Seizure-Induced Increased 18F-DOPA Uptake in a Child With Diffuse Astrocytoma and Transient Brain MRI Abnormalities Related to Status Epilepticus

We report the finding of increased F-DOPA uptake in the brain parenchyma surrounding a temporoparietal low-grade diffuse astrocytoma and corresponding to transient seizure-induced MRI abnormalities. There was concomitant markedly increased tumoral uptake. This F-DOPA PET phenomenon may represent increased amino acid transport induced by seizures. In the setting of brain tumor imaging, increased F-DOPA uptake of low-grade epileptogenic tumors and adjacent brain parenchyma should be carefully interpreted in light of clinical and electroencephalographic findings related to seizure activity.