Comparison of PET/CT and PET/MRI in central nervous system tumors, a narrative review

PET/CT and PET/MRI are two useful imaging modalities in neuro-oncology. Our aim was to review the existing literature on the benefits and drawbacks of using PET/CT and PET/MRI in the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. A literature search was conducted using valid databases, limited to English-language articles published between 2010 and 2023, and independently reviewed by two reviewers. A standard data extraction form was used to extract data from the included papers. The results were condensed and narratively presented, accompanied by supporting data from the included investigations. The study analyzed 28 articles, mostly from Europe. The results varied, with some studies comparing PET/CT and PET/MRI, examining specific types of brain tumors, pediatric tumors, or focusing on specific PET/CT or PET/MRI modalities. The synthesis aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of PET/CT and PET/MRI use in CNS malignancies. PET/MRI offers promising advantages in neuro-oncology diagnosis and follow-up imaging, but its use should be prioritized in appropriate situations.