[11C]-Methionine PET: dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours compared with other epileptogenic brain neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
Brain tumours responsible for longstanding partial epilepsy are characterised by a high prevalence of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNT), whose natural evolution is much more benign than that of gliomas. The preoperative diagnosis of DNT, which is not yet feasible on the basis of available clinical and imaging data, would help optimise the therapeutic strategy for this type of tumour. This study tested whether [(11)C]-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) could help to distinguish DNTs from other epileptogenic brain tumours.


METHODS
Prospective study of 27 patients with partial epilepsy of at least six months duration related to a non-rapidly progressing brain tumour on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A structured visual analysis, which distinguished between normal, moderately abnormal, or markedly abnormal tumour methionine uptake, as well as various regions of interest and semiquantitative measurements were conducted.


RESULTS
Pathological results showed 11 DNTs (41%), 5 gangliogliomas (18%), and 11 gliomas (41%). MET-PET visual findings significantly differed between the various tumour types (p<0.0002), regardless of gadolinium enhancement on MRI, and were confirmed by semiquantitative analysis (p<0.001 for all calculated ratios). All gliomas and gangliogliomas were associated with moderately or markedly increased tumour methionine uptake, whereas 7/11 DNTs had a normal methionine uptake, including all six located in the mesiotemporal structures. No DNT presented with a marked MET-PET abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal MET-PET findings in patient with an epileptogenic and non-rapidly progressing brain tumour are suggestive of DNT, whereas a markedly increased tumour methionine uptake makes this diagnosis unlikely.
Rosenberg
D S
DS
Cermep, Hopital Neurologique, 59 Bd Pinel, Lyon 69003, France.
Demarquay
G
G
Jouvet
A
A
Le Bars
D
D
Streichenberger
N
N
Sindou
M
M
Kopp
N
N
Mauguière
F
F
Ryvlin
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine; D008875:Middle Aged; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D008715:Methionine