| Objective: To investigate the changes of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) when using diffusion-weighted imaging, and provide quantitative information on their pathological changes in the diagnosis and differentiation of prostate cancer. Methods: Firstly, twenty healthy volunteers were selected who were not suffered from the prostatic diseases, age from eighteen to thirty-nine years old. We made routine MRI scan and DWI (b=100 s/mm2, b=300 s/mm2, b=600 s/mm2, b=800 s/mm2, b=1000 s/mm2, b=1200s/mm2) by a GE1.5T superconducting magnet. Secondly, thirty-seven consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinically for the prostatic disease, including twenty-one cases with benign prostate hyperplasia and sixteen cases with prostate cancer proved pathologically, were examined by DWI. Thirdly, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were drawn on the ADC map reconstructed by the software of fonctool. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relation between the results of ADC values. Result: (1) Fine ADC maps can be reconstructed by using high b values (b=800 s/mm2, b=1000 s/mm2). (2) Acceptable images for ADC measurement were obtained in all cases of six sequences. There was statistically difference of the mean ADC values of the central zone and peripheral zone of prostate gland, muscle, fat, bladder, and seminal vesicle gland (p<0.05) among the six sequences. (3) No statistically difference was seen in the mean ADC values in peripheral zone between BPH and normal prostate (p>0.05). The mean ADC values of PCa were significantly lower than that of peripheral zone of normal prostate and BPH (P<0.01). Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted imaging can provide quantitative information, and may be an assistant aid for routine MRI in the diagnosis and differentiation of prostate cancer.
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