Added value of histogram analysis of intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging for the evaluation of complete response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

Abstract Objective To evaluate how intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) histogram analysis contribute to assessing complete response (CR) to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Material and methods In this prospective study, participants with LARC, who underwent NAT and subsequent surgery, with adequate MR image quality, were enrolled from November 2021 to March 2023. Conventional MRI (T2WI and DWI), IVIM, and DKI were performed before NAT (pre-NAT) and within two weeks before surgery (post-NAT). Image evaluation was independently performed by two experienced radiologists. Pathological complete response (pCR) was used as the reference standard. An IVIM–DKI-added model (a combination of IVIM and DKI histogram parameters with T2WI and DWI) was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of conventional MRI and the IVIM–DKI-added model. Results A total of 59 participants (median age: 58.00 years [IQR: 52.00, 62.00]; 38 [64%] men) were evaluated, including 21 pCR and 38 non-pCR cases. The histogram parameters of DKI, including skewness of kurtosis post-NAT (post- K Skewness ) and root mean squared of change ratio of diffusivity (Δ% D DKI-root mean squared ), were entered into the IVIM–DKI-added model. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the IVIM–DKI-added model for assessing CR to NAT was significantly higher than that of conventional MRI (0.855 [95% CI: 0.749–0.960] vs 0.685 [95% CI: 0.565–0.806], p < 0.001). Conclusion IVIM and DKI provide added value in the evaluation of CR to NAT in LARC. Key Points Question The current conventional imaging evaluation system lacks adequacy for assessing CR to NAT in LARC . Findings Significantly improved diagnostic performance was observed with the histogram analysis of IVIM and DKI in conjunction with conventional MRI . Clinical relevance IVIM and DKI provide significant value in evaluating CR to NAT in LARC, which bears significant implications for reducing surgical complications and facilitating organ preservation .