Differentiation of diffusion coefficients to distinguish malignant and benign tumor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gloria, Cruz | Li, Qin | Xu, Liping | Zhang, Wanshi

Affiliations: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China | Department of Radiology, Air Force General Hospital, Beijing, China

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 1068915998; E-mail: liqin@bit.edu.cn

Abstract: Taking advantage of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) to characterize the random movement of water molecules in biological tissue, this article intends to review the Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) theory as a valuable method to find the differentiation between malignant and benign tumor based on the microcirculation of blood in the capillaries. IVIM is measured by means of a parameter called apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Through the application of IVIM to the imaging processing software, it will be possible to set up an expert system with screening, discrimination, staging and therapeutic evaluation function of tumor.

Keywords: Diffusion weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion, apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion, perfusion, tumor

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0257

Journal: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 235-249, 2010