Advanced MRI Measurements for Brain Tumor Treatment Management

Improving Diagnosis, Surgical Planning, and Treatment Response Evaluation

Welcome and Introduction

  • Thank you to the Missile Foundation for the invitation
  • Presenter: Kathleen Mind, Professor of Biophysics and Radiology
  • Topic: Advanced MRI Measurements for Brain Tumor Treatment Management
  • Objective: Improve diagnosis, surgical planning, and treatment response evaluation

Treatment Paradigm for Adult Brain Tumor

  • Timeline of various treatments undergone by patients
  • MRI used to establish initial diagnosis and evaluate tumor response
  • Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy
  • MRIs used to assess response and possible recurrence

Limitations of Standard MRI

  • Standard MRI provides soft tissue contrast but lacks specific information about tumor growth patterns
  • Advanced MRI metrics, such as perfusion and diffusion MRI, offer more detailed insights
  • Perfusion MRI provides information about blood vessels throughout the brain
  • Diffusion MRI gives information about tumor cells

Advanced MRI Metrics: Perfusion MRI

  • Perfusion MRI maps blood vessels throughout the brain
  • Can inform diagnosis, indicate tumor aggressiveness, and guide tissue sampling
  • Helps delineate tumor extent and plan subsequent treatment

Advanced MRI Metrics: Diffusion MRI

  • Diffusion MRI provides information about tumor cells and cell density
  • Can help assess treatment response and distinguish tumor from treatment effects
  • Used in combination with other metrics, such as perfusion and fractional tumor burden maps

Fractional Tumor Burden Maps

  • Fractional tumor burden maps help differentiate tumor from treatment effects
  • Provide clinically relevant information for treatment decisions
  • Available through advanced MRI metrics

Clinical Application: Diagnosis and Surgical Planning

  • Advanced MRI metrics assist in diagnosis and surgical planning
  • Perfusion MRI correlates with tumor grade and helps locate aggressive areas
  • Delta T1 map enhances tumor visualization and extent of resection
  • Fractional tumor burden maps aid in surgical decision-making

Clinical Application: Treatment Response Evaluation

  • Standard MRI encounters challenges in distinguishing tumor from treatment effects
  • Pseudo progression complicates response evaluation
  • Advanced MRI Metrics, such as Rc and Delta T1 maps, provide valuable information
  • Fractional tumor burden maps offer insights into tumor response

Clinical Application: Treatment Selection at Recurrence

  • Advanced MRI metrics aid in treatment selection at recurrence
  • Rc can predict response to anti-VEGF therapy
  • Delta T1 map enhances visualization of tumor and treatment effects
  • Diffusion MRI offers insights into treatment response

Availability and Clinical Validation

  • Advanced MRI metrics are commercially available
  • Clinical trials and studies have demonstrated their accuracy and relevance
  • National consensus protocols confirm their robustness
  • Platform-agnostic and compatible with various MRI machines

Conclusion

  • Advanced MRI metrics improve diagnosis, surgical planning, and treatment response evaluation
  • Perfusion MRI and diffusion MRI offer valuable insights into tumor vascularity and cell density
  • Fractional tumor burden maps aid in treatment decision-making
  • Commercially available and nationally validated