Evaluation of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging for the pathological investigation of musculoskeletal tumors

Summary

The present study aimed to assess the clinical utility of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) perfusion imaging in discriminating between benign, intermediate and malignant musculoskeletal tumors, as well as to analyze the correlation between tumor blood flow (TBF) and microvessel density (MVD). 3D-ASL was performed on 44 patients with musculoskeletal tumor using a 3.0T magnetic resonance system to obtain TBF values prior to surgery. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to assess the threshold and diagnostic reliability of TBF. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor specimens was performed using a cluster of differentiation 34 monoclonal antibody to calculate MVD counts. TBF and MVD values in the malignant group were significantly higher compared with that of the benign, and intermediate groups.The results of the present study suggest that 3D-ASL is valuable in discriminating between benign, intermediate and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. 3D-ASL may be utilized to evaluate angiogenesis in musculoskeletal tumors in vivo.