Emerging techniques and technologies in brain tumor imaging

Benjamin M Ellingson; Martin Bendszus; A Gregory Sorensen; Whitney B Pope

doi:10.1093/neuonc/nou221

Emerging techniques and technologies in brain tumor imaging

Neuro Oncol. 2014 Oct;16 Suppl 7(Suppl 7):vii12-23. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nou221.

Authors

Benjamin M Ellingson¹, Martin Bendszus¹, A Gregory Sorensen¹, Whitney B Pope¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California (B.M.E., W.B.P.); Department of Biomedical Physics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California (B.M.E.); Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at University of California, Los Angeles, California (B.M.E.); Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California (B.M.E.); UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California (B.M.E.); Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (M.B.); Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany (A.G.S.).

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe the state of imaging techniques and technologies for detecting response of brain tumors to treatment in the setting of multicenter clinical trials. Within currently used technologies, implementation of standardized image acquisition and the use of volumetric estimates and subtraction maps are likely to help to improve tumor visualization, delineation, and quantification. Upon further development, refinement, and standardization, imaging technologies such as diffusion and perfusion MRI and amino acid PET may contribute to the detection of tumor response to treatment, particularly in specific treatment settings. Over the next few years, new technologies such as 2(3)Na MRI and CEST imaging technologies will be explored for their use in expanding the ability to quantitatively image tumor response to therapies in a clinical trial setting.

Keywords: MRI; PET; T1 subtraction; brain tumors; diffusion MRI; imaging biomarker; perfusion MRI; response assessment.

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
Glioma / diagnosis*
Glioma / therapy*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / trends
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
Positron-Emission Tomography / trends
Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors*