弥散张量成像鉴别高级别胶质瘤与单发转移瘤的价值

目的：探讨弥散张量成像鉴别脑内原发高级别胶质瘤与单发转移瘤的价值。材料和方法：测量行DTI检查的13例幕上高级别胶质瘤、8例单发转移瘤的肿瘤实质、瘤周水肿区及在大脑脚层面双侧皮质脊髓束的ADC值、FA值，并计算患侧／对侧FA相对值，行统计学分析。结果：单发转移瘤瘤周水肿区ADC值明显高于高级别胶质瘤瘤周水肿区ADC值；两者大脑脚层面患侧皮质脊髓束FA值轻度降低，ADC值无明显差异；相对FA值高级别胶质瘤较低。结论：瘤周水肿区ADC值对高级别胶质瘤与单发转移瘤的鉴别有意义；弥散张量成像提供更多瘤周受累纤维束病理改变的信息。     

3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像对高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断价值

目的探讨3.0T磁共振扩散张量成像参数中的各向异性分数(FA)值、表观扩散系数(ADC)值对高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断价值。方法分析经手术病理或临床随访证实15例高级别脑胶质瘤和19例脑转移瘤,术前行常规MRI扫描、增强扫描、DWI及DTI扫描,选取感兴趣区(肿瘤囊变区、肿瘤实质区、肿瘤边缘区、瘤周水肿区、肿瘤周围正常脑实质区),分别测量其ADC值及FA值,比较两种肿瘤不同部位ADC值及FA值的差异,采用t检验。结果高级别脑胶质瘤与脑转移瘤的肿瘤实质区(t=4.09,P=0.001)、肿瘤边缘区(t=3.34,P=0.002)的FA值差异显著(P<0.05)。两种肿瘤周围水肿区(t=4.79,P=0.000)的ADC值差异显著(P<0.05)。结论扩散张量成像可以作为高级别脑胶质瘤和脑转移瘤的鉴别诊断方法。     

白血病脑实质浸润的弥散张量成像应用研究

目的探讨1．5T磁共振弥散张量成像（diffusiontensorimaging,DTI）,部分各向异性（fractionalanisotropy,FA）和表观扩散系数（apparentdiffusioncoefficient,ADC）及弥散张量纤维束成像（diffusiontensortractography,DTT）在成人白血病脑实质浸润的应用价值。方法回顾性分析经临床证实的8例白血病脑实质浸润病例DTI之ADC、FA参数图,分别测量病变、水肿及健侧相应部位FA值和ADC值;观察各例在DTT图的变化。结果白血病脑实质浸润的肿瘤实质部分FA值8例全部较健侧降低,ADC值5例减低,3例增高;周围水肿区FA值全部降低,ADC值全部增高;脑白质纤维束DTT显示有中断、移位、浸润。结论DTI对脑侵犯神经纤维束损伤具有独特诊断价值;DTI的参数变化能够量化神经纤维受压后微细结构的变化,DTT图像重建能直观显示脑白质纤维束的完整性及损伤程度,DTI联合DTT可更加准确地评估白血病脑侵犯的损害程度。     

MR弥散加权成像在鉴别颅内环形强化病变的价值

目的 研究弥散加权成像(DWI)及表观弥散系数(ADC)像在鉴别胶质瘤、转移瘤及脑脓肿中的应用，观察病变中心的坏死、瘤周水肿的ADC值对三者的鉴别诊断价值。资料与方法搜集50例颅内单发环形强化病变．所有病例均行平扫、增强及DWI检查。其中胶质瘤20例，脑脓肿10例，单发转移瘤20例。分别计算病变的中心坏死区、周围水肿、对侧正常脑实质及脑脊液的ADC值，用方差分析法比较不同病变的坏死灶与脑脊液、周围水肿与正常脑实质的ADC值有无差别。结果脑脓肿、转移瘤及胶质瘤中心坏死区的ADC值间均有统计学差异，而且三者与脑脊液的ADC值亦有统计学差异。中心坏死区与脑脊液的ADC值从大到小为：脑脊液、胶质瘤、转移瘤和脑脓肿。脑脓肿和转移瘤周围水肿的ADC值间无统计学差异．二者与胶质瘤周围水肿均有统计学差异，后者的ADC值低于前二者。水肿区的ADC值明显高于正常脑实质。结论DWI及ADC像对鉴别颅内环形强化病变有较高的价值。     

