Structural plasticity associated with Gliomas- A case control study

Introduction: In this study, we will use surface-based morphometry to understand how different structures of healthy cortex and sub-cortical structures adapt to the changing microenvironment as a result of gliomas . To identify changes in the contra-lesional cortical thickness and subcortical structures’ volumes in pre- operative structural MRI of glioma patients in comparison with healthy controls.

Methods: Total (n) 49 patients were taken. Glioma 31 (male:21; female:10) and Healthy controls were 18 (male:9 ; female:9), Mean age was (years): 33.6.
Tumor location/laterality:
Right= 18, and Left=13
Grade: II = 20, and III = 11.
Type: Oligodendroglioma -17, Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma -2, Astrocytoma -2, Anaplastic Ependymoma -1, Astrocytoma -1, Diffuse Astrocytoma -2, and Diffuse Glioma -1
Other features: tumor location, white matter tracts involvement, mutations, hx. Of seizures Freesurfer Pipeline: 45 subcortical ROIs and 68 cortical ROIs

Results: Mean right temporal pole thickness is higher in patients with glioma on the left (3.792mm ± 0.597) compared to healthy controls(3.271mm ± 0.664). (p value = 0.032 ) Mean left parahippocampal gyrus thickness is higher in patients with glioma on the right ( 2.369mm ±0.365) compared to healthy controls ( 2.0955mm ±0.321). (p value= 0.023 ) Mean left lateral occipital gyrus thicknessis lower in patients with glioma on the right ( 1.703mm ±0.380) compared to healthy controls (1.997mm ± 0.360). (p value= 0.023) Mean left lingual gyrus thicknessis lower in patients with glioma on the right ( 1.631mm ±0.222) compared to healthy controls (1.794mm ±0.242 ). (p value=0.042 ) Mean left transverse temporal gyrus thicknessis lower in patients with glioma on the right ( 1.800mm ± 0.489) compared to healthy controls(2.203mm ± 0.444). (p value=0.014)

Conclusion : Sub-cortical volumes Enlargement of Left Hippocampus, Right Hippocampus, Left Thalamus, Right Thalamus, Left Amygdala, Right Amygdala.