Abstract #0285

Functional Diffusion Maps Applied to FLAIR Abnormal Areas Are Valuable for the Clinical Monitoring of Recurrent Brain Tumors

Benjamin M. Ellingson^1,2, Mark G. Malkin^1,3, Scott D. Rand^1,2, Devyani P. Bedekar^1,2, Kathleen M. Schmainda^1,2

¹Translational Brain Tumor Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; ²Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; ³Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Functional diffusion maps (fDMs) involve calculating voxel-by-voxel changes in diffusivity in order to spatially localize and quantify changes in tumor cellularity. Traditionally, fDMs are applied to contrast-enhanced tumor regions exclusively. In the current study we have expanded the application of fDMs to FLAIR abnormal regions. Results suggest this technique provides additional insight into the growth and treatment response of both enhancing and non-enhancing brain tumors, along with reflecting the neurological status of the patient.