• Purvee D Patel, Nitesh V Patel, Christian Davidson, and Shabbar F Danish.
• *Section of Neurosurgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; ‡Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey; §Department of Pathology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
• Neurosurgery. 2016 Dec 1; 79 Suppl 1: S40-S58.

AbstractRadiation necrosis and tumor recurrence are common sequelae after radiation therapy for brain metastasis. The differentiation of radiation necrosis and recurrent brain metastases continues to remain a difficult task despite a number of diagnostic methods. Techniques including magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, nuclear studies, and the gold standard of biopsy have all been studied for their effectiveness in accurately diagnosing the postradiation condition. Various specific treatment options of the distinct pathologies are available with the general theory that recurrences require more immediate treatment whereas radiation necrosis can be observed until symptomatic before intervention. This further emphasizes the necessity to accurately diagnose the condition to start appropriate and effective treatment. Despite both pathologies being pathophysiologically distinct, controversies exist as to whether there should be a distinction made at all or if the two can be perceived as a single condition if treatment and presentation are similar enough. Furthermore, a single treatment option such as magnetic resonance-guided, laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) can be used, potentially eliminating the need to differentiate the 2 entities because it successfully treats both conditions while being minimally invasive.

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