A pitfall of C-11 methionine PET: cerebral venous infarction mimicked a glioma.

A 31-year-old woman presenting with tonic seizures was radiologically investigated using CT, MR imaging, and positron emission tomography (PET) with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and C-11 methionine (MET). Initial CT, C-11 MET PET, and F-18 FDG PET suggested a low-grade tumor such as oligodendroglial tumor. However, MR imaging findings strongly suggested venous infarction. We chose observation rather than surgical intervention. Two months later, self-regression of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of venous infarction. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary invasive operations, we should keep in mind that high C-11 MET accumulation does not always signify a tumoral lesion but is sometimes the result of vascular pathology.