Amino Acid PET Imaging with ¹⁸F-DOPA in the Evaluation of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Although MRI is the workhorse of initial evaluation and follow-up in brain tumors, there are growing data recommending incorporation of amino acid PET imaging at different stages in the management of these patients. Recent recommendations on nuclear medicine and neurooncology clinical practice support the use of amino acid imaging for brain tumors. Methods: We present 4 pediatric brain tumor cases imaged with 3,4-dihydroxy-6-F-18-fluoro-L-phenylalanine (F-18-DOPA), and we review the literature. Results: F-18-DOPA showed low level/no uptake in benign conditions and in inflammatory postoperative changes. It showed better definition of viable tumor boundaries than MRI. Conclusion: Considering that F-18-DOPA is Food and Drug Administration-approved for the evaluation of parkinsonian syndromes, this tracer could be used clinically for other valuable clinical indications, such as brain tumor evaluations. The value of this use seems to be well established in adults, and evidence of its value in pediatrics has been growing as well.