Measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient in discrimination of benign and malignant axillary lymph nodes

Abstract Background Our aim was to provide data regarding use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for distinguishing metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes (LN) in rectal cancer. Methods MEDLINE library, EMBASE, and SCOPUS database were screened for associations between DWI and metastatic and non-metastatic LN in rectal cancer up to February 2021. Overall, 9 studies were included into the analysis. Number, mean value, and standard deviation of DWI parameters including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of metastatic and non-metastatic LN were extracted from the literature. The methodological quality of the studies was investigated according to the QUADAS-2 assessment. The meta-analysis was undertaken by using RevMan 5.3 software. DerSimonian, and Laird random-effects models with inverse-variance weights were used to account the heterogeneity between the studies. Mean DWI values including 95% confidence intervals were calculated for metastatic and non-metastatic LN. Results ADC values were reported for 1376 LN, 623 (45.3%) metastatic LN, and 754 (54.7%) non-metastatic LN. The calculated mean ADC value (× 10−3 mm2/s) of metastatic LN was 1.05, 95%CI (0.94, 1.15). The calculated mean ADC value of the non-metastatic LN was 1.17, 95%CI (1.01, 1.33). The calculated sensitivity and specificity were 0.81, 95%CI (0.74, 0.89) and 0.67, 95%CI (0.54, 0.79). Conclusion No reliable ADC threshold can be recommended for distinguishing of metastatic and non-metastatic LN in rectal cancer.

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Reproducibility of measurements with a semi-automatic software package for the evaluation of rectal cancer

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185119873118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 586-594

Author(s):

Lisa Hörberg ◽

Daniel Roth ◽

Peter Leander ◽

Sven Månsson ◽

Tobias Fält ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rectal Cancer ◽

Diffusion Coefficient ◽

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Software Package ◽

Cancer Management ◽

Mri Staging ◽

Before And After ◽

Apparent Diffusion ◽

Chemoradiation Treatment

Background Staging of rectal cancer with MRI has major impact on treatment choice and may be of importance in new cancer management strategies such as “wait-and-see” policy. Purpose To assess the reproducibility of a software package recently developed at our department to measure volumes, apparent diffusion coefficient, and the skewness of apparent diffusion coefficient in lymph nodes and tumors in rectal cancer patients before and after chemoradiation treatment. Material and Methods This study included 20 consecutive patients with biopsy-verified rectal cancer, in whom MRI staging had been performed both before and after chemoradiation treatment. The diffusion-weighted images were transferred to the software. The volume, apparent diffusion coefficient, and skewness were determined for 93 lymph nodes and 40 tumors. The volumes were compared with manual measurements of the volume of the same lymph nodes and tumors. Results The agreement in semi-automatic measurements of lymph nodes was very good (ICC = 0.99), and in tumors good (ICC = 0.88). The agreement in manual measurements of lymph nodes was very good (ICC = 0.95) when all lymph nodes were included, but low (ICC = 0.52) if three outliers were excluded. Bland–Altman plots showed clear agreement between manual and semi-automatic measurements in the lymph nodes, but not in measurements of tumors. The values of apparent diffusion coefficient and skewness in tumors differed before and after treatment but did not differ in lymph nodes as a group. Conclusion The software package showed a high degree of reproducibility in measurements on lymph nodes but requires further development to improve the reproducibility of tumor measurements.

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