The value of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging in predicting perineural invasion for resectable gastric cancer: a prospective study

AIM: To investigate the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging to predict perineural invasion (PNI) preoperatively in resectable gastric cancer (GC).MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study prospectively recruited 85 surgically resected GC patients (58 men, 27 women) aged 60.87 +/- 10.17 (39-81) years, who underwent IVIM sequence within 1 week before surgery. According to histopathological PNI diagnoses, patients were divided into PNI positive and negative groups. Conventional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the IVIM parameters, including true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D-& lowast;), and pseudodiffusion fraction (f), were compared between the two groups. Morphological MRI features were also analysed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen independent predictors of PNI. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were preformed to evaluate the efficacy. Spearman's correlation test was performed to analyse the relationship between MRI parameters and PNI.RESULTS: Tumour thickness and f in PNI-positive group were higher, whereas the ADC, D were lower than those in PNI-negative group (p<0.05). These four parameters correlated with PNI (p<0.05). The D, f, and tumour thickness were independent predictors of PNI. The area under the curve of ADC, D, f, thickness, and the combined parameter (D + f + thickness) were 0.648, 0.745, 0.698, 0.725, and 0.869, respectively. The combined parameter demonstrated higher efficacy than any other parameters (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: The ADC, D, and f can effectively distinguish PNI status in GC. The D, f, and thickness were independent predictors of PNI.