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Predictive value of diffusion-weighted MRI for tumor consistency and resection rate of nonfunctional pituitary macroadenomas

  • Clinical Article - Brain Tumors
  • Published:
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Abstract

Backgrounds

Firm tumor consistency is one of the most important factors that impede sufficient removal of pituitary macroademoas via a transsphenoidal approach. The utility of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the tumor consistency and successfulness of transsphenoidal resection was evaluated in this study.

Methods

Thirty consecutive primary cases of nonfunctional pituitary macroadenomas were prospectively enrolled. Conventional and DW MRI were done for all the patients and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the signal intensity of the solid tumor were determined. Intraoperative report of tumor consistency, the degree of fibrosis and percentage of collagen content were documented. The 8 weeks postoperative MRI was used for calculation of the tumor resection rate.

Results

The tumor consistency was soft in 10 patients (33.3 %), intermediate in 14 patients (46.7 %) and hard in 6 patients (20 %). The mean collagen content percentage was 10, 23.5 and 66 % (p = 0.009) and the average resection rate was 75, 43 39 % in the three groups respectively (p = 0.001). The mean ADC value was not significantly correlated with the tumor consistency and resection rate. Tumors with isointense to hyperintense signal on DW MRI were more commonly removable by suction and had higher resection rates than those with hypointense signals (p = 0.019). For ADC values within the range of 600–740 × 10-3 mm2/s, a residual volume larger than 20 % of the tumor was more likely.

Conclusions

DW MRI was useful to predict the tumor consistency, collagen content and the chance of removal of pituitary macroadenomas through endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, and is recommended in the preoperative patient evaluation.

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Conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran

    Maysam Alimohamadi, Reza Sanjari, Abolghassem Mortazavi, Mohamad Shirani & Abbas Amirjamshidi

  2. Iranian International Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran

    Maysam Alimohamadi

  3. Department of Pathology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran

    Hedieh Moradi Tabriz

  4. Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Homayoun Hadizadeh Kharazi

Authors
  1. Maysam Alimohamadi
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  2. Reza Sanjari
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  3. Abolghassem Mortazavi
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  4. Mohamad Shirani
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  5. Hedieh Moradi Tabriz
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  6. Homayoun Hadizadeh Kharazi
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  7. Abbas Amirjamshidi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maysam Alimohamadi.

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Comment

This paper presents data which show that MRI ADC levels can predict the resectability of pituitary adenomas, the premise being that firm tumors are harder to remove entirely. Whether this is helpful will depend on the skill of the surgeon, as a firm tumor can be easier to remove using the extra capsular approach, which has been shown to have long term advantages.

Mike Powell,

London, UK

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Alimohamadi, M., Sanjari, R., Mortazavi, A. et al. Predictive value of diffusion-weighted MRI for tumor consistency and resection rate of nonfunctional pituitary macroadenomas. Acta Neurochir 156, 2245–2252 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-014-2259-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-014-2259-6

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