Seizure-Induced Increased 18F-DOPA Uptake in a Child With Diffuse Astrocytoma and Transient Brain MRI Abnormalities Related to Status Epilepticus

Clin Nucl Med. 2018 May;43(5):e149-e150. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002007.

Abstract

We report the finding of increased F-DOPA uptake in the brain parenchyma surrounding a temporoparietal low-grade diffuse astrocytoma and corresponding to transient seizure-induced MRI abnormalities. There was concomitant markedly increased tumoral uptake. This F-DOPA PET phenomenon may represent increased amino acid transport induced by seizures. In the setting of brain tumor imaging, increased F-DOPA uptake of low-grade epileptogenic tumors and adjacent brain parenchyma should be carefully interpreted in light of clinical and electroencephalographic findings related to seizure activity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / complications
  • Astrocytoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics*
  • Status Epilepticus / complications
  • Status Epilepticus / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • fluorodopa F 18
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine