Standardized brain tumor reporting in the multidisciplinary spotlight: pros of the BT-RADS

Abstract

The RANO criteria were developed specifically in the context of clinical trials, and BT-RADS is designed to be a more clinically applicable counterpart to assess imaging response in gliomas after treatment. As an advantage, BT-RADS is emerging as a reporting system designed to standardize MRI reporting of brain tumors in routine clinical practice with a good interrater reliability and multiple benefits in the quality of radiological reports. There are not only benefits related to radiologist-physician communication and to the length of time spent on each report, but the use of BT-RADS also makes the radiologist a key player in clinical decision-making since it includes treatment recommendations that could be used as a guide for patient management and can serve as a prognostic marker for overall survival in high-grade gliomas. Although this structured reporting system for brain tumor surveillance has shown to improve the quality of MRI reports and clinical decision-making, further research with larger patient populations, longer follow-up, and optimal incorporation of molecular markers is needed.