Correlation of CT perfusion images with VEGF expression in solitary brain metastases.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain permeability surface (PS) values using multi-slice helical CT perfusion imaging and to evaluate the spatial distribution correlation between PS values and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in solitary brain metastases.


METHODS
Imaging was performed on 21 patients, PS values being calculated from the central, border and peripheral parts of tumours. VEGF expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
Rim enhancement was found in 16 cases, the border of the tumour featuring PS elevation with high VEGF expression in 13 cases. In the 5 cases with nodular enhancement, the border and the central part had high permeability and VEGF expression was high in all cases, the correlation being significant (P<0.01) .


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF expression in brain metastases positively correlates with PS values from CT perfusion imaging, so that the latter can be used in the surveillance of angiogenic activity in brain metastases.
Department of Radiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Jian-Hua
JH
Zhang
Ming-Sheng
MS
Wang
Hai-Hong
HH
Pan
Shu-Feng
SF
Li
Zhong-Qiu
ZQ
Wang
Wang-Sheng
WS
Chen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D055420:Perfusion Imaging; D010539:Permeability; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A