Edema-mass Ratio Based On Magnetic Resonance Imaging As A Preoperative Diagnostic Factor For Posterior Fossa Metastasis

Abstract

Background: Peritumoral edema of primary brain tumors is an important cause of mor-bidity and mortality. The number of studies currently available on the prognostic role of peritumo-ral brain edema in the posterior fossa is extremely limited. Objective: Based on the known importance of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing supraten-torial metastases, this study aimed to investigate the effects of peritumoral edema on survival of patients with posterior fossa metastases and the preoperative diagnostic value of MRI. Methods: Edema and mass volumes of 49 patients with posterior fossa metastasis, who underwent surgery during 2012–2016, were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. The edema/mass indices were retrospectively calculated and interpreted by evaluating the demographic, clinical, and survival data. Results: The study consisted of 32 (65.3%) male and 17 (34.7%) female participants, with the mean age ± standard deviation of 47.25±29.25 (17–81) years. Among the 49 patients with posterior fossa metastases, 34 (69.4%) had carcinoma, while 15 (30.6%) had non-carcinoma metastases. The edema/mass indices of patients with carcinoma and non-carcinoma metastases were found to be 14.55±9.64 and 1.34±1.08, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean survival of patients with carcinoma and non-carcinoma metastases was found to be 642±11.52 days and 726±9.32 days, respectively; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.787). Conclusion: The edema/mass ratio was found to be a significant diagnostic factor for the prediction of posterior fossa metastases. Further detailed studies are warranted to investigate the effect of edema/mass ratio on survival rate. © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.