Grading of oligodendroglioma in dogs based on magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Background Oligodendroglioma (OG) accounts for 22% of primary brain tumors in dogs. Oligodendroglioma in dogs is graded as low‐grade (II) or high‐grade (III), based on the presence of microvascular proliferation and necrosis. Objective To investigate if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features differ between OG II and III in dogs. Animals Thirty‐two dogs with histological diagnosis of intracranial OG and MRI. Methods Retrospective descriptive study. Histology was reviewed to grade OG according to the revised classification. Brain MRI results were reviewed following criteria including contrast enhancement (CE) pattern, presence of cystic structures, gradient‐recalled‐echo (GRE) signal voids, and necrosis based on signal intensity, as well as diffusion‐weighted imaging characteristics. The MRI features were compared between OG II and III using Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression models. Results Histology identified 8 dogs with OG II (25%) and 24 with OG III (75%). All OG III showed moderate‐to‐marked CE including 18/24 (75%) with a ring pattern. These features were not seen in OG II. Heterogeneity, cystic structures, GRE signal voids, and necrosis were associated with OG III. No difference in diffusion characteristics was detected between OG II and III. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Moderate‐to‐marked CE and ring pattern were present in dogs with OG III but not in OG II. The presence of cystic structures, GRE signal voids, and necrosis was strongly associated with OG III. Although the importance of brain tumor grading in dogs with regard to prognosis and treatment options remains unknown, the results indicate that MRI reflects the histological features used for grading OG in dogs.