There are several cutting-edge diagnostic procedures employed at the Wallace-Kettering Neuroscience Institute (WKNI) for determining the type and location of a brain mass. Patients are generally first given a neurological evaluation by our neurologists or neurosurgeons. These physicians are looking for signs of diminished mental function (inability to concentrate, lack of recall, inability to perform arithmetic or simple tasks), weakness, numbness, lack of muscle tone or change in reflexes, and changes in vision.



Brain images from a patient with a brain tumor. Through special imaging techniques, MR and PET scans show the area in the brain where the motor strip is located so that the surgeons can avoid any damage to this area while removing the brain tumor.



Brain scans using MR Spectroscopy show the chemical characteristics of the brain tumor, providing information regarding how fast it may be growing and how aggressive the tumor may be.

Patients also generally receive a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to look at the anatomy of the brain internally. Additional scans, such as Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry (MRS) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans may also be done to determine the exact location of the brain tumor and to better understand its characteristics (Is it growing rapidly? Has it invaded extensively into the normal tissue?) These scans will then be used to determine the best treatment for the patient. The WKNI is one of the only centers in the Midwest to have MRS and PET scanning available to patients. These diagnostic tools provide critical information to the neurosurgeon and oncologist to help them plan the best course of treatment for each individual patient.

In some cases, if a diagnosis cannot be made clearly from the scans, a brain biopsy will be performed to establish what type of tumor is present. During a biopsy, a long needle is inserted through a small borehole in the skull and a tiny piece of the tumor is removed. The tumor sample is evaluated by a neuropathologist, who determines the tumor type and grade. (The tumor grade describes how aggressive the tumor may be.) This information is then used to determine which treatment options are best for that patient.