Quantitative characterization of the imaging limits of diffuse low-grade oligodendrogliomas

Abstract

BackgroundSupratentorial diffuse low-grade gliomas in adults extend beyond maximal visible MRI-defined abnormalities, and a gap exists between the imaging signal changes and the actual tumor margins. Direct quantitative comparisons between imaging and histological analyses are lacking to date. However, they are of the utmost importance if one wishes to develop realistic models for diffuse glioma growth.MethodsIn this study, we quantitatively compared the cell concentration and the edema fraction from human histological biopsy samples (BSs) performed inside and outside imaging abnormalities during serial imaging-based stereotactic biopsy of diffuse low-grade gliomas.ResultsThe cell concentration was significantly higher in BSs located inside (1189 ± 378 cell/mm2) than outside (740 ± 124 cell/mm2) MRI-defined abnormalities (P =. 0003). The edema fraction was significantly higher in BSs located inside (mean, 45% ± 23%) than outside (mean, 5 %± 9%) MRI-defined abnormalities (P