Role of Diff
Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in
Characterization and Preoperative Planning of Brain Neoplasms
Mohsen Gomaa and Yosra abdel
zaher
Department of
Radiodiagnosis, Ain Shams University. [email protected]
Abstract: Background
and purpose: DTI is an MR imaging measure of brain tissue integrity. It gives
precise information about the involvement and integrity of the white matter
tracts in the immediate region surrounding tumors. The purpose of our study is
to evaluate the role of DTI in characterization and preoperative assessment of
brain neoplasm. Materials and methods: 32 patients with intracranial neoplasm
were included in this study which was conducted during a 2 years period.
Conventional MRI before and after IV Gadolinium administration was done
followed by DTI and diffusion tensor tractography, with FA and ADC values
measurements of different white matter tracts in direct relation to the tumor.
The values obtained were compared to the normal unaffected tract in the
contralateral side. Results: White matter involvement by a tumor was classified
according to the criteria of displacement, infiltration, disruption or edema.
Patients were classified into two main groups according to the tumor type:
Benign and Malignant groups. Prevalence of tract displacement was higher among
benign group in comparison to malignant group with significant difference in
between by using chi-square test (P value<0.05). While prevalence of
disruption was higher among malignant group, in comparison to benign group with
significant difference in between by using chi-square test. (P value<0.05).
Conclusion: The information provided by DT imaging further defined precise
relationships between the sub cortical white matter structures and the cerebral
neoplasm. This potentially has a role in tumor characterization, and more
importantly in surgical planning.
[Mohsen Gomaa and Yosra abdel zaher. Role of
Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Characterization and Preoperative Planning of Brain
Neoplasms. Life Sci J 2012;9(1):163-176] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 24
Key words: diffusion tensor imaging. Brain tumor.
Preoperative planning. Glioma. Full Text 24