[The evaluation of tumor blood flow measured by single photon emission CT]

The blood flow was measured in brain tumors (tumor blood flow: TBF). A total of 83 patients were studied. These included cases of 29 gliomas, 25 meningiomas, 10 metastatic brain tumors and others. Measurements of TBF were performed using the 133Xe gas inhalation technique, the N-isopropyl-p-[123I] iodoamphetamine intravenous injection method, and SPECT. The results showed that TBF was variable, and was higher in meningioma. There was a significant correlation between TBF and the number of vessels in the operative specimen. Higher TBF tumors had a tendency to bleed profusely during operation. IMP E1 images were closely similar to Xe-SPECT images in TBF value. In cases with glioma, moderate correlation was noted between Xe-SPECT and IMP E2 image. A discrepancy in TBF values between IMP E2 image and Xe-SPECT image was observed. There was low activity on IMP E2 image and high TBF value in Xe-SPECT image. This was true especially in cases with angioblastic meningioma. In conclusion, TBF was considered to be helpful not only for preoperative diagnosis, but also for estimation of bleeding from tumors during operation and treatment.