Desenmascarando la polimialgia reumática, papel de la Medicina Nuclear / Decoding polymyalgia rheumatica, the role of Nuclear Medicine Imaging

La polimialgia reumática (PMR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria de las articulaciones que se presenta en pacientes mayores de 50 años con dolor y rigidez matutina prolongada en las cinturas del hombro y la cadera y en el cuello. La falta de hallazgos clínicos específicos, signos de laboratorio, biomarcadores y métodos de imagen establecidos dificulta el diagnóstico de los pacientes con esta enfermedad. La 18F-FDG PET/TC es una técnica de imagen funcional que constituye una herramienta consolidada en Oncología y que también ha demostrado su utilidad en el campo de las enfermedades inflamatorias. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar evidencia bibliográfica sobre el uso de métodos de imagen molecular como la PET/TC para el diagnóstico precoz, la evaluación de la actividad de la enfermedad y la respuesta terapéutica en la PMR. Al mismo tiempo, se consideran las ventajas, las desventajas y las contraindicaciones de otros métodos (AU)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease that presents in patients older than 50 years with prolonged morning pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip joints and neck. The lack of specific clinical findings, laboratory signs, biomarkers and established imaging methods makes it difficult to diagnose patients with this disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT is a functional imaging technique that is an established tool in oncology and has also proven useful in the field of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this paper is to present literature evidence on the use of molecular imaging methods such as PET/CT for early diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in PMR. At the same time, the advantages, disadvantages and contraindications of other methods are considered (AU)

Decoding polymyalgia rheumatica, the role of Nuclear Medicine Imaging.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease that presents in patients older than 50 years with prolonged morning pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip joints and neck. The lack of specific clinical findings, laboratory signs, biomarkers and established imaging methods makes it difficult to diagnose patients with this disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT is a functional imaging technique that is an established tool in oncology and has also proven useful in the field of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this paper is to present literature evidence on the use of molecular imaging methods such as PET/CT for early diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in PMR. At the same time, the advantages, disadvantages and contraindications of other methods are considered.

Contributions of nuclear medicine to malignant musculoskeletal tumor disease in children.

A diagnosis of cancer is frightening at any age, but especially when the patient is a child. Only what is suspected can be diagnosed, only what is known or at least known to exist is suspected, but musculoskeletal tumors are infrequent and therefore very difficult to diagnose or treat. Probably due to their infrequency, the complexity of the radiological images, histopathological appearance, as well as the serious consequences due to inadequate biopsies and treatments, musculoskeletal tumor pathology requires clinical management that must be carried out by a group of specialists with specific training, allowing an adequate diagnosis, introduction of adjuvant therapies, as well as surgical treatment, making multidisciplinary treatment essential today. Imaging studies provide essential information on the nature of each lesion, its size, its anatomical location, the effect on the surrounding bone or soft tissues and the involvement of adjacent joints and neurovascular structures. In this article the authors will discuss the advances in nuclear medicine techniques (scintigraphy, SPECT/CT and PET/CT) and their usefulness in the staging of pediatric malignant musculoskeletal tumors, as well as in the assessment of response, follow-up, and diagnosis of recurrence.

Indications and results of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: Changes observed in 2018 compared to 2012.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Over the last 15 years, breast cancer (BC) treatment has undergone numerous changes, which have also affected the indications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) as well as the procedures depending on its outcome. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the SLNB carried out at our Center during 2012, when we stopped performing an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after the finding of a micrometastasis, with those conducted in 2018, when we started applying Z011 criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have performed a comparative retrospective observational study, including cN0 BC patients that underwent a SLNB in 2012 versus those that underwent this procedure in 2018. RESULTS: 174 patients from 2012 and 165 from 2018 were studied. We found significant differences between the two groups: in 2018 there were fewer lobular invasive cancers (14 vs 28) (P < .05), a smaller mean pathological size (P < .001), a higher proportion of HER2 and triple negative tumors (28 vs 49) (P < .01) and, finally, an increase in use of neoadjuvant treatments (42.0% vs 6.7%). Regarding axillary involvement, we observed a decrease in both the presence of a positive sentinel node (24.1% in 2018 vs 42.4% in 2012) (P < .0001) as well as in the proportion of ALND performed (12.6% in 2018 vs 21.2% in 2012) and the presence of positive non sentinel nodes after a ALND (59.1% vs74.3%) (ns) CONCLUSION: Although the 2018 cohort that underwent SLNB had more aggressive tumors, there were fewer positive SN and ALND performed. This is probably due to a more accurate radiological diagnosis with ultrasound, that enables to detect cN1 cases before surgery, and to the increasing use of neoadjuvant treatments that may downstage the axilla.

