Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging: A molecular imaging tool caught between hope, hype and the real world of “personalized oncology”

Figure 7 A 51-year-old male previously treated for rectal malignancy presented with suspected recurrence. A: Axial T2 W images showed irregular polypoidal mass lesions with necrosis within in the perianal region. However, diffusion weighted images (exponential map image B and apparent diffusion map image C) showed facilitated diffusion (arrowhead, ROI 1) in both the solid polypoidal as well as the necrotic component favoring a benign etiology. A diagnosis of perianal abscess was made and patient underwent debridement which revealed ischiorectal abscess.