Kay Pepin1, Arvin Arani1, Mona El Sheikh1, Nikoo Fattahi1, David Lake1, Armando Manduca1, Kiaran McGee1, Ian Parney1, Richard Ehman1, and John Huston1
MR elastography (MRE) has been used to characterize the mechanical
properties of normal and diseased brain tissue (1-4). This study
evaluated MRE for the noninvasive characterization of gliomas, specifically
investigating the relationship between tumor stiffness and mutations in the IDH1 gene, an important prognostic biomarker
for improved outcome. Eighteen patients were enrolled in this study. MRE
examinations were performed at 3T using an EPI-MRE sequence and 60Hz vibration
frequency. Tumor stiffness was quantified and compared to IDH mutation status,
as determined by histology. Twelve tumors were identified as IDH1 mutation positive and were
significantly stiffer than tumors with non-mutated IDH1.