The usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI for evaluating brain tumors - Comparative study with TI-201 and relation with P-glycoprotein

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the usefulness of Tc-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) in brain tumors compared with Tl-201 imaging. The authors evaluated the correlation between MIBI uptake and the presence of P-glycoprotein, and also the relation between MIBI uptake in response to combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in glioblastoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four brain tumors composed of 15 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 5 anaplastic astrocytomas, 5 low-grade astrocytomas, and 9 metastases were evaluated. Early and delayed images were obtained for MIBI and Tl-201 scintigraphy. P-glycoprotein status in all GEM, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas, 2 low-grade astrocytomas, and 2 metastases were evaluated immunohistochemically. Patients with GEM were divided into an effective and a noneffective group according to the change in tumor size. MIBI uptake indices were compared for these two groups. Results: Both radiopharmaceuticals accumulated in all GEM and anaplastic astrocytomas. In low-grade astrocytomas, only one case showed tracer uptake. In metastasis, two cases showed high uptake on early images and marked washout on delayed images. Uptake ratio values (early uptake ratio and delayed uptake ratio) in all tumors were significantly higher in MIBI than in Tl-201. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the metastases were positive for P-glycoprotein but the GEM were not, in low-grade astrocytomas, a few cells were positively stained. In relation to the therapeutic outcome of GEM, both the early and delayed uptake ratios of MIBI were significantly greater in the noneffective group. Conclusions: Although diagnostic ability was comparable in MIBI and Tl-201, the imaging quality was better in MIBI. Both radiopharmaceuticals are useful in differentiating low-grade glioma from high-grade glioma. MIBI delayed imaging could also reflect the presence of P-glycoprotein. intense MIBI uptake was also predictive of a poor clinical outcome in GBM.