Diffusion-weighted imaging in hemorrhagic abdominal and pelvic lesions: restricted diffusion can mimic malignancy

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2018 Jul;43(7):1772-1784. doi: 10.1007/s00261-017-1366-2.

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an increasingly utilized sequence in the assessment of abdominal and pelvic lesions. Benign lesions containing hemorrhagic products, with conglomerates of tightly packed blood cells or fibers, can have restricted water diffusion on DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient maps. Such lesions can have restricted diffusion erroneously attributed to malignancy. This review illustrates benign hemorrhagic lesions displaying restricted diffusion, with histopathologic correlation in relevant cases.

Keywords: Abdominal hemorrhagic tumors; Benign hemorrhagic lesions; Benign lesions with diffusion restriction; DWI cancer mimics; DWI of abdominal hemorrhage; Pelvic hemorrhagic tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Hemorrhage / complications*
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pelvis / diagnostic imaging
  • Sensitivity and Specificity