Background: Thallium SPECT imaging is frquently used in the assessment of supratentorial primary brain tumours (SPBT). Commonly the scans are reported using an inspection technique and designated as 'no increased uptake' or 'increased uptake' of the isotope indicative of Low grade and High grade malignancy respectively (Low grade = WHO Grades 1&2, High Grade = WHO grades 3&4).
Aim: To audit the predictive value of Thallium SPECT in the diagnosis of SPBT.
Method: SPECT imaging was performed after iv injection of 100MBq of thallium-201 (as thallous chloride) in patients with CT/MR proven SPBT. All scans were performed on a dual-headed gamma camera (Siemens E-Cam, Siemens Medical Solutions) using low energy, all purpose collimation. Data were acquired in a 64x64 pixel matrix at each of 64 positions over a 360 degrees rotation around the subject's head. Imaging started 2 minutes after Thallium injection and took 22 minutes. Tomographic reconstruction was performed on a Hermes workstation (Nuclear Diagnostics, Kent, England) using a method of filtered backprojection with attenuation correction, the data having been pre-filtered by a Wiener filter. Tomographic slices, orientated to brain anatomy, were reported by a single neuro-radiologist. The radiologist's report of tumour grading was then compared with post operative histology report of tumour grade.
Results:
Conclusions:
Kane AD, Iqbal M, Richardson MA, Bradey N, Scoones D, Kane PJ. The predictive value of Thallium SPECT scanning in the management of patients with supratentorial primary brain tumours: an audit of scan results and histology. 7th Congress of the European Association for Neuro-oncology, Vienna, Sept. 2006.
Mark Richardson, Cleveland Unit, Middlebrough. Tel: +44 (0)1642-850-850
Regional Medical Physics Department, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK.
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