ISSN:
1432-1920
Keywords:
Key words Brain
;
magnetic resonance imaging
;
Brain
;
tumours
;
Magnetic resonance imaging
;
diffusion studies
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We used MRI for in vivo measurement of brain water self-diffusion in patients with intracranial tumours. The study included 28 patients (12 with high-grade and 3 with low-grade gliomas, 7 with metastases, 5 with meningiomas and 1 with a cerebral abscess). Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were calculated in a single axial slice through the tumours; the sequence was sensitive to diffusion along the cephalocaudal axis. Our main finding was that ADC in contrast-enhancing areas within cerebral metastases was statistically significantly higher than ADC in contrast-enhancing areas in high-grade gliomas (P≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the ADC in oedema surrounding metastases were statistically significantly higher the ADC in oedema around high-grade gliomas (P≤ 0.02). The ADC in patients with meningiomas did not differ significantly from those seen with high-grade gliomas or cerebral metastases. The highest ADC were found within cystic or necrotic tumour areas. In one patient with a cerebral abscess, suspected of having a high-grade glioma, the ADC was similar to that in high-grade gliomas. The finding of higher ADC in cerebral metastases than in high-grade gliomas may be helpful in trying to distinguish between these tumours preoperatively; it suggests increased free extracellular and/or intracellular water fraction in cerebral metastases. The method seems to hold potential for further noninvasive characterisation of intracranial tumours.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002340050450
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