What are the common methods for diagnosing gliomas

Some patients feel confused after being diagnosed with glioma. Why do they need so many tests? Can't one or two tests confirm the diagnosis? Does the hospital do so many tests for the purpose of charging fees? So today we will show you what are the common methods for diagnosing glioma?

When it comes to the common diagnostic methods for glioma, it is really not just one or two tests that can be done, because glioma is a relatively complex disease. Usually doctors will conduct at least five tests to make a complete diagnosis. So what are the diagnostic methods? Let's take a look below:

1. EEG examination: On the one hand, the EEG changes of gliomas are limited to the changes in brain waves at the tumor site. On the other hand, there are general and widely distributed changes in frequency and amplitude. These are affected by the size of the tumor, infiltration, degree of brain edema, and increased intracranial pressure. Shallow tumors are prone to localized abnormalities, while deep tumors have fewer localized changes. In more benign astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, etc., localized delta waves are mainly manifested, and some epileptic waveforms such as spikes or sharp waves can be seen. Large glioblastoma multiforme can show extensive delta waves, which can sometimes only be determined on one side.

2. Ultrasound examination: It can help determine the side and observe whether there is hydrocephalus. For infants, B-type ultrasound scan can be performed through the anterior fontanelle to show tumor images and other pathological changes.

3. Radioisotope scanning: Tumors that grow quickly and have abundant blood supply have high blood-brain barrier permeability and high isotope absorption rate. For example, glioblastoma multiforme shows isotope concentration images, and there may be low-density areas in the middle due to necrosis and cysts. It is necessary to distinguish it from metastatic tumors based on its shape and multiplicity.

4. Radiological examination: including skull plain film, ventriculography, computer tomography, etc. Skull plain film can show signs of increased intracranial pressure, tumor calcification and displacement of pineal calcification, etc. Ventriculography can show displacement of cerebral blood vessels and tumor blood vessels, etc. These abnormal changes are different in different types of tumors in different locations, which can help locate and sometimes even determine the diagnosis. In particular, CT scan has the greatest diagnostic value, and the intravenous injection of contrast agent enhanced scanning has a positioning accuracy rate of almost 100%.

5. MRI: It is more accurate than CT in diagnosing brain tumors, and the images are clearer. It can detect tiny tumors that CT cannot show. Positron emission tomography can obtain images similar to CT, and can observe the growth and metabolism of tumors and distinguish benign from malignant tumors.

Only through these examination items can we make a more effective and accurate diagnosis of glioma. I hope that everyone can learn more about this knowledge through our introduction.