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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Differentiating brain metastasis from glioblastoma by time-dependent diffusion MRI
Kiyohisa Kamimura1, Yoshiki Kamimura2, Tsubasa Nakano2
1Department of Advanced Radiological Imaging, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan. kiyohisa@m2.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp.
Background:
This study was designed to investigate the use of time-dependent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in distinguishing between glioblastomas and brain metastases.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted involving 65 patients with glioblastomas and 27 patients with metastases using a diffusion-weighted imaging sequence with oscillating gradient spin-echo (OGSE, 50 Hz) and a conventional pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE, 0 Hz) sequence. In addition to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps from two sequences (ADC50Hz and ADC0Hz), we generated maps of the ADC change (cADC): ADC50Hz - ADC0Hz and the relative ADC change (rcADC): (ADC50Hz - ADC0Hz)/ ADC0Hz × 100 (%).
Results:
The mean and the fifth and 95th percentile values of each parameter in enhancing and peritumoral regions were compared between glioblastomas and metastases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of the best discriminating indices were compared. In enhancing regions, none of the indices of ADC0Hz and ADC50Hz showed significant differences between metastases and glioblastomas. The mean cADC and rcADC values of metastases were significantly higher than those of glioblastomas (0.24 ± 0.12 × 10-3mm2/s vs. 0.14 ± 0.03 × 10-3mm2/s and 23.3 ± 9.4% vs. 14.0 ± 4.7%; all p < 0.01). In peritumoral regions, no significant difference in all ADC indices was observed between metastases and glioblastomas. The AUC values for the mean cADC (0.877) and rcADC (0.819) values in enhancing regions were significantly higher than those for ADC0Hz5th (0.595; all p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters may be useful for differentiating brain metastases from glioblastomas.
Insights
Time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters effectively distinguish glioblastomas from brain metastases. The study found significant differences in ADC change (cADC) and relative ADC change (rcADC) in enhancing regions, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuro-oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Distinguishing glioblastomas from brain metastases is clinically significant.
- Conventional diffusion MRI parameters often show overlap between these tumor types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters in differentiating glioblastomas from brain metastases.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of conventional and time-dependent diffusion parameters.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 65 glioblastomas and 27 brain metastases using oscillating gradient spin-echo (OGSE) and pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) diffusion MRI.
- Calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, ADC change (cADC), and relative ADC change (rcADC).
Main Results:
- In enhancing regions, mean cADC and rcADC values were significantly higher in metastases than glioblastomas (p < 0.01).
- AUC values for mean cADC (0.877) and rcADC (0.819) were significantly higher than conventional ADC indices (p < 0.001).
- No significant differences were observed in peritumoral regions for any ADC indices.
Conclusions:
- Time-dependent diffusion MRI parameters, specifically cADC and rcADC, demonstrate potential for differentiating brain metastases from glioblastomas.
- These advanced diffusion metrics offer improved diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional ADC values in enhancing tumor regions.
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