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- Title
Lymph Node Assessment by Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Prostate, Bladder and Kidney Cancer.
- Authors
Baston, Oana Mădălina; Gingu, C.; Medar, C.; Baston, C.; Sinescu, I.
- Abstract
Knowledge of lymph node metastases in patients with urologic tumors is important for clinical management and may help the urologic surgeon in choosing the best treatment for these patients. Accurate nodal staging helps to predict prognosis. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often fails to differentiate between benign and malignant changes in lymph nodes because this technique is reliant on nonspecific features such as size and morphologic criteria. Therefore, there is a need for more accurate non-invasive diagnostic technique to improve nodal assessment. Diffusion-weightedmagnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is a non-invasive functional imaging technique that provides unique information related to tumor cellularity and the integrity of the cellular membrane. DW imaging has the potential to differentiate malignant from benign lymph nodes based on the mean ADC value. Metastatic nodes show, as most primary malignant tumors, lower ADC values due to their impeded diffusion caused by high cellularity. Improved diagnostic of lymph node metastases might guide the surgeon to remove positive nodes only. Although initial results are promising, larger-scale studies will be needed to improve detection and localization of lymph node metastases. Standardizing the technical parameters and improving the image analysis represent major challenges to the widespread adoption of DW imaging.
- Subjects
LYMPH nodes; MAGNETIC resonance imaging; PROSTATE cancer
- Publication
Romanian Journal of Urology, 2016, Vol 15, Issue 1, p23
- ISSN
1223-0650
- Publication type
Article