Serial analysis of imaging (thallium-201 [201TI) single-photon emission CT and MRI) examinations was correlated with clinical and histological characteristics of brain tumors in 75 patients monitored for 1 day to 3.9 years (mean, 1.39 years) at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston. Abnormal 201TI uptake was associated with greater mortality and morbidity: 17% of 201TI-positive patients died, whereas no deaths occurred in 201TI-negative groups. A survival period of >2 years from diagnosis occurred in only one 201TI-positive patient, in contrast to almost one half of the 201TI-negative group. Significant enhancement of lesions with paramagnetic contrast agents correlated with greater mortality, whereas no deaths occurred in those lacking abnormal enhancement. [1]
COMMENT. Neuroimaging 201TI activity may predict brain tumor outcome.