Improved radiotherapy treatment planning for spinal cord tumors using gadolinium enhanced MR imaging

Primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors are frequently difficult to localize for radiation treatment planning. Conventional imaging techniques, including unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) scans, cannot clearly distinguish residual tumor from surrounding normal spinal cord. Recently, contrast agents have been developed for MR that have considerable promise for improving tumor volume definition. This report describes the impact of contrast-enhanced MR on the treatment planning process for four patients with primary spinal cord tumors and discusses the significance of this technique for patients with these neoplasms.