Correlation between dynamic MRI and outcome in patients with malignant gliomas

Neurology. 1998 Mar;50(3):777-81. doi: 10.1212/wnl.50.3.777.

Abstract

We assessed the correlation between dynamic MRI results and clinical outcomes in patients with malignant gliomas. Rapid serial MRIs were obtained after bolus injection of gadolinium that resulted in an initial fast uptake followed by a slow uptake of contrast. The maximum rate of uptake and delayed rate of uptake were correlated with survival and prognostic covariates such as age and histology. In 121 subjects, higher maximum uptake rates, 3.6 signal intensity units per second or greater, were associated with shorter survival (p = 0.0066). The correlation of delayed rate of uptake with survival was less significant. After adjusting for age, histology, and Karnofsky performance score, the maximum rate of uptake remained more significantly correlated with survival than the delayed rate of uptake. Thirty-one patients had surgery within 1 month of dynamic MRI, and those with glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic gliomas had higher maximum rates of uptake than those with pure necrosis or mixed tumor and necrosis (p = 0.022). No correlation between delayed rate of uptake and histology was seen in this group of patients. Our results suggest that the maximum rate of uptake in dynamic MRI can be a prognostic measure for patients with malignant gliomas. Further prospective study is needed to assess the utility of this technique for evaluating brain tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Gadolinium DTPA / pharmacokinetics
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium DTPA