Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in the Mandible

抄録

Few studies have concerned the absolute apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the normal mandibular bone marrow on diffusion-weighed images. Purpose of this study was to determine the average of ADC values in the region of the normal mandibular bone marrow and to establish reference values of the absolute ADC values for further studies. Subjects (7 men and 13 women) with normal mandible were chosen ; age 20-69 years old (mean, 34.7). All subjects were examined with MR imaging, including panoramic radiographs and diffusion-weighted imaging with two b-values (0 and 1,000 s/mm²) at 1.5 T. ADC values were determined in regions of mandibular bone marrow from lower first premolar to lower second molar without mandibular canal and tooth roots. ADC values were mean in 0.972×10^-3 mm²/s, highest in 1.24×10^-3 mm²/s, and lowest in 0.779×10^-3 mm²/s. The ADC values can be used for reference in future studies and in clinical settings.