A novel method for analyzing DSCE-images with an application to tumor grading.
OBJECTIVE
(a) The development of a novel analysis method, named Dynamic pixel intensity Histogram Analysis (DHA) allowing for pixel intensity-histogram-model-parameter fitting of arbitrary-shaped regions defined in dynamic-susceptibility-contrast-enhanced (DSCE) difference MR-image time-series, and (b) its prospective application and evaluation for glioma grading.


METHODS
For each difference-image, pixel intensity histograms of arbitrary-shaped ROIs were computed and fitted using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Time-dependent histogram center-position- and width-parameters are computed during bolus-passage. The method was applied to 25 patients with low and high grade gliomas.


RESULTS
During bolus outflow-time, histogram-center-position-parameter and histogram-width-parameter reach highest significance levels and discriminate gliomas of different grades. The histogram center-position-parameter discriminated grade-II from grade-III, grade-II from grade-IV but not grade-III from grade-IV. The observed histogram width-parameters discriminated grade-II from grade-III (P < 0.00022), grade-II from grade-IV (P <8.3 10), and grade-III from grade-IV (P < 0.00063).


CONCLUSIONS
DHA is a easy-to-use method for glioma grading; the histogram width parameter is best indicator for histologic grade.
Slotboom
Johannes
J
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. johannes.slotboom@insel.ch
Schaer
Ralph
R
Ozdoba
Christoph
C
Reinert
Michael
M
Vajtai
Istvan
I
El-Koussy
Marwan
M
Kiefer
Claus
C
Zbinden
Martin
M
Schroth
Gerhard
G
Wiest
Roland
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C090600:gadobutrol