[Current Applications and Future Perspectives of Brain Tumor Imaging]

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Oncology
• Medical Physics

Context:

• Brain tumor diagnosis and treatment response assessment rely heavily on anatomical imaging.
• Advanced techniques like diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion imaging offer crucial supplementary data.
• The growing need to understand tumor genomic variation and heterogeneity drives innovation in imaging.

Purpose:

• To provide recommendations for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols in brain tumor imaging.
• To explain the principles, pathophysiology, and clinical applications of DWI and perfusion imaging.
• To review the emerging roles of radiomics and deep learning in brain tumor imaging.

Summary:

• This review details essential MRI protocols for brain tumors, emphasizing anatomical imaging.
• It elaborates on the fundamentals and clinical utility of diffusion-weighted and perfusion imaging.
• The review discusses the potential of radiomics and deep learning, accelerated by computational advancements, for future brain tumor imaging.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of current and advanced MRI techniques for brain tumor evaluation.
• Highlights the integration of imaging with genomic insights for personalized medicine.
• Outlines future directions in AI-driven radiomics and deep learning for improved brain tumor characterization and management.