Role of Multivoxel Intermediate TE 2D CSI MR Spectroscopy and 2D Echoplanar Diffusion Imaging in Grading of Primary Glial Brain Tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative tumour grading is imperative owing to difference in invasive, aggressive tendencies of different grades of glial tumours implying varied prognosis, therapeutic options. Histopathological examination has inherent sampling errors. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) can provide non invasive information about internal mileu hence, aiding in tumour grading by adding to information provided by conventional MRI sequences.

AIM: To evaluate the role of multivoxel intermediate TE 2D CSI MRS and 2D echoplanar diffusion imaging in grading of primary glial brain tumours.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, Uttar Pradesh, India, from April 2015 to August 2016 after obtaining necessary approvals from Institutional Ethical Committee and written informed consent from all participants on histopathological proven cases of glial brain tumours that underwent multivoxel MRS using intermediate TE 2D chemical shift imaging and DWI using 2D echoplanar imaging. Tumour grade calculated on MRI using MRS and DWI was compared with histopathological grading. Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for each parameter and statistical significance was evaluated using two tailed Pearson test.

RESULTS: Choline: N Acetyl aspartate (Cho: NAA) and Choline: creatinine (Cho: Cr) ratios from MRS as well as Apparent Diffusion Coffecient (ADC) values from DWI were significantly higher with increasing severity of tumour grade. Accuracy of 58.6% was obtained with DWI while it was 83% with MRS. MRS and DWI used together provided 88.4% accuracy. All parameters evaluated showed statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: Both DWI as well as MRS were found to have statistically significant roles in grading of glial brain tumours. MRS was found to be more useful than DWI.