Diffusion tensor imaging in characterization of cervical lymphadenopathy

Abstract Background It is important to differentiate cervical lymph nodes. So, this study aims assess the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in differentiating lymphadenopathy (LNs). Materials and methods This retrospective was done upon 100 patients with LNs who had DTI over a year period. The fractional anisotropy (FA) mean diffusivity (MD) values were measured. Results (the age 45 ± 2 years (standard deviation [SD]), 63 men). MD FA malignant (0.83 0.14 × 10 −3 mm /s, 0.26 0.07) significantly different; ( P = 0.001) than those benign (1.32 0.33 –3 0.22 0.09). 0.94 /s 0.21 used discriminate LNs, AUC 0.892 0.758, 84% 71% accuracy, respectively. Combined parameters revealed 0.914 81%. metastatic (0.86 0.12 0.25 statistically 0.001, 0.03) lymphomatous nodes (0.66 0.13 0.28 0.02). distinguish from 0.82, 0.711, (0.71 0.27) cutoff values, 95.3%, 73.4% 0.824 AUC, 95.3% 98.2% sensitivity, 75% specificity. There significant statistical difference between well-moderately versus poorly differentiated stages I II 0.018) III IV LNs. Conclusions Combining promising technique that can play major role distinguishing different categories