Novel Evaluation of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Using Fourier Analysis for Prostate Cancer Detection

Introduction:
To evaluate both a novel approach of data acquisition and the use of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) as an analytical detection method in patients with prostate cancer.
Methods:
This study retrospectively evaluated 34 patients who had prostate cancer diagnosed on biopsy. Diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) were obtained at specific values. The IVIM diffusion model was used to ascertain the D*, ADC, and perfusion fraction (f). The fitting curve was determined using the Fourier transform. An intercept value at 0.05 of the Fourier transform curve was defined as the vascularity-value (V-value). The V-values were compared with the D*, f, and ADC.
Results:
Prostate cancer detection rates on each index were f = 0.59, D* = 0.56, ADC = 0.78. and V-value = 0.74. The rates of agreement obtained via a dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI were f = 0.53, D* = 0.42, and V-value = 0.81. The total prostate cancer detection rates using the ADC and V-value were 91%, in comparison with the total detection rates of both the ADC and DCE together.
Conclusion:
A more detailed data acquisition is required for IVIM, and the Fourier transform was effective for evaluation of the IVIM curve shape. The V-value can be used to evaluate tumor vascularity.