The Spatial Relationship between Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Standardized Uptake Value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Has a Crucial Influence on the Numeric Correlation of Both Parameters in PET/MRI of Lung Tumors

Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2017 Dec 17:2017:8650853. doi: 10.1155/2017/8650853. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

The minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) derived from diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of FDG-PET are markers of aggressiveness in lung cancer. The numeric correlation of the two parameters has been extensively studied, but their spatial interplay is not well understood. After FDG-PET and DW-MRI coregistration, values and location of ADCmin- and SUVmax-voxels were analyzed. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for registration accuracy of sequential PET/MRI was 12 mm, and the mean distance (D) between ADCmin- and SUVmax-voxels was 14.0 mm (average of two readers). Spatial mismatch (D > 12 mm) between ADCmin and SUVmax was found in 9/25 patients. A considerable number of mismatch cases (65%) was also seen in a control group that underwent simultaneous PET/MRI. In the entire patient cohort, no statistically significant correlation between SUVmax and ADCmin was seen, while a moderate negative linear relationship (r = -0.5) between SUVmax and ADCmin was observed in tumors with a spatial match (D ≤ 12 mm). In conclusion, spatial mismatch between ADCmin and SUVmax is found in a considerable percentage of patients. The spatial connection of the two parameters SUVmax and ADCmin has a crucial influence on their numeric correlation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18