Evaluation of glymphatic system and inflammation alteration in patients with brain metastases using DTI-ALPS and NLR

Motivation: Malignant tumors always metastasize along the blood or meningeal infiltration. We hope to evaluate CSF and blood changes in brain metastases patients through a simple and effective method. Goal(s): To investigate glymphatic system and inflammation alteration in patients with brain metastases. Approach: We combined DTI-ALPS and NLR to analyze the differences between healthy controls and patients with brain metastases. Results: Compared with HCs, the mean ALPS index of patients with brain metastases was significantly decreased, and the NLR was significantly increased. Impact: ALPS-index and NLR can provide a new perspective for potential assessment of how brain metastasis affects the glymphatic system and inflammatory immune system, and may also support more relevant treatments for patients.