Quantitative measurement of microvascular permeability in human brain tumors achieved using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging: Correlation with histologic grade
Hc. Roberts et al., Quantitative measurement of microvascular permeability in human brain tumors achieved using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging: Correlation with histologic grade, AM J NEUROR, 21(5), 2000, pp. 891-899
Citations number
47
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Neurosciences & Behavoir
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging may be used to
quantify tissue fractional blood volume (fBV) and microvascular permeabili
ty, We tested this technique in patients with brain tumors to assess whethe
r these measurements correlate with tumor histologic grade.
METHODS: Twenty-two patients with newly diagnosed gliomas underwent MR imag
ing followed by surgery, Imaging consisted of one pre- and six dynamic post
contrast 3D spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state data
sets after administration of a single dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of contrast materi
al. Signal intensity changes in blood and tissue were kinetically analyzed
using a bidirectional two-compartment model, yielding estimates of fBV (mL/
cm(3)) and microvascular permeability (mL/100 cm(3) per minute). Stained tu
mor specimens were scored on a four-point scale (1 = low grade, 4 = high gr
ade).
RESULTS: Histologic examination revealed one grade 1, eight grade 2, seven
grade 3, and six grade 4 tumors. fBV values ranged from 0.5% to 13.7%, Perm
eability values ranged from -0.4 to 18.8, with a strong correlation (r = 0.
83) to tumor grade. Despite some overlap between the permeability values of
specific tumors from different grades, differences in the mean were statis
tically significant. There was a weak correlation (r = 0.39) between estima
ted fBV and tumor grade, and no statistically significant difference among
fBV values in any of the groups.
CONCLUSION: This relatively simple method of analysis provides quantitative
estimates of fBV and microvascular permeability in human brain tumors, wit
h the permeability being predictive of pathologic grade. The technique can
be easily implemented on clinical scanners and may prove useful in the asse
ssment of tumor biology and in therapeutic trials.