Apparent diffusion coefficient and cerebral blood volume in brain gliomas: relation to tumor cell density and tumor
N Sadeghi1, N D'Haene, C Decaestecker
1Department of Radiology, Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium. nsadeghi@ulb.ac.be <nsadeghi@ulb.ac.be>
Background And Purpose:
MR imaging-based apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements have been related respectively to both cell and microvessel density in brain tumors. However, because of the high degree of heterogeneity in gliomas, a direct correlation between these MR imaging-based measurements and histopathologic features is required. The purpose of this study was to correlate regionally ADC and rCBV values with both cell and microvessel density in gliomas, by using coregistered MR imaging and stereotactic biopsies.
Materials And Methods:
Eighteen patients (9 men, 9 women; age range, 19-78 years) with gliomas underwent diffusion-weighted and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging before biopsy. Eighty-one biopsy samples were obtained and categorized as peritumoral, infiltrated tissue, or bulk tumor, with quantification of cell and microvessel density. ADC and rCBV values were measured at biopsy sites and were normalized to contralateral white matter on corresponding maps coregistered with a 3D MR imaging dataset. ADC and rCBV ratios were compared with quantitative histologic features by using the Spearman correlation test.
Results:
The highest correlations were found within bulk tumor samples between rCBV and cell density (r=0.57, P < .001) and rCBV and microvessel density (r=0.46, P < .01). An inverse correlation was found between ADC and microvessel density within bulk tumor (r=-0.36, P < .05), whereas no significant correlation was found between ADC and cell density.
Conclusion:
rCBV regionally correlates with both cell and microvessel density within gliomas, whereas no regional correlation was found between ADC and cell density.
Insights
Regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in gliomas correlates with cell and microvessel density. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) shows no regional correlation with cell density but inversely correlates with microvessel density.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
Background:
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) are MR imaging metrics linked to cell and microvessel density in brain tumors.
- Glioma heterogeneity necessitates direct correlation of MR imaging metrics with histopathologic features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To regionally correlate ADC and rCBV values with cell and microvessel density in gliomas.
- To validate MR imaging findings with stereotactic biopsy data.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen glioma patients underwent diffusion-weighted and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging.
- Eighty-one biopsy samples were analyzed for cell and microvessel density.
- Coregistered MR imaging and biopsy data were used to compare ADC and rCBV ratios with quantitative histology.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were observed between rCBV and both cell density (r=0.57) and microvessel density (r=0.46) in bulk tumor samples.
- An inverse correlation was found between ADC and microvessel density (r=-0.36) in bulk tumor.
- No significant regional correlation was found between ADC and cell density.
Conclusions:
- Regional rCBV measurements in gliomas correlate with both cellularity and microvessel density.
- Regional ADC measurements do not correlate with cell density in gliomas but show an inverse correlation with microvessel density.
