Diffusion Tensor Imaging in brain tumors: A study on gliomas and metastases

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in preoperative glioma grading, as well as in differentiation between gliomas and metastatic brain tumors. We measured diffusion tensor variables in enhancement and edema regions, which were compared between the different subject groups.

Materials and methods: We performed DTI in 48 patients (11 Low Grade Gliomas, 27 High Grade Gliomas, 10 Single Metastatic brain tumors). We measured FA, λ1, λ2, λ3, ADC, Cl, Cp, Cs, RA, and VR in enhancing portions of tumors and edema regions. Additionally, ratios of enhancement to edema values were created for each variable.

Results: In peritumoral edema, Cl and RA were proven to be significantly different in pair-wise comparisons, in addition to ADC, Cp, Cs and VR in enhancement regions. Enhancement to edema values were significantly different as well.

Conclusion: Diffusion tensor indices could be used for the differentiation between low and high grade gliomas, as well as for distinction between gliomas and metastases.

Keywords: Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Glioma grading; Magnetic resonance imaging.