Comparative Study Among Perfusion MR Imaging and Molecular Pathological Findings of Gliomas

Objective To discuss whether the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) ratios are associated with the microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of intracranial gliomas.Materials and Methods 30 patients with intracranial gliomas (8 low grade and 22 high grade, according to WHO criteria) were examined with conventional and perfusion MR imaging preoperatively. The rCBV ratios of lesions were calculated relative to region of interest (ROI) values in contralateral normal white matter. The mean MVD and VEGF expression of the lesions were measured immunohistochemically in all the histologic specimens without the knowledge of the results of the MR examination. The relationships among rCBV ratios, MVD, and VEGF expression of different gliomas were analyzed.Results There was a good correlation (r=0.447,P0.05) between rCBV ratios and the measurements of MVD. Gliomas were divided into two groups according to low or high VEGF expressions, the rCBV ratios were 4.39±3.41(1.20-13.35) and 8.24±3.23(3.25-14.26) respectively, and the measurements of MVD were 70.11±32.37(34.5-140.0) and 167.15±100.66(38.2-360.0) respectively. There was significant difference in rCBV or MVD in two groups (P0.01).Conclusion The rCBV ratios and measurements of MVD are in good agreement with VEGF expression and can be used to evaluate the angiogenesis of gliomas. As a noninvasive method, perfusion MRI has a potential role in estimating the degree of angiogenesis of intracranial gliomas in vivo, and has instructive function for clinical treatment and progress.