title: Macromolecule content influences proton diffusibility in gliomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different compositions of the extra cellular matrix with changing concentrations of more or less hydrophilic components like proteins may have a major influence on the diffusion phenomena found in gliomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 patients (14 male / 10 female) with histologically confirmed non necrotic glioma underwent preoperative MRI, including magnetisation transfer (MTR), triple echo T2 weighted (T2W) and diffusion weighted (DWI) sequences. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), quantitative T2 and MTR maps were calculated and regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in the tumour centre (TU) and in the contralateral hemisphere (NWM). Informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by the local ethic comity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean values evaluated in the NWM / TU were (± standard deviation); ADC: 0.78 (±0.08) × 10-3 mm2/s / 1.32 (±0.27) × 10-3 mm2/s, T2: 101.66 (±12.00) ms / 252.11 (±104.53) ms, MTR: 0.52 (±0.01) / 0.40 (±0.04). The mean value of each parameter correlated highly significant with the others (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that macromolecules binding protons in their vicinity are a major determinant of proton diffusivity in brain tumours in addition to other factors such as mechanical barriers like membranes or the size of the extra-cellular space.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. e.goebell@uke.de
authors.forename: Einar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goebell
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fiehler
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siemonsen
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vaeterlein
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Heese
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagel
authors.forename: Xiao-Qi
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Jan-Hendrik
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Buhk
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kucinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances