Purpose. To study possibilities of MR relaxometry (MAGiC) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating glioma grade and IDH1 status.

Material and methods. The study enrolled 72 patients with diffuse glial brain tumors (18 – grade 2, 23 – grade 3, 31 – grade 4). In 61 cases, IDH1 mutational status was assessed (29 mutant, 32 wild-type). MRI protocol included structural imaging, MR relaxometry (MAGiC) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The following ROIs were segmented: contrast-enhancing tumor part (1); cystic and necrotic component (2); non-enhancing T2-FLAIR hyperintense zone (3). For every ROI we compared T1, T2, proton density and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between gliomas of different grade and IDH1 status.

Results. Grade differentiation was possible only in non-enhancing glioma zone. T1, T2, proton density and ADC were higher in grade 3 gliomas in comparison to grade 4 gliomas. Proton density values were also higher in grade 2 gliomas than in grade 4 group. All studied parameters (T1, T2, proton density, ADC) allowed to discriminate IDH1-mutant and wild-type gliomas with higher values in IDH1-mutant tumors. Cutoff values were counted (ROC-analysis).

Conclusion. The results of our study show diagnostic potential of T1- and T2-relaxometry, proton density and ADC mapping in glioma grade and IDH1 mutational status assessment, albeit there may be potential crosstalk between these two neuropathological factors.