Relative cerebral blood volume reduction in hyperintense brain regions of glioma patients treated with proton radio(chemo)therapy

Abstract

Imaging biomarkers capable of distinguishing between tumor recurrence and treatment effect are of high relevance for radiation therapy. In 14 glioma patients, we analyzed changes in relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in areas of hyperintensities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearing after irradiation with protons. rCBV values were evaluated comparing the baseline and the latest follow-up measurement both visually and based on histograms. A significant rCBV perfusion decrease was observed in those hyperintensities, which may be interpreted as treatment effect. Further work is needed correlating the rCBV changes with histology and patient outcome.