Multi-model Analysis of Diffusion-weighted Imaging of Normal Testes at 3.0 T: Preliminary Findings

Rationale and objectives: This study aimed to establish diffusion quantitative parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC], DDC, α, D_app, and K_app) in normal testes at 3.0 T.

Materials and methods: Sixty-four healthy volunteers in two age groups (A: 10-39 years; B: ≥ 40 years) underwent diffusion-weighted imaging scanning at 3.0 T. ADC₁₀₀₀, ADC₂₀₀₀, ADC₃₀₀₀, DDC, α, D_app, and K_app were calculated using the mono-exponential, stretched-exponential, and kurtosis models. The correlations between parameters and the age were analyzed. The parameters were compared between the age groups and between the right and the left testes.

Results: The average ADC₁₀₀₀, ADC₂₀₀₀, ADC₃₀₀₀, DDC, α, D_app, and K_app values did not significantly differ between the right and the left testes (P > .05 for all). The following significant correlations were found: positive correlations between age and testicular ADC₁₀₀₀, ADC₂₀₀₀, ADC₃₀₀₀, DDC, and D_app (r = 0.516, 0.518, 0.518, 0.521, and 0.516, respectively; P < .01 for all) and negative correlations between age and testicular α and K_app (r = -0.363, -0.427, respectively; P < .01 for both). Compared to group B, in group A, ADC₁₀₀₀, ADC₂₀₀₀, ADC₃₀₀₀, DDC, and D_app were significantly lower (P < .05 for all), but α and K_app were significantly higher (P < .05 for both).

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the applicability of the testicular mono-exponential, stretched-exponential, and kurtosis models. Our results can help establish a baseline for the normal testicular parameters in these diffusion models. The contralateral normal testis can serve as a suitable reference for evaluating the abnormalities of the other side. The effect of age on these parameters requires further attention.