3-Tesla amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APT-WI): elevated signal also in tumor mimics

To explore amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTwi) for the initial classification of brain masses in clinical practice by systematically reporting APTwi signal intensity (APT-SI) in tumor mimics and brain tumors.

Single-center retrospective analysis (2017-2020) of APTwi in 156 patients (84 men, mean age: 50.9 ± 20) who underwent characterization imaging of a brain mass prior to any treatment, using 3-Tesla MRI. 125/156 (80%) patients presented with brain tumor and 31/156 (20%) with tumor mimics. Regions of interest were manually drawn on 2D axial slices by two readers on APTwi map in lesional and perilesional areas and APT-SI, corresponding to the Magnetization Transfer Ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm, was systematically reported. Student's t-test or Wilcoxon-test were used to compare groups of patients.

The mean APT-SI in lesional and perilesional areas were significantly higher in tumors compared to tumor mimics: 3% [2.10-4] (median [Q1-Q3]) vs 1.7% [0.80-2.55] (p < 0.001) and 1.9% [1.2-2.80] vs. 1.0% [0.55-2.3] (p < 0.01). There were no differences in mean APT-SI in the tumor core between low and high-grade tumors: 2.5% [1.80-4.0] vs. 3.25% [2.5-4.0]. The mean APT-SI was significantly higher in high-grade glioma compared to low-grade glioma: 3.4% [2.7-4] vs. 2.1% [1.7-2.5] (p < 0.001). Highest mean APT-SI in tumor core were found in mesenchymal tumors (5.83% ± 1.45, mean ± SD), embryonal tumors (5.27% ± 3.5) and meningiomas (4.28% ± 0.70). In tumor mimics, highest mean APT-SI was found in the core of infectious lesions (3.52% ± 0.67).

High signal on ATPwi is not exclusive to high-grade brain tumors but can be observed in some tumor mimics and subtypes of low-grade tumors.

Question What is the value of amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTwi) in the setting of brain mass classification? Findings High APT-signal intensity in the tumor core of a brain mass could correspond to a high- or low-grade tumor or tumor mimic. Clinical relevance In patients presenting for the initial classification of brain masses, APTwi findings should be interpreted with caution and in conjunction with other MRI parameters, as a high APTwi signal does not necessarily indicate a high-grade tumor.