Choroid plexus volume variation in patients with gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors: Associations with tumor characteristics.

PURPOSE: To investigate choroid plexus .   volume (CPV) alterations in patients with gliomas and glioneuronal and neuronal tumors (GNTs) and to evaluate their associations with tumor characteristics.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational cohort study, 811 patients with histologically confirmed brain tumors (674 gliomas and 137 GNTs) and 744 controls were included. All participants underwent 3.0 T MRI with 3D T1-weighted imaging, and patient scans were acquired preoperatively. The choroid plexus was automatically segmented on 3D T1-weighted images using a 3D nnU-Net-based deep learning algorithm with expert quality control. CPV was normalized to total intracranial volume (CPV/TIV). Lateral ventricular volume (LVV) was quantified using FreeSurfer and included as a covariate. Group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests after case-control matching. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to assess independent associations while adjusting for age, sex, and LVV, with additional sensitivity analyses incorporating scanner type.

RESULTS

Compared with supratentorial tumors and controls, infratentorial tumors showed significantly larger CPV (both P < 0.001). Tumor grade was not independently associated with CPV after adjustment among patients. Pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas and GNTs exhibited larger CPV than adult-type diffuse gliomas (P < 0.01). In exploratory molecular analyses of adult-type diffuse gliomas, + 7/ - 10 status was associated with lower CPV (β = -0.127, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

CPV alterations in brain tumors are primarily associated with tumor location and histological classification rather than tumor grade. An exploratory association between +7/ - 10 status and lower CPV was also observed, although this finding requires further validation.