Follow-Up of High-Grade Glial Tumor; Differentiation of Posttreatment Enhancement and Tumoral Enhancement by DCE-MR Perfusion

PURPOSE: To search for the utility of DCE-MRP to differentiate between posttreatment enhancement (PT) and tumoral enhancement (TM) in high-grade glial tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with glioma (11 grade 3; 23 grade 4) were enrolled. Enhancement in the vicinity of the resection cavity demonstrated by DCE-MRP was taken into consideration. Based on the follow-up scans, reoperation or biopsy results, the enhancement type was categorized as PT or TM. Measurements were performed at the enhancing area near the resection cavity (ERC), nearby (NNA) and contralateral nonenhancing areas (CLNA). Perfusion parameters of the ERC were also subtracted from NNA and CLNA. Intragroup comparison (paired sample t-test) and intergroup comparison (Student's t-test) were made. RESULTS: There were 7 PTs and 27 TMs. In the PT, the subtracted values of Ve and IAUC from the CLNA and NNA and the subtracted value of Kep from NNA were statistically different. In TM, all metrics were significantly different comparing the CLNA and NNA. Comparing PT with TM, Ktrans, IAUC, Kep, and subtracted values of Ktrans and IAUC from both NNA and CLNA were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: In PT, only Ktrans values did not reveal any difference comparing NNA and CLNA. To differentiate PT from TM, Ktrans, Kep, IAUC, and subtracted values of Ktrans and IAUC from NNA and CLNA can be used. These findings are in concordance with literature.