Although physicians began examining the human brain soon after R?entgen discovered X-rays, neuroradiology is a relatively new specialty. The first full-time U.S. neuroradiologist, Cornelius G. Dyke, M.D., worked at the New York Neurological Institute in the 1930s, and the American Society of Neuroradiology dates from the early 1960s.
However, the real growth of the specialty followed the introduction of CT and then MRI. Today, structural and, even more important, functional imaging of the brain is enhancing our understanding of disease, helping us distinguish different diseases that have similar signs and symptoms, and guiding surgery inside the head. In some cases, prognostic information is available. MRI has been a particular success: today, approximately 35 percent of all MRI studies are done on the head. This article looks at some of the newer ways of and reasons for viewing the brain, with a focus on PET and MR.
Brain tumors: diagnosis, treatment monitoring, follow-up
Single photon emission CT (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and MRI have all found secure roles in the diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and follow-up of brain tumors. The utility is such that developing nations are buying scanners. Last year, nuclear medicine specialists in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, described the utility of 201Tl SPECT for distinguishing low-grade from high-grade brain tumors, as well as for tumor localization and detection of residual or recurrent brain tumors postoperatively.1
Please refer to the April 2001 issue for the complete story. For information on article reprints, contact Martin St. Denis
