Differentiation of intracranial tuberculomas and high grade gliomas using proton MR spectroscopy and diffusion MR imaging

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether proton MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) and diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging can be used to differentiate intracranial tuberculomas from high grade gliomas (HGGs). Materials and methods: A total of 41 patients (19 with intracranial tuberculomas and 22 with HGGs) were examined in our study. 1H MRS and DW imaging were performed at a 1.5T MR scanner before operation or treatment. Concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), and lipid and lactate (LL) in the contrast-enhancing rim of each lesion were expressed as metabolite ratios and were normalized to the contralateral hemisphere. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was also calculated. The metabolite ratios and ADC values in the enhancing rim of intracranial tuberculomas and HGGs were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Significant differences were found in the maximum Cho/Cr (P = 0.015), Cho/NAA (P = 0.001) and Cho/Cho-n ratios (P = 0.002), and minimum ADC value (P < 0.001) between the intracranial tuberculomas and HGGs. Diagnostic accuracy was higher by minimum ADC value than maximum Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA and Cho/Cho-n ratios (93.8% versus 75.7%, 80.8% and 78.1%). Conclusion: These results suggest a promising role for 1H MRS and DW imaging in the differentiation between the intracranial tuberculomas and HGGs.