Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Nonenhancing T2 High-Signal-Intensity Lesions in Baseline and Posttreatment Glioblastoma: Temporal Change and Prognostic Value

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prognostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging on nonenhancing T2 high-signal-intensity lesions in patients with glioblastoma has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. We evaluated the temporal change and prognostic value for progression-free survival of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging–derived pharmacokinetic parameters on nonenhancing T2 high-signal-intensity lesions in patients with glioblastoma before and after standard treatment, including gross total surgical resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 33 patients who were newly diagnosed with glioblastoma and treated with gross total surgical resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide in a single institution. All patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging before surgery as a baseline and after completion of maximal surgical resection and concurrent chemoradiation therapy. On the whole nonenhancing T2 high-signal-intensity lesion, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging–derived pharmacokinetic parameters (volume transfer constant [K^trans], volume of extravascular extracellular space [v_e]_, and blood plasma volume [v_p]) were calculated. The Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis was performed to determine the histogram features or percentage changes of pharmacokinetic parameters related to progression-free survival.

RESULTS: Baseline median K^trans, baseline first quartile K^trans, and posttreatment median K^trans were significant independent variables, as determined by univariate analysis (P < .05). By multivariate Cox regression analysis including methylation status of O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, baseline median K^trans was determined to be the significant independent variable and was negatively related to progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.48, P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS: Baseline median K^trans from nonenhancing T2 high-signal-intensity lesions could be a potential prognostic imaging biomarker in patients undergoing gross total surgical resection followed by standard therapy for glioblastoma.