梗阻性脑积水的弥散加权成像及弥散张量成像研究

目的探讨磁共振弥散加权成像(DWI)与弥散张量成像(DTI)对梗阻性脑积水的诊断价值。方法 25例梗阻性脑积水患者和30例志愿者均行3.0T磁共振常规序列以及DWI和DTI扫描,重建出ADC图、MD图、FA图、RA图、VR图及AI图,并对各参数图进行测量和记录,所得数据进行统计学分析。结果 30例志愿者及25例梗阻性脑积水患者分别测量双侧侧脑室周围脑白质、胼胝体膝部及压部区域的ADC、MD、FA、RA、VR及AI进行测量,ADC图中胼胝体膝部两组ADC值差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),双侧侧脑室外侧脑白质两组所测得MD、FA、VR、AI值均有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组胼胝体压部RA值有统计学差异(P<0.05),两组间胼胝体膝部所有测得DTI各参数值均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论 DWI和DTI在脑积水的诊断中具有重要的诊断价值。     

扩散张量成像对脑脓肿与坏死囊变性胶质瘤的鉴别诊断价值

目的 探讨磁共振扩散张量成像(DTI)对脑脓肿与坏死囊变性胶质瘤的鉴别诊断价值.资料与方法 回顾性分析2例经手术病理、3例经临床复查证实的脑脓肿和10例经手术病理证实的坏死囊变性胶质瘤.所有病例均行常规MR平扫、增强及DTI检查.构建表观扩散系数(ADC)图和各向异性分数(FA)图.测量病灶的坏死囊变区及其周围水肿区的ADC和FA值,计算其平均值,并行组间统计学分析.结果 脑脓肿脓腔扩散加权图像(DWI)表现为高信号者4例,低信号1例;胶质瘤坏死囊变区DWI表现为高信号者1例,混杂信号1例,低信号8例.脓腔、胶质瘤坏死囊变区ADC平均值分别为(0.79±0.11)×10-3 mm2/s、(2.38±0.28)×10-3 mm2/s,二者之间ADC值差异有统计学意义(t=6.45,P＜0.01).胶质瘤与脑脓肿周围水肿区ADC值分别为(1.65±0.13)×10-3 mm2/s、(1.94±0.17)×10-3 mm2/s,二者之间差异有统计学意义(t=1.98,P＜0.05).在FA图上,脓腔、胶质瘤坏死囊变区均表现为低信号,FA值分别为0.17±0.06、0.11±0.03,二者差异有统计学意义(t=2.42,P＜0.05),二者周围水肿区FA值分别为0.21±0.04、0.19±0.08,二者之间差异无统计学意义(t=1.13,P＞0.05).结论 DTI通过构建DWI图、ADC图和FA图能有效反映脓肿与坏死囊变性胶质瘤的不同液态性质.绝大多数脑脓肿的脓腔在DWI图上表现为高信号,ADC图上为低信号,而胶质瘤坏死囊变区则与之相反;脑脓肿周围水肿ADC值高于胶质瘤瘤周水肿.DTI对脑脓肿与坏死囊变性胶质瘤的鉴别诊断具有重要价值.     

MRI DTI联合血氧水平依赖功能成像在星形细胞瘤术前的研究

目的探讨3.0T磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)技术联合功能磁共振成像(fMRI)在星形细胞瘤与邻近脑白质纤维束解剖关系术前计划中的作用。方法对22例星形细胞瘤患者术前行常规MRI平扫,增强扫描及DTI技术fMRI检查,原始数据采集后进行图像分析处理,分别获得各项异性图(FA图),彩色编码张量图及脑白质纤维束图,并测定肿瘤的病灶区表观弥散系数(ADC值)及灶周水肿区各项异性分数(FA值)。分析肿瘤与相邻脑白质解剖关系,并对患者手术前后的临床症状进行评价。结果不同级别星形细胞瘤的肿瘤病灶区和灶周水肿区与正常白质区的ADC值和FA值存在差异,有统计学意义(P0.05﹚。白质纤维束可见受压、移位、浸润及破坏三种改变。4例Ⅰ~Ⅱ级星形细胞瘤推移相邻脑白质纤维束;8例Ⅱ~Ⅲ级星形细胞瘤侵润脑白质;10例Ⅲ~Ⅳ级星形细胞瘤破坏相邻脑白质纤维束。DTI图可以清晰显示运动区锥体束形态变化及与肿瘤之间的关系,在此基础上指导手术,效果满意。结论磁共振DTI技术联合fMRI是目前唯一在活体无创、三维清晰星形细胞瘤与周围白质纤维束的关系,由于二者的联合应用不仅能够显示大脑重要功能激活区在病理情况下的移位和改变,同时还能显示肿瘤与重要功能区和白质纤维束结构的关系,具有重要意义。     

