An analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient in the myometrium of normal uterus between the menopausal and premenopausal phases

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of normal uterine myometrium between menopausal phase and premenopausal phases (menstrual, proliferating and secretory phases).

Materials and methods: Magnetic resonance images of 96 healthy women were obtained with a 3.0T MRI device. According to their physiological cycles, they were further divided into four groups: group A (menopausal phase), group B (menstrual phase), group C (proliferating phase), and group D (secretory phase). The ADC values were measured using a GE post-processing workstation. Variations of the ADC values were compared among the four groups by statistical analysis.

Results: The ADC values of normal uterine myometrium were significantly different among the four groups [menopausal phase, (1.15 ± 0.20) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; menstrual phase, (1.89 ± 0.35) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; proliferative phase, (1.70 ± 0.18) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; secretory phase, (1.86 ± 0.12) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s] (P < 0.001). The ADC values of myometrium in the menopausal phase were significantly lower than those in the premenopausal phase (P < 0.001). The ADC values of myometrium in the secretory phase were significantly greater than those in the proliferative phase (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the menstrual and secretory phase and between the menstrual and proliferating phase (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: A wide variation of ADC values of normal myometrium was observed during four different physiological phases, and it should be taken into account by radiologists for diagnosis of uterine diseases, particularly in the menopausal phase.