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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Atypical and malignant canine intracranial meningiomas may have lower apparent diffusion coefficient values than
Julien Fages1, Trisha J Oura1, James Sutherland-Smith1
1Departments of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Canine intracranial meningiomas can be graded based on histological classification as benign (grade I), atypical (grade II), and anaplastic or malignant (grade III). In people, grade II/III meningiomas behave more aggressively, have a higher potential for recurrence after surgical resection, and have lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). In this retrospective analytical cross-sectional study, 42 dogs had ADC values quantified in an attempt to differentiate tumor histologic grade. Our hypothesis was that ADC values would be significantly lower in grade II and III versus grade I meningiomas in dogs. On each ADC image, a polygonal region of interest (ROI) was hand-drawn along the lesion's periphery, excluding fluid-filled and hemorrhagic regions. Mean ADC value (ADCmean ) and minimum ADC value (ADCmin ) were calculated. Additionally, two smaller, ovoid ROI were drawn within the lesion with mean ADC calculated (ADCmean sR and ADCmin sR ). Normalized ADC values using white matter were also calculated (ADCn and ADCn sR ). Grades of each tumor were assigned based on histopathology review. Association between ADC parameters and histological grade was tested by means of two-sample t-tests. There were 14 grade I (33.3%), 25 grade II (59.5%), and three grade III (7.2%) meningiomas. ADCmean sR and ADCmin sR were significantly lower when comparing grade II/III to grade I (P < .05). Grade II tumors had significantly lower ADCmean , ADCmean sR , ADCmin sR , ADCn , and ADCn sR than grade I meningiomas. This preliminary study supports the potential of ADC values to help predict the histological grade of intracranial meningiomas in dogs.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values may help predict canine intracranial meningioma grades. Lower ADC values were significantly associated with higher-grade tumors (II/III) compared to benign (grade I) meningiomas in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary neurology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Canine intracranial meningiomas are classified histologically into grades I (benign), II (atypical), and III (anaplastic/malignant).
- In human medicine, higher-grade meningiomas exhibit more aggressive behavior and lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ADC values and histological tumor grade in canine intracranial meningiomas.
- To determine if ADC values can differentiate between benign (grade I) and higher-grade (II/III) meningiomas in dogs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 canine intracranial meningiomas.
- Quantification of various ADC parameters (mean, minimum, normalized) using regions of interest on ADC images.
- Histopathological grading of tumors and statistical comparison of ADC values between grades.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in ADC values (ADCmean sR, ADCmin sR) was observed in grade II/III meningiomas compared to grade I.
- Grade II meningiomas showed significantly lower ADCmean, ADCmean sR, ADCmin sR, ADCn, and ADCn sR values than grade I meningiomas.
- The study included 14 grade I, 25 grade II, and 3 grade III meningiomas.
Conclusions:
- ADC values show potential as a non-invasive biomarker for predicting the histological grade of canine intracranial meningiomas.
- Lower ADC values may indicate a higher likelihood of atypical or anaplastic meningioma in dogs.
