Evaluation and differentiation of edema and tumor infiltration in patients with primary brain tumors using T2 relaxometry exams

Abstract

Neoplastic lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) can be classified into primary (originating from original CNS cells) and secondary when they originate from cells originating from a primary tumor located in another part of the body, receiving the designation of metastases to the CNS. In some neoplasms, it is very difficult to distinguish between tumor infiltration and white matter edema on MRI scans. Therefore, it is essential to delimit the entire extension of the tumor on MRI and then plan the resection, if necessary, as safe as possible, being essential to differentiate between infiltration and edema of the white matter, so that healthy and eloquent tissue is not removed. Justification: According to the scope and importance of the topic presented, associated with the gap that still exists in the literature, this study will contribute to a more targeted planning in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of the rate of resection of the primary infiltrating tumor. Objectives: The general objective is to compare and differentiate, in RT2 exams, brain tumors with edema and tumor infiltration into two groups, a group in which patients present edema in the cerebral white matter and in another group in which patients present tumor infiltration in the white matter. Methods: The present study, with a retrospective, non-randomized cohort design, aims to analyze the medical records, see AGHUSE, in the database of the Neuroimaging Laboratory of the Hospital de Clinicas (HC) of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), of all patients hospitalized between January 2011 and September 2021 diagnosed with a cerebral infiltrative tumor and brain metastasis by means of MRI T2 relaxometry and pathological anatomy of the resected tumors. Therefore, the study will be based on data collection from medical records and test results, involving patients hospitalized or monitored at HC-UNICAMP.(AU)