Open AccessChallenges of imaging interpretation to predict oligodendroglioma grade: a report from the Neuro-Oncology Branch
Author(s) -
Orwa Aboud,
Rita Shah,
Elizabeth Vera,
Eric Burton,
Brett Theeler,
Jing Wu,
Boris Labar,
Martha Quezado,
Jennifer Reyes,
Kathleen Wall,
Mark R. Gilbert,
Terri S. Armstrong,
Marta PenasPrado
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cns oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2045-0915
pISSN - 2045-0907
DOI - 10.2217/cns-2021-0005
Subject(s) - medicine , oligodendroglioma , radiology , cohen's kappa , inter rater reliability , nuclear medicine , astrocytoma , glioma , statistics , mathematics , rating scale , cancer research
Background: To illustrate challenges of imaging interpretation in patients with oligodendroglioma seen at a referral center and evaluate interrater reliability. Methods: Two neuro-oncologists reviewed diagnostic preradiation MRIs of oligodendroglioma patients; interrater reliability was calculated with the kappa coefficient (k). A neuroradiologist measured presurgical apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), if available. Results: Extensive enhancement was noted in four of 58 patients, k = 0.7; necrosis in seven of 58, k = 0.61; calcification in seven of 17, k = 1.0; diffusion restriction in two of 39 patients, k = 1.0 (all only in grade 3). ADC values with receiver operator characteristic analysis for area under the curve were 0.473, not significantly different from the null hypothesis (p = 0.14). Conclusions: Extensive enhancement, necrosis and calcification correlated with grade 3 oligodendroglioma in our sample. However, interrater variability is an important limitation when assessing radiographic features, supporting the need for standardization of imaging protocols and their interpretation.