目的　探讨星形细胞瘤的血管内皮细胞生长因子 (VEGF)表达与血管生成和瘤周脑水肿 (PTBE)及病理分级的关系。方法　术前进行MRI检查且经手术病理证实的 3 4例星形细胞瘤患者。在MRI计算星形细胞瘤的瘤体体积和瘤周脑水肿体积 ,从瘤周脑水肿与肿瘤本身的体积之比获得水肿指数 (EI) ,估价脑水肿的程度。采用免疫组化方法 (SP法 )检测3 4例星形细胞瘤VEGF表达 ;Ⅷ因子相关抗原单克隆抗体免疫组织化学 (SP法 )染色显示微血管 ,测量微血管密度 (MVD)表示肿瘤血管生成。结果　VEGF表达与脑星形细胞瘤的血管生成、瘤周脑水肿均呈显著正相关 (r =0 .77,P <0 .0 0 1;r =0 .3 3 6,P =0 .0 5 ) ;高级别星形细胞瘤VEGF、MVD、EI分别显著高于低级别星形细胞瘤 (t =7.0 8,3 .3 7,2 .74;P =0 .0 1,0 .0 11,0 .0 2 5 )。结论　VEGF可能通过参与星形细胞瘤血管生成和脑水肿发生 ,对胶质瘤的恶性演进起促进作用 ;MRI瘤周脑水肿征象能间接反映星形细胞瘤的肿瘤血管形成和预测星形细胞瘤的恶性程度。 Objective To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and angiogenesis,peritumoral edema (PTBE) and pathological grade in astrocytomas. Methods Thirty-four patients with astrocytoma who were examined by MRI and confirmed by operation and pathology before surgery. The volume of astrocytomas and volume of brain edema surrounding the astrocytomas were calculated on MRI. The edema index (EI) was obtained from the ratio of the volume of brain edema around the tumor to the volume of the tumor itself. The degree of brain edema was evaluated. Immunohistochemical method (SP method) was used to detect the expression of VEGF in 34 astrocytomas. VIII factor-associated antigen monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry (SP method) staining showed microvessels. Measurement of microvessel density (MVD) indicated tumor angiogenesis. Results The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with angiogenesis and peritumoral brain edema in astrocytomas (r = 0.77, P < 0.01; r = 0.33 6, P = 0.0. 5) High-grade astrocytoma VEGF, MVD, and EI were significantly higher than low-grade astrocytomas, respectively (t = 7.0, 83.37, 2.74; P = .0 1, 0 . 0 11 ,0. 0 2 5 ). Conclusion VEGF may participate in angiogenesis and brain edema of astrocytomas and promote the malignant progression of gliomas. MRI peritumoral edema signs can indirectly reflect the tumor angiogenesis and astrocytoma of astrocytomas. The degree of malignancy.