Novel Quantitative Techniques in Hybrid (PET-MR) Imaging of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are a collection of heterogeneous intracranial neoplasms. Molecular PET and anatomic MR imaging together can provide reliable quantitative information on tumor characterization, and help in treatment planning and monitoring therapeutic evaluation, noninvasively. Coregistration of MRI and PET images have been successfully used to improve diagnostic accuracy and in evaluating treatment response. Whole-body PET-MR scanners capable of assessing morphologic, metabolic, and functional information simultaneously are now commercially available. Early clinical studies speculate that PET-MR will be useful in several clinical specialties. In this report, we highlight the advances and applications of hybrid PET-MR in quantitative brain tumor imaging.