New advances in brain tumor imaging

During the period of this review, there has been continued use and developm ent of neuroimaging techniques in brain tumor diagnosis and management. Alt hough no monumental developments or improvements in neuroimaging techniques or technology have occurred, important studies continue to be published sh owing the clinical impact and utility of various neuroimaging techniques to improve the care of patients with brain tumors. Several studies have shown the power of functional neuroimaging techniques with both magnetic resonan ce imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) to map eloquent cor tex and assist in the planning of surgical and radiation therapy. New nucle ar imaging radiopharmaceuticals, including various PET ligands and single p hoton emission computed tomography (SPECT) agents. have also been developed and show their potential power in the evaluation of brain tumor patients. New MRI pulse sequences to improve image quality and shorten imaging time h ave also been developed. Several excellent reviews of the use of fluorodeox yglucose (FDG)-PET and MRI techniques were also published. This article rev iews the relevant and important neuroimaging literature related to brain tu mor that was published during the defined time period of November 1, 1999 t o October 31, 2000. Discussion is organized by modality, including nuclear imaging techniques (SPECT and PET) and MRI (pulse sequence development, con trast agent development, functional MRI developments, and general MRI-relat ed information). Curr Opin Oncol 2001. 13:148-153 (C) 2001 Lippincott Willi ams & Wilkins. Inc.