Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) of pancreas for assessment of β-cell dysfunction in hyperglycemia

Motivation: Early detection of damaged β-cell function may help timely protect and stop the progression of hyperglycemia to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The impaired β-cell function may be associated with damaged pancreatic microstructure. Goal(s): The pancreatic microstructural changes may serve as the biomarker for β-cell dysfunction. Approach: We evaluate the microstructural changes of the pancreas in patients with hyperglycemic employing intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and explore its correlation with the β-cell function. Results: IVIM-DWI can effectively distinguish T2DM from hyperglycemia, it has the potential for identifying damaged b-cell function for patients with early-stage hyperglycemia but without obvious clinical manifestation of DM. Impact: IVIM-DWI of pancreases is a reliable and non-invasive tool with great potential in detecting the early damaged β-cell function when the DM is still in the insidious stage, and help for improving diabetes diagnosis and management.