Assessing arthritis in the context of cystic fibrosis.

Inflammatory arthritis in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF) can represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Poor recognition and under-treatment of musculoskeletal conditions increases symptom burden, affects quality of life, and may lead to changes to an individual's ability to carry out activities of daily living and to exercise. A careful assessment and multidisciplinary approach is essential when considering a diagnosis of CF-associated arthritis (CFA), both in terms of identifying other treatable conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and effectively addressing symptoms. In this collaboration between CF specialists and Rheumatologists, we consider joint symptoms in patients with CF, with a focus on CFA. We offer a differential diagnosis list and consider steps to assess and manage CF patients presenting with arthralgia including appropriate up-to-date rheumatological assessment.

Acquiring diagnostic DaTSCAN images in claustrophobic or difficult patients using a 180 degrees configuration.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we have investigated the feasibility of a 180 degrees DaTSCAN brain SPECT acquisition. This technique has the advantage of being 'open view' for the patient and therefore more acceptable for claustrophobic patients. It also enables easier access for a technologist to hold the patient's head during acquisition to reduce movement in confused patients or in those with severe tremor. METHODS: In the first part of this study, we validated the practicality and image quality of a 180 degrees acquisition using a DaTSCAN Alderson head phantom with different camera configurations on GE Infinia and Philips AXIS gamma cameras. The effect on image quality of using half the acquisition time was also assessed. In the second part of the study, 50 sets of patient data were reprocessed by reconstructing half of the 360 degrees data to mimic a single-head 180 degrees acquisition. The 180 degrees images were then compared with 360 degrees images for the same patient using a visual score system. The effect of half-time 180 degrees data acquisition on quantification was also assessed using GE QuantiSPECT software. RESULTS: All phantom images from 180 degrees acquisitions contained some degree of distortion at the periphery, but clearly retain the presence of centrally positioned caudate and putamen; hence 180 degrees acquisitions were deemed to produce clinically useful diagnostic images. The shorter (half) acquisition time leads to noisier but acceptable images for all configurations. In the patient study, there was complete agreement between the two reporters with no clinical difference in the diagnostic accuracy between the 180 degrees and 360 degrees images. However, 6 of 50 180 degrees images were marked as poor quality but reportable, compared with 0 of 50 in 360 degrees images. Quantification gave consistently lower nuclei to background ratio values for 180 degrees compared with 360 degrees for normal and abnormal patients. CONCLUSION: It is possible to obtain diagnostic DaTSCAN images using 180 degrees acquisition in difficult patients. The total length of the study may also be shortened by half using L-mode or V-mode camera head configuration.

Variation of DaTSCAN quantification between different gamma camera types.

OBJECTIVE: To acquire data from a 123I filled Alderson phantom on different gamma cameras types and compare the relative uptake results from processing using the QuantiSPECT program (GE Healthcare). METHODS: A DaTSCAN phantom was filled using the standard protocol and imaged on seven different gamma camera types and on two identical cameras of the same type. The standard GE Healthcare protocols for the given cameras were used. Aliquots of the striatum and brain background were counted in a gamma counter to determine variations in filling concentration. All the raw DaTSCAN SPECT data was imported into QuantiSPECT and processed by the three different algorithms (two box, three box and crescent) to determine the relative uptake in the striatum. Inter-operater and intra-operator variation was also determined. RESULTS: The 10% variation in filling concentration found across the sites was compensated for in the final results. There was a 5-15% variation between cameras depending on the processing algorithm used. There was an intra-operator variation of between 5 and 12% which reflected the proportion of operator intervention within the processing method. There was no statistical variation between operators. CONCLUSIONS: The transfer of a DaTSCAN database between camera types is feasible, but ideally all data would be acquired on a single camera type and phantom data used to normalize the database accordingly.

Comparison of different methods of DatSCAN quantification.

BACKGROUND: The quantification of DaTSCAN images can be used as an adjunct to visual assessment to differentiate between Parkinson's syndrome and essential tremor. Many programs have been written to assess the relative uptake in the striatum. AIM: To compare two of the commercially available programs: QuantiSPECT, which analyses isolated data in two dimensions, and BRASS, which performs three-dimensional processing referencing a normal image template. METHOD: Twenty-two patients (11 with Parkinson's syndrome and 11 with essential tremor) were visually assessed by two nuclear medicine consultants. The patient data were then processed using two commercial programs to determine the relative uptake in the striatum. A comparison of the results from the programs was performed, together with a comparison with the visual assessment. The inter-operator and intra-operator variabilities were also ascertained. RESULTS: All programs and processing methods could distinguish between Parkinson's syndrome and essential tremor. There was also a good correlation between the results from the three- and two-dimensional methods. The intra-operator and inter-operator variabilities were dependent on the amount of operator intervention. CONCLUSION: Both programs allowed statistical differentiation between Parkinson's syndrome and essential tremor. Strict operator protocols are needed with QuantiSPECT to reduce inter- and intra-operator variation. The three-dimensional method (BRASS) gave greater concordance than the two-dimensional method (QuantiSPECT) with the visual assessment, but at a cost of increased operator time.