MR spectroscopy in gliomatosis cerebri

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri with MR imaging is known to be difficult. We report on the value of MR spectroscopy in the diagnosis, grading, and biopsy planing in eight patients with histopathologically proved gliomatosis cerebri. METHODS: Patients underwent MR imaging and MR spectroscopy (single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy [PRESS] at 1500/135, and chemical-shift imaging [CSI] PRESS at 1500/135) before open (n = 4) or stereotactic (n = 4) biopsy. In six patients who underwent CSI, biopsy samples were taken from regions of maximally elevated levels of choline/N-acetylaspartate (Cho/NAA). RESULTS: All patients showed elevated Cho/creatine (Cr) and Cho/NAA levels as well as varying degrees of decreased NAA/Cr ratios, which were most pronounced in the anaplastic lesions. In low-grade lesions, there was a maximum Cho/NAA ratio of 1.3, whereas in anaplastic tumors, the maximum Cho/NAA level was at least 2.5. Spectra in two patients with grade III lesions revealed a lactate peak; lactate and lipid signals were seen in two patients with grade IV lesions. Biopsy specimens from regions with maximally elevated levels of Cho/NAA showed dense infiltration of tumor cells. CONCLUSION: MR spectroscopy might be used to classify gliomatosis cerebri as a stable or a progressive disease indicating its potential therapeutic relevance.     

Proton MR spectroscopy in gliomatosis cerebri

Two cases of gliomatosis cerebri are presented in which there was markedly decreased N-acetyl aspartate and an elevated lactate-lipid area in the MR proton spectra. Received: 6 September 1999 Accepted: 10 December 1999     

MRI对脑胶质瘤病的诊断价值

目的：探讨MRI对脑胶质瘤病的诊断价值。方法：分析7例脑胶质瘤病的MRI表现。结果：7例胶质瘤病均侵犯2个脑叶或以上，5例侵及大脑深部结构，病变均呈长T1、长T2信号，占位效应不明显，未见明显强化，DWI示部分病灶呈高信号，ADC图呈低信号，且ADC值低于正常脑实质值，MRS波谱示病变区NAA峰明显降低，2例CHO峰明显升高，未见明显LAC峰，病理证实为脑胶质瘤病。结论：MRI是目前诊断脑胶质瘤病的首选影像学诊断方法。     

Multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy in gliomatosis cerebri

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare entity with non-specific clinical and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; accurate diagnosis is a differential diagnostic challenge. MR spectroscopy has recently been introduced as a useful diagnostic tool for detection of this entity. We present a gliomatosis cerebri case in which we made the radiological diagnosis using the MR spectroscopy findings; the diagnosis was confirmed by subsequent biopsy and histopathologic evaluation. Multivoxel spectroscopy (CSI, PRESS, 1500/135) shows a marked increase in Cho/NAA (6.6), normal to mild increase in Cho/Cr (1.2), and marked decrease in NAA/Cr (0.2) compared with the normally appearing contralateral side (Cho/NAA: 0.8, Cho/Cr: 0.9, NAA/Cr: 1.2).     

Fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR imaging of gliomatosis cerebri

Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to be the most sensitive imaging modality in the assessment of gliomatosis cerebri. Recent studies have shown that fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) is a valuable MR sequence in the delineation of cerebral pathologies including intra-axial tumors. However, no data are available about the role of this novel technique in the assessment of gliomatosis lesions. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the diagnostic potential of FLAIR MR imaging in patients with suspected gliomatosis cerebri. Seven patients suspected of having lesions of gliomatosis cerebri were examined by T1-weighted spin echo (SE), T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE), and FLAIR MR imaging with identical slice parameters. T1 and FLAIR were repeated after contrast media administration. Delineation and extent of gliomatosis were the primary parameters of the image analysis. The FLAIR imaging clearly delineated the extent of gliomatosis lesions in all patients. Due to the suppression of cerebrospinal fluid, the delineation was superior to conventional T2-weighted FSE images. Especially the detection and delineation of cortical spread and the infiltration of the corpus callosum was best seen on FLAIR images. The FLAIR MR imaging is a valuable diagnostic modality in the assessment of patients with gliomatosis cerebri. Due to its better delineation of tumor spread, it was found to be the imaging method of choice and should therefore be integrated into the MR imaging protocol of these patients. Received: 28 February 2000/Revised: 16 June 2000/Accepted: 19 June 2000     

A difficult diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri

Gliomatosis cerebri, a rare condition, requires clinical, radiological and pathological correlation for diagnosis. Mental and personality changes are the most common presenting symptoms with or without focal neurological signs. The widespread nature of the disease is revealed by CT or MRI. The shape of the brain may be maintained and pathological gross examination may be unremarkable or show hypertrophy without evident tumour. Microscopic examination reveals infiltration of the brain by variably differentiated neoplastic glial cells. We present a patient with gliomatosis cerebri in whom we experienced difficulties with diagnosis. The literature is reviewed and the diagnostic features summarised.     

