Quantification of tumour microstructure in low and high-grade brain tumours using VERDICT MRI: an initial feasibility study

Abstract

Synopsis (=< 100 words) VERDICT (Vascular, Extracellular, and Restricted Diffusion for Cytometry in Tumours) MRI is a diffusion imaging technique which has shown promise in revealing information about tumour microstructure beyond ADC measures and structural imaging. We report the first application of VERDICT to human brain tumours. In this feasibility study, we characterise a mixed group of brain tumours using VERDICT, which includes a range of both low and high-grade gliomas; compare the VERDICT parameter maps with ADC maps, post-contrast T1w images and histological grading; and examine the repeatability of the technique. Introduction: Gliomas are the most common primary malignant adult brain tumours. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive subtype with a 5-year survival of less than 10%. For therapeutic trials in gliomas, traditional imaging predominantly focuses on the contrast-enhancing component of the tumour with only qualitative assessment of non-enhancing tumour 1