Potential role of advanced MRI techniques for the peritumoural region in differentiating glioblastoma multiforme and solitary metastatic lesions

Abstract

Differentiation between solitary metastatic lesions and glioblastomas, two of the most common malignant brain neoplasms, is often a diagnostic challenge. The purpose of this review is to emphasize the potential roles of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including diffusion-based techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), exponential DWI, and diffusion tensor imaging, MR perfusion, and MR spectroscopy, as well as conventional MRI, in making a distinction between glioblastomas and solitary metastases in peritumoural regions. Integration of advanced MRI features with conventional MRI, may provide valuable information for differentiating glioblastoma from solitary metastatic lesions.