RSNA 2009 

Abstract Archives of the RSNA, 2009


SSA15-09

Diffusion Tensor Imaging of High Grade Gliomas and Brain Metastases

Scientific Papers

Presented on November 29, 2009
Presented as part of SSA15: ISP: Neuroradiology (Brain Tumors: Secondary)

Participants

Wilhelm Harald Flatz MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose
Olaf Dietrich, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Stefan Oswald Schoenberg MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Birgit Betina Ertl-Wagner MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Christian Glaser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose
Maximilian F. Reiser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

PURPOSE

The objective of our study was to detect and evaluate intra- and peritumoral mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy to differentiate between high grade gliomas and brain metastases.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

22 previously untreated patients suffering from histologically proven high grade glioma and 17 patients diagnosed with brain metastases from mammary cancer were examined in our study. MRI was performed using a 3 T scanner acquiring DTI images with 12 directions. The regions of interest (ROI) were positioned for DTI evaluation were positioned into different parts of the tumor (center, border), on the vasogenic edema surrounding the tumor depicted by abnormal T2-weighted images and on normal appearing white matter.

RESULTS

Significant decrease of fractional anisotropy (FA) (p<0.005) and significant increase of mean diffusivity (MD) (p<0.005) was found in the peritumoral regions compared to normal appearing white matter. For brain metastases the peritumoral MD was significantely increased compared to high-grade gliomas (p<0.01). Peritumoral FA and FA in the tumor border showed no significant differences comparing the two patient groups.

CONCLUSION

Due to increased extracellular water, diffusion parameters show a pathological change within peritumoral vasogenic edema in both high-grade gliomas and tumor metastases. Unlike FA, MD can be used to differentiate between high-grade gliomas and metastatic tumors, pointing towards probable tumor infiltration characterized by MD-values.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATION

DTI of high-grade gliomas and brain metastases may help in differentiating between high grade glioma and brain metastases.

Cite This Abstract

Flatz, W, Dietrich, O, Schoenberg, S, Ertl-Wagner, B, Glaser, C, Reiser, M, Diffusion Tensor Imaging of High Grade Gliomas and Brain Metastases.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8011467.html