Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Patients with Brain Metastases Undergoing Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tumor recurrence is difficult to predict in patients receiving laser ablation for intracranial malignancy. We assessed the efficacy of the initial area under the time-to-signal intensity curve at 60 seconds (iAUC₆₀) from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in predicting progression-free survival in patients with brain metastases following laser interstitial thermal therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was a consecutive series of patients undergoing laser interstitial thermal therapy for brain metastases. Patient demographics including age, sex, tumor histology, and Karnofsky Performance Scale were collected prospectively. Preoperative, postoperative, and 1-month follow-up dynamic contrast-enhanced MRIs were analyzed. Values of iAUC₆₀ were computed using a trapezoidal rule applied to the time history of contrast uptake over the first 60 seconds postenhancement. The change in iAUC₆₀ (ΔiAUC₆₀) was calculated by taking the difference between the values of iAUC₆₀ from 2 time points. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between progression-free survival, defined as the time from laser interstitial thermal therapy to tumor recurrence, and iAUC₆₀ or ΔiAUC₆₀ values.

RESULTS: Thirty-three cases of laser interstitial thermal therapy for 32 brain metastases in a cohort of 27 patients were prospectively analyzed. A significant relationship was observed between the values of iAUC₆₀ from postoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and progression-free survival with Pearson correlation (P = .03) and Cox univariate analysis (P = .01). The relationship between preoperative and 1-month follow-up dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was not significantly correlated with progression-free survival. Similarly, no statistically significant relationship was observed with ΔiAUC₆₀ and progression-free survival between any time points.

CONCLUSIONS: Progression-free survival is difficult to predict in patients undergoing laser interstitial thermal therapy for brain metastases due to confounding with posttreatment change. iAUC₆₀ extracted from postoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging shows promise for accurately prognosticating patients following this operative therapy.