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Correlation of 11C-methionine PET and diffusion-weighted MRI: is there a complementary diagnostic role for gliomas?
Hongyoon Choi1, Jin Chul Paeng, Gi Jeong Cheon
1aDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital bDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital cDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology dCancer Research Institute eSchool of Chemical and Biological Engineering fCenter for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science Seoul National University, Departments of gRadiology hPathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea iDepartment of Radiological Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
Introduction:
11C-Methionine (MET) PET and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI are commonly used for evaluation of gliomas. We assessed the correlation between MET uptake and diffusion restriction measured on DW MRI in glioma.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-one patients with gliomas, who were initially examined with MET PET and DW MRI, were enrolled retrospectively. MET PET and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images were coregistered to each other, using rigid-body transformation. Tumor-to-normal count density ratio of the cortex (TNR) and normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (nADC) value were measured for each voxel on the MET PET and ADC map. The maximum TNR (TNRmax) and minimum nADC (nADCmin) were obtained for each tumor. Correlations between those parameters were evaluated.
Results:
The TNRmax and nADCmin values of a glioma were significantly correlated (r=-0.42). TNRmax and nADCmin were significantly correlated with glioma grades. Furthermore, TNRmax and nADCmin showed a trend for correlation with the Ki-67 index. We analyzed the correlation between voxel-based TNR and ADC within a tumor and observed no correlation between them. Regions with high MET uptake did not correspond with regions with low nADC.
Conclusion:
We found a negative correlation between TNRmax and nADCmin for each glioma; however, MET uptake and ADC within a tumor were independent of each other and were heterogeneous. The two parameters represent different biological features; thus, as a comprehensive approach, MET PET and DW MRI might have a complementary role in the characterization of gliomas.
Insights
11C-Methionine (MET) PET and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI showed a negative correlation in glioma evaluation. While overall tumor values correlated, MET uptake and diffusion restriction within gliomas were independent, suggesting complementary roles.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- 11C-Methionine (MET) PET and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI are standard for glioma assessment.
- Understanding the relationship between MET uptake and diffusion restriction is crucial for glioma characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between 11C-Methionine (MET) PET uptake and diffusion restriction measured by DW MRI in gliomas.
- To determine if these imaging modalities provide complementary information for glioma diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 31 glioma patients who underwent both MET PET and DW MRI.
- Coregistration of MET PET and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps.
- Measurement of maximum tumor-to-normal cortex ratio (TNRmax) and minimum normalized ADC (nADCmin).
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation (r=-0.42) was found between TNRmax and nADCmin.
- Both TNRmax and nADCmin correlated with glioma grade and showed a trend with Ki-67 index.
- Voxel-based analysis revealed no correlation between MET uptake and ADC within tumors, indicating heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Despite overall correlation, MET uptake and diffusion restriction are independent within gliomas.
- These parameters reflect different biological aspects of the tumor.
- MET PET and DW MRI offer complementary roles in comprehensive glioma characterization.
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