Introduction to the role of imaging in neuro-oncology (clinical and research)
Imaging plays a vital role in the clinical diagnosis and management of patients with brain and CNS tumours as well as the offering research capability to develop understanding of the tumour microenvironment.
It is recognised that the BNOS community is a multi-disciplinary group and the educational needs of BNOS members differ greatly, ranging from a basic understanding of imaging modalities and techniques that are offered clinically to more detailed understanding of the mechanisms behind complex and novel research imaging techniques.
Imaging techniques that are likely to be of relevance to the neuro-oncology community include: CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and USS (Ultrasound).
RCR (Royal College of Radiologists) curriculum for radiology trainees
The ability to recognise and diagnose brain and CNS tumours on CT and conventional MRI imaging is a core skill for radiology trainees irrespective of their final chosen sub-speciality. The current RCR is available to download here.
A detailed description of imaging modalities and techniques is no longer listed within the curriculum but it is expected that all radiologists, during their training, encounter specialist CT/MR imaging techniques for evaluation of brain and spinal cord tumours. Neuroradiologists with an interest in neuro-oncology are expected to be proficient in the interpretation of MR perfusion, spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging.
Online resources relevant to the BNOS membership
BSNR (British Society of Neuroradiologists) education lecture programme – this resource provides a collection of one-hour lectures primarily targeting radiologists but is also likely to be of interest to other related specialities where they may have to request or review imaging studies. Module 3 covers a range of neuro-oncology topics. All talks are given by UK based consultants who are considered to be experts in their field.
ISMRM (International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine) MR Academy Complementary Online Education Program – this portal provides access to educational content for the MRI community. The lectures are graded in accordance to perceived difficulty ranging from basic to advanced and suggested target audience is provided. Content is still being developed for this site but it is most likely to be of relevance to imaging scientists and clinical/academic radiologists.
ISMRM Online Education Program, Neuro
ESMRMB (European Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology) – provides an online resource of educational content some of which are available to non-members including topics such as radiomics and machine learning which may be of interest to imaging research scientists and clinical imagers alike.
Educational Courses
UCL Queen Square Multidisciplinary Neuro-oncology Teaching Course – 2 year rolling programme relevant to the BNOS community.
Queen Square Multidisciplinary Neuro-oncology Teaching Course
ESNR (European Society of Neuroradiologists) ECNR (European Course in Neuroradiology) – is a 2 year rolling programme targeting radiologists with an interest in neuroradiology. It consists of 4 modules lasting 1 week. Module 2 is purely dedicated to brain and CNS tumours and is likely to be of interest and relevance to neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, and neurologists, as well as neuroradiologists.
ESNR European Course in Neuroradiology
ESNR also provides more advanced courses in neuroradiology focusing on dedicated glioma imaging and also course on advanced MRI imaging techniques targeting clinical imagers.
ESMRMB provides a number of courses and webinars which are of relevance to anyone involved in magnetic resonance imaging through the School of MRI and a separate lecture programme which is free to ESMRMB members but available for a small fee for non-members.
Recommended Publications
BSNR core imaging protocol for brain tumours pdf
Consensus recommendations for a standardized Brain Tumor Imaging Protocol in clinical trials, Ellingson et al, Neuro-Oncology 17(9), 1188–1198, 2015.
Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology (RANO) publications:
Updated Response Assessment Criteria for High-Grade Gliomas: Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Working Group, Wen P et al, Journal of Clinical Oncology 2010 28:11, 1963-1972.
Immunotherapy Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (iRANO): A Report of the RANO Working Group, Okada H. et al, Lancet Oncol. 2015 Nov; 16(15): e534–e542.
Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials, Wen P et al, Journal of Clinical Oncology 2017 35:21, 2439-2449
Joint EANM/EANO/RANO practice guidelines/SNMMI procedure standards for imaging of gliomas using PET with radiolabelled amino acids and [ 18 F]FDG: version 1.0, Law I et al Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2019 Mar;46(3):540-557.
Updated: August 2021