Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) techniques offer a non-invasive, non-irradiating yet sensitive approach to diagnose and monitor pediatric brain tumors. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), as an adjunct to MRI, has been more widely applied to monitor the metabolic aspects of brain cancer. In vivo MRS biomarkers represent a promising method and may influence the treatment choice both at initial diagnosis and follow-up, given the inherent difficulties of sequential biopsies to monitor therapeutic response. When combined with anatomical or other types of imaging, MRS provide unique information regarding biochemistry in inoperable brain tumors and may complement neuro-pathologic data, guide biopsies and suggest therapeutic options. The combination of noninvasively acquired prognostic information and the high-resolution anatomical imaging provided by conventional MRI is expected to surpass molecular analysis or DNA microarray gene profiling, both of which, although promising, depend on invasive biopsy. This presentation will focus on recent bibliographic data in the field of MRS in children with brain tumors.

Biography

Email: atzika@hms.harvard.edu