MRI as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Differentiating Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma from Glioblastoma
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Desir, Likowsky L.
Issue Date
2025-06
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Neurosciences , Medicine , Medical imaging , Oncology , Primary central nervous system lymphoma
Alternative Title
Abstract
This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing primary central nervous system lymphoma from glioblastoma. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of MRI as a marker to differentiate primary central nervous system lymphoma from glioblastoma. The overlapping clinical and radiological features of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and glioblastoma (GBM) present a challenge for clinicians in distinguishing between the two conditions. In environments lacking a trained neurophysician or neurosurgeon, the diagnostic challenge is heightened, as both conditions are typically perceived as enhancing lesions on a conventional MRI. This diagnostic ambiguity delays appropriate treatment and highlights the necessity for more advanced modalities and approaches. Experts can identify subtle differences, such as PCNSL typically showing homogeneous enhancement with MRI and glioblastomas presenting a heterogeneous pattern with central necrosis. However, these distinctions are not absolute and are influenced by various factors, including lesion location, size, and disease stage. The literature search will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted in online literature databases, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, for current full-text articles published in English. The selection of studies will adhere to the PICO research question framework. A systematic search strategy will be formulated utilizing relevant keywords: “MRI” OR “Glioblastoma” OR “primary central nervous system lymphoma” OR “PCNSL,” which will be integrated through Boolean operators. The studies indicate that advanced MRI techniques, specifically diffusion-weighted imagery (DWI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC), are effective in distinguishing PCNSL from GBM. Among the most commonly utilized radiographic modalities, DSC, DWI, arterial spin labeling (ASL), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI were predominantly relied upon for diagnosing PCNSL and GBM. Additionally, relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and perfusion fraction are significant metrics commonly employed to assess their diagnostic efficacy. Current management strategies should employ more advanced MRI techniques in combination to differentiate between PCNSL and GBM. The benefits outweigh the costs, effort, and time required to conduct these radiographic investigations, and until more technologically advanced modalities are developed, this collective approach should become the standard.
Description
DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF HEALTH SCIENCES, THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT. APRIL 2025.
Citation
Desir, L. L. (2025). "MRI as a diagnostic biomarker for differentiating primary central nervous system lymphoma from glioblastoma." Ph.D. dissertation, School of Health Science, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT.