Positron emission tomography in a case of intracranial hemangiopericytoma

Due to the low prevalence of hemangiopericytomas (HPCs), data on the biophy siological characteristics of this tumor are rare. Positron emission tomogr aphy (PET) demonstrated a sixfold increased uptake of [C-11]methionine and hyperperfusion in the HPC, whereas glucose utilization was decreased in thi s area. This low glucose utilization is in contrast to the high [C-11]methi onine uptake and the malignancy of these tumors. The characteristics of HPC s in PET described herein for the first time offer additional diagnostic cr iteria and may help especially to differentiate these tumors from meningiom as.