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. 2018 Nov 15;10(11):3790-3796.
eCollection 2018.

Histogram parameters derived from T2 weighted images are associated with histopathological findings in rectal cancer - a preliminary study

Hans-Jonas Meyer  1 , Anne Kathrin Höhn  2 , Gordian Hamerla  1 , Alexey Surov  1
Affiliations

Histogram parameters derived from T2 weighted images are associated with histopathological findings in rectal cancer - a preliminary study

Hans-Jonas Meyer et al. Am J Transl Res. .

Abstract

Histogram analysis can better reflect tumor heterogeneity than conventional imaging analysis. The present study analyzed possible correlations between histogram parameters derived from T2 weighted images and histopathological features in rectal cancer. Seventeen patients with histopathological proven rectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively acquired with prebioptic 3 T MRI and available histopathological specimens. Histogram analysis was performed using an in-house matlab tool conducting a whole lesion measurement. Histopathology was investigated using Ki67 specimens with calculation of Ki67-index as well as cellularity and nucleic areas and CD31 specimens, with estimation of microvessel density. Several histogram parameters correlated with average nucleic area. Skewness showed a moderate correlation with microvessel density (P = 0.54, P = 0.02). None of the parameters correlated with Ki67-index. Skewness derived from T2 weighted images might be used as a surrogate parameter for average nucleic area and microvessel density. However, none of the parameters were associated with proliferation index.

Keywords: Ki67; MRI; Rectal cancer; histogram analysis; microvessel density.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Imaging findings and histopathological features in a patient with T3N1M1 rectal cancer. A. Axial T2 weighted image with the ROI placed within the tumor boundaries. The measurement was performed on all slides to obtain a whole lesion measurement. B. Representative histogram of the T2-signal intensity of the lesion. The calculated values are as follows: mean = 3.8, minimum = 1.7, maximum = 6.5, P10 = 3.2, P25 = 3.5, P75 = 4.1, P90 = 4.6, median = 3.7, mode = 3.6, standard deviation = 0.66, kurtosis = 6.34, skewness = 1.48, and entropy = 2.89. C. Immunohistochemical stain (MIB-1 monoclonal antibody). Histopathological parameters are as follows: Ki 67 index = 55%, cell count = 846, total nucleic area = 98778 µm2, and average nucleic area = 118 µm2. D. Immunohistochemical stain (CD31 monoclonal antibody). The estimated microvessel count was 68.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A. Control picture of an immunhistochemical staining with Mib-1 (400× magnification). B. Control picture of an immunhistochemical staining with CD-31 (400× magnification).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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