A study looking at PET-CT scan and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for brain tumours

This study is to see if a PET-CT scan and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can help doctors make an assessment of brain tumours. The study is open to people with a type of brain tumour called a glioma that is above the hind brain (cerebellum) and brain stem. Doctors call this a supratentorial glioma.

Doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to diagnose brain tumours. They are best at finding out the size of the tumour and where it is. But they don’t give doctors all the information they would like.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scans are similar to MRI scans, but can give extra information. MRS scans may be able to give information about how quickly your tumour is growing and if certain treatments will work.

In this study, they are also looking at PET-CT scans. This scan combines a PET scan and CT scan into one scan.

Before having a PET-CT scan, you have an injection of a small amount of radioactive drug called a tracer. In this study the researchers are using a tracer that may give doctors more information about your tumour and how fast it is growing.

The researchers will compare the results of these 2 scans with other tests done on a sample of your tumour tissue. The main aim is to find out how good MRS and PET-CT scans are for assessing gliomas.