A case of disseminating central neurocytoma increased methionine uptake

Introduction: Central neurocytoma is one of the benign central nervous system neoplasms, typically identified through imaging studies of the head, without any neurological deficits. However, occasional growth or dissemination may cause central nervous system disorders due to hydrocephalus. Radiographical findings can sometimes make it difficult to detect increased lesions. Case Report: A 56-year-old man presented with hydrocephalus. This was caused by expansion of the central neurocytoma, which was caused by intratumoral hemorrhage. The tumor was diagnosed through pathological analysis after a biopsy and third ventriculostomy. Half a year after the diagnostic surgery, he experienced a recurrence of hydrocephalus. This was accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C-methionine uptake showed disseminated neoplastic lesions surrounding the ventricle walls. Conclusion: The methionine PET study revealed a rare case of central neurocytoma. Cases of this tumor that have disseminated or transformed exhibit increased cell viability, including protein synthesis. These changes result in increased methionine accumulation in tumor lesions.