Blood Flow MRI for Monitoring Brain Tumors

Our goals are:

1. To compare the blood flow measured with this technique with measures of tumor blood
vessel density in pieces of the tumor surgically removed as a normal part of clinical
treatment. This will confirm a relationship between the imaging measurements and the
microscopic characteristics of tumors.

2. To compare the blood flow in tumors before therapy with the concentration of choline, an
indicator of cell proliferation. This choline concentration can be measured with another
MRI technique. This information will demonstrate the relationship between cell
proliferation and blood supply and will also determine whether the choline measurement
adds additional information that is clinically necessary.

3. To determine the reproducibility of blood flow measurements in tumors. This is necessary
to better understand the sensitivity of the technique to changes in flow caused by a
treatment or changes in tumor vascularity.

4. To monitor changes in blood flow after initial treatment. Since sometimes tumors can
reappear, the repeated measures will help determine how useful this new imaging
technique is at detecting such recurring tumors.

Inclusion Criteria:

- diagnosed with or are suspected of having a glioma

Exclusion Criteria:

- contraindications to MRI which may include the following

1. Pacemaker

2. MRI incompatible metal implant

3. Recently implanted vascular clip

4. History of claustrophobia

5. Metal fragment within the eye

Subjects who have received nonstandard therapy may be excluded if the therapy might alter
tumor blood flow or other imaging characteristic.