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Macromolecule content influences proton diffusibility in gliomas

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Abstract

Objectives

Different compositions of the extra cellular matrix with changing concentrations of more or less hydrophilic components like proteins may have a major influence on the diffusion phenomena found in gliomas.

Methods

24 patients (14 male / 10 female) with histologically confirmed non necrotic glioma underwent preoperative MRI, including magnetisation transfer (MTR), triple echo T2 weighted (T2W) and diffusion weighted (DWI) sequences. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), quantitative T2 and MTR maps were calculated and regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in the tumour centre (TU) and in the contralateral hemisphere (NWM). Informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by the local ethic comity.

Results

Mean values evaluated in the NWM / TU were (± standard deviation); ADC: 0.78 (±0.08) × 10-3 mm2/s / 1.32 (±0.27) × 10-3 mm2/s, T2: 101.66 (±12.00) ms / 252.11 (±104.53) ms, MTR: 0.52 (±0.01) / 0.40 (±0.04). The mean value of each parameter correlated highly significant with the others (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that macromolecules binding protons in their vicinity are a major determinant of proton diffusivity in brain tumours in addition to other factors such as mechanical barriers like membranes or the size of the extra-cellular space.

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Acknowledgements

J. Fiehler has received speakers’ fees from BRACCO, XQ, Ding has been financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the grant number 01GM0309. Funding sources had no influence on the acquisition, analysis or interpretation of the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Einar Goebell, Jens Fiehler, Susanne Siemonsen, Ole Vaeterlein, Jan-Hendrik Buhk & Michael Groth

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, UKE, Hamburg, Germany

    Oliver Heese

  3. Department of Neuropathology, UKE, Hamburg, Germany

    Christian Hagel

  4. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Xiao-Qi Ding

  5. Karolinska University Hospital, Neuroradiologiska Kliniken, Karolinskavägen, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden

    Thomas Kucinski

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  1. Einar Goebell
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  3. Susanne Siemonsen
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  4. Ole Vaeterlein
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Correspondence to Einar Goebell.

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Goebell, E., Fiehler, J., Siemonsen, S. et al. Macromolecule content influences proton diffusibility in gliomas. Eur Radiol 21, 2626–2632 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2206-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2206-3

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