ABSTRACT
In the very recent period Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) have become key diagnostic modalities for neuro-oncology. MRS and MRSI are now applied extensively for initial detection of brain tumors, for histopathologic classification, tumor localization and grading, as well as for assessment of response to therapy and for follow-up surveillance, striving, in particular, for earlier identification of recurrence. We have performed a systematic review of this very recent body of knowledge, which clearly demonstrates that MRS and MRSI have made tremendous advances in brain tumor diagnostics. Notwithstanding these achievements, important shortcomings still exist in the present applications of MRS and MRSI in neuro-oncology. Many of these are directly related to the reliance upon the conventional Fourier-based framework for data analysis. The Fast Pade Transform (FPT) relative to the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) offers distinct advantages that could improve the diagnostic performance of MRS and MRSI for brain tumor diagnostics.
