Yan Li1, Janine M. Lupo1, Soonmee
Cha1, Susan Chang2, Sarah J. Nelson1,3
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical
Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States; 2Department
of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United
States; 3Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences,
University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
Glioblastoma
Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant type of primary brain
tumor, resulting in a median survival of approximately one year. Our study of
18 patients with GBM indicated that metabolic abnormalities more accurately
reflect the underlying tumor burden. We found that the Cho to NAA index (CNI)
values in the contrast-enhancing lesion (CEL) are elevated at 2 months prior
to progression while having less changes in CEL volume at that time. Patients
who have a CEL volume with high CNI values are more likely to progress
compared with those who have with smaller CEL volume and lower CNI values. We
also observed that the regions with high CNI values outside the CEL region
could subsequently become enhancing.