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. 2014 Nov;87(1043):20130730.
doi: 10.1259/bjr.20130730. Epub 2014 Sep 19.

Use of an internal reference in semi-quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE MRI) of indeterminate adnexal masses

Y Z Tang  1 , L Benardin, T C Booth, M E Miquel, P Dilks, A Sahdev, A G Rockall
Affiliations

Use of an internal reference in semi-quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE MRI) of indeterminate adnexal masses

Y Z Tang et al. Br J Radiol. 2014 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: Semi-quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE MRI) has proven useful in discriminating benign from borderline/malignant adnexal lesions. Our aim was to assess if the use of a lesion-to-internal-reference ratio improved the performance in characterizing adnexal masses and which internal reference was suitable.

Methods: Semi-quantitative DCE MRI images of 71 indeterminate adnexal lesions were retrospectively reviewed. A region of interest was manually drawn onto the enhancing solid component, psoas muscle and normal outer myometrium. The DCE parameters were evaluated, and the lesion-to-internal-reference ratios were calculated.

Results: When the wash in rate of the lesion was higher than that of the myometrium, 97% specificity and 12% sensitivity for borderline/malignancy was reached. When the maximum relative enhancement and maximum absolute enhancement (SImax) of the lesion was less than those of the psoas, 100% specificity for benignity was achieved. The highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.807) was achieved using a SImax lesion-myometrium ratio. A slightly lower AUC (0.799) was achieved using a SImax lesion-psoas ratio, but the psoas muscle was more frequently measurable in the same slice as the lesion ROI. Although the AUC was higher, when using ratios instead of individual DCE values, this was not significantly different.

Conclusion: DCE MRI has added diagnostic value in the assessment of adnexal lesions, and the use of internal references enables high specificity for malignancy and benignity. Lesion-internal-reference ratios have no added diagnostic value over DCE values alone.

Advances in knowledge: Both psoas muscle and myometrium are suitable internal references in the DCE assessment of adnexal lesions enabling high specificity for malignancy and benignity.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A region of interest (ROI) was drawn on the enhancing solid component of the adnexal lesion (L7). A ROI was then drawn onto the normal outer myometrium (L5) and the psoas muscle (L8) on the same slice where possible.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A suggested algorithm in the assessment of indeterminate adnexal lesions. DCE, dynamic contrast enhanced; L, lesion; M, myometrium; P, psoas muscle; ROI, region of interest; SImax, maximum absolute enhancement; SIrel, maximum relative enhancement; WIR, wash in rate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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