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Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MR imaging of solid pancreatic masses: reliability and usefulness for characterization

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Abstract

Purpose

IVIM-DW imaging has shown potential usefulness in the study of pancreatic lesions. Controversial results are available regarding the reliability of the measurements of IVIM-derived parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and the diagnostic potential of IVIM-derived parameters in differentiation among focal solid pancreatic lesions and normal pancreas (NP).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients (34 carcinomas—PDACs, 18 neuroendocrine neoplasms—panNENs, and 5 autoimmune pancreatitis—AIP) and 50 subjects with NP underwent 1.5-T MR imaging including IVIM-DWI. Images were analyzed by two independent readers. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), slow component of diffusion (D), incoherent microcirculation (Dp), and perfusion fraction (f) were calculated. Interobserver reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A Kruskal–Wallis H test with Steel–Dwass post hoc test was used for comparison. The diagnostic performance of each parameter was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Overall interobserver agreement was excellent (ICC = 0.860, 0.937, 0.968, and 0.983 for ADC, D, Dp, and f). D, Dp, and f significantly differed among PDACs and panNENs (p = 0.002, < 0.001, and < 0.001), albeit without significant difference at the pairwise comparison of ROC curves (p = 0.08-0.74). Perfusion fraction was higher in AIP compared with PDACs (p = 0.024; AUC = 0.735). Dp and f were higher in panNENs compared with AIP (p = 0.029 and 0.023), without differences at ROC analysis (p = 0.07).

Conclusions

IVIM-derived parameters have excellent reliability and could help in differentiation among solid pancreatic lesions and NP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ospedale P. Pederzoli, Via Monte Baldo, 24, 37019, Peschiera del Garda, Italy

    Riccardo De Robertis, Nicolò Cardobi, Paolo Tinazzi Martini & Mirko D’Onofrio

  2. Department of Oncology, Ospedale P. Pederzoli, Via Monte Baldo, 24, 37019, Peschiera del Garda, Italy

    Silvia Ortolani

  3. Siemens Healthcare, Allee am Roethelheimpark, 2, 91052, Erlangen, Germany

    Alto Stemmer & Robert Grimm

  4. Department of Pathology, Ospedale P. Pederzoli, Via Monte Baldo, 24, 37019, Peschiera del Garda, Italy

    Stefano Gobbo

  5. Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Ospedale P. Pederzoli, Via Monte Baldo, 24, 37019, Peschiera del Garda, Italy

    Giovanni Butturini

Authors
  1. Riccardo De Robertis
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  2. Nicolò Cardobi
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  3. Silvia Ortolani
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  4. Paolo Tinazzi Martini
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  5. Alto Stemmer
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  6. Robert Grimm
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  9. Mirko D’Onofrio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Riccardo De Robertis.

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We state that this work has not received any funding.

Conflict of interest

Riccardo De Robertis, Nicolò Cardobi, Silvia Ortolani, Paolo Tinazzi Martini, and Mirko D’Onofrio declare no economic relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. Alto Stemmer is an employee of Siemens Healthcare GmbH. Robert Grimm is an employee of Siemens Healthcare GmbH, owns stocks of Siemens AG, and holds patents filed by Siemens.

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De Robertis, R., Cardobi, N., Ortolani, S. et al. Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MR imaging of solid pancreatic masses: reliability and usefulness for characterization. Abdom Radiol 44, 131–139 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-018-1684-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-018-1684-z

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