Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Odontogenic Keratocysts: Preliminary Study On Usefulness Of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps For Characterization Of Normal Structures And Lesions

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in odontogenic keratocysts, especially apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for the characterisation of normal structures and cystic lesions in the jaw.Methods: Sixteen patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of a cystic lesion in the jaw were included in this prospective study. DWI was performed on a 1.5 T unit with b factor of 0 and 800 s/mm(2), and ADC maps were generated. ADC values were measured for the normal structures in the upper neck area and for the cystic lesion in the jaw.Results: The mean ADC value of the cerebrospinal fluid (3.66 +/- 0.47 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) in the upper neck area was higher than that of the nasal mucosa (1.80 +/- 0.19 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s), Waldeyer's ring (0.75 +/- 0.11 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and the spinal cord (0.71 +/- 0.20 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s). The mean ADC value of the five odontogenic keratocysts (1.03 +/- 0.31 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) was lower than that of the one simple bone cyst (2.79 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s), three nasopalatine duct cysts (2.28 +/- 0.12 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s), three radicular cysts (1.82 +/- 0.71 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and four dentigerous cysts (1.67 +/- 1.06 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s).Conclusion: This study suggested the usefulness of DWI in odontogenic keratocysts, especially ADC maps for the characterization of normal structures and cystic lesions in the jaw.