DCE-MRI Based Differentiation of Glioblastomas, Diffused Midline Gliomas, and Grade-3 Gliomas: Impact of Large Blood Vessel Removal

Motivation: High-grade gliomas (GBM, G3, and DMG) present diagnostic challenges due to overlapping features in conventional imaging, necessitating advanced MRI techniques for accurate differentiation. Goal(s): To evaluate role of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI derived quantitative parameters for differentiating high-grade glioma types while removing non-tumoral large vasculature within tumors. Approach: Analyzed 112 HGG patients using quantitative DCE-MRI parameters maps. Non-tumoral large vasculature within tumors was automatically removed from these maps followed by statistical analysis over tumor lesion before and after removal of vasculature. Results: The removal of non-tumoral large vasculature enhanced accuracy of glioma differentiation among high grade glioma types GBM, DMG and G3. Impact: Proposed approach based on quantitative DCE-MRI parameters after removal of non-tumoral large vasculature provided enhanced accuracy of differentiating among high grade gliomas, which has potential in improving diagnostic precision and treatment planning.