Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of qualitative evaluation of diffusion-weighted MRI combined with conventional MRI in differentiating between complete and partial anterior cruciate ligament tears

Abstract

ADC mapping associated with conventional MR sequences is a reproducible method to better differentiate complete and partial ACL tears.

Usefulness of the quantitative evaluation of diffusion‐weighted mri in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament tears

“…3 The mean CNRs of DWIs in the torn ligaments with b values of 600 and 1000 were significantly higher than those of normal ligaments. On the contrary, there were no significant differences between the mean CNRs of normal and torn ligaments with b value of 0, which indicates that the signal difference between the normal and torn ligament does not result from the T2 shine-through effect that refers to the bright signal on DWIs that is not due to restricted diffusion, but rather to bright T2 signal.…”

“…These results conflict with a previous study, which reported that the ADC value of the ACL can be helpful for diagnosis of the ligament tear and even improve differentiation between complete and partial tears. 3 Low spatial resolution of the ADC images could be one of the causes, in particular at small ROIs. As had been pointed out in the study of Delin et al, 3 it was difficult to place an ROI precisely on the ACL.…”

“…The b values used in our study were 0, 600, and 1000 (s/mm 2 ) because Delin et al also used these b values in the study of ACL tear, although their MR hardware was different from ours. 3…”

“…2 Delin et al 3 reported that application of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping to standard spin echo (SE) significantly enhances the specificities for MR diagnosis of ACL tears. However, as mentioned in the article, the study was confined to the qualitative use of DWI.…”

“…1 Diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) was first used in the evaluation of brain pathology and is now used widely in evaluation of other organs. 2 Delin et al 3 reported that application of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping to standard spin echo (SE) significantly enhances the specificities for MR diagnosis of ACL tears. However, as mentioned in the article, the study was confined to the qualitative use of DWI.…”