Texture Analysis in Cerebral Gliomas: A Review of the Literature

Texture analysis is a continuously evolving, noninvasive radiomics technique to quantify macroscopic tissue heterogeneity indirectly linked to microscopic tissue heterogeneity beyond human visual perception. In recent years, systemic oncologic applications of texture analysis have been increasingly explored. Here we discuss the basic concepts and methodologies of texture analysis, along with a review of various MR imaging texture analysis applications in glioma imaging. We also discuss MR imaging texture analysis limitations and the technical challenges that impede its widespread clinical implementation. With continued advancement in computational processing, MR imaging texture analysis could potentially develop into a valuable clinical tool in routine oncologic imaging.