Relationship between pathological grade,DNA content and MRI-appearance in brain astrocytic tumors

AIM: To study the correlation between DNA index (DI), 5cER, MRI appearance and the malignant grades of brain astrocytic tumors. METHODS: After Feulgen staining, 40 paraffin samples of astrocytic tumors were observed about DI and 5cER by image analysis, MRI appearances were reviewed, including edema around tumor, clearity of boundary, equality of MRI singal, enhancement of tumor, shift of medline, necroses and cyst, then compared them with pathological grade and survival rate. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between DI, 5cER, MRI appearance and pathological grade, negative correlation between DI, 5cER, MRI appearance and survival rate. CONCLUSION: DI, 5cER and MRI appearance are very important in judging pathological grade and patient’s prognosis. When 5cER mean of astrocytic tumor exceeds 20,the tumor should be judged as glioblastoma.