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A Protocol for Rapid Post-mortem Cell Culture of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma DIPG
Published on: March 7, 2017
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MRI Patterns of Extrapontine Lesion Extension in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas
L Makepeace1, M Scoggins1, B Mitrea1
1From the Departments of Diagnostic Imaging (L.M., M.S., B.M., A.E., S.H., Z.P.).
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|January 25, 2020
Summary
Extrapontine lesion extensions in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) can predict survival. Extension into middle cerebellar peduncles shortens survival, while extension into midbrain and medulla without peduncle involvement improves it.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging Biomarkers
Background:
- Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a severe childhood brain tumor.
- Current MR imaging lacks robust prognostic indicators for DIPG.
- Identifying new imaging biomarkers is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate extrapontine lesion extensions as prognostic imaging biomarkers in DIPG.
- To quantify patterns of tumor spread beyond the pons.
- To correlate these patterns with patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Volumetric analysis of baseline MR imaging in 131 DIPG patients.
- Classification of extrapontine extension patterns (midbrain, medulla, cerebellar peduncles).
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and linear regression for prognostic variables.
Main Results:
- 95.4% of patients showed extrapontine extension.
- Extension into middle cerebellar peduncles correlated with shorter survival (P=.01).
- Extension into midbrain and medulla (without peduncle involvement) correlated with longer survival (P=.04).
Conclusions:
- Specific extrapontine extension patterns are significant predictors of DIPG survival.
- These findings aid in risk stratification for DIPG patients.
- Potential value for radiation therapy planning in clinical trials.
