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Open Access 01-02-2014 | Original Article

Clinical use of ¹¹C-methionine and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET for germinoma in central nervous system

Authors: Yoshiyuki Okochi, Takashi Nihashi, Masazumi Fujii, Katsuhiko Kato, Yumiko Okada, Yoshio Ando, Satoshi Maesawa, Shigenori Takebayashi, Toshihiko Wakabayashi, Shinji Naganawa

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 2/2014

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the ¹¹C-methionine (MET) and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) findings of central nervous system (CNS) germinoma and the diagnostic utility of these findings.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the cases of 10 patients who were diagnosed with CNS germinoma according to their histopathological or clinical findings. All the patients underwent pretreatment MET and/or FDG-PET scans, and the resultant images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. In the qualitative assessments, we used 3- and 5-grade visual scoring systems for the MET- and FDG-PET images, respectively. In the quantitative assessments, the maximal standardized uptake value (SUV_max) and the ratio of the SUV_max of the tumor (T) divided by the mean SUV for the normal white or gray matter [T/N (WM), T/N (GM)], was calculated.

Results

The mean and SD values of SUV_max, T/N (WM), and T/N (GM) were 1.9 ± 1.4, 2.5 ± 1.3, and 1.7 ± 0.9 on MET-PET and 5.8 ± 2.2, 1.6 ± 0.5, and 0.8 ± 0.2 on FDG-PET, respectively. On MET-PET, only one lesion was not detected. On the other hand, on FDG-PET all of the lesions exhibited uptake values that were intermediate between those of the normal white matter and gray matter.

Conclusion

In terms of its tumor-contouring ability, MET is a good tracer for diagnosing CNS germinomas; therefore, MET-PET is considered to be useful for planning biopsies or surgery. Although FDG-PET is capable of detecting CNS germinomas, it produced insufficient image contrast in the present study. Further studies are needed before FDG-PET can be used in clinical examinations of CNS germinoma.

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Title: Clinical use of 11C-methionine and 18F-FDG-PET for germinoma in central nervous system
Authors: Yoshiyuki Okochi
Takashi Nihashi
Masazumi Fujii
Katsuhiko Kato
Yumiko Okada
Yoshio Ando
Satoshi Maesawa
Shigenori Takebayashi
Toshihiko Wakabayashi
Shinji Naganawa
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-013-0787-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Clinical use of ¹¹C-methionine and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET for germinoma in central nervous system

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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