ADC as a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating benign and malignant vertebral bone marrow lesions and compression fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chong Hyun Suh, Seong Jong Yun, Wook Jin, Sun Hwa Lee, So Young Park, Chang Woo Ryu

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48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative assessment of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for differentiating benign and malignant vertebral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and compression fractures (CFs) Methods: An electronic literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted. Bivariate modelling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic modelling were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ADC for differentiating vertebral BMLs. Subgroup analysis was performed for differentiating benign and malignant vertebral CFs. Meta-regression analyses according to subject, study and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics were performed. Results: Twelve eligible studies (748 lesions, 661 patients) were included. The ADC exhibited a pooled sensitivity of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80–0.94) and a pooled specificity of 0.87 (95% CI 0.78–0.93) for differentiating benign and malignant vertebral BMLs. In addition, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for differentiating benign and malignant CFs were 0.92 (95% CI 0.82–0.97) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.87–0.94), respectively. In the meta-regression analysis, the DWI slice thickness was a significant factor affecting heterogeneity (p < 0.01); thinner slice thickness (< 5 mm) showed higher specificity (95%) than thicker slice thickness (81%). Conclusions: Quantitative assessment of ADC is a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating benign and malignant vertebral BMLs and CFs. Key Points: • Quantitative assessment of ADC is useful in differentiating vertebral BMLs. • Quantitative ADC assessment for BMLs had sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 87%. • Quantitative ADC assessment for CFs had sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 91%. • The specificity is highest (95%) with thinner (< 5 mm) DWI slice thickness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2890-2902
Number of pages13
JournalEuropean Radiology
Volume28
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, European Society of Radiology.

Keywords

  • Bone marrow neoplasm
  • Compression fracture
  • Diffusion-weighted MRI
  • Meta-analysis
  • Spine

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