Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
11:31
Using Micro-computed Tomography for the Assessment of Tumor Development and Follow-up of Response to Treatment in a Mouse Model of Lung Cancer
Published on: May 20, 2016
11.2K
Routine brain MRI in suspected lung cancer: clinical justification and diagnostic yield
Camilla Hviid1, Christian B Laursen1, Pia Iben Pietersen2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Odense Respiratory Research Unit (ODIN), Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
|January 7, 2026
Summary
Routine up-front brain MRI detects brain metastases in a small subset of lung cancer patients, particularly those with initial PET/CT findings. A risk-stratified approach may optimize staging efficiency and resource use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally, with brain metastases common and linked to poor prognosis.
- The utility of routine upfront brain MRI during initial staging of suspected lung cancer alongside PET/CT remains under investigation.
- This study evaluates the impact of upfront brain MRI on clinical decision-making in suspected lung cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of routine upfront brain MRI in suspected lung cancer patients.
- To integrate workflow data, such as MRI waiting times, into the evaluation of upfront brain MRI.
- To determine the effect of upfront brain MRI on clinical decision-making and staging.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 183 patients with suspected lung cancer undergoing upfront brain MRI.
- Patients received pre-diagnostic PET/CT; brain MRI was performed for suspected stage II-IV disease (TNM 8th edition).
- Workflow data and clinical decisions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Brain metastases were detected in 11.5% (21/183) of patients by MRI, primarily from lung cancer (90.4%).
- In confirmed lung cancer patients (n=134), prevalence was 14.2% (NNS=7.1). Upstaging occurred in 2.2% (NNS=44.7).
- PET/CT showed limited reliability for detecting brain metastases (PPV 57.1%, NPV 90.3%).
Conclusions:
- Routine upfront brain MRI identifies clinically relevant brain metastases in a subset of patients, especially those with dissemination signs on PET/CT.
- A risk-stratified approach targeting high-risk patients could enhance staging efficiency and resource allocation.
- Optimizing MRI use without compromising detection is crucial for improving lung cancer staging.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
521
Description
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
521
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
400
Radiological investigations are paramount in the diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases. Two essential investigations are the Pulmonary Angiogram and the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
400
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
9.0K
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
9.0K
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
1.0K
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and...
1.0K