Role of diffusion weighted MR imaging in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis
Abstract Purpose to assess the role of Diffusion-weighted MRI in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis by measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values detected by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in acute pancreatitis and compare them with the control group Methods and Material sixteen patients with acute pancreatitis and sixteen normal controls underwent DWI with b values (0,200 & 800). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps are generated from DWI and ADC values were calculated for pancreas and compared the results between the two groups Results The mean pancreatic ADC in the AP group (1.17 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s ± 0.2) was significantly lower than in the normal group (1.6 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s ± 0.32). There was no significant difference in mean ADCs between each of the pancreatic segments in the controls. A threshold ADC value of 1.38 × 10-3 mm(2)/s yielded a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 87% for detecting acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic ADCs are significantly lower in patients with AP than normal controls. Conclusion MR diffusion imaging could be an important supportive tool in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis