Cellular and Molecular Imaging with SPECT and PET in Brain Tumors

Mohammad S Sadaghiani; Sara Sheikhbahaei; Steven P Rowe; Martin G Pomper; Lilja B Solnes

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2021.01.005

Cellular and Molecular Imaging with SPECT and PET in Brain Tumors

Radiol Clin North Am. 2021 May;59(3):363-375. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2021.01.005.

Authors

Mohammad S Sadaghiani¹, Sara Sheikhbahaei¹, Steven P Rowe¹, Martin G Pomper¹, Lilja B Solnes²

Affiliations

¹ The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 3150, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
² The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 3150, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: lsolnes1@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 33926683
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2021.01.005

Abstract

This review highlights the 2 major molecular imaging modalities that are used in clinics, namely single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), and their added value in management of patients with brain tumors. There are a variety of SPECT and PET radiotracers that can allow imaging of different molecular processes. Those radiotracers target specific molecular features of tumors, resulting in improved specificity of these agents. Potential applications include staging of brain tumors and evaluating post-therapeutic changes.

Keywords: Brain tumor; Molecular imaging; PET; SPECT.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / diagnostic imaging
Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Molecular Imaging / methods*
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*