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Brain tumour imaging with PET: a comparison between [18F]fluorodopa and [11C]methionine
Alexander Becherer1, Georgios Karanikas, Monica Szabó
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical School, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria. alexander.becherer@univie.ac.at
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
|October 28, 2003
Summary
Fluorine-18 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[(18)F]fluoro-phenylalanine (FDOPA) accurately images brain tumors, matching carbon-11 methionine (MET) performance. This offers a viable alternative for centers without cyclotrons, aiding in visualizing malignant cerebral lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of amino acid transport in brain tumors is more sensitive than fluorine-18 2-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET.
- Carbon-11 methionine (MET) is a frequently used tracer but requires a cyclotron, limiting its availability.
- The need for accessible PET tracers for brain tumor imaging is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[(18)F]fluoro-phenylalanine (FDOPA) as a PET tracer for brain tumor imaging.
- To compare FDOPA's efficacy directly with the established tracer carbon-11 methionine (MET).
- To assess FDOPA's utility as a surrogate for MET in visualizing malignant cerebral lesions.
Main Methods:
- Twenty patients with supratentorial brain lesions underwent PET scans using both FDOPA and MET.
- Histological diagnosis was obtained for 19 out of 20 patients to confirm PET findings.
- Standardized uptake value ratios (tumour/contralateral side) were calculated for both tracers.
Main Results:
- FDOPA and MET PET images showed matching results, identifying all lesions as 'hot spots' with increased uptake.
- Standardized uptake value ratios were comparable between MET (2.05+/-0.91) and FDOPA (2.04+/-0.53).
- One benign lesion (focal demyelination) showed false-positive increased uptake with both tracers.
Conclusions:
- FDOPA is an accurate surrogate for MET in imaging amino acid transport in malignant cerebral lesions.
- FDOPA combines favorable physical properties of fluorine-18 with the pharmacological profile of MET.
- FDOPA represents a valuable PET radiopharmaceutical for brain tumor imaging, especially where cyclotrons are unavailable.