MRI/CT | | |
Diffusion MRI/diffusion tensor imaging | Restricted diffusion in lesions (hyperintense on DWI and hypointense on ADC maps)40,44–47 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and malignant glioma/metastases |
| Decreased FA values in lesions47 | |
Perfusion MRI/perfusion CT/permeability MRI | Low maximum CBV40,41 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and malignant glioma/metastases |
| Characteristic intensity time curve related to leakage of contrast into the interstitial space41 | Assessment of microvascular tumor permeability relevant for diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy |
MR spectroscopy | Elevated lipid peaks and high Cho/Cr ratios29,42–44,59 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and some gliomas and CNS lymphomas and toxoplasmosis/PML in AIDS patients |
High-resolution SWI | Blood products and calcifications are rare findings14,27 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and high-grade gliomas |
MRI with new contrast agents | MRI with iron oxide nanoparticles: lesions enhance less than with gadolinium56 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and MS |
Metabolic imaging | | |
PET | FDG-PET, methionine PET: hypermetabolic lesions with increased uptake of FDG or methionine25,60,62 | Differentiation of CNS lymphoma and gliomas/metastases/meningiomas |
| | Early evaluation of therapeutic response |
SPECT/SPET | Hypermetabolic lesions with high N-isopropyl iodoamphetamine or thallium-201 uptake9,63,64 | Differentiation of AIDS-related CNS lymphoma and infectious intracranial lesions |