Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
The reliability of routine clinical post-processing software in assessing potential diffusion-weighted MRI
1Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK; Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Background And Purpose:
Diffusion MRI characteristics have been used as biomarkers to guide prognosis in cerebral pathologies including brain metastases. The measurement of ADC is often described poorly in clinical and research studies with little detail given to the practical considerations of where to place ROIs, which post processing software package to use and how reproducible the resulting metrics will be.
Method:
We investigated a series of 12 patients with brain metastases and preoperative DWI. Three post processing platforms were used. ROI were placed over the tumour, peritumoural region and across the brain-tumour interface. These recordings were made by a neurosurgeon and a neuroradiologist. Inter-intra-observer variability was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. An exploratory analysis of DWI with overall survival and tumour type was made.
Results:
There was excellent correlation between the software packages used for all measures including assessing the whole tumour, selective regions with lowest ADC, the change of ADC across the brain-tumour interface and the relation of the tumour ADC to peritumoural regions and the normal white matter. There was no significant inter- or intra-observer variability for repeated readings. There were significant differences in the mean values obtained using different methodologies and different metrics had differing relationships to overall survival and primary tumour of origin.
Conclusion:
Diffusion weighted MRI metrics offer promise as potential non-invasive biomarkers in brain metastases and a variety of metrics have been shown to be reliably measured using differing platforms and observers.
Insights
Diffusion MRI metrics show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for brain metastases. Different measurement methods and software platforms yield reliable results, correlating with survival and tumor type.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is crucial for assessing brain metastases prognosis.
- Standardized ADC measurement protocols are lacking, impacting clinical utility.
- Variability in ROI placement and software affects reproducibility.
Observation:
- 12 patients with brain metastases underwent preoperative DWI.
- Three post-processing platforms were evaluated.
- ROIs were placed on tumors, peritumoral areas, and the brain-tumor interface by experts.
- Inter- and intra-observer variability was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis.
Findings:
- Excellent correlation observed across software platforms for various ADC measures.
- No significant inter- or intra-observer variability in repeated measurements.
- Significant differences in mean ADC values obtained with different methodologies.
- ADC metrics showed differential relationships with overall survival and primary tumor type.
Implications:
- dMRI metrics are reliable, reproducible biomarkers for brain metastases.
- Standardized dMRI analysis can enhance prognostic accuracy.
- Further research can refine dMRI for personalized treatment strategies.
