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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Noninvasive Cerebral Blood Flow Determination in Human Functional Brain Region for Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders
Published on: May 31, 2024
Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling reflects vascular density and differentiates angiomatous meningiomas from
Shinichiro Koizumi1, Naoto Sakai, Hiroshi Kawaji
1Department of Neurosurgery, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, 3453 Mikatahara-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 433-8558, Japan.
Abstract:
Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) can measure tumor blood flow (TBF) reliably. We investigated meningioma TBF using PCASL and assessed for any correlation with histopathological microvascular density (MVD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Conventional MRI with contrast T1-weighted images and PCASL were acquired with a 3 T scanner before surgery in 25 consecutive patients with meningiomas. Using the PCASL perfusion map, the mean and maximum TBF were calculated from regions of interest placed in the largest cross-sectional plane of each tumor. Tissue sections from 16 patients were stained with CD31 to evaluate MVD and were assigned a WHO classification. The TBFs were statistically compared with MVD and the histopathological meningioma subtypes. There were 16 meningothelial meningiomas, four angiomatous meningiomas, two fibrous meningiomas, one transitional meningioma, and two atypical meningiomas. We observed significant correlation between MVD and both mean and maximum TBF (p < 0.05). The mean and maximum TBF ((mean)TBF, (max)TBF) in angiomatous meningiomas are significantly higher than that in non-angiomatous meningiomas (p < 0.05). PCASL is useful in assessing meningioma vascularity, and in differentiating angiomatous meningiomas from non-angiomatous meningiomas.
Insights
Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) reliably measures tumor blood flow in meningiomas. This technique correlates with microvascular density and helps differentiate tumor subtypes, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Meningiomas are primary brain tumors where tumor blood flow (TBF) is a key characteristic.
- Assessing TBF and its relationship with tumor biology is crucial for diagnosis and prognosis.
- Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) offers a non-invasive method for TBF quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate meningioma TBF using PCASL.
- To assess the correlation between PCASL-derived TBF and histopathological microvascular density (MVD).
- To evaluate the utility of PCASL in differentiating meningioma subtypes based on WHO classification.
Main Methods:
- Conventional MRI and PCASL were performed on 25 meningioma patients using a 3T scanner.
- Mean and maximum TBF were calculated from PCASL perfusion maps.
- MVD was assessed via CD31 staining in 16 patients, and tumors were classified by WHO grade.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between MVD and both mean and maximum TBF (p < 0.05).
- Angiomatous meningiomas exhibited significantly higher mean and maximum TBF compared to non-angiomatous subtypes (p < 0.05).
- PCASL demonstrated utility in assessing meningioma vascularity and distinguishing angiomatous from non-angiomatous types.
Conclusions:
- PCASL is a valuable tool for evaluating meningioma vascularity.
- PCASL-derived TBF correlates with microvascular density and can aid in differentiating meningioma subtypes.
- This non-invasive perfusion imaging technique supports pre-surgical characterization of meningiomas.
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