Springer Imaging and Diagnosis in Pediatric Brain Tumor Studies

This book describes the features in structural imaging of the most important pediatric brain tumors with the aim of enabling radiologists to make the correct differential diagnosis and to provide the pediatric oncologist with all the imaging information relevant to further management. The opening chapter is devoted to the complex subject of pediatric trials at the national and international levels and the importance of staging for stratification, differential treatment, and outcome. A general imaging protocol for children with brain tumors is presented, and individual chapters then identify key points for the differential diagnosis and staging of posterior fossa tumors, low- and high-grade gliomas, germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngiomas. The relevance of aspects such as tumor site and age to diagnosis is explained, and pitfalls associated with meningeal dissemination and treatment-related complications mimicking recurrence are highlighted. The importance of ensuring comparability of follow-up by use of standard MR (or CT) imaging is emphasized. In drawing on the lessons gained both from pediatric trials and from the author’s own experience, this book will be invaluable for all radiologists. Review “The text is filled with a wealth of personal insights and experience detailing the classical imaging findings for most brain tumours. … is most likely to be of use to senior radiologists reporting a large number of paediatric brain tumour studies.” (Dr. Daniel Connolly, RAD Magazine, October, 2017) From the Back Cover This book describes the features in structural imaging of the most important pediatric brain tumors with the aim of enabling radiologists to make the correct differential diagnosis and to provide the pediatric oncologist with all the imaging information relevant to further management. The opening chapter is devoted to the complex subject of pediatric trials at the national and international levels and the importance of staging for stratification, differential treatment, and outcome. A general imaging protocol for children with brain tumors is presented, and individual chapters then identify key points for the differential diagnosis and staging of posterior fossa tumors, low- and high-grade gliomas, germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngiomas. The relevance of aspects such as tumor site and age to diagnosis is explained, and pitfalls associated with meningeal dissemination and treatment-related complications mimicking recurrence are highlighted. The importance of ensuring comparability of follow-up by use of standard MR (or CT) imaging is emphasized. In drawing on the lessons gained both from pediatric trials and from the author’s own experience, this book will be invaluable for all radiologists. About the Author After training in general radiology/radiotherapy I started an education in neuroradiology at the University hospital of Würzburg, Germany. In 1991 I started to do the central review of the HIT’91-study for highly malignant brain tumors in children. As the head of the reference center for imaging I do all central evaluations for the pediatric brain tumor studies in Germany. As a member of the group of reference radiologist for SIOP-E and the RAPNO committee I am working on a standardization of imaging in children with brain tumors.