Imaging for pediatric brain tumors

Radiological imaging plays an important role in the care of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing evaluation and treatment of brain tumors. The primary objective for any diagnostic magnetic resonance or computed tomography study is to distinguish between normality and abnormality. Establishing normality is typically more difficult than recognizing obvious pathology. To declare that an imaging procedure reveals either no apparent or no significant disease requires the examination to have been performed appropriately with the most sensitive imaging modality, scanned in the right location, using parameters capable of providing the optimum spatial and contrast resolution. Once tumor is observed, the role of imaging then shifts toward more specialized tasks including predicting the type of tumor, establishing the spatial relationship between the mass and eloquent areas, and staging the furthest extent of disease. These tasks require sophisticated imaging and experienced interpretation to adequately plan treatment.