An [ 18 F]-Positron-Emitting, Fluorescent, Cerebrospinal Fluid Probe for Imaging Damage to the Brain and Spine.

Fluorescein is modified to bear ¹⁸ F so that it can act as both a positron emitter, and a fluorophore, allowing detection by positron emission tomography (PET), scintillation, and fluorescent imaging (FL). [ ¹⁸ F]- 2 is injected into the intrathecal space of rats and used to observe the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes the brain and spine. Injury in three different applications is visualized with [ ¹⁸ F]- 2 : 1) detection of a 0.7 mm paranasal-sinus CSF leak (CSFL); 2) detection of 0.5 mm puncture damage to the thoracic spine (acute spinal cord injury); and 3) detection of intracerebral hemorrhage/edema because of traumatic brain injury. In all models, the location of injury is visualized with [ ¹⁸ F]- 2 at high resolution. [ ¹⁸ F]- 2 PET imaging may be a superior alternative to current clinical contrast myelography and ¹³¹ I, ¹¹¹ In or ^99m Tc radionuclide cisternography. Like fluorescein, [ ¹⁸ F]- 2 may also have other uses in diagnostic or fluorescence guided medicine.
Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.