Simultaneous measurement of bidirectional capillary permeability, vascular volume, extracellular space, and rCBF in experimental gliomas and surrounding edema.

Measurements of bidirectional capillary permeability in the ASV tumor model revealed a heterogeneous distribution of transport rates for the small water-soluble molecules which are believed to be the driving force in perifocal edema formation. Mean K1 values were 8.1 +/- 5.5 microliters/g/min in whole tumor and 18.89 +/- 12.3 microliters/g/min in highly permeable areas. Tumor blood flow ranged between normal white matter and cortex, whereas the plasma vascular space in the tumors was increased as compared to the normal brain. The size of the extracellular space was depending on the regional capillary permeability, underlining the vasogenic nature of peritumoral edema which was capable of being studied using in vivo methods.