A Layer of Decreased Apparent Diffusion Coefficient at the Endometrial-Myometrial Junction in Uterine Adenomyosis

Aki Kido, Koji Fujimoto, Naoko Matsubara, Masako Kataoka, Ikuo Konishi, Kaori Togashi
Magnetic resonance in medical sciences : MRMS : an official journal of Japan Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine · 2015 · vol. 15(2) , pp. 220–226 · doi:10.2463/mrms.mp.2015-0084 · PMID:26607810 · W2290891680
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This study identified a low-signal-intensity line on ADC maps in half of adenomyosis patients, unrelated to hormonal factors, suggesting a functional phenomenon rather than a pathological correlate.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This study analyzed MRI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in 110 patients with uterine adenomyosis to assess whether a low-signal-intensity line within adenomyosis lesions at the endometrial-myometrial junction can be detected, and to test correlations with potential drivers including magnetic field strength, age, menstrual cycle phase, delivery history, and hormonal treatments. Using 3.0 T or 1.5 T scanners, the authors found that the low-signal-intensity line was recognized in 55 of 110 patients, and its visibility was not significantly associated with hormonal status, age, delivery history, or magnet strength. Pathological evaluation in surgically treated cases found no corresponding structures matching the imaging line. The study thus reported discrepant T2-weighted versus ADC appearances in about half of patients, suggesting the junctional low-signal line might reflect a functional phenomenon despite the lack of pathological correlates. This paper is centrally about adenomyosis—specifically the detectability and hypothesized functional basis of an ADC low-signal-intensity line at the endometrial-myometrial junction in uterine adenomyosis.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the detectability of a low-signal-intensity line within adenomyosis lesions adjacent to the endometrium on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, and to establish correlations between these lesions and their possible causes, and more particularly the hormonal changes and magnetic resonance (MR) factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images were obtained from 110 patients with adenomyosis (age 30-57 y.o.) using 3.0 T or 1.5 T MR units. Recognition of the low-signal-intensity line on ADC map was scored using confidence level. The correlation between recognition of the line and the following factors were examined: magnetic field strength, age group, menstrual cycle phases, history of delivery, and hormonal treatments. Presence of the structure corresponding to the low-signal-intensity line on ADC map was evaluated pathologically in the cases that underwent surgery. RESULTS: The low-signal-intensity line visible on ADC map was recognized in 55/110 patients. The visibility of the line was not significantly related to hormonal status, age, history of delivery, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet strength. There were no corresponding pathological structures. CONCLUSION: One half of the adenomyosis patients showed discrepant appearances in T2-weighted (T2WI) vs. ADC map, but no significant relationship with hormonal changes was found in this study. This result may suggest that the low-signal-intensity line within the junctional zone may be related to a functional phenomenon.

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Condition tags

adenomyosis

MeSH descriptors

Adenomyosis Adenomyosis Adenomyosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Magnetic Resonance Imaging Myometrium Myometrium Myometrium Adult Diffusion Female Humans Middle Aged

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