Evaluation on operative risk of glioma by diffusion tensor imaging

Abstract

Objective To elucidate the clinical significance of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) mainly used for protecting neurological functions in patients with gliomas. Methods Thirty - eight patients with gliomas were recruited to undergo DTI test and assess the status of neurological functions before and after surgery. According to the relationships between gliomas and adjacent white matter(WM) tracts, DTI can be classfied as the following types : type Ⅰ - displacement; type Ⅱ - Infiltration; type Ⅲ - Disruption. The neurological functions before surgery were compared in three groups,as well as the change of neurological functions after surgery was also compared in three groups. Results There were 14 cases in type Ⅰ , 16 cases in type Ⅱ, and 8 cases in type Ⅲ. There were significant difference between DTI types and preoperative neurological functions, as well as between DTI types and the change of postoperative neurological functions ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions DTI allows to visualizate the relationships of gliomas and adjacent WM tracts, which represent the different growth patterns of gliomas. It is useful for neurosurgeons to select suitable surgical approaches and determine appropriate extent of resection. Key words: Glioma; Diffusion tensor imaging; Neurological function protection