Effect of motion on the quantification accuracy of whole-body DWIBS

Abstract

Background & Methods: Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal subtraction (DWIBS) was introduced as a qualitative approach to detecting metastases in the body. A liver-mimicking phantom with embedded tumours, which could be moved to replicate respiratory motion, was developed to assess its ability to accurately quantify ADC values.

Results: Mean tumour ADC values were unaltered by the motion; however a significant (p<0.05) increase in the spread of ADC values was measured, even for relatively large tumours.

Conclusions: These findings may be of significance in cancer therapy monitoring where subtle changes in ADC histograms may reveal changes in tumour heterogeneity.