Characterization of a first-pass gradient-echo spin-echo method to predict brain tumor grade and angiogenesis.

Background And Purpose: No widespread clinical method provides specific information about the angiogenic characteristics of gliomas. We characterized blood volume and vascular morphologic parameters from combined gradient-echo (GE) and spin-echo (SE) MR imaging and assessed their relationship to tumor grade, a known correlate of glioma angiogenesis.

Methods: Simultaneous GE and SE echo-planar imaging was performed with bolus gadolinium administration (0.