Correlation of CT Features with PCNA Expression in Brain Astrocytoma

Objective To discuss the correlation between CT signs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in brain astrocytoma. Materials and Methods CT findings in 63 patients with surgically- and pathologically-proved astrocytoma were retrospectively analyzed. PCNA was stained with immunohistochemical technique. PCNA expression levels were compared with CT features.Results PCNA expression levels were closely correlated with pathological grade of brain astrocytoma (P 0.01). Statistic difference existed between PCNA expression levels and some CT signs, which included the homogeneity of the density, the extent of peri-neoplastic edema and the degree of contrast enhancement. Both the size and location of the lesion carried no correlation with PCNA expression levels.Conclusion Some CT manifestations, especially the extent of peri-neoplastic edema and the degree of contrast enhancement, can, in a certain degree, reflect the level of PCNA expression in brain astrocytomas.