Abstract :
Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a valuable MRI technique that provides information about tissue cellularity and helps differentiate various brain lesions.
Objective: To evaluate the role of DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the characterization of brain masses.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based prospective study was conducted between January 2019 and May 2024 at the MRI Department of Aliaa Specialist Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Thirty patients with suspected brain tumors on CT were included. All patients underwent conventional MRI, contrast-enhanced MRI, DWI, and ADC measurement. Histopathological confirmation was obtained in all cases.
Results: Brain lesions included gliomas, metastases, meningiomas, schwannomas, abscesses, epidermoid cysts, hemangioblastomas, and medulloblastomas. ADC values varied among lesion types, with lower values generally observed in high-grade and highly cellular tumors.
Conclusion: DWI and ADC measurements are valuable tools in differentiating brain masses, particularly in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions.
Keywords :
Brain Masses, Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), Magnetic ResonanceReferences :
- Le Bihan D, Mangin JF, Poupon C, Clark CA, Pappata S, Molko N, et al. Diffusion tensor imaging: concepts and applications. Radiology. 2001;220(2):335–49.
- Le Bihan D. Diffusion MRI: what water tells us about biological tissues. Radiology. 2003;227(2):318–36.
- Guo AC, Cummings TJ, Dash RC, Provenzale JM. Lymphomas and high-grade astrocytomas: comparison of water diffusibility and histologic characteristics. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2002;23(5):902–7.
- Stadnik TW, Chaskis C, Michotte A, Shabana WM, van Rompaey K, Luypaert R, et al. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of intracerebral masses: comparison with conventional MR imaging and histologic findings. Radiology. 2001;220(2):429–36.
- Kono K, Inoue Y, Nakayama K, Shakudo M, Morino M, Ohata K, et al. The role of diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with brain tumors. Radiology. 2001;219(3):849–54.
- Hygino da Cruz LC Jr, Rodriguez I, Domingues RC, Gasparetto EL, Sorensen AG. Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain: beyond stroke. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2011;21(2):353–73.
- Yamasaki F, Kurisu K, Satoh K, Arita K, Sugiyama K, Ohtaki M, et al. Apparent diffusion coefficient of human brain tumors at MR imaging. Radiology. 2005;235(3):985–91.
- Tozer DJ, Jäger HR, Danchaivijitr N, Benton CE, Tofts PS, Rees JH, et al. Apparent diffusion coefficient histograms may predict low-grade glioma grade. Radiology. 2007;243(2):537–44.
- Chang SC, Lai PH, Chen WL, Weng HH, Ho JT, Wang JS, et al. Diffusion-weighted MRI features of brain abscess and necrotic brain tumors. Clin Imaging. 2002;26(4):227–36.
- Castillo M, Smith JK, Kwock L. Correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient values and histologic findings in intracranial tumors. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2001;22(9):1641–8.