脑膜瘤MR扩散张量成像研究

目的探讨平均扩散系数(ADC)和各向异性分数(FA)在脑膜瘤诊断中的价值.资料与方法 28例脑膜瘤在治疗前行常规MRI及扩散张量成像(DTI).在T1WI增强、T2WI及FA图上确定肿瘤、水肿、肿瘤邻近及对侧正常白质区.测量、分析这些区域的FA值和ADC值.结果脑膜瘤Ⅰ级:水肿区ADC值高于肿瘤实体区、肿瘤邻近正常白质区及肿瘤对侧正常白质区(P<0.05).肿瘤邻近及对侧白质区FA值高于肿瘤实体区、水肿区(P<0.05).肿瘤实体区与水肿区FA值无显著性差异(P>0.05).脑膜瘤Ⅱ Ⅲ级:水肿区ADC值高于肿瘤实体区、肿瘤邻近及对侧白质区(P<0.05),实体区和肿瘤邻近及对侧白质区ADC值亦有显著性差异(P<0.05).肿瘤邻近白质区FA值高于实体区和水肿区(P<0.05).脑膜瘤Ⅰ级肿瘤实体区、水肿区、邻近白质区ADC值与脑膜瘤Ⅱ、Ⅲ间具有显著性差异(P<0.05),肿瘤邻近白质区FA值亦有显著性差异(P<0.05).结论 ADC图有助于区分肿瘤实体区和水肿区.FA图可清晰显示正常白质纤维和肿瘤的解剖关系,利于术前手术方案制定.结合常规MRI,DTI有助于脑膜瘤良、恶性分级.     

MR弥散张量成像在颅内肿瘤病变中的应用

目的:探讨磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)FA值和ADC值在颅内肿瘤病变中的应用价值.方法:收集经手术及组织病理学证实胶质瘤患者12例,脑膜瘤10例,神经鞘瘤9例,淋巴瘤8例.术前行常规MRI平扫、增强扫描检查,DTI检查、工作站自动生成各向异性指数图(FA图)及表观弥散系数图(ADC图),分别测量肿瘤实质区的FA值、ADC值,分析比较不同肿瘤之间有无统计学差异.通过扩散张量纤维束示踪(DTT)在肿瘤区和健侧对应部位重建,主要为白质纤维束,并与肿瘤融合,观察纤维束的形态变化.结果:胶质瘤、脑膜瘤、淋巴瘤、神经鞘瘤肿瘤实质区平均FA值为FA1:0.318±0.0036,FA2:0.45±0.052,FA3:0.304±0.012,FA4:0.0362±0.071.ADC值为:ADC1:1.233±0.204,ADC2:1.061±0.039,ADC3:1.014±0.108,ADC4:1.469±0.062.脑膜瘤FA值最高,神经鞘瘤ADC值最高.DTT显示肿瘤与周围脑白质的关系.结论:不同肿瘤的FA值和ADC值存在明显差异,DTT较常规MRI可更好地观察肿瘤造成的白质纤维柬受压移位、浸润与破坏改变.为病变的诊断与鉴别诊断提供更多信息,为手术方案的制定,术后随访提供依据.     

表观弥散系数在高级别胶质瘤与急性期脑梗死鉴别诊断中的应用

目的探讨表观弥散系数(ADC值)在高级别胶质瘤与急性期脑梗死鉴别诊断中的应用。方法回顾性分析经手术和病理证实的18例高级别胶质瘤及正规及时溶栓治疗的28例急性期脑梗死的常规磁共振表现和弥散加权成像(DWI)表现,对照分析高级别胶质瘤实性部分、急性期脑梗死灶中心部分及对侧正常脑组织ADC值。结果 18例高级别胶质瘤患者共发现20个病灶,其中11例病灶内合并有出血、坏死和囊变,肿瘤实质部分呈稍高信号,囊变坏死区呈明显低信号,肿瘤实质部分平均ADC值为(0.92±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,对侧相应正常部位平均ADC值为(0.79±0.09)×10-3mm2/s,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),急性期脑梗死在DWI上表现为高或稍高信号,其ADC值明显低于对侧相应区域,平均ADC值为(0.69±0.10)×10-3mm2/s,高级别胶质瘤实性部分与急性期脑梗死平均ADC值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 DWI表现及ADC值对高级别胶质瘤与急性期脑梗死磁共振鉴别诊断具有重要价值。     

