Combined diffusion-weighted MRI and MR spectroscopy: Feasibility to improve the MRI capability in differentiation between benign and malignant neck lymphadenopathy

The study aims to evaluate the additional value of MRS and DWI in differentiating malignant and benign neck lymphadenopathy. Materials and methods: Thirty-three patients with enlarged neck lymph nodes of malignant suspicious underwent DWI and MRS. ADC values, presence of Cho peak and Cho/Creatine ratio of the dominant node were assessed and results were compared with histopathological results. Results: the patients were classified into benign (n=9) and malignant (n=24: 17 metastases and 7 lymphoma). The mean ADC values of the benign, metastasis and lymphoma patients were 1.56±0.23, 1.01±0.23 and 0.71±0.02×10−3mm2/s respectively. It was significantly higher in benign than malignant (p