Contributions of nuclear medicine in paediatric non-tumour musculoskeletal pathology. / Aportaciones de la medicina nuclear en la enfermedad musculoesquelética no tumoral pediátrica.

Non-tumour musculoskeletal pathology in children represents a high percentage of the nuclear medicine studies requested by paediatricians. As these are immature bones and joints, in constant growth and remodelling, they present their own physiological and anatomical peculiarities that require a specific management for the paediatric age group. Using different clinical scenarios frequently observed in medical appointments (limping, back pain or fever, among others), we have summarised the possible findings or artefacts that can be obtained in the different Nuclear Medicine explorations, including bone scintigraphy and hybrid images such as PET/CT. To obtain high quality images requires careful attention to technique and positioning in children. Bone scintigraphy is a common paediatric nuclear medicine procedure and plays an important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathologies and can be complemented by techniques such as SPECT to improve localisation and diagnostic accuracy. In addition, 18F-FDG PET/CT is increasingly applied in the evaluation of children. This article reviews the usual indications of, mainly, bone scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/CT in paediatric non-tumour musculoskeletal diseases, how to interpret them properly, being essential to know the normal physiological distribution of each radiopharmaceutical, as well as the common variants of paediatric growth that can simulate disease, implying possible misinterpretations between normal and pathological structures.

Nuclear Medicine in the diagnosis of pathologies of the spine: role of hybrid imaging. / Medicina nuclear en el diagnóstico de las afecciones de la columna vertebral: papel de la imagen híbrida.

Clinical problems in the human spine are still common in our society, often causing pain and can also limit movement. Back pain is a very common clinical entity, although difficult to diagnose due to its multifactorial nature. There are multiple processes that can alter the structure of the spine, injure vertebrae and/or the surrounding tissue. For the study of the spine, image diagnosis is essential, and within this, molecular hybrid techniques play an important role by providing us with an image of functional and morphological fusion. Among these, SPECT/CT is key in the diagnosis of traumatic and stress pathology, allowing us to locate hidden vertebral fractures, and is also very useful in degenerative and post-surgical pathology. On the other hand, PET/CT with 18F-FDG also plays an important role in the management and monitoring of infectious and oncological processes. This review describes the application of these hybrid techniques in the different pathologies of the spine and the findings of their images, being very useful for the diagnostic assessment and therapeutic management of the patient.

Revisión del papel de la Medicina Nuclear en el diagnóstico de la infección musculoesquelética / Role of Nuclear Medicine in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal infection: a review

Las enfermedades inflamatorias e infecciosas osteoarticulares pueden tener graves consecuencias para el paciente si no se diagnostican a tiempo. En las últimas décadas, diferentes modalidades de la Medicina Nuclear han permitido estudiar la fisiopatología de estos procesos y desempeñan un importante papel hoy en día en el diagnóstico, caracterización y monitorización de las enfermedades infecciosas musculoesqueléticas. Por lo tanto, es esencial que todos los especialistas de Medicina Nuclear tengan una visión de las ventajas y desventajas de cada método y saber cómo usarlos correctamente en el diagnóstico del paciente. Este artículo destaca el papel de la Medicina Nuclear en la estandarización del abordaje diagnóstico en pacientes con enfermedades infecciosas/inflamatorias, en particular en osteomielitis periférica, artritis séptica, infecciones de prótesis articulares, pie diabético infectado e infecciones de la columna vertebral. Los autores presentan las pruebas con radionúclidos más comunes, con sus ventajas e indicaciones clínicas, para lograr un diagnóstico adecuado de la infección y la inflamación

Inflammatory and infectious osteoarticular diseases can cause serious consequences for the patient if they are not diagnosed on time. In the last decades, different modalities of nuclear medicine have allowed to study the physiopathology of these processes, and nowadays, they play an important role in diagnosis, characterization and monitoring of musculoskeletal infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential that every nuclear medicine physician have a vision of the advantages and disadvantages of each method and know how to use them correctly in the diagnosis of the patient. This article highlights the role of nuclear medicine in standardizing the diagnostic approach in patients with infectious/inflammatory diseases, in particular in peripheral osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infections, infected diabetic foot and spinal infections. The authors reveal the role of the most common radionuclides tests, with their advantages and clinical indications, to achieve an adequate diagnosis of infection and inflammation

Role of Nuclear Medicine in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal infection: a review. / Revisión del papel de la Medicina Nuclear en el diagnóstico de la infección musculoesquelética.

Inflammatory and infectious osteoarticular diseases can cause serious consequences for the patient if they are not diagnosed on time. In the last decades, different modalities of nuclear medicine have allowed to study the physiopathology of these processes, and nowadays, they play an important role in diagnosis, characterization and monitoring of musculoskeletal infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential that every nuclear medicine physician have a vision of the advantages and disadvantages of each method and know how to use them correctly in the diagnosis of the patient. This article highlights the role of nuclear medicine in standardizing the diagnostic approach in patients with infectious/inflammatory diseases, in particular in peripheral osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infections, infected diabetic foot and spinal infections. The authors reveal the role of the most common radionuclides tests, with their advantages and clinical indications, to achieve an adequate diagnosis of infection and inflammation.

Septic pulmonary emboli detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT in children with S. aureus catheter-related bacteremia.

PURPOSE: The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis of metastatic infectious foci in children with catheter-related blood stream infection has been hardly studied, although some authors have reported it benefit in the screening of metastatic foci in adult population. Septic pulmonary emboli are among the most difficult to identify, because many cases do not present pulmonary complaints or abnormal chest radiography. However, diagnosis of these foci has important therapeutic consequences. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of septic pulmonary embolism in children with S. aureus catheter-related bacteremia. METHODS: We report 3 children with S. aureus catheter-related bacteremia and normal chest X-ray at admission, in whom 18F-FDG PET/CT led to the diagnosis of unsuspected septic pulmonary emboli, with an impact on clinical management. RESULTS: All patients had hemophilia and implantable venous access ports and presented with fever and normal lung auscultation. Only 1 reported non-specific symptoms (undifferentiated left chest pain). All patients had normal chest X-ray on admission. Catheters were removed within 48 h after admission in 2 cases, and 5 days after admission in the last case, subsiding fever. In 2 children, paired blood cultures were not able to identify bacteremia. However, in all cases catheter tip and subcutaneous port cultures yielded S. aureus and PET/CT detected unsuspected pulmonary metastatic emboli. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-FDG PET/CT should be considered as a useful tool to diagnose septic pulmonary embolism in S. aureus catheter-related bacteremia, especially if conventional diagnostic imaging techniques have failed to reveal possible metastatic foci. Further studies are needed to clarify the usefulness of PET/CT performance in children with CRBSI.

Cambios en la perfusión cerebral inducidos por etomidato en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal / Changes in cerebral perfusión induced by etomidate in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Resumen. Introducción. La epilepsia es uno de los mayores trastornos neurológicos. Afecta a alrededor del 0,5-2% de la población mundial, y entre el 20-25% de los pacientes son resistentes a la medicación. Objetivo. Analizar la respuesta de la perfusión cerebral –valorada mediante tomografía simple por emisión de fotón único (SPECT)– y la actividad bioeléctrica –en scalp y región temporal mesial– a la aplicación de etomidato. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudiaron 10 pacientes evaluados prequirúrgicamente y estudiados mediante videoelectroencefalograma (video-EEG) con electrodos de foramen oval (EFO) y SPECT. Se administró etomidato (0,1 mg/kg de peso), seguido por 99mTc-HmPAO, durante el estudio en el video-EEG + EFO. Resultados. Los efectos secundarios consistieron en mioclonías (n = 7) y dolor moderado (n = 2). No se han observado efectos cardiovasculares o respiratorios significativos. La actividad bioeléctrica en scalp consistió en una actividad rápida inicial breve, seguida por un patrón delta generalizado e hipervoltado durante varios minutos. En la región irritativa, se observó un marcado incremento de la actividad interictal. La perfusión cerebral aumentó, en general en todas las áreas estudiadas, especialmente en la región temporal (lateral y mesial) y en las áreas talámicas. En la cola del hipocampo no epileptógeno, se ha observado el segundo mayor incremento en la perfusión cerebral, y es la única región que se diferencia de la contralateral. Conclusiones. La activación mediante etomidato da lugar a una respuesta específica y repetible sobre la actividad bioeléctrica. Además, la perfusión cerebral local muestra cambios relacionados directamente con la región epileptógena, y puede servir, por tanto, como herramienta diagnóstica en un futuro inmediato (AU)

Summary. Introduction. Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders, affecting roughly 0.5-2% of the world’s population and approximately 20-25% of patients are resistant to medication. Aim. To analyze the response of cerebral perfusion (assessed by SPECT) and bioelectrical activity (measured in scalp and mesial temporal region) to etomidate. Patients and methods. We studied 10 patients presurgically evaluated and studied by video-EEG with foramen ovale electrodes (EFO) and SPECT. Etomidate was administered (0.1 mg/kg), followed by 99mTc-HmPAO during the study in the video-EEG + EFO. Results. The side-effects consisted of myoclonus (n = 7) and moderate pain (n = 2). There had been no significant respiratory or cardiovascular effects. The bioelectrical activity in the scalp consisted in a brief initial rapid activity, followed by a generalized and hypervoltaged delta pattern for several minutes. In the epileptogenic zone, there was a marked increase of interictal activity. Increased cerebral perfusion was observed in all areas studied, especially in temporal region (mesial and lateral) areas and thalamus. In the tail of the non-epileptic hippocampus, we observed the second largest increase in cerebral perfusion, the only region that is different from contralateral area. Conclusions. Activation by etomidate induces a specific and repetitive response in the bioelectrical activity. In addition, cerebral perfusion changes directly related to the epileptogenic region may serve therefore as a diagnostic tool in the near future (AU)

[Changes in cerebral perfusion induced by etomidate in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy]. / Cambios en la perfusión cerebral inducidos por etomidato en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders, affecting roughly 0.5-2% of the world's population and approximately 20-25% of patients are resistant to medication. AIM: To analyze the response of cerebral perfusion (assessed by SPECT) and bioelectrical activity (measured in scalp and mesial temporal region) to etomidate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 10 patients presurgically evaluated and studied by video-EEG with foramen ovale electrodes (EFO) and SPECT. Etomidate was administered (0.1 mg/kg), followed by (99)mTc-HmPAO during the study in the video-EEG + EFO. RESULTS: The side-effects consisted of myoclonus (n = 7) and moderate pain (n = 2). There had been no significant respiratory or cardiovascular effects. The bioelectrical activity in the scalp consisted in a brief initial rapid activity, followed by a generalized and hypervoltaged delta pattern for several minutes. In the epileptogenic zone, there was a marked increase of interictal activity. Increased cerebral perfusion was observed in all areas studied, especially in temporal region (mesial and lateral) areas and thalamus. In the tail of the non-epileptic hippocampus, we observed the second largest increase in cerebral perfusion, the only region that is different from contralateral area. CONCLUSIONS: Activation by etomidate induces a specific and repetitive response in the bioelectrical activity. In addition, cerebral perfusion changes directly related to the epileptogenic region may serve therefore as a diagnostic tool in the near future.

[Impact of experience on improving the surgical outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy]. / Impacto de la experiencia sobre los resultados quirúrgicos en la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, we have published the results of a first surgical series of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We describe a posterior series of patients intervened of TLE, we compare the functional results with the previous series and we finally analyze the causes of changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the first 22 consecutive patients surgically intervened of TLE with a minimum post-surgery follow-up of 2 years. Patients showing I and II Engel's grade were used as gold standard for evaluation of pre-surgical complementary studies. RESULTS: We have obtained better functional results: 91% patients showing Engel's grade I, 9% showing grade II and neither III nor IV grades were obtained. Pre-surgical studies changed in comparison with the previous report. The most improving change was observed in video-EEG with foramen-ovale electrodes (FOE) (37%), scalp EEG (26.6%), interictal SPECT (11.7%) and MRI (11.7%). Video-EEG with FOE was the study than showed greater concordance with epileptic focus (95.5%), followed by EEG (86.4%). In 35% of cases, MRI was normal or without valid data for correct localization of focus. CONCLUSIONS: Video-EEG with FOE and TLE surgery are safety methods, which results improve with the experience. Normal or not informative MRI do not should a priori reject those patients with drug-resistant TLE from surgery.

Impacto de la experiencia sobre los resultados quirúrgicos en la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal / Impact of experience on improving the surgical outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy

Introducción. Hemos publicado recientemente los resultados de una primera serie quirúrgica de pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal (ELT). Se presenta una serie inmediatamente posterior, y se analizan y comparan los resultados. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudian 22 pacientes nuevos intervenidos consecutivamente de ELT, con igual metodología que en la publicación previa y con un control clínico mínimo de dos años. Para evaluar la capacidad para localizar el foco de las pruebas complementarias se utilizó como estándar de oro los pacientes con grados I o II de Engel. Resultados. Se han obtenido mejores resultados funcionales: 91% de pacientes en grado I y 9% en grado II de Engel. No se han obtenido pacientes en grados III o IV. Los estudios prequirúrgicos que, comparativamente, han incrementado más su capacidad de localización fueron: videoelectroencefalograma (vídeo-EEG) con electrodos del foramen oval (EFO) (37,0%), EEG de scalp (26,6%), tomografía computarizada por emisión de fotón único (SPECT) interictal (11,7%) y la resonancia magnética (RM) (7,3%). La prueba con mayor grado de concordancia con el foco epileptógeno fue el vídeo-EEG con EFO (95,5%), seguido del EEG (86,4%). En un 35% de los estudios, la RM fue normal o sin datos válidos para la localización del foco epileptógeno. Conclusiones. La exploración con EFO y el tratamiento quirúrgico de la ELT es una metodología segura, cuyos resultados mejoran con la experiencia. La RM normal o no claramente informativa no tiene por qué excluir a priori a los pacientes con ELT farmacorresistente de esta alternativa terapéutica

Introduction. Recently, we have published the results of a first surgical series of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We describe a posterior series of patients intervened of TLE, we compare the functional results with the previous series and we finally analyze the causes of changes. Patients and methods.We studied the first 22 consecutive patients surgically intervened of TLE with a minimum post-surgery follow-up of 2 years. Patients showing I and II Engel’s grade were used as gold standard for evaluation of pre-surgical complementary studies. Results. We have obtained better functional results: 91% patients showing Engel’s grade I, 9% showing grade II and neither III nor IV grades were obtained. Pre-surgical studies changed in comparison with the previous report. The most improving change was observed in video-EEG with foramen-ovale electrodes (FOE) (37%), scalp EEG (26.6%), interictal SPECT (11.7%) and MRI (11.7%). Video-EEG with FOE was the study than showed greater concordance with epileptic focus (95.5%), followed by EEG (86.4%). In 35% of cases, MRI was normal or without valid data for correct localization of focus. Conclusions. Video-EEG with FOE and TLE surgery are safety methods, which results improve with the experience. Normal or not informative MRI do not should a priori reject those patients with drug-resistant TLE from surgery

[The use of suprarenal scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of suprarenal incidentaloma]. / Utilidad de la gammagrafía suprarrenal en el diagnóstico diferencial del incidentaloma suprarrenal.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of adrenal scintigraphy for clinical evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas, and its relation with pathological diagnosis and follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 46 patients with unilateral adrenal incidentaloma of size between 10 and 100 mm (average 30.5 +/- 19 mm). The lesions were discovered with abdominal computerized tomography in the study of a primary tumor (22%) or in the evaluation of benign pathology (78%). Adrenal scintigraphy assessed uptake in adrenal incidentaloma. Hormonal study included urinary catecholamines, plasma cortisol after dexamethasone, adrenal androgens, and renin and aldosterone in hypertensive patients. Five patients were operated, FNAB was carried out in three patients, and in the rest average follow-up was 29 +/- 21 months. Adrenal incidentaloma was considered nonfunctional if the lesion did not modified its size nor showed analytical alterations along a follow-up higher than 8 months. RESULTS: Of 46 adrenal lesions, seven didn't show uptake (three metastases, one cyst, one adrenal carcinoma, one pheochromocytoma, and one angiomyolipoma), 34 showed excessive uptake (29 nonfunctional adrenal nodules and 5 hyperfunctional adrenal nodules), and five had normal uptake (nonfunctional adrenal nodules). Adrenal scintigraphy was compatible in all cases with cytological study or the response to chemotherapy. Along the follow-up, growth of the lesion was demonstrated in 23%, and reduction or disappearance of the lesion in 11%, with no hormonal significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of a lesion with no uptake in adrenal scintigraphy forces to carry out complementary explorations in order to rule out malignant pathology. A lesion with excessive uptake is indicative of a benign process and should be assessed with hormonal determinations.

[Pharmacoresistant temporal-lobe epilepsy. Exploration with foramen ovale electrodes and surgical outcomes]. / Epilepsia farmacorresistente del lóbulo temporal. Exploración con electrodos del foramen oval y resultados quirúrgicos.

AIM: To report our experience in the surgical treatment of temporal-lobe epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An analysis was performed of the outcomes of 137 patients submitted to surgery between 1990 and 2001, with a follow-up of more than two years. A study was conducted of the percentages of successful detection by the different complementary tests--MRI, EEG, interictal SPECT, video-EEG with foramen ovale electrodes (FOE), neuropsychological study (NPS)--and the precision with which they reported the epileptogenic focus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Successful surgical outcomes (Engel grades I-II): 73.4%. No surgical mortality occurred, although some mild, reversible morbidity was observed. Surgical outcomes were not affected by sex, age, age of onset and the length of time the patient had had the disease, or the frequency of the seizures. No association was found between seizures in the immediate post-operative period and a poorer long term control of the epilepsy. MR images were normal in 25% of patients; in these cases the surgical outcomes (Engel grades I-II at two years: 62%) were significantly poorer than in cases of tumours/cavernomas (86%); RMI studies of other types of lesions gave intermediate results (72%). With respect to the capacity of the different tests to lateralise/locate the epileptogenic focus, video-EEG-FOE proved to be the best, followed by MRI, SPECT, EEG and NPS.

Utilidad de la gammagrafía suprarrenal en el diagnóstico diferencial del incidentaloma suprarrenal / Role of adrenal scintigraphy in the management of adrenal incidentaloma