3．0T弥散张量成像FA值和ADC值在颅脑恶性星形细胞瘤中的运用

目的：探讨磁共振弥散张量成像FA值和ADC值在颅脑恶性星形细胞瘤中的应用价值。方法：收集经手术及组织病理学证实的恶性星形细胞瘤患者14例,术前行常规MRI平扫、DTI检查、增强扫描及1H-MRS检查,工作站自动生成各向异性指数图（FA图）及表观弥散系数图（ADC图）,定义肿瘤实质区为最高Cho／Cr和Cho／NAA比值、异常强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义瘤体边缘为Cho／Cr和Cho／NAA比值异常、无强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义瘤周水肿区为正常MRS表现、无强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义正常白质区为正常MRS表现、无强化、T2WI信号正常区（肿瘤同侧或对侧）;分别测量上述区域的FA1—4值、ADC1—4值,分析比较上述4个区FA值、ADC值有无统计学差异。结果：肿瘤实质区、瘤体边缘、瘤周水肿区及正常白质区平均FA值为FA1：0．1822±0．0583,FA2：0．2947±0．0786,FA3：0．1769±0．0942,FA4：0．6668±0．0817。肿瘤实质区、瘤体边缘、瘤周水肿区与正常自质区比较差异有高度显著性（P=0．000）,瘤体边缘与肿瘤实质区、瘤周水肿区之间差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）,肿瘤实质区与瘤周水肿区差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;平均ADC值为ADC1：11．132±4．101,ADC2：11．175±2．983,ADCB：14．939±2．857,ADCA：7．265±0．914（单位10^-3mm^2／s）。瘤体实质部、肿瘤边缘及瘤周水肿区与正常脑白质区ADC值差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）;瘤体实质部、肿瘤边缘与瘤周水肿区差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）;而瘤体实质部与肿瘤边缘差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论：FA值和ADC值对高级别星形细胞瘤浸润范围的划定有重要价值。     

扩散张量成像在颅内肿瘤周围白质区的应用

目的：评价MR扩散张量成像技术在不同级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤及转移瘤周围正常脑白质区的应用价值。方法：对43例颅内肿瘤患者行常规MRI及扩散张量成像检查,其中高级别胶质瘤12例,低级别胶质瘤10例,脑膜瘤12例、转移瘤9例。测量瘤周正常脑白质的FA值及对侧相应解剖部位正常脑白质的FA值,行组间统计学分析。结果：高级别胶质瘤瘤周正常脑白质FA值低于对侧正常脑白质FA值,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;低级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤及转移瘤FA值的差异无统计学意义。高级别胶质瘤瘤周正常脑白质FA值与低级别胶质瘤、脑膜瘤、转移瘤瘤周正常脑白质之间差异有统计学意义,后三者之间的差异比较无统计学意义。结论：MR扩散张量成像技术有助于颅内肿瘤的定性诊断及推测肿瘤细胞的浸润范围。     

正常成人大脑白质纤维磁共振弥散张量成像的定量研究

目的:运用弥散张量成像(DTI)定量研究正常成人脑白质不同解剖部位的各向异性特点.方法:对60名正常成人按年龄分成四组,均行DTI检查,分析其表面弥散系数(ADC)图及各向异性分数(FA)图的特点,并对不同解剖部位的脑白质进行ADC值及FA值的定量分析,通过统计学分析得出其弥散系数和各向异性特点.结果:不同年龄组间相同解剖部位脑白质ADC值及FA值的差异无统计学意义;不同解剖部位间FA值及ADC值的差异具有显著性.结论:DTI可清晰显示脑内白质的走行及方向,FA能准确定量分析正常成人不同部位脑白质纤维的各向异性程度.     

