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Prediction of Motor Recovery Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Postoperative Brain
Chie Matsuura1, Yuki Sakaeyama2, Mitsuyoshi Abe2
1Department of Neurosurgery (Omori), Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, JPN.
Objective:
To determine whether diffusion tensor image (DTI) parameters and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) serve to preoperatively predict postoperative motor outcomes in patients with brain tumors.
Methods:
We included 81 patients with brain tumors who underwent surgical treatment. Motor function was assessed using the manual muscle test in the upper and lower limbs at admission and discharge. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and their ratios (rFA, rMD, rAD, and rRD) were measured at the corona radiata, internal capsule, and cerebral peduncle of the corticospinal tract (CST). In addition, DTI and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were synthesized to measure rCBF at the CST.
Result:
Both DTI parameters and rCBF at the CST in the preoperative motor weakness group significantly differed from those of the preoperative normal function group. rFA at the cerebral peduncle and the internal capsule was considerably higher in those showing postoperative motor recovery than in those postoperative unchanged or with deteriorated motor function (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was significantly lower rMD and rRD at the internal capsule in the motor recovery group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Furthermore, rCBF was higher at all the cerebral peduncle, internal capsule, and corona radiate in the motor recovery group than in the unchanged and deteriorated motor function group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
The analysis of DTI parameters and rCBF is useful in predicting postoperative motor outcomes in patients with brain tumors.
