IVIM-DWI for the preoperative prediction of perineural invasion status in rectal cancer: A feasibility study with multivariate model analysis

This study aimed to determine the clinical potential of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) DWI in predicting perineural invasion (PNI) of rectal cancer (RC). IVIM parameters derived from different mathematical models, including apparent diffusion coefficient from mono-exponential model, true diffusion coefficientand and perfusion fraction from bi-exponential model, and the distributed diffusion coefficient from stretched-exponential model showed significant differences between 72 with PNI and 76 without PNI. With these findings, IVIM may thus be considered effective in preoperatively predicting PNI status in RC and further help clinicians make individual treatment plans.