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. 2012 Nov-Dec;36(6):739-44.
doi: 10.1097/RCT.0b013e3182685436.

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of rat glioma models: a correlation study of MR imaging and histology

Silun Wang  1 , Jinyuan Zhou
Affiliations

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of rat glioma models: a correlation study of MR imaging and histology

Silun Wang et al. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2012 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DTI) can be used to characterize the microstructures of ordered biological tissues. This study was designed to assess histological features of gliomas and surrounding brain tissues in rats using DTI.

Methods: Three types of tumors, a 9L gliosarcoma (n = 8), a F98 glioma (n = 5), and a human glioblastoma xenograft (GBM22; n = 8) were incubated in rat brains and underwent conventional MRI and DTI scanning using a 4.7-T animal MRI system. Fractional anisotropy (FA), isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient, parallel diffusivity (λ//), and perpendicular diffusivity (λ⊥), as well as histological features within several regions of interest were analyzed.

Results: All tumor masses consisted of low-FA central zones (tumor center) and high-FA peripheral regions (tumor rim). Histological examination revealed the existence of highly coherent tumor organizations (circular for 9L and F98 or radial for GBM22) in the tumor rims. There were higher apparent diffusion coefficient, λ⊥, and λ// in the peritumoral edema compared to the contralateral gray matter. There were significantly lower FA and higher λ⊥ in the ipsilateral white matter than in the contralateral white matter for the GBM22 tumor, whereas there were no differences for the 9L and F98 tumors. Histologic examination showed GBM22 tumor infiltration into the ipsilateral damaged white matter.

Conclusions: Quantitative analysis of DTI indices provides useful information for assessing tumor microstructure and tumor cell invasion into the adjacent gray matter and white matter.

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Conflict of interest statement

No Conflict of Interest to declare.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Examples of ROIs in an FA map (A) and a T2w image (B) from an F98 tumor. The ROIs over the FA map (A) include the tumor center (1), tumor rim (2), ipsilateral white matter (5), and contralateral white matter (6). Peritumoral edema (3) and contralateral grey matter (4) are defined on the T2w image (B). These ROIs were transferred to identical sites on FA, ADC, λ// , and λ┴ maps.
Fig 2
Fig 2
T2w and DTI imaging features of brain gliomas in animal models. On the conventional T2w images, the tumors show hyperintensive regions with abnormally increased signals in the peritumoral edema. On the FA maps, there is a small dark central area with low diffusion anisotropy and a bright rim with a high degree of diffusion anisotropy for all tumors. On the ADC maps, the tumor regions show hyperintensity (9L gliosarcoma and F98 tumor) or iso- to hyperintensity (GBM22), compared to the contralateral grey matter. The peritumoral area has abnormally increased signals.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Histological features of 9L tumor in a rat. A, Tumor mass is relatively homogeneous. B and C, Red and yellow rectangular tumor areas in (A) under 10× magnification. The orientation of tumor cells and the adjacent interstitial spaces form a circular pattern in the outer part of the tumor. D, Peritumoral edema shows compressed brain parenchyma (black arrow), dilated vessels (yellow arrow), as well as vacuolation changes. E and F, Ipsilateral adjacent white matter and contralateral white matter. Both white matter tracts appear normal and intact (white arrow).
Fig 4
Fig 4
Histological features of an F98 tumor in a rat. A, F98 tumor shows heterogeneous tumor mass with central necrosis. B and C, Red and yellow rectangular tumor areas in (A) under 10× magnification. The orientation of tumor cells and the adjacent interstitial spaces form a circular pattern in the outer part of the tumor. D, Peritumoral edema shows compressed brain tissue (black arrow) without obvious tumor invasion. E and F, Ipsilateral adjacent white matter and contralateral white matter. Both sides of the white matter tracts seem normal and intact (white arrow).
Fig 5
Fig 5
Histological features of a GBM22 tumor xenograft in a rat. A, GBM22 tumor shows a heterogeneous tumor mass with central necrosis. B and C, Red and yellow rectangular tumor areas in (A) under 10× magnification. There are highly coherent, radially organized tumor cells and adjacent interstitial spaces in the outer part of the tumor. D, Tumor cells infiltrate the adjacent brain parenchyma (black arrow). E and F, Ipsilateral adjacent white matter and contralateral white matter. Tumor cells infiltrate the adjacent ipsilateral white matter.
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