Multiparametric Whole-body MRI with Diffusion-weighted Imaging and ADC Mapping for the Identification of Visceral and Osseous Metastases From Solid Tumors

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of multiparametric, whole-body, diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) maps with T(2)-weighted MRI at 3T for the detection and monitoring of metastatic disease in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four participants (32 healthy subjects and 22 patients) were scanned with WB-DWI methods using a 3T MRI scanner. Axial, sagittal, or coronal fat-suppressed T(2)-weighted (T(2)WI), T(1)-weighted(T(1)WI), and DWI images were acquired. Total MRI acquisition and set up time was approximately 45 minutes. Metastatic disease on MRI was confirmed based on T(2)WI characteristics. The number of lesions were established on Computed Tomography (CT) or PET/CT. Whole-body ADC maps and T(2)WI were constructed and region-of-interests (ROIs) were drawn in normal and abnormal-appearing tissue for quantitative analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-tests and p