ObjectiveTo study the application value of diffusion weighted imaging technique in the differential diagnosis between soft tissue malignant tumors and inflammatory lesions. MethodsFortytwo cases of patients with soft tissue mass underwent conventional MRI scanning and enhanced scanning by GEsigna 1.5T magnetic resonance scanner, with DWI using SE EPI technology. All patients were diagnosed by operation or biopsy. All patients ′ ADC value was measured. ResultsThe soft tissue masses were detected in 45 cases, of which 32 cases were confirmed by pathology, and the other 10 patients was confirmed in combination with other data. Of all 42 patients, 23 were diagnosed as malignant tumor, including 8 cases of liposarcoma, 7 cases of fibrosarcoma, 3 cases of alveolar soft tissue sarcoma, 3 cases of synovial sarcoma, and 2 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and all were showed as irregular soft tissue mass, unclear surrounding boundary, uneven signal, no enhancement in unenhanced low signal zone, and low signal in DWI; 19 were abscess, including 9 cases of bacterial abscess, 8 cases of tuberculous abscess, and 2 patients with synovitis, and all were showed as long T1, T2 signal in muscle gap and joint capsule, the surrounding soft tissue swelling, and abscess wall enhancement by homogeneous enhancement, but no obvious enhancement in the abscess cavity. Abscess in the b value diffusion sequences was showed high signal in 15 cases, equal signal in 4 cases; while the solid part of the tumors showed high signal in 19 cases, equal signal in 4 cases, with a significant different ADC value between them(t=4.28, P＜0.05).ConclusionDiffusion weighted imaging techniques in combination with conventional sequences can help clinicians in the differential diagnosis of malignant soft tissue tumor and soft tissue inflammation. It can not only reduce unnecessary traumatic treatment, but also to a certain extent, save medical resources, indicating it is worthy of clinical application.

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