Preoperative grading of glioma malignancy with thallium-201 single-photon emission CT: comparison with conventional CT

• PURPOSE: To compare thallium-201 single-photon emission CT with conventional CT in grading the malignancy of gliomas and to determine the reliability of each in tumor assessment. METHODS: We studied 37 patients who had gliomas (31 high grade and 6 low grade) and compared the CT findings with the thallium-201 index, which we defined as tumor uptake relative to the uptake in the contralateral hemisphere. RESULTS: Among the high-grade gliomas, we observed a significant correlation between breakdown volume of the blood-brain barrier and thallium-201 uptake. However, 8 of the high-grade gliomas had low thallium-201 uptake, in the same range as the low-grade gliomas. Of these, 2 were nonenhancing and the other 6 showed ring enhancement on CT scans. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in thallium-201 indexes between low-grade gliomas and highly malignant (grade II-III) gliomas. Accuracy of thallium-201 imaging was lower (78%) than that of CT (84%) in identifying high-grade gliomas. CONCLUSIONS: Damage to the blood-brain barrier is a prerequisite for uptake of thallium-201 in gliomas. Tumors with central necrotic areas and moderate ring enhancement tend to be underestimated when evaluated by means of thallium-201 scintigraphy. The results indicate a need for caution when interpreting findings on images obtained with thallium-201 single-photon emission CT in preoperative evaluation of brain tumors.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Glioma

Brain neoplasms

computed tomography

Single-photon emission computed tomography

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