Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Diagnosis is necessary to determine the causes of the brain tumor and its type. Brain tumor diagnosis includes physical examination, x-rays, MRI scan, CT scan and angiogram. The physician may also prefer biopsy and other tests to confirm the disease. It is important to recommend proper treatment for the patient as per the symptoms and the patient's medical history.
Imaging services for diagnosis of brain tumors are performed with the help of the radiologists. Radiologists take the images of nervous system and the brain to ensure the location and the size of the tumor. Following are the imaging systems used for brain tumor diagnosis:
MRI technique provides detailed information about the presence of the tumor. It generates the images of the tumor and the brain structures. Surgeons can also get the information about the chemistry and the physiology of the brain. In some cases some chemicals are used to make the tumor easy to identify through the MRIs. MRI is very effective in imaging the tumor through the skull bones.
CT scan is used to get the two dimensional images of the brain. It is a modified x-ray machine that takes brain tumor's images within a few minutes. However, MRI is most used technique for the brain images, but CT scan is very helpful in diagnosing the tumors that are very close to bones. A series of detailed pictures of brain is produced by this technique.
Angiogram includes injecting the dye into the bloodstream, and hat dye runs through the vessels and veins of the brain. That help to take the brain X-rays easily. The blood vessels around the brain tumor are detected. It highlights the tumor so that doctors can understand the type of the tumor and a proper treatment for it.
Sometimes the cerebrospinal fluid, which is spread around the brain and spinal cord, is taken with the help of a thin needle. This process is performed under the supervision of an anesthetist. The laboratory test of this cerebrospinal fluid can determine whether the patient have the brain tumor or any other illness.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy are used to understand how the tumor has affected the brain functions. These techniques are helpful in detecting multiple tumors.
Biopsy involves the removal of tumor cells from the brain. This test focuses on detecting the changes occurred in the cells that can lead to the tumor. Hence, doctors can take necessary steps to avoid the further serious damages to the brain.
All these diagnosing test and imaging systems can be used to diagnose the brain tumor when a person experiences he common symptoms of the disease. Myelogram, skull x-rays, stereostatic biopsy and physical examination are also useful in detecting the brain tumor.
