OBJECTIVETo assess the values of diffusion weighted imaging and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of early endometrial cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the imaging data of 27 patients with pathologically confirmed stage 1-2 endometrial cancer. These patients received pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion weighted imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient-T2 weighted imaging fusion images(ADC-T2WI), and T1 weighted imaging (T1WI) of contrast-enhanced scan sequence. The accuracies of these image modes were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSThe accuracy of routine pelvic MRI scan, diffusion weighted imaging with ADC-T2WI fusion images, and T1WI of contrast-enhanced scan for the early diagnosis of endometrial cancer was 66.7%, 85.2%, and 92.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted imaging with ADC-T2WI fusion images in the diagnosis of lesions with a 1/2 depth of muscle were 82.3%, 75%, and 85.2%.

CONCLUSIONSRoutine pelvic MRI scan sequence has certain errors for the early diagnosis of endometrial cancer. On the contrary, the diffusion weighted imaging with ADC-T2WI image fusion has remarkably increased diagnostic accuracy. The T1WI of contrast-enhanced scan can clearly display most of the lesions by identifying the muscular infiltrations, and therefore can provide the most accurate information for the staging of early endometrial cancer.