Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) using 11C-methionine (11C-MET) is used to detect astrocytomas and low-grade brain tumors, in the primary detection of all malignant and benign neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS), and in order to monitor staging and evaluate the results of treatment.

To assess the clinical and economic effectiveness of PET/CT with the use of radiopharmaceutical drugs (RFLP) based on 11C-MET in the diagnosis of CNS neoplasms, a systematic review of literature by keywords in the Pubmed/MEDLINE database was conducted. The search result was 218 publications. The analysis included 21 publications that met the search criteria, including three meta-analyses and six systematic literature reviews.

Diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing gliomas of high and low malignancy has moderate diagnostic accuracy (combined sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 72%, respectively), but higher sensitivity compared to Fludeoxyglucose F18 (18F-FDG). PET/CT with 11C-MET demonstrated good diagnostic value in detecting brain tumor recurrence (combined sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 87%, respectively) compared with 18F-FDG.

PET/CT diagnostics of CNS neoplasms using the drug 11C-MET is an innovative technology with greater specificity and sensitivity than 18F-FDG, positively influences the subsequent surgery plan and identifies tumors previously undetermined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT or PET/CT with 18F-FDG.