Differentiating atypical meningioma from anaplastic meningioma using diffusion weighted imaging

Abstract

PurposeTo explore the value of MRI conventional features and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on the differential diagnosis of atypical meningioma (AtM) and anaplastic meningioma (AnM). Materials and methodsThis retrospective study analyzed the preoperative clinical data, MRI conventional features, and DWI data of 55 AtM and 25 AnM confirmed by pathology in our hospital. The clinical features, MRI conventional features, ADCmean, ADCmin, and relative ADC (rADC) values were compared between the two tumors by Chi-square test or an independent sample t-test. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and binary logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter to differentiate between these tumors. ResultsThe MRI conventional features had a certain ability to distinguish AnM and AtM, with an area under the curve value (AUC) of 0.824 (95% CI, 0.723–0.900). The ADCmean, ADCmin, and rADC values were significantly higher in AtM compared to AnM (all P < 0.05). ADCmean had the best identification effect with an AUC of 0.867 (95% CI, 0.772–0.933) among them, at an cut-off of 0.817 × 10−3 mm2/s, the sensitivity and specificity of distinguishing AtM from AnM were 78.18% and 88.00%, respectively. A combination of ADCmean and MRI conventional features showed the optimum discrimination ability for the two tumors, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.918 (95% CI, 0.835–0.967), 80.00%, 94.55%, and 90.00%, respectively. ConclusionMRI conventional features combined with ADCmean, as a non-invasive method, has potential clinical value in the preoperative diagnosis of AtM and AnM.