title: Diffusion tensor imaging provides an insight into the microstructure of meningiomas, high-grade gliomas, and peritumoral edema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fractional anisotropy (FA) is a measure for the degree of microstructural organization. Several studies have used FA values to assess microstructural organization of brain tumors and peritumoral edema. The purpose of our study was to validate FA and apparent diffusion constant (ADC) values in the diagnosis of meningiomas versus high-grade glial tumors, with the focus on the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to reveal tumor ultrastructure. Our hypothesis was that FA and ADC values significantly differ between high-grade gliomas and meningiomas, and in the peritumoral edema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diffusion tensor imaging values were obtained from 20 patients with meningiomas (21 tumors) and 15 patients with high-grade gliomas. Regions of interest were outlined in FA and ADC maps for solid-enhancing tumor tissue and peritumoral edema. Fractional anisotropy and ADC values were normalized by comparison to normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in the contralateral hemisphere. Differences between meningiomas and high-grade gliomas were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meningiomas showed a significantly higher FA tumor/FA NAWM ratio (P = 0.0001) and lower ADC tumor/ADC NAWM ratio (P = 0.0008) compared to high-grade gliomas. On average, meningiomas also showed higher FA values in peritumoral edema than high-grade gliomas (P = 0.016). Apparent diffusion constant values of peritumoral edema for the 2 tumor groups did not differ significantly (P = 0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diffusion tensor imaging can be used to reveal microstructural differences between meningiomas and high-grade gliomas and may contribute toward predicting the histopathology of intracranial tumors. We advocate that diffusion tensor imaging should be included in the standard imaging protocol for patients with intracranial tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Belgium. frank.de.belder@uza.be
authors.forename: Frank E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: De Belder
authors.forename: Antoinette R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Oot
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Venstermans
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menovsky
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Marck
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Goethem
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van den Hauwe
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandekerckhove
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Parizel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016880:Anisotropy; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media