Brain tumor identification through microstructure study using MRI

This work is focused on the quantitative study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for the purpose of identification of brain tumor by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) calculations of Diffusion-weighted images (DWI). Such diffusion-based measurements of cellular response can provide additional quantitative information for tissue characterization that strengthens the diagnosis carried out by conventional T1 and T2 weighted MRI. Initially, the DWI protocol were implemented on different test subjects with 6 sets of diffusion weighting factor by using a 3T MR scanner at National Institute of Neuroscience, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Afterward, based on the discussion with radiologists and specialists, two subjects (subject number 2 and 5) with suspected brain tumor were selected from the previous pool; ADC calculations were performed on the tumor region and the normal tissues on the symmetric region of the tumor on the other hemisphere. The comparison revealed a significant difference in ADC values of both regions, thus indicating a successful detection of the brain tumor. Such quantitative analysis provides a broader diagnostic scope as an addition with routine anatomical MRI and could play a crucial role in the treatment planning for pre and post-operative condition.