Brain and Spine Tumors Diagnosis

The signs and symptoms of a brain or spinal tumor vary depending on where the tumor is located. In addition, the size of the tumor often plays a major role in the type and severity of symptoms present. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

• Intense headache that does not go away or goes away after vomiting
• Seizures
• Changes in vision, hearing and speech
• Changes in personality, behavior or activity level
• Loss of balance and trouble walking
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Back pain or pain that spreads from the back toward the arms or legs

Any of these symptoms could be early indicators of the presence of tumorous growth in either the brain or spinal column.

Every tumor is different and requires a tailored treatment plan. Winship’s brain tumors team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and methods for detecting brain and spinal tumors.

Diagnostic tests for brain tumors and spinal cord tumors can be done in a variety of ways:

• Physical and neurologic exam: Your primary care physician or internist may assess your general health, mental status, sensation, reflexes and coordination. Deterioration in any of these areas may indicate underlying neurologic issues.
• Biopsy: a sample of tissue is taken for further examination and testing.
• Advanced brain imaging: There are multiple imaging modalities used at Winship to detect a brain or spinal tumor:
  
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans are used to create cross-sectional images of the brain using X-ray and computer technology. A CT scan stitches together numerous images of the inside of the body to create a detailed 3D image. CT is an effective diagnostic testing modality for brain tumors because they provide physicians with visual access to hard-to-reach structures around the skull or spine. Most brain or spinal tumors are easily identified through CT.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which includes functional MRI (fMRI) scans, are another noninvasive method our physicians use to see different parts of the brain and their functioning. Because MRI produces advanced images of the body’s soft tissues and blood vessels, it is a common diagnostic test for brain tumors.
  • Myelogram is a contrast-enhanced imaging modality used to detect tumors in the spinal cord. During a myelogram CT, contrast dye is injected into the spinal column before the procedure. CT imaging is then used to detect the presence of any masses or abnormalities. Myelograms provide clearer images than standard X-rays and are used when a spinal cord tumor is suspected to be present.
  • Arteriograms are used to assess tumors that may be impacting the flow of blood through the blood vessels. During an arteriogram, a contrast dye is injected through a catheter into one of the body’s main blood vessels (the femoral artery in the groin is most commonly used, but the brachial artery in the arm can also be used and, in rare circumstances, the carotid artery in the neck). An arteriogram may be used if a patient has a vascular condition such as an aneurysm, arterial stenosis or thrombosis (a blood clot within a blood vessel).
  • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to look at the chemical composition of a tumor or lesion. This noninvasive imaging technique can be used to differentiate and compare healthy brain tissue with abnormal brain tissue. It can also help provide information on the tumor type and how aggressive it is.
  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography scans are used to see the highways of information (movement, visual, speech) in the brain. DTI tractography is non-invasive and produces more detailed images than a standard MRI. This type of imaging can be helpful if more information is needed after previous imaging and when planning for surgery.
  • Perfusion imaging is used to see if a tumor is growing back. Perfusion imaging can determine tumor aggressiveness, evaluate how well the tumor is responding to treatment and provide a patient’s prognosis.

These modalities produce the most advanced, high-quality scans available so that even the smallest of masses can be detected in the brain and spinal cord. No other imaging center in the region employs these latest advanced imaging protocols.

Using these diagnostic methods, we offer patients timely and accurate diagnoses to help their team plan the best possible treatment protocol.