MR diffusion kurtosis imaging predicts malignant potential and the histological type of meningioma

Fen Xing1, Ning Tu1, Tong San Koh2

  • 1Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.

Abstract

Insights

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) metrics can differentiate benign from malignant meningioma. Mean kurtosis (MK) showed high accuracy, and DKI metrics may reflect tumor cell proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Radiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors.
  • Accurate preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant meningiomas is crucial for treatment planning.
  • Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) offers advanced insights into tissue microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic value of DKI metrics for distinguishing between benign and malignant meningiomas.
  • To explore the potential of DKI in differentiating meningioma subtypes.
  • To investigate the correlation between DKI metrics and tumor proliferation markers.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 35 cerebral meningioma patients using DKI.
  • Acquisition of metrics including AD, RD, MD, FA, AK, RK, and MK, normalized to contralateral white matter.
  • Statistical analysis using independent t-tests, ROC curves, and ANOVA to compare groups and subtypes.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in AD, normalized AD, normalized MD, MK, and normalized MK between benign and malignant groups.
  • Mean kurtosis (MK) demonstrated high diagnostic performance (AUC=0.780, sensitivity=70%, specificity=89%).
  • Several DKI metrics showed significant differences among four pathological subtypes and correlated positively with Ki-67 labeling index.

Conclusions:

  • DKI metrics show promise in differentiating benign from malignant meningiomas.
  • DKI can aid in distinguishing between histological subtypes of meningioma.
  • DKI metrics may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for assessing meningioma cellular proliferation.