Advanced MRI in the management of adult gliomas

Gliomas are a heterogeneous group that account for approximately 86% of primary brain neoplasms, and include astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumours, as well as a variety of less common histopathological subtypes. Magnetic resonance imaging has become the accepted mode of imaging for the clinical management of these tumours. MRI features bear close resemblance to the histopathology grading and prognosis of these tumours. Currently, conventional MRI is used to aid diagnosis, plan neurosurgical approaches, and monitor response to therapy and disease progression. More recent developments in the field of MRI include MR spectroscopy, perfusion MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging, intraoperative MRI and functional MRI. These newer techniques have been adopted with varying success in the management of adult gliomas. This review focuses on the application of advanced MR imaging in the clinical management of adult gliomas.