Diffusion-weighted image in correlation with T2 sequence as an imaging biomarker for urinary bladder cancer.

Abstract

Recent functional diagnostic imaging techniques have emphasized the role and importance of MRI in pelvic organs imaging. Functional imaging by means of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and ADC value are now considered an essential part of the standard imaging protocols for evaluation of the pelvic organs. DWI depends on the fact that water molecules can diffuse freely in low cellular tissues, while increased cellularity restricts its diffusion, a phenomenon called ‛Brownian motion’. Therefore, in cases of malignant lesions which have high cellularity, water diffusion is restricted and appear as bight lesions, in contrary to most benign tumors which have low cellularity. In this study, we give an overview of DWI technique, concentrating on its main clinical application in preoperative urinary bladder cancer staging and its correlation to T2 weighted images in order to reach the appropriate management plan.