[18F]-fluoro-ethyl-L-tyrosine PET: a valuable diagnostic tool in neuro-oncology, but not all that glitters is glioma

Abstract

(18)F-FET PET has a high sensitivity for the detection of high-grade brain tumors. Its specificity, however, is limited by passive tracer influx through a disrupted blood-brain barrier and (18)F-FET uptake in nonneoplastic brain lesions. Gliomas show specific tracer uptake in the absence of CE on MRI, which most likely reflects biologically active tumor.