The value of the added diffusion-weighted images to multiparametric MRI in the early diagnosis of uterine cervix cancers and nodal assessment

Background: Cervical cancer still one of the most common causes of tumor-related death in developing countries presented in younger women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted MRI in early diagnosis of malignant cervical lesions, to assess metastatic adenopathy, peritoneal dissemination, and possible tumor recurrence, and determine treatment response. This study included 60 patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding and suspected cervical lesion by US. A histopathological biopsy was done. Pelvic MR with DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were done for all patients. Results: According to the histopathological findings, we divided our studied 60 patents into two groups: group I, malignant lesions (46 lesions; 76.7%), and group II, benign lesions (14 lesions; 23.3%). Multiparametric MRI could detect all cervical lesions but with poor pathologic characterization, achieving 72.37% sensitivity, 37.50% specificity, 63.33% accuracy, 76.19% PPV, and 33.33% NPV. When compared with DWI with ADC value measurements at high b value (b = 800) to MRI exam, it showed a higher diagnostic accuracy with good lesion pathological characterization that achieved 95.65% sensitivity, 71.43% specificity, 90% accuracy, 91.67 PPV, and 83.33% NPV. The mean ADC value for malignant lesions was 0.86–1.1, mean = 0.92 ± 0.71 × 10 mm/s, while the mean ADC value in the benign lesion group was 1.18 ± 0.1 × 10 mm/s. Conclusion: Comparing DWI with ADC values measurements at high b value to the multiparametric MRI examination of the female pelvis increases the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of characterization and early diagnosis of cervical malignant focal lesions and reduces the need for intravenous contrast administration.