Conventional MR imaging with simultaneous measurements of cerebral blood volume and vascular permeability in ganglioglioma

The conventional MR imaging appearance of gangliogliomas is often variable and nonspecific. Conventional MR images, relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and vascular permeability (K(trans)) measurements were reviewed in 20 patients with pathologically proven grade 1 and 2 gangliogliomas (n = 20) and compared to a group of grade 2 low-grade gliomas (n = 30). The conventional MRI findings demonstrated an average lesion size of 4.1 cm, contrast enhancement (n = 19), variable degree of edema, variable mass effect, necrosis/cystic areas (n = 8), well defined (n = 12), signal heterogeneity (n = 9), calcification (n = 4). The mean rCBV was 3.66 +/- 2.20 (mean +/- std) for grade 1 and 2 gangliogliomas. The mean rCBV in a comparative group of low-grade gliomas (n = 30), was 2.14 +/- 1.67. p Value < 0.05 compared with grade 1 and 2 ganglioglioma. The mean K(trans) was 0.0018 +/- 0.0035. The mean K(trans) in a comparative group of low-grade gliomas (n = 30), was 0.0005 +/- 0.001. p Value = 0.14 compared with grade 1 and 2 ganglioglioma. The rCBV measurements of grade 1 and 2 gangliogliomas are elevated compared with other low-grade gliomas. The K(trans), however, did not demonstrate a significant difference. Gangliogliomas demonstrate higher cerebral blood volume compared with other low-grade gliomas, but the degree of vascular permeability in gangliogliomas is similar to other low-grade gliomas. Higher cerebral blood volume measurements can help differentiate gangliogliomas from other low-grade gliomas.