High-quality diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the entire pelvis can now be performed as part of a gynecologic examination without greatly increasing total imaging time. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging provides important new information noninvasively. This unique modality is helpful in initial staging of known malignancies, differentiating benign from malignant lesions, assessing treatment response, and determining the presence of disease recurrence. To ensure accuracy, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of diffusion-weighted MR imaging and to review findings in conjunction with findings obtained with anatomic sequences. Increasing familiarity with ADC calculation and manipulation software, including the ability to fuse anatomic and diffusion data, will allow radiologists to gain confidence and thus to provide new information to physicians who are caring for women with known or suspected gynecologic malignancies. |
