title: ADC values and prognosis of malignant astrocytomas: does lower ADC predict a worse prognosis independent of grade of tumor?--a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to determine via meta-analysis whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) predicts astrocytoma prognosis independent of grade.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survival data were subjected to Mantel Haenszel analysis in four qualifying studies. Stratification by tumor grade was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival rates of malignant astrocytomas, grade 3 and 4 (p, 0.004 and < 0.0001, respectively) were worse below a specific ADC value, independent of grade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low ADC values correlate with poor survival in malignant astrocytomas independent of tumor grade.
authors: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, 600 N Wolfe St, Phipps B100F, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Zulfiqar
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Yousem
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Lai
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate