Inguinal Herniation of Urinary Bladder on F-18 Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET-CT / 대한핵의학회잡지

Inguinal herniation of urinary bladder is uncommon and usually an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients. In some of these patients, residual urine volume and consequently, urinary tracer activity can be higher in the herniated bladder than the native bladder, in which case interpretation can be challenging on conventional planar imaging.We describe an interesting case of physiological activity in a herniated bladder simulating a “tear-drop”. This case serves an important reminder that whilst F-18NaF PET-CT has a similar spectrum of urinary activity to conventional bone scintigraphy; morphological correlation on hybrid imaging is invaluable in ensuring the physiological nature of uptake.

Incremental diagnostic value and impact on patient management of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium-111-pentetreotide in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

To evaluate the efficacy of somatostatin analog scintigraphy with indium-111-pentetreotide and its overall impact on management in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors [GEP-NET]. Twenty-two consecutive patients with a proven or clinically suspected GEP-NET with or without proven metastases were imaged at 24 and 48 h after injection of [111] In-pentetreotide. The scintigraphic findings were compared with results from conventional imaging methods. The final diagnosis was based on histopathological and surgical findings and complementary radiology. Somatostatin receptor-positive lesions were found in 20 of the patients, whereas conventional methods were positive in 18 patients. Additionally, 13 new tumor sites were discovered by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in 5 patients [liver: 6; chest: 2; bone: 1; abdomen: 4]. The surgical therapeutic strategy was changed in 7 patients [32%]. Our data reinforced that scintigraphy with [111]In-pentetreotide represents the imaging modality of choice in the initial evaluation of GEP-NET. It is highly accurate and can identify clinically unsuspected lesions and optimize the overall staging. It also guides optimal therapy choice and most importantly identifies patients with inoperable or metastatic disease who might be candidates for high-dose targeted therapy

Prediction of cardiac events in patients having left bundle-branch block with/without chest pain using dipyridamole technetium-99m-sestamibi myocardial perfusion imaging

To determine the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with dipyridamole stress in patients with preexisting left bundle-branch block [LBBB] with or without chest pain. Seventy-six patients, mean age 53 +/- 10 years, with preexisting LBBB underwent technetium-99m-sestamibi perfusion imaging with dipyridamole infusion protocol [0.56 mg/kg]. Stress and rest single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] images were interpreted by consensus of 2 experienced nuclear medicine physicians and classified as low-risk scans [normal myocardial perfusion scan, small reversible/small fixed defect] and high-risk scans [large, severe, fixed or reversible defect and dilated left ventricle cavity]. The patients were followed up for 24 +/- 8 months and occurrences of hard cardiac events [infarction or cardiac death] were noted. Of the 76 patients, 52 [68%] had low-risk scans and the remaining 24 [32%] had high-risk scans. In the low-risk group, 1 [1.9%] cardiac death and 2 [3.8%] cases of nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred, while in the high-risk group, 5 [20.8%] suffered cardiac death, and 3 [12.5%] nonfatal myocardial infarction. Overall survival rate was 98.1% in the low-risk group compared with 79.2% in the high-risk group with a significant difference of p = 0.034. Negative predictive value of normal myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for the occurrence of death was 100%. No significant difference in survival rate among patients with or without chest pain [p = 0.31] was observed. Myocardial perfusion imaging with dipyridamole provided important prognostic information in patients with LBBB; it was useful in stratifying the patients according to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and would thus allow the clinician to provide early treatment especially in the high-risk category

Minimally invasive radionuclide-guided parathyroidectomy using [99m] Tc-Sestamibi in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism: a single-instituion experience

To evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of [99m]Tc- sestambi sccintigraphy and gamma probe localization of parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and establish radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy at Hussain Makki Al Jumma Center for Specialized Surgery, Kuwait. Twelve patients with primary hyperparathyroidism [mean age: 48 +/- 14 years; median age: 46 years; age range-29-68 years] were evaluated. The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism was established by elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. All patients had a well-defined parathyroid lesion on previous standard [99m]Tc-sestambi scintigraphy with or without ultrasound study. All had a normal thyroid gland, no history of familial hyperparathyroidism or multiple endocrine neoplasia nor any history of previous neck irradiation. On the day of surgery, patients were injected with 740 MBq [20mCi] of [99m]Tc-sestamibi followed by a half-hour-delayed single standard pinhole view of the neck. A skin marker was placed on the basis of maximum count intensity during gamma probe localization. Patients were then sent for radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. The preoperative localization of the affected gland was successful in all cases using a gamma probe and [99m]Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy. The pathological parathyroid tissue was localized and successfully removed with the gamma probe. The histopathological diagnosis was parathyroid adenoma in 11 cases and hyperplasia in the remaining one. All patients remained disease and symptom free at 12-month follow-up. Our initial experience with intraoperative use of a gamma probe to carry out minimally invasive parathyroidectomy was a useful, easy and safe procedure for treating patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by using tc-99m DTPA plasma I sample method, Gates method, Cockcroft-Gault method and predicted creatinine clearance method: a prospective comparative analysis with plasma 2 - sample clearance method

To compare diagnostic accuracy of predicted clearance method, Gates method. Cockcroft-Gault method and plasma 1-sample clearance method with plasma 2-samples clearance method with Tc-99m DTPA for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate[GFR]. This study included 91 consecutive patients who were referred for evaluation of renal function to the Nuclear Medicine section of Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine [KIRAN] from September 2004 to September 2005. The GFR was determined simultaneously by 5 methods including Plasma two-Sample Clearance method after Tc-99m DTPA injection [PSC 2]; Plasma one-Sample Clearance method after Tc-99 m DTPA injection [PSC I]; Gamma camera uptake method after Tc-99m DTPA injection [Gates method]; Predicted Creatinine Clearance by Modification of Diet and Renal Diseases [MDRD]: and Cockeroft-Gault's equation for GFR estimation [CG]. PSC 2 was chosen as a reference, Out of the 91 patients, 71 were males and 20 females with age ranging from 16-68 years. The regression equation of the PSC 1, Gates, MDRD and CC method against the NC 2 was Y = 1.884+0.970X [r=0.90, p<0.001, SEE value-10, 23 ml/min/1.73m2]. Y = - 9.944 + l.083X [r=0.82, p<0.001, SEE valuel=11.02 mI/min/1.73m2], Y=25.606+0.640X [r=0.71, <0.002, SEEvaIuc=15.56 ml/min/1.73m2], and Y=14.9811-0.714X [r=0.77, p=0.002, SEE value=14.44 mI/min/1.73m2] respectively. In comparison with the GFR by PSC 2, the PSC I and Gates tended to overestimate by 1% [p=0.359] and 2% [p=0.265] respectively, MDRD and CC tended to underestimate GER by 11% and 14% respectively [p<0.001] PSC I correlate well with PSC 2 and either can be substituted for the other as ideal GFR markers. The Gates method shows good correlation with PSC 2 however it is less precise than PSC I. MDRD and CG methods due to significant underestimation are not considered as ideal GFR marker