Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Versus Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Comparison of the Diagnostic Performance of Perfusion-Related Parameters in Breast

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of the perfusion-related parameters of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging for breast lesions, compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI). Methods Fifty-nine patients with both IVIM imaging and subsequent DCE MRI were enrolled. Perfusion-related parameters of IVIM imaging (perfusion fraction, f; pseudo-diffusion coefficient, D*), as well as model-based and model-free parameters of DCE MRI, were measured. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and correlations between the IVIM and DCE MRI parameters were performed. Results Thirty-one malignant and 35 benign lesions were pathologically proved. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of D* plus f (AUC(f+D*)) was 0.834. The combined AUC of all model-based DCE MRI parameters (AUC(model-based)) was 0.904. The combined AUC of all model-free DCE MRI parameters (AUC(model-free)) was 0.876. AUC(f+D*) had no significant difference with either AUC(model-based) or AUC(model-free). No significant correlation was found between f or D* and DCE-derived parameters. Conclusions Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging has the same value in differentiating malignant and benign breast lesions, compared with DCE MRI, in terms of perfusion-related parameters.