Objective:

To investigate the value of MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of different histologic types of cervical carcinoma.

Methods:

The DWI data of 114 patients with cervical carcinoma (63 cases with squamous carcinoma

30 with adenocarcinoma

21 with adenosquamous carcinoma) proved by surgery and pathology were reviewed retrospectively. The apparent diffusion co

efficient (ADC) values were measured

and the correlation between ADC value and pathological parameter Ki-67 was analyzed.

Results:

The mean ADC values of cervical squamous carcinoma

adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma were (0.8610.112)10

-3

mm

2

/s

(0.8460.18)10

-3

mm

2

/s and (0.7960.124)10

-3

mm

2

/s

respectively. Statistically significant difference was not found in overall and in multiple comparisons (

P

=0.166). The mean ADC value in 12 patients with cervical mucinous adenocarcinomas was (1.0140.123)10

-3

mm

2

/s

in 18 non-mucinous adenocarcinomas was (0.7340.11)10

-3

mm

2

/s. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups

and between them and cervical squamous carcinoma (

P

0.001). There was a weak negative correlation between mean ADC value and Ki-67 expression in 114 cases with cervical carcinoma (

r

=-0.232

P

=0.013).

Conclusion:

MR-DWI is a useful tool for differentiating some histological types of cervical carcinoma.