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Longitudinal Intravital Imaging of Brain Tumor Cell Behavior in Response to an Invasive Surgical Biopsy
Published on: May 3, 2019
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Longitudinal Cerebral Structural, Microstructural, and Functional Alterations After Brain Tumor Surgery for Early
Rebecca Kassubek1, Mario Amend2, Heiko Niessen2
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Biomedicines
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Multiparametric MRI, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), shows promise for early detection of recurrent malignant glioma after surgery. These advanced techniques may identify tumor recurrence before conventional MRI methods.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Early detection of recurrent malignant glioma post-surgery remains a significant challenge in clinical practice.
- Current imaging assessment often faces limitations in identifying subtle signs of tumor recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for improving early detection of recurrent glioma.
- To assess novel MRI techniques in identifying early signs of tumor recurrence after surgery.
Main Methods:
- A multiparametric MRI protocol was employed, including high-resolution fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1w) imaging.
- Longitudinal MRI scans were acquired from six glioblastoma patients, with data collected before surgery, after surgery, and during follow-up.
- Analysis focused on changes in DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy - FA) and functional connectivity.
Main Results:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed early directionality loss (reduced fractional anisotropy - FA) at recurrent tumor sites, preceding visible changes on contrast-enhanced T1w and FLAIR images.
- In one patient, a regional FA decrease indicated recurrence even when morphological MRI showed no detectable changes.
- Alterations in functional connectivity were also detected in relevant brain networks corresponding to tumor locations.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) may offer complementary information for the early detection of recurrent malignant glioma.
- These advanced MRI techniques show potential to augment standard imaging protocols (T2w FLAIR, contrast-enhanced T1w) for improved surveillance.
- Larger-scale prospective studies are warranted to fully establish the utility of DTI and rsfMRI in early recurrent tumor detection.
