Nomogram incorporating preoperative MRI-VASARI features for differentiating intracranial extraventricular ependymoma...

Intracranial extraventricular ependymoma (IEE) and glioblastoma (GBM) may have similar imaging findings but different prognosis. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) features for preoperatively differentiating IEE from GBM.

The clinical data and the MRI-VASARI features of patients with confirmed IEE (n=114) and confirmed GBM (n=258) in a multicenter cohort were retrospectively analyzed. Predictive models for differentiating IEE from GBM were built using a multivariate logistic regression method. A nomogram was generated and the performance of the nomogram was assessed with respect to its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness.

The predictors identified in this study consisted of six VASARI features and four clinical features. Compared with the individual models, the combined model incorporating clinical and VASARI features had the highest area under the curve (AUC) value [training set: 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98-1.00; validation set: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-1.00] in comparison to the clinical model. The nomogram was well calibrated with significant clinical benefit according to the calibration curve and decision curve analyses.

The nomogram combining clinical and MRI-VASARI characteristics was robust for differentiating IEE from GBM preoperatively and may potentially assist in diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.