High and ultra-high b-value diffusion-weighted imaging in prostate cancer: a quantitative analysis

Abstract

Whereas contrast in ADC maps does not significantly change with different b values, contrast ratios of DW images are significantly higher at b-values of 1500 and 2000 s/mm(2) in comparison to b values of 800 and 1000 s/mm(2). Therefore, diagnostic performance of DWI in prostate cancer might be increased by application of b values higher than 1000 s/mm(2).

Feasibility of accelerated simultaneous multislice diffusion‐weighted MRI of the prostate

“…DWI has rapidly evolved over the last years. Especially, high b‐values have been reported to be helpful for improved tumor detection due to their higher contrast ratios of tumor to healthy tissue . In our study we found similar subjective image quality for b calc 1500 DW‐EPI SMS images as compared to the DW‐EPI SS standard sequence.…”

“…Especially, high b-values have been reported to be helpful for improved tumor detection due to their higher contrast ratios of tumor to healthy tissue. 4,29 In our study we found similar subjective image quality for b calc 1500 DW-EPI SMS images as compared to the DW-EPI SS standard sequence. These are encouraging results, demonstrating the general feasibility of this technique and indicating its potential application in clinical routine.…”

Computer-aided Detection of Prostate Cancer with MRI

“…Previous research has shown that high b-value DWI images allow for increased delineation between tumors and healthy tissue which makes the prostate cancer detection more robust [47, 48]. Whereas contrast in ADC maps does not significantly change with different b values, contrast ratios of DWI images are significantly higher at b-values of 1500 and 2000 s/mm 2 in comparison to b values of 800 and 1000 s/mm 2 [49]. Wang et al have reported that DWI images and ADC maps using b = 1500 s/mm 2 should be considered more effective than those at b = 2000 s/mm 2 or b = 1000 s/mm 2 for detecting prostate cancer at 3 T MRI [50].…”

Index lesion characterization by 11C‐Choline PET/CT and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient parameters at 3 Tesla MRI in primary prostate carcinoma

“…Furthermore, there was a lack of patients with GS ≥ 8 as well as patients with more extensive disease (T3b). On the other hand, potential improvements due to possible variations in the signal to noise ratio obtained with different b parameters were not evaluated; therefore, it would be important to analyze their influence on quantification and tumor detectability.…”