Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Brain MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. On brain MRI, glioblastoma multiforme is characterized by a butterfly shaped mass, which is hypointense on T1-weighted MRI and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI.
MRI
MRI
Brain MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. On brain MRI, glioblastoma multiforme is characterized by:
Susceptibility artifact on T2 from blood products (or occasionally calcification)
Low intensity rim from blood product
Located inside the peripheral enhancing component
Absent dual rim sign
DWI/ADC
Solid component
Elevated signal on DWI is common in solid / enhancing component
Diffusion restriction is typically intermediate similar to normal white matter, but significantly elevated compared to surrounding vasogenic edema (which has facilitated diffusion)
ADC values correlate with grade:
WHO IV (GBM) = 745 ± 135 x 10-6 mm2/s
WHO III (anaplastic) = 1067 ± 276 x 10-6 mm2/s
WHO II (low grade) = 1273 ± 293 x 10-6 mm2/s
ADC threshold value of 1185 x 10-6 mm2/s sensitivity (97.6%) and specificity (53.1%) in the discrimination of high-grade (WHO grade III & IV) and low-grade (WHO grade II) gliomas
Non-enhancing necrotic / cystic component
Majority (>90%) have facilitated diffusion (ADC values > 1000 x 10-6 mm2/s)
MR perfusion
rCBV elevated compared to lower grade tumors and normal brain
