1) Choose the relevant MR imaging sequences for the diagnostic work up of children who have received radiation therapy for CNS malignancies. 2) Recognize frequent and infrequent radiation therapy induced CNS findings. 3) Differentiate between treatment related brain injury and residual or recurrent malignancy.
Radiation therapy is frequently part of a multimodality treatment plan for pediatric CNS malignancies. Radiation therapy aims to reduce or eliminate residual or recurrent tumor tissue. Occassionally, radiation therapy is the only treatment option. The MR signal intensities, contrast enhancement as well as functional imaging characteristics of tumor tissue as well as adjacent "healthy" brain tissue are influenced/altered by the radiation treatment. The encountered findings may be confusing. Differentiation between residual/recurrent tumor, treatment induced injury to healthy tissue or tumor pseudo progression is essential. Familiarity with frequent and infrequent imaging findings and complications is mandatory to monitor and guide treatment. In the current session the various imaging findings secondary to radiation therapy will be presented. In addition, the value and significance of the various anatomical and functional MR sequences will be reviewed for the accurate diagnostic work up of these possibly confusing therapy induced imaging findings.
Rockhill, J,
Huisman, T,
Post-radiation Therapy CNS Imaging. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14002104.html
