1. ROLE OF DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING IN UTERINE AND CERVICAL LESIONS. DR.VAISHNAVATHI.V.V. DR.ANUPAMA CHANDRASEKHARAN

2. AIM To assess role of Diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) in differentiating benign from malignant lesions of uterus and cervix

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 patients with uterine and cervical lesions were included in this study.DWI was done on 1.5 testla MRI with b value 800.Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) was calculated and correlated with histopathology.15 control patients with normal uterus and cervix were also included

4. RESULTS Mean ADC values of normal endometrium and myometrium in our control group,was 1.43 x 10-3mm2/s and 1.52 x 10-3 mm2/s respectively. 5 patients with endometrial cancer had ADC values ranging from 0.619 x 10-3mm2/s to 1.290 x 10-3 mm2/s with mean ADC values of 0.9545 x 10- 3 mm2/s ADC values in 12 patients with fibroids varied from 1.240 x 10-3 mm2/s to 2.270 x 10-3 mm2/s (mean ADC-1.75 x 10-3) which despite minor overlap is significantly higher than endometrial cancer. 2 patients with adenomyosis showed mean ADC values of 1.3x 10-3 mm2/s & 1.45 x 10-3 mm2/s. The mean ADC values of normal cervix in our control group was 1.34 x 10- 3mm2/s. DWI of 5 patients with carcinoma cervix showed lower ADC values ranging from 0.618 x 10-3mm2/s to 1.104 x 10-3 mm2/s (mean ADC of 1.75 x 10-3 mm2/s).

5. CONCLUSION: ADC values in uterine and cervical carcinoma were found to be significantly lower in comparison to control group as well as benign lesion like fibroids and adenomyosis.

6. TAKE HOME MESSAGE/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MRI using the DWI is a useful tool in differentiating benign and malignant lesions of uterus and cervix