Choroid plexus cysts analyzed using diffusion-weighted imaging with short diffusion-time

Abstract

Introduction: Oscillating gradient spin-echo (OGSE) sequences can shorten diffusion times by replacing the long-lasting diffusion-sensitizing gradients used in pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) methods with rapidly oscillating gradients. To obtain information regarding the internal structure of choroid plexus cysts that appear hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), we investigated the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values acquired with a shorter diffusion time using an OGSE sequence.

Material and methods: Twenty-seven patients with choroid plexus cysts were scanned using a 3 T magnetic resonance scanner. DWI was performed with both OGSE and PGSE, with effective diffusion times (Δ_eff) of 6.5 and 35.2 ms, respectively. ADC values for choroid plexus cysts, white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured. The ADC values obtained with the shorter and longer diffusion times were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P < .05 was considered significant.

Results: The ADC values of choroid plexus cysts and WM were significantly higher at the Δ_eff of 6.5 ms on OGSE than with the Δ_eff of 35.2 ms on PGSE. The ADC values of CSF were significantly lower at the Δ_eff of 6.5 ms on OGSE than with the Δ_eff of 35.2 ms on PGSE. The ADC values of choroid plexus cysts were lower than the ADC values of CSF with Δ_eff of 35.2 and 6.5 ms.

Conclusions: The dependence of ADC values on the diffusion time in choroid plexus cysts suggested spatially restricted diffusion. In measurements obtained with short diffusion times, the lower ADC values for choroid plexus cysts in comparison with the CSF indicated the presence of spatially restricted diffusion and increased cyst viscosity.

Keywords: Choroid plexus cysts; Diffusion time; Diffusion-weighted imaging; OGSE; Oscillating gradient spin-echo; Restricted diffusion.