Discrepancy between [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-methionine positron emission tomography findings in Sturge-Weber syndrome--case report

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2003 Sep;43(9):461-4. doi: 10.2176/nmc.43.461.

Abstract

Cerebral blood flow and metabolism were evaluated in an adult with symptomatic intractable epilepsy and Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) manifesting as angiomas in the left cerebral hemisphere. 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography detected reduced blood flow in the entire left cerebral hemisphere, and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) showed decreased glucose metabolism in the left cerebral hemisphere. These findings indicated hypofunction of the left cerebral hemisphere, which caused the right hemiparesis. 11C-methionine (11C-Met) PET revealed high 11C-Met accumulation in the angiomas in the left cerebral hemisphere. Immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein showed positive reaction in the lesions. Gliosis is a likely mechanism for the 11C-Met accumulation, which is possibly associated with progressive calcification in the angiomas and retarded growth of patients with SWS occurring over many years.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carbon Radioisotopes*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Methionine*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Sturge-Weber Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed*

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Methionine