MR images for characterizing canine primary brain tumors: a comparison with histopathology

Abstract

The MR images and histopathological slides of twenty primary brain tumors (ten meningiomas and ten gliomas) were compared, using defined MR characteristics and the WHO classification. To find a relationship between histological features and MR images the histological slides were compared one-on-one with the MR images for twelve of the tumors. The aim of this study was to improve the value of MRI for the characterization of primary brain tumors in dogs, using the pathologic findings as feedback. This was done by comparing histopathologic findings and MR images. This study concluded that neither for meningiomas, nor for gliomas, a distinction between different histological subtypes can be made based on the MR characteristics. Comparing the MR characteristics of meningiomas and gliomas, it can be concluded that it is hard to distinguish them based on these MR characteristics, because both types of tumors show a variety of MR characteristics. For a definite diagnosis, other methods, such as tissue biopsies, are needed.