Impact of post-processing methods on apparent diffusion coefficient values

Zeilinger MG, Lell M, Baltzer PAT, Dörfler A, Uder M, Dietzel M (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

European Radiology Springer Verlag (Germany)

Abstract

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is increasingly used as a quantitative biomarker in oncological imaging. ADC calculation is based on raw diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data, and multiple post-processing methods (PPMs) have been proposed for this purpose. We investigated whether PPM has an impact on final ADC values.Sixty-five lesions scanned with a standardized whole-body DWI-protocol at 3 T served as input data (EPI-DWI, b-values: 50, 400 and 800 s/mm(2)). Using exactly the same ROI coordinates, four different PPM (ADC_1-ADC_4) were executed to calculate corresponding ADC values, given as [10(-3) mm(2)/s] of each lesion. Statistical analysis was performed to intra-individually compare ADC values stratified by PPM (Wilcoxon signed-rank tests: ? = 1 %; descriptive statistics; relative difference/?; coefficient of variation/CV).Stratified by PPM, mean ADCs ranged from 1.136-1.206 *10(-3) mm(2)/s (? = 7.0 %). Variances between PPM were pronounced in the upper range of ADC values (maximum: 2.540-2.763 10(-3) mm(2)/s, ? = 8 %). Pairwise comparisons identified significant differences between all PPM (P <= 0.003; mean CV = 7.2 %) and reached 0.137 *10(-3) mm(2)/s within the 25th-75th percentile.Altering the PPM had a significant impact on the ADC value. This should be considered if ADC values from different post-processing methods are compared in patient studies.o Post-processing methods significantly influenced ADC values. o The mean coefficient of ADC variation due to PPM was 7.2 %. o To achieve reproducible ADC values, standardization of post-processing is recommended.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Lell Medizinische Fakultät Arnd Dörfler Department of Neuroradiology Michael Uder Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Universität Wien

Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

Zeilinger, M.G., Lell, M., Baltzer, P.A.T., Dörfler, A., Uder, M., & Dietzel, M. (2016). Impact of post-processing methods on apparent diffusion coefficient values. European Radiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4403-6

MLA:

Zeilinger, Martin Georg, et al. "Impact of post-processing methods on apparent diffusion coefficient values." European Radiology (2016).

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