Application of DWI in Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the diagnosis and stratification of prostate cancer. Traditional DWI apply the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to reflect the diffusion of tissue water, which is a parameter calculated by a monoexponential model with 2b values. In recent years, the development of multiple b-value DWI facilitates the appearance of many new mathematical models. Different models have different features, but their value of applications in prostate cancer still need to be confirmed. This study was aiming to: (1) compare the parameters derived from monoexponential model, intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model and stretched exponential model between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia; (2) compare the difference of these parameters between low-grade (Gleason score ≤ 3+4) and high-grade (Gleason score ≥ 4+3) cancer; (3) find whether these parameters derived from new models are superior to ADC derived from traditional monoexponetial model.

Inclusion criteria

• The exam including T1WI、T2WI and multiple b-value DWI.
• Comfired by pathology as prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia in one month after the MRI exam.

Exclusion criteria

• 1.No Gleason score data. 2.Awful quality of imagings or artifacts affectting diagnosis. 3.No lesion larger than 0.5cm. 4.Any surgery or treatment before MRI exam. 5.Biopsy in 4 weeks before MRI exam.