Microvessel density is not crucial for scintigraphic visualization of brain tumors using 99mTc-MIBI.
Functional imaging of brain tumors assists biopsy localization, therapy monitoring, and differentiating tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis. Tumor vascularization is a strong prognostic predictor in solid tumors and also a key factor of tracer uptake. However, the relationship of brain tumor vascularization and functional imaging has not yet been investigated sufficiently so far. In the present study, we correlated histologically assessed microvessel density as an objective parameter for brain tumor vascularization with imaging data. Four male patients were studied. After 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy, all patients had a MRI within 2 weeks. Histology showed microcystic astrocytoma, glioblastoma (n = 2), and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. Microvessel density was lowest in the microcystic astrocytoma, medium in the glioblastomas, and highest in the anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Scintigraphy visualized only the glioblastomas, but not the microcystic astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. Our data showed no correlation between tumor microvessel density and 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. Thus, we conclude that scintigraphic visualization of brain tumors is not strictly dependent on tumor vascularization.
Staudenherz
Anton
A
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Vienna-AKH, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. anton.staudenherz@univie.ac.at
Wolfsberger
Stefan
S
Killer
Monika
M
Nasel
Christian
C
Puig
Stefan
S
Marosi
Christine
C
Leitha
Thomas
T
Hainfellner
Johannes A
JA
D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000473:pathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003287:Contrast Media; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi