BRAIN TUMOR IMAGING

• Describes the basics, the challenges and the limitations of brain tumor imaging, with a focus on MR methodology
• Discusses clinically relevant physical principles
• Examines in detail the impact of MR imaging on diagnosis and treatment monitoring
• Explains the most important imaging criteria for differential diagnosis

This book describes the basics, the challenges and the limitations of state of the art brain tumor imaging and examines in detail its impact on diagnosis and treatment monitoring. It opens with an introduction to the clinically relevant physical principles of brain imaging. Since MR methodology plays a crucial role in brain imaging, the fundamental aspects of MR spectroscopy, MR perfusion and diffusion-weighted MR methods are described, focusing on the specific demands of brain tumor imaging. The potential and the limits of new imaging methodology are carefully addressed and compared to conventional MR imaging. In the main part of the book, the most important imaging criteria for the differential diagnosis of solid and necrotic brain tumors are delineated and illustrated in examples. A closing section is devoted to the use of MR methods for the monitoring of brain tumor therapy. The book is intended for radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists and other scientists in the biomedical field with an interest in neuro-oncology.

Table of contents (10 chapters)
1. Brain Tumor Imaging
2. MR Imaging of Brain Tumors
3. MR Spectroscopic Imaging
4. MR Perfusion Imaging
5. Diffusion-Weighted Methods
6. Advanced MR Methods in Differential Diagnosis of Brain Tumors
7. PET Imaging of Brain Tumors
8. Advanced Imaging Modalities and Treatment of Gliomas: Radiation Therapy
9. Advanced Imaging Modalities and Treatment of Gliomas: Neurosurgery
10. Future Methods in Tumor Imaging