大脑胶质瘤病磁共振成像结合磁共振波谱成像的诊断价值

目的：探讨磁共振成像（MRI）结合磁共振波谱成像（MRS）对大脑胶质瘤病的诊断价值。方法对15例经活体组织检查或手术病理证实的大脑胶质瘤病患者的临床表现及MRI平扫、增强,MRS影像学资料进行回顾性分析。MRI常规行T1WI、T2WI及FLAIR序列,采用时间飞跃法（TOF）的磁共振血管成像（MRA）,T1WI增强扫描。氢质子MRS采用单体素STEAM序列,并分析N-乙酰天门冬氨酸（NAA）、肌酸（Cr）、胆碱复合物（Cho）等物质峰值改变。结果所有病例均侵犯2个或2个以上脑叶,以颞叶、枕叶、胼胝体、基底节和丘脑等部位侵犯受累常见。病变区T1WI呈低或等低信号、T2WI呈高或混杂高信号、FLAIR上为高信号,未见明显坏死、钙化,受累区域脑组织肿胀,占位效应轻。注射钆喷酸葡胺增强扫描示10例无明显强化、3例斑片状强化、1例结节状强化、1例线状轻度强化。病变区域MRS表现为不同程度NAA降低,NAA/Cr比值降低;Cho上升,Cho/Cr和Cho/NAA的比值上升。结论 MRI结合MRS对大脑胶质瘤病的诊断及鉴别诊断具有临床价值,是目前诊断大脑胶质瘤病的首选影像学方法。     

Proton MR spectroscopy of gliomatosis cerebri: case report of elevated myoinositol with normal choline levels

A 69-year-old woman presented with clinical and imaging findings suspicious for gliomatosis cerebri, later confirmed by biopsy (moderately cellular, infiltrating glioma). Single voxel proton MR spectroscopy (TE 20 and TE 135) and spectroscopic imaging (TE 135) performed at admission showed normal choline, decreased N-acetyl, and elevated myo-inositol levels relative to creatine. The primary conclusion is that in suspected cases of gliomatosis cerebri, myo-inositol/creatine and myo-inositol/N-acetyl should be determined because they may provide evidence of tumor, even though choline/creatine is normal. A corollary to this conclusion is that choline/creatine may be misleading if used to demarcate infiltrating glioma from edema.     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted MR imaging of gliomatosis cerebri

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging characteristics of gliomatosis cerebri reiterate the diffuse nature of this tumor but are nonspecific and thus may pose a diagnostic challenge. Because perfusion MR imaging can provide a physiologic map of the microcirculation, we compared the measured relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) at perfusion imaging with histopathologic findings in gliomatosis cerebri. MR spectroscopic findings were also reviewed. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed of conventional and perfusion MR images from seven patients with proved gliomatosis cerebri. The conventional MR images were evaluated for the presence or absence of contrast enhancement, necrosis, and extent of T2-weighted signal intensity abnormality. Dynamic contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted gradient-echo echo-planar images were acquired during the first pass of a bolus injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The rCBV was calculated by using nondiffusible tracer kinetics and expressed relative to normal-appearing white matter. Pathologic findings were reviewed in all patients and compared with the MR perfusion data. Multivoxel 2D chemical shift imaging proton MR spectroscopic data were available for three patients and single-voxel data for one patient. RESULTS: Conventional MR images showed diffuse abnormality in all cases and absence of contrast enhancement in all but one case. Average rCBV range was 0.75-1.26 (mean, 1.02 +/- 0.42 [SD]). MR spectroscopic data revealed spectra consistent with presence of tumoral disease. Histopathologic review showed absence of vascular hyperplasia in all specimens. CONCLUSION: The low MR rCBV measurements of gliomatosis cerebri are in concordance with the lack of vascular hyperplasia found at histopathologic examination; thus, perfusion MR imaging provides useful adjunctive information that is not available from conventional MR imaging techniques.     

MR and positron emission tomography with fludeoxyglucose F 18 in gliomatosis cerebri.

A 16-year-old girl presented with a unilateral third nerve palsy and predominant gray matter involvement on MR and positron emission tomography with fludeoxyglucose F 18. These findings were manifestations of gliomatosis cerebri. The antemortem diagnosis was made by partial temporal lobectomy.     

Computed tomography of gliomatosis cerebri

Gliomatosis cerebri, a rare diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma, was discovered on the postmortem examination of a 22-year-old woman with a 13 year history of seizures. Computed tomography of the brain revealed bifrontal white matter low density changes that were most consistent with a demyelinating or dysmyelinating disorder.     

MRI对卵巢良恶性病变的鉴别诊断价值

目的:探讨MRI对卵巢良恶性疾病的鉴别诊断价值。方法:分析66例经手术病理证实的卵巢疾病的MRI特征,良性病变36例,其中卵巢囊肿7例,巧克力囊肿5例,畸胎瘤10例,炎症肿块4例,浆液性囊腺瘤6例,粘液性囊腺瘤4例;恶性病变30例,其中浆液性囊腺癌10例,粘液性囊腺癌11例,内胚窦瘤4例,Krukenberg’s肿瘤5例。所有患者行常规扫描,平扫发现病灶行增强扫描,术后对所有病变行MR征象与病理结果对照分析。结果:MRI检查能很好显示卵巢病变的特征,其定位诊断100%,诊断的敏感性93%,特异性94%,准确性94%,卵巢癌分期准确性达85.0%。结论:MRI对卵巢良恶性病变的鉴别诊断价值大,并可提供卵巢癌分期所需的信息,增强扫描可进一步提高MR对卵巢癌的诊断及分期的准确性。     

Magnetic resonance imaging determination of gliomatosis cerebri

Summary Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare condition characterized by diffuse overgrowth of large portions of the brain and spinal cord by glial cells in varying stages of differentiation. The tumor process is primarily an infiltrative, rather than a destructive one. Hence, pre-operative diagnosis by traditional imaging studies, including computed tomography (CT), has been difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its unique sensitivity for cerebral pathology, is an ideal modality for demonstrating this lesion. We present three cases of gliomatosis cerebri in which high-field MRI clearly delineates the extent of the pathologic process.     

Innovative approach in the diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri using carbon-11-L-methionine positron emission tomography

A case of gliomatosis cerebri was studied with positron emission tomography (PET). Carbon-11-L-methionine (11C-Met) accumulated in the diffusely infiltrative tumorous area more widely and accurately than the lesion detected by conventional x-ray computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Autopsy findings three months after the time of the PET study showed good anatomical correspondence between the extent of densely aggregated tumor cells and the region with high uptake of 11C-Met. PET may offer an innovative approach in the delineation of gliomatosis cerebri, which has not been clearly recognized by CT or MR.     

CT and MRI findings in gliomatosis cerebri: a neuroradiologic and neuropathologic review of diffuse infiltrating brain neoplasms

The aim of the study was to develop objective criteria that might be helpful for the diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri (GC) with the highest possible probability based on both the neuroradiological and histopathological findings. Imaging findings in 14 patients with diffuse infiltrating brain neoplasms were studied by two neuroradiologists. Computed tomography and MRI scans were compared with each other side by side. The extent and kind of disease were graded on a scale of 1–5. Interexamination agreement between the two methods was calculated using a kappa analysis. Neither of the neuroradiologists performed the examinations and both were blinded to the histopathological findings, which were also available for all patients, based on biopsy as well as follow-up CT and MRI studies. A neuroradiological–neuropathological correlation was performed. A score system helped to differentiate the findings in three categories: 1 = suggestive of GC; 2 = GC cannot be excluded; and 3 = others. Both CT and MRI were performed in 14 patients with clinical signs and symptoms of an intracerebral tumor. All examinations had diagnostic quality and showed the involvement of at least two brain lobes. Stereotactic biopsy was carried out in all patients. In 2 patients the neuropathological diagnosis was suggestive of GC, in 1 patient glioblastoma, in 2 patients astrocytoma, and in 5 patients nonspecific astrogliotic proliferation. In the remaining 4 cases anaplastic tumor infiltration was diagnosed. The neuroradiological findings in 5 cases were suggestive of GC; in 6 cases a GC could not excluded; and in 3 patients only a slight probability of GC was found. In 2 cases was the neuropathological and the neuroradiological diagnosis of GC concordant. Magnetic resonance imaging is significantly more sensitive than CT in the diagnosis of GC. However, even with multiple, MRI-guided stereotactic biopsies in correlation with intraoperative analysis of the sample by smear preparations by a neuropathologist the antemortem diagnosis of GC is still difficult. Discussion of neuropathological and neuroradiological findings in each case in combination with a score system may help to resolve discrepancies. Received: 3 March 2000/Revised: 1 August 2000/Accepted: 4 August 2000     

Role of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri: a unique pattern of normal choline but elevated Myo-inositol metabolite levels

A patient with histologically proven gliomatosis cerebri presented with a normal choline level but a markedly abnormal elevated myo-inositol level on magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. We describe the case presentation, imaging findings (in particular, the unique MR spectroscopic pattern), and their significance regarding the diagnosis of this relatively rare neoplasm.     

自身免疫性胰腺炎的MR诊断与鉴别诊断

目的分析自身免疫性胰腺炎的MRI表现,旨在提高对其诊断的准确率。方法对经临床证实的10例自身免疫性胰腺炎进行回顾性分析,10例均行MR平扫及增强扫描检查。结果胰腺弥漫性受累(8/10),胰头局限性肿块(1/10),胰体尾部受累(1/10);6例可见"假包膜"征。MRCP:9例胆总管胰腺段狭窄,8例见胰管局限性或弥漫性狭窄,1例主胰管未见显示;动态增强后病变区呈延迟性强化。结论 MRI表现有一定的特点,需要和其它胰腺病变进行鉴别诊断,从而做出正确的诊断。