Impact of Protein Content on Proton Diffusibility in Intracranial Cysts

E. Goebell; J. Fiehler; T. Martens; C. Hagel; N. D. Forkert; A. Russjan; M. Rosenkranz; J.-H. Buhk; M. Groth; J. Sedlacik

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1325406

RöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren, Table of Contents

Rofo 2013; 185(1): 60-65
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1325406

Neuroradiologie

Impact of Protein Content on Proton Diffusibility in Intracranial Cysts

Einfluss des Proteingehalts auf Diffusionsphänomene in intrakraniellen Zysten

E. Goebell

¹Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

J. Fiehler

¹Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

T. Martens

²Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

C. Hagel

³Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

N. D. Forkert

⁴Institute for Computational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

A. Russjan

⁵Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

M. Rosenkranz

⁵Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

J.-H. Buhk

¹Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

M. Groth

¹Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

,

J. Sedlacik

¹Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Purpose: The physical background of diffusion phenomena in intracranial cysts is unclear in some cases. To evaluate a potential dependency of proton diffusion on the concentration of proteins in cystic lesions we investigated the correlation of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetization transfer ratio imaging (MTR) in intracranial cystic pathologies in vivo and in vitro with protein solutions.

Materials and Methods: 21 patients (14 male/7 female) with intracranial cystic lesions underwent preoperative MRI (1.5 T) including MTR and DWI sequences. For comparison a series of samples with declining concentration of albumin was investigated in vitro with a 7 T animal scanner.

Results: In the patients examination mean ADC values were 1.93 × 10⁻³mm²/sec and mean MTR values were 0.2. Mean ADC value of the albumin solutions was 0.22 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec and mean MTR was 0.12. ADC and MTR values showed a strong negative correlation in the patients (Spearman’s rank correlation r_s = –0.80, p < 0.01) and a very strong negative correlation in the in vitro examinations (r_s = –1.0, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The strong negative correlation of ADC and MTR values suggest a strong influence of proteins on proton diffusion in intracranial cysts. The phenomena can be explained by macromelecules that bind nearby protons in their vicinity.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Die physikalische Grundlage von Diffusionsphänomenen intrakranieller Raumforderungen ist in vielen Fällen unbekannt. Um einen möglichen Einfluss des Proteingehalts in intrakraniellen Zysten auf die Protonendiffusion zu untersuchen, wurde die Korrelation von Diffusionsdaten (DWI) und Magnetisation Transfer Ratio Imaging (MTR) in intrakraniellen Zysten und in vitro untersucht.

Material und Methoden: 21 Patienten (m/w: 14/7) mit intrakraniellen zystischen Läsionen wurden präoperativ mit ADC- und MTR-Bildgebung kernspintomografisch (1,5 T) untersucht. Vergleichend wurde eine Verdünnungsreihe mit Albuminlösungen, in vitro, in einem 7 T MRT-Gerät untersucht.

Ergebnisse: Der durchschnittliche ADC-Wert in den zystischen Läsionen betrug 1,93 × 10⁻³ mm²/s und der durchschnittliche MTR-Wert 0,20. Der durchschnittliche ADC-Wert in den Albuminlösungen betrug 0,22 × 10⁻³ mm²/s und der durchschnittliche MTR-Wert 0,12. Es zeigte sich eine deutliche negative Korrelation der ADC- und MTR-Werte in den verschiedenen zystischen Läsionen (Spearman Rang Korrelation r_s = –0,80, p < 0,01) und eine sehr starke, negative Korrelation in der Verdünnungsreihe der Proteinlösungen (r_s = –1,0, p < 0,01).

Schlussfolgerung: Die deutliche negative Korrelation der ADC- und MTR-Werte belegt einen starken Einfluss des Proteingehalts auf die Protonendiffusibilität in zystischen intrakraniellen Läsionen. Das Phänomen kann durch die Bindung des Wassers an Makromoleküle erklärt werden.

Key words

CNS - MR-imaging - Abscess - Diffusion imaging

Full Text

References

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