Predicting the Ki-67 proliferation index in cervical cancer: a preliminary comparative study of four non-Gaussian diffusion-weighted imaging models combined with histogram analysis

The prognosis for patients with cervical cancer (CC) is strongly correlated with the Ki-67 proliferation index (PI). However, the Ki-67 PI obtained through biopsy has certain limitations. The non-Gaussian distribution diffusion model of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may play an important role in characterizing tissue heterogeneity. At present, there are limited data available concerning the prediction of Ki-67 PI using models based on histogram features of non-Gaussian diffusion distribution. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative histogram features from multiple non-Gaussian models of diffusion-weighted imaging can predict the Ki-67 PI in patients with CC.