Comparison of Tracer Kinetic Models for Differentiating Glioblastoma and Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Motivation: The overlapping radiographical features between glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) make it difficult to distinguish the two clinically. Goal(s): This study aimed to compare values of conventional and advanced tracer kinetic models based on dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI in differentiating glioblastoma and lymphoma. Approach: Patients diagnosed as glioblastoma or lymphoma were examined using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Imaging data were analyzed using tracer kinetic models. Results: Permeability parameters of DP model attained best performance in differential diagnosis, with dominant features comprising significantly higher PS and E in the tumor region of lymphoma than in that of glioblastoma. Impact: Distributed parameter (DP) model demonstrated excellent performance in differentiating PCNSL and glioblastoma and permeability parameters of advanced tracer kinetic models such as PS and E could be promising imaging biomarkers.