Advances in brain tumor diagnostic imaging

In this review I will discuss recent developments in diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging of brain neoplasms, including refinements of clinically accepted methods and experimental techniques with as yet unproven clinical applications. The techniques and applications to be discussed are (1) fast magnetic resonance imaging methods to assess tumor perfusion (blood volume), blood-brain barrier and blood-tumor barrier, and diffusion status; (2) a specialized magnetic resonance imaging method, magnetization transfer, which is sensitive to microscopic structural changes in tissue and may also be used to improve paramagnetic contrast enhancement; (3) new magnetic resonance imaging paramagnetic contrast agents including recent sensitivity and efficacy trials; and (4) magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.