ROLE OF DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED IMAGING IN THE EVALUATION OF INTRACRANIAL LESIONS

This study investigates the diagnostic utility of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values in evaluating intracranial lesions. A cross-sectional analysis of 44 patients was conducted, examining age and gender distribution, histopathological types, and grades of brain tumors. The highest proportion of individuals (22.7%) was within the 0-10 age range, with males comprising 56.8% of the sample. The study focused on supratentorial and infratentorial lesions, categorized by WHO grades, highlighting that Grade IV lesions were most common in both regions. High-grade tumors (WHO Grade III and IV) demonstrated lower ADC values, indicating restricted diffusion, while non-neoplastic conditions such as arachnoid and epidermoid cysts exhibited higher ADC values, reflecting increased diffusion. The presence of perilesional edema was more frequent in higher-grade tumors, underscoring their aggressive behavior and impact on surrounding brain tissue. Diffusion restrictions were significant in Grade IV lesions, with both partial and complete restrictions observed. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an Area under the Curve (AUC) of 0.70, indicating that DWI possesses moderate accuracy in distinguishing between high-grade and low-grade brain tumors. The scatter plot of diagnoses versus ADC values illustrated the heterogeneity of diffusion characteristics among different tumor types, aiding in the differentiation of malignant and benign conditions. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating DWI and ADC measurements into routine MRI evaluations, enhancing diagnostic precision and prognostic prediction.