Changes in frontal aslant tract tractography in selected types of brain tumours.

Abstract

To present differences in frontal aslant tract (FAT) tractography among patients diagnosed with primary brain tumours and metastatic brain tumours. The analysis included 38 patients diagnosed with a frontal brain tumour. A control group of 30 healthy patients was also considered. The FAT was delineated, taking into account ROI 1 - the superior frontal gyrus, and ROI 2 - SMA. Endpoints were determined on the pars opercularis and pars triangularis of the inferior frontal gyrus. FAT was delineated in four different ways for each patient. In the group of patients with a brain tumour, a lower volume of FAT and a reduced quantity of fibres were observed compared to the control group. Comparison of the examined parameters between patients with glioblastoma and metastasis revealed statistically significant differences for MD (p < 0.001) regardless of the selected projection. The difference in MD (mean diffusivity) among patients with metastatic tumours may be related to an increased oedema zone.