ENHANCED DETECTION OF BRAIN-TUMORS BY [F-18] FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE PET WITH GLUCOSE LOADING

Objective: We applied glucose loading during PET studies with [F-18]2- fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) to enhance detection of brain tumors by diminution of FDG uptake in normal gray matter. Materials and Methods : This study involved three patients with glioblastomas. Two PET scans were performed in all cases within 1 week in control and with glucose loading state. Results: In all patients, tumor was depicted more clea rly with glucose loading than in the control study. The FDG uptake rat io of tumor to normal cortical gray matter showed a mean increase of 2 7% with glucose loading. Conclusion: This technique might be useful fo r detection of recurrent or residual tumors.