Radiological differences between subtypes of WHO 2016 grade II–III gliomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p/19q-codeletion are oncogenetic alterations with a positive prognostic value for diffuse gliomas, especially grade II and III. Some studies have suggested differences in biological behavior as reflected by radiological characteristics. In this paper, the literature regarding radiological characteristics in grade II and III glioma subtypes was systematically evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed. METHODS: Studies that addressed the relationship between conventional radiological characteristics and IDH mutations and/or 1p/19q-codeletions in newly diagnosed, grade II and III gliomas of adult patients were included. The “3-group analysis” compared radiological characteristics between the WHO 2016 glioma subtypes (IDH-mutant astrocytoma, IDH-wildtype astrocytoma, and oligodendroglioma), and the “2-group analysis” compared radiological characteristics between 1p/19q-codeleted gliomas and 1p/19q-intact gliomas. RESULTS: Fourteen studies (3-group analysis: 670 cases, 2-group analysis: 1042 cases) were included. IDH-mutated astrocytomas showed more often sharp borders and less frequently contrast enhancement compared to IDH-wildtype astrocytomas. 1p/19q-codeleted gliomas had less frequently sharp borders, but showed a heterogeneous aspect, calcification, cysts, and edema more frequently. For the 1p/19q-codeleted gliomas, a sensitivity of 96% was found for heterogeneity and a specificity of 88.1% for calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in conventional radiological characteristics exist between the WHO 2016 glioma subtypes, which may reflect differences in biological behavior. However, the diagnostic value of the independent radiological characteristics is insufficient to reliably predict the molecular genetic subtype.