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Prediction of the consistency of pituitary adenoma: A comparative study on diffusion-weighted imaging and
Lu Yiping1, Xiong Ji2, Geng Daoying1
1Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12, Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai 200040, China.
Objectives:
This study aims to evaluate the role of BLADE magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and other traditional MRI parameters to predict pituitary adenoma consistency in combination with pathological results.
Methods:
Thirty-four patients with surgery and pathological diagnosis of pituitary adenomas were included in this study. All exams were performed at 3.0T with traditional MRI sequences and BLADE DWI to acquire MRI parameters, then the consistency and collagen content of pituitary adenomas were evaluated at and after surgery respectively to explore the capacity of MRI technique to predict consistency or its correlation with collagen content.
Results:
According to consistency evaluated at surgery, 29 pituitary adenomas were categorised as soft while others were regarded as hard. SI ratio of pre- or post-enhanced T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images or ADC values exhibited no significant relationship with adenoma consistency. To some extent, the ADC ratio had diagnostic value to predict hard consistency for ADC<1.077, while the AUC was 0.7724 for the ROC curve. H.E. staining and Masson staining were used to assess collagen content qualitatively and quantitatively. Adenoma consistency was relevant to collagen content while the cut-off value for collagen content between soft and hard tumours was 15.39%; the ADC ratio exhibited close relationship with collagen content, showing a lower ADC ratio for increasing collagen content.
Conclusions:
This study revealed that the ADC ratio decreased with increasing collagen content and predicted hard consistency of tumours for ADC<1.077. Correlation between ADC ratio and tumour consistency needs further exploration.
Insights
The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio can predict pituitary adenoma consistency and collagen content. A lower ADC ratio indicates harder tumors with higher collagen, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pituitary adenomas require accurate consistency assessment for surgical planning.
- Traditional MRI parameters have limitations in predicting tumor consistency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate BLADE magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and other MRI parameters for predicting pituitary adenoma consistency.
- To correlate MRI findings with pathological results, specifically collagen content.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-four pituitary adenoma patients underwent 3.0T MRI, including traditional sequences and BLADE DWI.
- Tumor consistency was assessed during surgery, and collagen content was evaluated via H.E. and Masson staining.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio and other MRI parameters were analyzed for correlation with consistency and collagen content.
Main Results:
- The ADC ratio showed diagnostic value in predicting hard consistency (ADC < 1.077, AUC = 0.7724).
- Adenoma consistency correlated with collagen content (cut-off 15.39%).
- A lower ADC ratio was associated with higher collagen content.
Conclusions:
- The ADC ratio is a valuable tool for predicting pituitary adenoma consistency and collagen content.
- Further research is needed to fully explore the correlation between ADC ratio and tumor consistency.
