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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Automated Segmentation of Cortical Grey Matter from T1-Weighted MRI Images
Published on: January 7, 2019
Voxel based morphometry-detected white matter volume loss after multi-modality treatment in high grade glioma
Jesse D de Groot1, Bart R J van Dijken1, Hiska L van der Weide2
1Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center (MIC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy are components of standard multi-modality treatment of high grade gliomas (HGG) aimed at achieving local tumor control. Treatment is neurotoxic and RT plays an important role in this, inducing damage even distant to the RT target volume.
Purpose:
This retrospective longitudinal study evaluated the effect of treatment on white matter and gray matter volume in the tumor-free hemisphere of HGG patients using voxel based morphometry (VBM).
Method:
3D T1-weighted MR images of 12 HGG patients at multiple timepoints during standard treatment were analyzed using VBM. Segmentation of white matter and gray matter of the tumor-free hemisphere was performed. Multiple general linear models were used to asses white matter and gray matter volumetric differences between time points. A mean RT dose map was created and compared to the VBM results.
Results:
Diffuse loss of white matter volume, mainly throughout the frontal and parietal lobe, was found, grossly overlapping regions that received the highest RT dose. Significant loss of white matter was first noticed after three cycles of chemotherapy and persisted after the completion of standard treatment. No significant loss of white matter volume was observed between pre-RT and the first post-RT follow-up timepoint, indicating a delayed effect.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated diffuse and early-delayed decreases in white matter volume of the tumor-free hemisphere in HGG patients after standard treatment. White matter volume changes occurred mainly throughout the frontal and parietal lobe and grossly overlapped with areas that received the highest RT dose.
