The role of imaging in the management of progressive glioblastoma : a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline

J Neurooncol. 2014 Jul;118(3):435-60. doi: 10.1007/s11060-013-1330-0. Epub 2014 Apr 9.

Abstract

Question: Which imaging techniques most accurately differentiate true tumor progression from pseudo-progression or treatment related changes in patients with previously diagnosed glioblastoma?

Target population: These recommendations apply to adults with previously diagnosed glioblastoma who are suspected of experiencing progression of the neoplastic process.

Recommendations level ii: Magnetic resonance imaging with and without gadolinium enhancement is recommended as the imaging surveillance method to detect the progression of previously diagnosed glioblastoma.

Level ii: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is recommended as a diagnostic method to differentiate true tumor progression from treatment-related imaging changes or pseudo-progression in patients with suspected progressive glioblastoma.

Level iii: The routine use of positron emission tomography to identify progression of glioblastoma is not recommended.

Level iii: Single-photon emission computed tomography imaging is recommended as a diagnostic method to differentiate true tumor progression from treatment-related imaging changes or pseudo-progression in patients with suspected progressive glioblastoma.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Gadolinium
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Glioblastoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Substances

  • Gadolinium