Nuclear medicine diagnostics in neurooncology

The diagnostic assessment of tumor extent, grading and detection of recurrence of brain tumors remains a challenge in the era of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may provide relevant additional information which allow more accurate diagnostics in unclear situations. Especially, PET and SPECT studies using radiolabeled amino acids offer a better delineation of cerebral gliomas which helps to guide biopsies, to plan surgical interventions and radiation therapy. Additionally, several radiotracers help to differentiate tumor recurrence from unspecific post-therapeutic changes in brain tissue and provide information on histological grading and prognosis of brain tumors.