Aspects of radiologic imaging of neuroblastoma in pediatric patients

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most “mysterious” tumor in pediatric oncology and predominates in the structure of cancer incidence in young patients. It should be noted that the clinical variability characteristic of this type of tumor is due primarily to its biological properties, which determine the characteristics of manifestation, response to antitumor therapy and prognosis. Today, a risk-adapted approach to the observation and/or treatment of NB using a multimodal strategy, including surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy/radiation/immunotherapy, is generally accepted. In addition to the molecular genetic characteristics of the tumor and the patient’s age, the key role of determining the tactics is the disease staging. Despite the fact that diagnostic algorithms are unified, including the use of various imaging methods, the issues of the greatest specificity, accessibility and associated toxicity of modern radionuclide research methods remain debatable. This article presents literature data regarding the diagnostic value of functional diagnostic methods for NB, as well as our own experience of their use in routine clinical practice.