Magnetic resonance imaging appearance and changes on intracavitary Gliadel wafer placement: A pilot study

AIM: To investigate changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which occur with intracavitary Gliadel wafer placement in patients with glioblastoma multi-forme (GBM). METHODS: This retrospective Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board, with a waiver of informed consent. A total of eight patients aged 29-67 years with GBM underwent Gliadel wafer placement. T2-weighted/FLAIR images and post-contrast T1-weighted images both before and after wafer placement were retrospectively reviewed in consensus to determine changes in the following parameters: appearance of the pericavitary tissue, pattern of tumor recurrence or progression and appearance of the Gliadel wafer itself. RESULTS: Five out of the eight patients had a progressive increase in enhancement and pericavitary T2/FLAIR hyperintensity within the first 2 mo and a subsequent decrease in these MRI findings. None of these patients had tumor recurrence within the first 6 mo. Three out of the eight patients demonstrated a progressive increase in enhancement and pericavitary T2 hyperintensity, which continued after the first 6 mo, and were subsequently diagnosed with true tumor progression. There was no increase in distant/nonlocal tumor recurrence. The Gliadel wafer appearance changed over time. CONCLUSION: Pseudoprogression is common after intracavitary Gliadel wafer placement and thus care should be taken before diagnosing tumor progression or recurrence within the first 2 mo. (c) 2011 Baishideng. All rights reserved.