Apparent diffusion coefficient values of the normal uterus: Interindividual variations during menstrual cycle

作者：Tsili A C^*; Argyropoulou M I; Tzarouchi L; Dalkalitsis N; Koliopoulos G; Paraskevaidis E; Tsampoulas K

来源：European Journal of Radiology, 2012, 81(8): 1951-1956.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.04.057

• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Diffusion-weighted imaging
• Apparent diffusion coefficient
• Uterus
• Uterine zonal anatomy

Objectives: To assess the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes of the normal uterine zones among reproductive women during the menstrual cycle.
Methods: The study included 101 women of reproductive age, each with regular cycle and normal endometrium/myometrium, as proved on histopathology or MR imaging examination. Diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging was performed along the axial plane, using a single shot, multi-slice spin-echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and b-values of 0 and 800s/mm(2). The mean and standard deviation of the ADC values of normal endometrium/myometrium were calculated for menstrual, proliferative and secretory phase. Analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The ADC values of the endometrium were different in the three phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual phase: 1.25 +/- 0.27; proliferative phase: 1.39 +/- 0.20; secretory phase: 1.50 +/- 0.18) (F: 9.64, p: 0.00). Statistical significant difference was observed among all groups (p < 0.05). The ADC values of the normal myometrium were different in the three phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual phase: 1.91 +/- 0.35; proliferative phase: 1.72 +/- 0.27; secretory phase: 1.87 +/- 0.28) (F: 3.60, p: 0.03). Statistical significant difference was observed between menstrual and proliferative phase and between proliferative and secretory phase (p < 0.05). No significant difference was noted between menstrual and secretory phase (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: A wide variation of ADC values of normal endometrium and myometrium is observed during different phases of the menstrual cycle.

• 出版日期2012-8