Preoperative diffusion-weighted imaging value of rectal cancer: preoperative T staging and correlations with histological T stage

Purpose: To assess the ability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for evaluating T stage and correlation with histological T stage of rectal cancer. Method: The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of T2WI and DWI combined with T2WI for T stage were evaluated. Mean tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was compared with histological T stage. Result: There were no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity no matter what kind of T stage was concerned. The difference between ADC values and histological T stage were significantly different. Conclusion: DWI was useful for evaluating T stage of rectal cancer. The ADC may predict the histological grade. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.