Improved effects of the b-value for 2000 sec/mm2 DWI on an accurate qualitative and quantitative assessment of rectal cancer

Background and study objectives

A higher b-value Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) would improve the contrast between cancerous and noncancerous tissue. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-histogram analysis is a method that can provide statistical data and quantitative information on tumor heterogeneity. This study aimed to compare two high b-values (1000 and 2000 sec/mm²) DWI in tumor detection and diagnostic performance in identifying early-stage tumor rectal cancer.

Patients and methods

This blinded and blinded retrospective study involved 56 patients with rectal cancer and 45 patients. Two radiologists evaluated the qualitative detection parameters and quantitative parameters of the ADC evaluated histogram and compared them between two DWI sequences (b-value for 1000 sec/mm² and 2000 sec/mm²). The characteristic curves were used to assess diagnostic administration for the ADC histogram in discriminating early-stage tumors.

Results

The b-value for 2000 sec/mm² DWI significantly improved AUCs, sensitivity, specificity, and precision and decreased false-positive rate for detection compared to the b-value for 1000 sec/mm² (p < 0.05). The mean and fifth percentile ADC value for stage I using the b-value for 1000 sec/mm² DWI was significantly higher than stage ≥ II (p = 0.036II and 0.016 respectively), as the well as fifth, 10th, mean ADC of the fifth, 10th, and 25th ADC percentile at b-value for 2000 sec/mm² (p = 0.031, 0.014, 0.035 and 0.025 respectively). The AUCs of the fifth percentile ADC at b-value for 2000 sec/mm² DWI in both readers in differentiating the stage Ⅰ tumor were the highest (0.732 and 0.751).

Conclusion

The b-value for 2000 sec/mm² DWI could improve the accurate detection of rectal cancer. The fifth percentile ADC at b-value for 2000 sec/mm² sec/mm² DWI was more useful for discriminating early stage than the b-value for 1000 sec/mm² DWI.