z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Prognostication and response assessment in liver and pancreatic tumors: The new imaging
Author(s) -
Riccardo De Robertis,
Paolo Tinazzi Martini,
Emanuele Demozzi,
Gino Puntel,
Silvia Ortolani,
Sara Cingarlini,
Andrea Ruzzenente,
Alfredo Guglielmi,
Giampaolo Tortora,
Claudio Bassi,
Paolo Pederzoli,
Mirko D’Onofrio
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v21.i22.6794
Subject(s) - functional imaging , positron emission tomography , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , radiology , molecular imaging , preclinical imaging , pancreas , dynamic imaging , nuclear medicine , computer science , image processing , in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , digital image processing , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics) , biology
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and perfusion computed tomography (CT) are technical improvements of morphologic imaging that can evaluate functional properties of hepato-bilio-pancreatic tumors during conventional MRI or CT examinations. Nevertheless, the term "functional imaging" is commonly used to describe molecular imaging techniques, as positron emission tomography (PET) CT/MRI, which still represent the most widely used methods for the evaluation of functional properties of solid neoplasms; unlike PET or single photon emission computed tomography, functional imaging techniques applied to conventional MRI/CT examinations do not require the administration of radiolabeled drugs or specific equipments. Moreover, DWI and DCE-MRI can be performed during the same session, thus providing a comprehensive "one-step" morphological and functional evaluation of hepato-bilio-pancreatic tumors. Literature data reveal that functional imaging techniques could be proposed for the evaluation of these tumors before treatment, given that they may improve staging and predict prognosis or clinical outcome. Microscopic changes within neoplastic tissues induced by treatments can be detected and quantified with functional imaging, therefore these techniques could be used also for post-treatment assessment, even at an early stage. The aim of this editorial is to describe possible applications of new functional imaging techniques apart from molecular imaging to hepatic and pancreatic tumors through a review of up-to-date literature data, with a particular emphasis on pathological correlations, prognostic stratification and post-treatment monitoring.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here