Quantitative analysis of tight junctions and the uptake of 99mTc in human gliomas.

The structural dimensions of capillary tight junctions and the uptake of 99mTc pertechnetate in human gliomas were studied. Quantitative analysis revealed a correlation between the uptake of radionuclides and the length of endothelial tight junctions. It is suggested that brain scintigraphy might be used for the selection of malignant brain tumors with altered tight junctions which might be accessible to chemotherapy with water-soluble agents.