title: Postoperative granulomas versus tumor recurrence: PET and SPET scans as strategic adjuvant tools to conventional neuroradiology.
abstract: A mandatory differential diagnosis between postoperative granulomas and tumor  recurrence is required whenever space-occupying lesions are detected at the surgical site,  few months after removal of the intracranial neoplasm, because these two pathologies can often  mimic each other clinically, by imaging techniques and even macroscopically. Since history or signs  of inflammation may be lacking, and neurological complaints are generally nonspecific, a thorough  imaging investigation is usually the only way to diagnosis. Herein we discuss the pathological basis  and timing of granuloma formation along with the imaging characteristics and nuclear medicine findings  necessary to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of tumor recurrence. In conclusion, the high sensitivity of  positron emission tomography and the wide availability of single photon emission tomography can identify  certain parameters (isometabolism, uptake in macrophages, etc.) to support differential diagnosis between  postoperative granulomas and tumor recurrence.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganau
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Syrmos
authors.forename: Gianfranco Kim Innocente
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ligarotti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ganau
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prisco
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006099:Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods