Comparison of Ultrasonographic Images of Glioblastoma Tumor with Magnetic Resonance Images: Rat Animal Model

Akram  Shahidani; Manijhe  Mokhtari-Dizaji; Zeinab  Shankayi; Mahmoud Najafi

doi:10.18502/fbt.v11i2.15332

Akram Shahidani Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Manijhe Mokhtari-Dizaji Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Zeinab Shankayi School of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University, Tehran, Iran
Mahmoud Najafi Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Kent State University, Ohio, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fbt.v11i2.15332

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; T2 Weighted; Glioblastoma Multiform Tumor.

Abstract

Purpose: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can guide the surgical strategy to identify brain tumors and monitor treatment response. It is possible to use transcranial Ultrasound (US) for periodical follow-ups. Ultrasound waves pass through the delicate areas of the skull called acoustic windows. In this study, the efficiency of ultrasound imaging was performed to diagnose glioblastoma brain tumors and the results were compared with MR images.

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of Ketamine and Xylazine. A stereotaxic device was used to determine the injection coordinates. C6 GBM cell lines were injected into the brains of rats. After two weeks, the formation of a glioblastoma tumor was confirmed histopathologically. The brain of animals was imaged by B-mode ultrasound and MRI. The section with the largest tumor dimensions was selected and the dimensions of the skull and tumor were measured based on the pixel size of each of the imaging methods. Pearson coefficient of correlation and Limits Of Agreement (LOA) were calculated for comparisons of the skull and tumor dimensions.

Results: The skull and the tumor dimensions showed a significant correlation between the B-mode ultrasound and the MRI measurements (R = 0.99 and p < 0.05). According to the Bland-Altman analysis, the mean difference was 0.31 mm (SD = 0.20) for skull and tumor dimensions. The exact shape of the tumor is not completely clear in the ultrasound images, but it can be useful to detect the presence of the tumor and its approximate dimensions.

Conclusion: In conclusion, a glioblastoma tumor was produced in the male Wistar rat. The tumor dimensions were properly assessed by B-mode ultrasound image processing and compared with MR imaging.