Andreas Mller1, Stefanie Remmele2, Ingo Wenningmann3, Frank Trber1, Roy Knig1, Hans Clusmann4, Hannes Dahnke5, Juergen Gieseke5, Sebastian Flacke1, Winfried A. Willinek1, Hans H. Schild1, Petra Mrtz1
1Department of Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; 2Philips Research Europe, Hamburg, Germany; 3Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; 4Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; 5Philips Medical Systems, Hamburg, Germany
The R2* response to hyperoxic and hypercapnic respiratory challenges is of major diagnostic interest in oncology as it gives insight into tissue oxygenation and vasoreactivity. We determined the R2* response to elevated levels of O2 and CO2 in cerebral tumors at 3 Tesla. Different tumor regions show characteristically altered vessel function and reactivity. We present a robust and sensitive method to assess oxygenation changes and vasoreactivity in brain tumors. This additional information may support the selection and dosage of tumor therapies and may allow the non-invasive contrast-agent-free monitoring of treatment response.