Apparent diffusion coefficient measurement using thin-slice diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: assessment of measurement errors and repeatability.

We investigated the measurement error and repeatability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained using thin-slice imaging. Diffusion-weighted images of an ice-water phantom were acquired using 1.5-T and 3.0-T scanners with 1-, 3-, and 5-mm thickness. ADC maps were generated at b = 0 and 1000 mm2/s using five consecutive scans. Measurement errors were assessed with accuracy and precision. Repeatability was assessed using the within-subject coefficient of variation. The ADC accuracy of both scanners agreed with the ADC of water at 0 °C. At 1-mm, precisions were 2.9% and 8.4% for the 3.0-T and 1.5-T scanners, respectively. The repeatabilities of 1-mm thickness were 1.3% and 3.4% in the 3.0-T and 1.5-T scanners, respectively. The 3.0-T scanner showed acceptable measurement errors and moderate repeatability compared with Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance recommendation. A 3.0-T scanner can be used for reliable ADC measurement, even with a 1-mm thickness at a reasonable scan time.