Tumor hypoxia and microscopic diffusion capacity in brain tumors: A comparison of 62Cu-Diacetyl-Bis (N4-Methylthiosemicarbazone) PET/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging

Objectives The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between tumor hypoxia and microscopic diffusion capacity in primary brain tumors using 62 Cu-Diacetyl-Bis (N4-Methylthiosemicarbazone) ( 62 Cu-ATSM) PET/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI). Methods This study was approved by the institutional human research committee and was HIPAA compliant, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. 62 Cu-ATSM PET/CT and DWI were performed in a total of 40 primary brain tumors of 34 patients with low grade glioma (LGG, n = 13), glioblastoma (GBM, n = 20), and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL, n = 7). 62 Cu-ATSM PET/CT parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained by DWI were compared. Results High intensity signals by 62 Cu-ATSM PET/CT and DWI in patients with GBM and PCNSL, and low intensity signals in LGG patients were observed. An inverse correlation was found between maximum SUV (SUV max ) and minimum ADC (ADC min ) ( r = −0.583, p