The preoprative diagnostic value of susceptibility weighted imaging in grading cerebral astrocytomas
Objective To explore the preoprative diagnostic value of susceptibility weighted imaging in grading cerebral astrocytomas. Methods The imaging findings of susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) of 39 patients with pathologically confirmed cerebral astrocytomas were analyzed, scored the intratumoral susceptibility signals(ITSS) level and judged the histopathologic grade of the tumor, then compared with pathological findings. Results Astrocytomas in 11 cases of low grade group, ITSS scored 0 in 6 cases, 1 in 5 cases. 28 cases of high grade group astrocytomas, ITSS scored 1 in 2 cases, 2 in 7 cases and 3 in 19 cases. There was statistical significance in intratumoral ITSS levels between high and low grade group astrocytomas(Z=-4.986,P<0.01), there was positive correlation between the levels of intratumoral ITSS and the grade of astrocytomas(r=0.958, P<0.01). Conclusion Different grades of brain astrocytomas show significantly difference on intratumoral ITSS levels, probably be helpful for evaluation of astrocytomas grading preoperatively.