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Patterns of T2-FLAIR discordance across a cohort of adult-type diffuse gliomas and deviations from the classic T2-FLAIR mismatch sign

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

T2-FLAIR mismatch serves as a highly specific but insensitive marker for IDH-mutant (IDHm) astrocytoma with potential limitations in real-world application. We aimed to assess the utility of a broader definition of T2-FLAIR discordance across a cohort of adult-type diffuse lower-grade gliomas (LrGG) to see if specific patterns emerge and additionally examine factors determining deviation from the classic T2-FLAIR mismatch sign.

Methods

Preoperative MRIs of non-enhancing adult-type diffuse LrGGs were reviewed. Relevant demographic, molecular, and MRI data were compared across tumor subgroups.

Results

Eighty cases satisfied the inclusion criteria. Highest discordance prevalence and > 50% T2-FLAIR discordance volume were noted with IDHm astrocytomas (P < 0.001), while < 25% discordance volume was associated with oligodendrogliomas (P = 0.03) and IDH-wildtype (IDHw) LrGG (P = 0.004). “T2-FLAIR matched pattern” was associated with IDHw LrGG (P < 0.001) and small or minimal areas of discordance with oligodendrogliomas (P = 0.03). Sensitivity and specificity of classic mismatch sign for IDHm astrocytoma were 25.7% and 100%, respectively (P = 0.06). Retained ATRX expression and/or non-canonical IDH mutation (n = 10) emerged as a significant factor associated with absence of classic T2-FLAIR mismatch sign in IDHm astrocytomas (100%, P = 0.02) and instead had minimal discordance or matched pattern (40%, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

T2-FLAIR discordance patterns in adult-type diffuse LrGGs exist on a diverging but distinct spectrum of classic mismatch to T2-FLAIR matched patterns. Specific molecular markers may play a role in deviations from classic mismatch sign.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

IDH:

Isocitrate dehydrogenase

LrGG:

Lower-grade glioma

IDHm:

IDH-mutant

IDHw:

IDH-wildtype

ATRX:

α-Thalassemia, mental retardation, X-linked

GBM:

Glioblastoma

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The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada

    Prateek Malik, Yingming Amy Chen, Aditya Bharatha & Shobhit Mathur

  2. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt

    Radwa Soliman

  3. Department of Pathology, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    David G. Munoz

  4. Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Sunit Das

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Contributions

Conceptualization: PM. Methodology: PM, SM. Formal analysis and investigation: PM, RS. Writing-original draft preparation: PM. Writing-review and editing: PM, YAC, SM, SD, AB, DGM. Resources: SD, DGM, RS, SM, YAC, AB. Supervision: SM, AB.

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Correspondence to Shobhit Mathur.

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This IRB-approved research study was conducted retrospectively from data obtained for clinical purposes. All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Malik, P., Soliman, R., Chen, Y.A. et al. Patterns of T2-FLAIR discordance across a cohort of adult-type diffuse gliomas and deviations from the classic T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. Neuroradiology 66, 521–530 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-024-03297-z

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