title: Functional neuroimaging in the assessment of CNS neoplasms.
abstract: Assessment of CNS neoplasms has focused traditionally on morphological analysis. Recent developments in MR sequence design now enable functional assessments. T1-weighted, as well as T2(*)-weighted, dynamic, gadolinium-enhanced, imaging can be used for assessment of vascularisation, permeability, and microcirculation of CNS neoplasms. Characterisation of cerebrovascular blood flow is possible using dynamic MR angiography, while neurofunctional imaging enables visualisation of local alterations in neuronal activity in stimulated cortical areas. Diffusion-weighted imaging can be used for improved delineation of neoplasms, while chemical shift imaging allows metabolic mapping of lesions and surrounding tissues. Implementation of these techniques can improve characterisation, information for therapy, planning and prognosis in clinical imaging of CNS neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Diagnostics and Therapy, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69 120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Knopp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Essig
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hawighorst
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brix
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Schad
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bachert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Kaick
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity