Characterization of malignant gliomas and cerebrovascular disease by cerebral dynamic studies.

A technique for analysis of dynamic radionuclide studies of the cerebral circulation is described. This technique permits objective classification of observed radionuclide distribution patterns. Variation in the time-to-peak activity, and in the maximum attained activity as determined by region-of-interest analysis of cerebral hemispheric activity, was defined for a normal population. Application of these normal values permits classification of observed hemispheric radionuclide distribution patterns in anaplastic gliomas and in occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Radionuclide activity in gliomas may be normal, decreased, or increased in the region of the tumor. In cerebrovascular occlusion, decreased activity, associated with a delay in time-to-peak activity, is frequently demonstrated in the affected hemisphere.