The Assessment of White Matter Integrity Alteration Pattern in Patients with Brain Tumor Utilizing Diffusion Tensor...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuropathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Brain tumors can significantly impact surrounding brain tissue integrity.
• Understanding alterations in white matter tracts (WMTs) is crucial for assessing tumor effects.
• Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) offers insights into white matter microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the patterns of white matter tract microstructure integrity alterations in brain tumor patients.
• To establish criteria for assessing these morphological and microstructural changes.
• To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of these alterations.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Web of Science databases following PRISMA guidelines.
• Selection of 25 studies focusing on white matter tract integrity in brain tumor patients.
• Characterization of WMT changes using tract visualization (orientation, position) and DTI parameters (fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient).

Main Results:

• No specific tumor type exclusively correlated with distinct WMT microstructural changes.
• Tumor displacement or infiltration of WMTs was observed across various tumor types and grades.
• Morphological WMT integrity alterations provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.

Conclusions:

• Characterizing white matter tract microstructural integrity changes is vital for tumor evaluation.
• These findings can aid in early detection of neurological deficits and surgical decision-making.
• DTI-based assessment of WMTs offers a potential tool for comprehensive tumor management.