The predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and treatment of leptomeningeal metastases from malignant solid tumors

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis and treatment of leptomeningeal metastases from malignant solid tumors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted depend on the radiological data of 63 patients who had been diagnosed as leptomeningcal metastasis of malignant solid tumors.Results All patients received brain MRI examination.26 patients underwent cervical or lumbar spine MRI examination.The MRI images showed nodular enhancement in the gyri and sulci,leptomeningeal linear enhancement,dura mater thickening and enhancement,ependymal enhancement,intraventricular metastasis,intraspinal metastatic nodules,communicating hydrocephalus,subdural hydroma and negative imaging.Ncuroimages of ependymal enhancenent,intraventricular metastasis and intraspinal implantation metastasis appeared in 5,7 and 9 patients with small cell carcinoma,respectively,which were higher than that of the other pathological types (P =0.002,P =0.009,P ＜ 0.000 1).Seizure occurred in 7 patients after intrathecal chemotherapy,of which 5 patients had pia mater linear enhancement.Among 33 patients treated with radiotherapy combined with intrathecal chemotherapy,3 patients had poor prognosis,of which 2 patients had negative imaging findings.The conditions of 25 patients were improved obviously after treatment,of which 21 patients showed different imaging remission in MRI re-examination.Conclusions The contrast MRI has an important assistant effect in diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis of malignant solid tumors.The MRI findings and clinical features are related with the pathological types.The pia mater linear enhancement indicates a high possibility of seizures after inthathecal chemotherapy,and it suggests that the preventive treatment should be given for such patients.MRI is not applicable to evaluate severity,prognosis and curative effect of the disease. Key words: Malignant tumors; Magnetic resonance imaging; Leptomeningeal metastasis