Peritumoral brain regions in gliomas and meningiomas: investigation with isotropic diffusion-weighted MR imaging and diffusion-tensor MR imaging

PURPOSE: To retrospectively measure the diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging characteristics of peritumoral hyperintense white matter (WM) and peritumoral normal-appearing WM, as seen on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of infiltrative high-grade gliomas and meningiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with biopsy-proved glioma and nine patients with imaging findings consistent with meningioma and an adjacent hyperintense region on T2-weighted MR images were examined with DW and diffusion-tensor MR imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured on maps generated from isotropic DW images of enhancing tumor, hyperintense regions adjacent to enhancing tumor, normal-appearing WM adjacent to hyperintense regions, and analogous locations in the contralateral WM corresponding to these areas. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured in similar locations on maps generated from diffusion-tensor imaging data. Changes in ADC and FA in each type of tissue were compared across tumor types by using a two-sample t test. P <.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: Mean ADCs in peritumoral hyperintense regions were 1.309 x 10(-3) mm2/sec (mean percentage of 181% of normal WM) for gliomas and 1.427 x 10(-3) mm2/sec (192% of normal value) for meningiomas (no significant difference). Mean ADCs in peritumoral normal-appearing WM were 0.723 x 10(-3) mm2/sec (106% of normal value) for gliomas and 0.743 x 10(-3) mm2/sec (102% of normal value) for meningiomas (no significant difference). Mean FA values in peritumoral hyperintense regions were 0.178 (43% of normal WM value) for gliomas and 0.224 (65% of normal value) for meningiomas (P =.05). Mean FA values for peritumoral normal-appearing WM were 0.375 (83% of normal value) for gliomas and 0.404 (100% of normal value) for meningiomas (P =.01). CONCLUSION: The difference in FA decreases in peritumoral normal-appearing WM between gliomas and meningiomas was significant, and the difference in FA decreases in peritumoral hyperintense regions between these tumors approached but did not reach significance. These findings may indicate a role for diffusion MR imaging in the detection of tumoral infiltration that is not visible on conventional MR images.     

CT灌注成像对脑肿瘤瘤周水肿的评价

目的　应用CT灌注成像半定量估计脑肿瘤瘤周水肿的灌注状况。方法　应用SomatomPlus4螺旋CT机,对21例脑肿瘤瘤周水肿患者[脑膜瘤4例,胶质瘤(Ⅲ~Ⅳ级)7例、转移瘤10例]进行CT灌注成像,经灌注软件处理分别计算瘤周水肿区局部脑血流量(rCBF)、局部脑血容量(rCBV)、对比剂平均通过时间(MTT),并与对侧脑白质和不同肿瘤瘤周水肿间的灌注参数进行比较。结果　脑膜瘤和转移瘤瘤周水肿的rCBF和rCBV明显低于对侧脑白质(rCBF:t=2 .92和3 .82,P值均<0. 05, 0. 005;rCBV:t=2 .42和3. 53, P<0 .05, 0 .01),胶质瘤瘤周水肿的rCBF和rCBV与正常脑白质无明显差别(t=1 .00和1 .33, P值均>0 .05)。瘤周水肿区与对侧正常脑白质rCBF、rCBV比值,脑膜瘤和转移瘤之间差异无统计学意义(t=0 .23和0. 73, P值均>0 .05),胶质瘤明显大于脑膜瘤和转移瘤(t=3 .05和3. 37, P<0 .01, 0 .005)。结论　脑膜瘤和转移瘤瘤周水肿区的rCBF、rCBV显著降低,而胶质瘤瘤周水肿区接近或高于对侧脑白质,CT灌注能定量脑肿瘤瘤周水肿血流灌注状况,有助于肿瘤的鉴别和随访。     

AQP1在鼠脑C6胶质瘤瘤周水肿浸润组织中的表达与FA值的相关性研究

目的研究Wistar大鼠C6脑胶质瘤瘤周水肿浸润组织部分各向异性分数(FA)值与水通道蛋白-1(AQP1)表达水平的相关性。材料与方法通过立体定向技术,将C6细胞接种至实验组大鼠(n=17)右尾状核,对照组大鼠(n=5)在相同部位注射全培养基。接种后约3～4周,利用3.0 T磁共振扫描仪行常规MRI、DTI、T2-FLAIR、T1WI及T1-3D-Bravo增强检查。借助Function Tool软件对DTI数据后处理,获得相应部位的FA值。之后选取与DTI肿瘤最大层面相对应的瘤周水肿区脑组织进行AQP1抗体免疫组织化学检查。Pearson相关分析法检测FA值和相应部位的AQP1阳性表达的IOD值的相关性。结果 15只成瘤大鼠中,瘤周水肿区平均FA值为(0.204±0.036),较对侧正常脑组织平均FA值(0.310±0.027)降低,两组结果经两样本t检验显示差别有统计学意义(P<0.05)。对照组大鼠右侧尾状核区平均FA值0.322±0.118,与实验组瘤周结果经两样本t检验差别亦有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示,肿瘤水肿浸润组织的FA值与AQP1阳性表达IOD值之间存在负相关(r=-0.810,P<0.05)。结论 Wistar大鼠C6脑胶质瘤瘤周水肿浸润组织的FA值较正常脑组织降低,且可以反映AQP1的表达水平。     

