Correlation of DNA ploidy and cell cycle analysis with diffusion tensor and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI metrics in meningiomas

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging and dynamic susceptibility perfusion MRI metrics with cell cycle analysis findings in meningiomas. Material and Methods: Fourteen patients (4 men, 10 women, aged 30-76 years; median 58 years) with meningiomas were included in the study. There were 9 grade I and 5 grade II meningiomas. The MRI protocol consisted of T2-weighted turbo spin echo, unenhanced and contrast enhanced T1-weighted 3D spoiled gradient echo sequences. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, such as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA), were assessed with a single shot, multi-slice, spin-echo planar sequence (max b-value: 700 sec/mm²) and dynamic susceptibility perfusion imaging (DSC) metrics, such as the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), with a T2* gradient-echo, multishot echo planar imaging sequence. DNA ploidy and cell cycle analysis was analysed by flow cytometry. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between rCBV and G0/G1 phase fraction ( r =−0.791, p =0.004) and a positive correlation with G2/M phase fraction ( r =0.621, p =0.04). A significant correlation was also observed between FA ratio and G0/G1 phase fraction ( r =0.721, p =0.018). No significant correlation was found between G0/G1, S-phase, G2/M and ADC values. Conclusions: DSC MRI and DTI metrics are correlated to meningioma aggressiveness as assessed by cell cycle analysis.