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Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Clinical Correlations
H Tan1, L Zhang2, A G Mikati2
1From the Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery) (H.T., L.Z., A.G.M., R.G., O.K., M.D.F., I.A.A.), University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois htan1@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) shows increased iron in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) with age and hemorrhage history. QSM may serve as a novel biomarker for CCMs, though further clinical significance studies are needed.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
- Neurology
Background:
- Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a neuroimaging technique that can assess iron deposition.
- Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations associated with iron accumulation.
- Assessing iron content in CCMs using QSM may provide insights into disease progression and clinical features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate lesional iron deposition, measured by QSM, with clinical and disease features in patients with CCMs.
- To investigate the relationship between QSM-derived iron levels and patient age, lesion volume, and hemorrhagic history.
- To evaluate the temporal changes in QSM signal in CCM lesions.
Main Methods:
- 105 patients with CCMs underwent routine clinical scans and QSM on 3T MRI systems.
- CCM lesions were identified on susceptibility maps and verified using T2-weighted images.
- Mean susceptibility per lesion (χ̄lesion) was measured and correlated with clinical data; temporal changes were assessed in 33 patients.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was found between average χ̄lesion and patient age.
- CCM lesions with a history of overt hemorrhage showed significantly higher χ̄lesion compared to those without.
- Longitudinal QSM signal changes were minimal in clinically stable lesions without new hemorrhages.
Conclusions:
- QSM demonstrates a positive correlation with patient age and a higher signal in hemorrhagic CCM lesions.
- QSM shows minimal longitudinal change in stable lesions, suggesting its potential as an imaging biomarker for CCMs.
- Further research is warranted to establish the clinical significance of QSM measures in CCM management.
