weeks attenuates disease progression in patients with ADPKD.

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