Abstract

Neuroimaging in CNS Neoplasia

Tchoyoson Lim, Senior Consultant, Department of Neuroradiology, National Neuroscience Institute

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies are the most versatile and useful method to study intracranial neoplasm and are helpful for pre-surgical assessment and planning. MRI is the main workhorse in clinical practice in the hospital and clinic for most patients that helps to make a diagnosis (including differentiating neoplasm from tumor-like lesions that may mimic them), and follow up imaging. The “anatomical” information in MRI can be supplemented by newer “functional” methods including diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopic imaging, which are being studied to determine if they are potentially useful imaging biomarkers. In addition, much research is being undertaken to add positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and MRI and integrate them with the newer molecular tumor signatures, and there is currently interest in correlating MRI phenotype to genotype to differentiate, assess outcome, and track treatment effect. This presentation will describe current and potential MRI methods in studying neoplasms.