MRS和DTI对放疗前后脑胶质瘤瘤周水肿的观察与分析

目的:应用MRS和DTI观察脑胶质瘤放疗前、后肿瘤周围水肿区变化。方法:31例病理诊断明确的脑胶质瘤术后患者,分别在放疗前、后行MRI平扫+增强+MRS+DTI检查。分析肿瘤瘤周水肿区代谢物比值的变化[胆碱(Cho)/肌酐(Cr)、Cho/N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)、NAA/Cr]及部分各向异性(fractional anisotropy,FA)值、ADC值变化。结果:放疗后瘤周水肿区Cho/Cr、Cho/NAA、NAA/Cr值较放疗前下降,其中Cho/Cr差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),Cho/NAA、NAA/Cr值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);瘤周水肿区域放疗后FA值升高(P>0.05),ADC值下降(P<0.05)。结论:MRS及DTI能显示肿瘤水肿区放疗后的早期变化,较早反映放疗效果。     

Peritumoral diffusion tensor imaging of high-grade gliomas and metastatic brain tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced MR technique that describes the movement of water molecules by using two metrics, mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA), which represent the magnitude and directionality of water diffusion, respectively. We hypothesize that alterations in these values within the tissue surrounding brain tumors reflect combinations of increased water content and tumor infiltration and that these changes can be used to differentiate high-grade gliomas from metastatic lesions. METHODS: DTI was performed in 12 patients with high-grade gliomas and in 12 with metastatic lesions. DTI measurements were obtained from regions of interest (ROIs) placed on normal-appearing white matter and on the vasogenic edema, the T2 signal intensity abnormality surrounding each tumor. RESULTS: The peritumoral region of both gliomas and metastatic tumors displayed significant increases in MD (P <.005) and significant decreases in FA (P <.005) when compared with those of normal-appearing white matter. Furthermore, the peritumoral MD of metastatic lesions measured significantly greater than that of gliomas (P <.005). Peritumoral FA measurements, on the other hand, showed no such discrepancy. CONCLUSION: When compared with an internal control, diffusion metrics are clearly altered within the vasogenic edema surrounding both high-grade gliomas and metastatic tumors, reflecting increased extracellular water. Although peritumoral MD can be used to distinguish high-grade gliomas from metastatic tumors, peritumoral FA demonstrated no statistically significant difference. The FA changes surrounding gliomas, therefore, can be attributed not only to increased water content, but also to tumor infiltration.     

Analysis of diffusion tensor imaging metrics for gliomas grading at 3 T

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values derived from DTI for grading of glial tumors, and to estimate the correlation between DTI parameters and tumor grades.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients with glial tumors underwent DTI. AD, RD, ADC and FA values of tumor, peritumoral edema and contralateral normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and AD, RD, ADC and FA ratios: lowest average AD, RD, ADC and FA values in tumor or peritumoral edema to AD, RD, ADC and FA of NAWM were calculated.DTI parameters and tumor grades were analyzed statistically and with Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed.

Results

The differences in ADC, AD and RD tumor values, and ADC and RD tumor ratios were statistically significant between grades II and III, grades II and IV, and between grades II and III–IV. The AD tumor ratio differed significantly among all tumor grades.Tumor ADC, AD, RD and glial tumor grades were strongly correlated. In the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of the parameter tumor ADC was the largest for distinguishing grade II from grades III to IV (98.5%), grade II from grade IV (98.9%) and grade II from grade III (97.0%).

Conclusion

ADC, RD and AD are useful DTI parameters for differentiation between low- and high-grade gliomas with a diagnostic accuracy of more than 90%. Our study revealed a good inverse correlation between ADC, RD, AD and WHO grades II–IV astrocytic tumors.