Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Reproducibility in Brain Tumors Measured on 1.5 and 3 T Clinical Scanners: A Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2018

Source: European Journal of Radiology

Author(s): Zulejha Merhemic, Bilal Imsirovic, Nurija Bilalovic, Dragan Stojanov, Jasmina Boban, Majda M. Thurnher

Abstract

Background

Gradient and coil systems, pulse sequence design, and imaging parameters, as well as different scanners, can influence apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different field strengths on the reproducibility of mean absolute ADC measurements in various primary and secondary brain tumors.

Methods

Fifty patients with histologically proven brain tumors were prospectively examined on two MR scanners from the same vendor, with different field strengths—1.5 T and 3 T—on the same day. Absolute ADC values were compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Inter-scanner agreement between two different fields in the same tumor was examined using correlation coefficients, and the discrepancy between the highest and the lowest mean absolute ADC values between scanners was tested using a one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between mean absolute ADC values obtained on 1.5 T and 3 T scanners for all patients and all brain tumor types. The intratumoral difference in ADC values, averaged from two scanners in the same tumor type, ranged from 1.58-4.5% for 1.5 T, and from 1.18-4.37% for 3 T.Inter-scanner agreement was high, and the kappa coefficient ranged from 0.88-0.99, with no significant difference between obtained values on different field strengths.

Conclusion

Based on the results obtained in our study, there is no significant difference between mean absolute ADC values measured in various primary and secondary brain tumors at different field strengths (1.5 and 3.0 T MR systems), in the same patient, and in the same tumor, measured on the same day.

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