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Updated: Oct 6, 2025
Non-invasive Imaging and Analysis of Cerebral Ischemia in Living Rats Using Positron Emission Tomography with 18F-FDG
Published on: December 28, 2014
Increased Accumulation of 18F-FDG Incidentally Observed in Hyperacute Cerebral Infarction
Wataru Sotome1, Yoshiaki Ito, Nobuya Higuchi
1From the Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
A 75-year-old man with lung cancer undertook an 18F-FDG PET/CT for staging. He presented neurological symptoms immediately after the 30-minute scan. An emergent MRI study revealed hyperacute cerebral infarction with occlusion of a left MCA branch. At PET/CT, an increased 18F-FDG uptake was observed in the corresponding areas of infarction. In literature, acceleration of compensatory anaerobic glycolysis has been proposed as 1 of the causes of increased uptake in the penumbra of acute cerebral infarction, and a similar process was hypothesized in this case. In addition, a decreased 18F-FDG uptake in the ipsilateral thalamus was noted on the PET/CT images.
Insights
A patient experienced neurological symptoms post-scan, revealing acute cerebral infarction. The 18F-FDG PET/CT showed increased uptake in the infarction area, suggesting anaerobic glycolysis in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- 18F-FDG PET/CT is a crucial imaging modality for cancer staging.
- Cerebral infarction can manifest with diverse neurological symptoms.
- The metabolic changes in acute stroke are of significant clinical interest.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old man with lung cancer developed neurological symptoms immediately after an 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.
- An emergent MRI confirmed acute cerebral infarction with left middle cerebral artery (MCA) branch occlusion.
- The PET/CT scan revealed increased 18F-FDG uptake in the infarcted brain region.
Findings:
- The increased 18F-FDG uptake in the cerebral infarction area was hypothesized to be due to accelerated compensatory anaerobic glycolysis in the penumbra.
- A concurrent decrease in 18F-FDG uptake was observed in the ipsilateral thalamus.
- This case highlights a potential imaging finding of acute cerebral infarction on 18F-FDG PET/CT.
Implications:
- This observation may enhance the understanding of metabolic changes in acute ischemic stroke.
- 18F-FDG PET/CT could potentially detect early signs of cerebral infarction.
- Further research is warranted to explore the diagnostic utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in cerebrovascular events.
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