Objetivos. Valorar la utilidad de la gammagrafía suprarrenal en el estudio de los incidentalomas suprarrenales y su relación con el diagnóstico patológico y el seguimiento posterior. Pacientes y métodos. Hemos estudiado 46 pacientes con incidentaloma suprarrenal unilateral de tamaño entre 10 y 100 mm (media: 30,5 ± 19 mm). Las lesiones se localizaron mediante tomografía computarizada abdominal durante el estudio de un tumor primario (22%) o de patología benigna (78%). La gammagrafía suprarrenal valoró la existencia o no de captación en el incidentaloma suprarrenal. El estudio hormonal incluyó catecolaminas urinarias, cortisol plasmático tras dexametasona, andrógenos adrenales y renina y aldosterona en pacientes hipertensos. Cinco pacientes fueron operados, en tres se realizó punción-aspiración con aguja fina y en los restantes seguimiento medio de 29 ± 21 meses. Se consideró incidentaloma suprarrenal no funcionante si la lesión no modificaba su tamaño ni mostraba alteraciones analíticas en el seguimiento superior a 8 meses. Resultados. De las 46 lesiones suprarrenales 7 fueron hipocaptadoras (tres metástasis, un quiste, un carcinoma suprarrenal, un feocromocitoma y un angiomiolipoma), 34 hipercaptadoras (29 nódulos suprarrenales no funcionantes y 5 hiperfuncionantes) y 5 normocaptadoras (nódulos suprarrenales no funcionantes). La gammagrafía suprarrenal fue concordante con estudio citológico o la respuesta a quimioterapia en todos los casos. Durante el seguimiento se demostró un crecimiento de la lesión en el 23% y reducción o desaparición de las lesiones en el 11% y no se encontraron cambios significativos hormonales.Conclusiones. Una lesión hipocaptadora en gammagrafía suprarrenal hace necesaria la realización de exploraciones complementarias para descartar patología maligna. Una lesión hipercaptadora es indicativa de proceso benigno y debe ser valorada con determinaciones hormonales

Objetives. To assess the usefulness of adrenal scintigraphy for clinical evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas, and its relation with pathological diagnosis and follow-up. Patients and methods. We have studied 46 patients with unilateral adrenal incidentaloma of size between 10 and 100 mm (average 30.5 ± 19 mm). The lesions were discovered with abdominal computerized tomography in the study of a primary tumor (22%) or in the evaluation of benign pathology (78%). Adrenal scintigraphy assessed uptake in adrenal incidentaloma. Hormonal study included urinary catecholamines, plasma cortisol after dexamethasone, adrenal androgens, and renin and aldosterone in hypertensive patients. Five patients were operated, FNAB was carried out in three patients, and in the rest average follow-up was 29 ± 21 months. Adrenal incidentaloma was considered nonfunctional if the lesion did not modified its size nor showed analytical alterations along a follow-up higher than 8 months. Results. Of 46 adrenal lesions, seven didn't show uptake (three metastases, one cyst, one adrenal carcinoma, one pheochromocytoma, and one angiomyolipoma), 34 showed excessive uptake (29 nonfunctional adrenal nodules and 5 hyperfunctional adrenal nodules), and five had normal uptake (nonfunctional adrenal nodules). Adrenal scintigraphy was compatible in all cases with cytological study or the response to chemotherapy. Along the follow-up, growth of the lesion was demonstrated in 23%, and reduction or disappearance of the lesion in 11%, with no hormonal significant changes. Conclusions. Detection of a lesion with no uptake in adrenal scintigraphy forces to carry out complementary explorations in order to rule out malignant pathology. A lesion with excessive uptake is indicative of a benign process and should be assessed with hormonal determinations

Epilepsia farmacorresistente del lóbulo temporal. Exploración con electrodos del foramen oval y resultados quirúrgicos / Pharmacoresistant temporal-lobe epilepsy. Exploration with foramen ovale electrodes and surgical outcomes

Objetivo. Presentar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal. Pacientes y métodos. Se analizan resultados en 137 pacientes, intervenidos quirúrgicamente entre 1990 y 2001, con seguimiento mayor de dos años. Se estudia el porcentaje de aciertos de las pruebas complementarias-RM, EEG, SPECT interictal, vídeo-EEG con electrodos del foramen oval (EFO), estudio neuropsicológico (NPS)- y la precisión con que informaron del foco epileptógeno. Resultados y conclusiones. Éxitos quirúrgicos (grados I-II de Engel): 73,4%. No hubo mortalidad quirúrgica, aunque sí escasa morbilidad, leve yreversible. No modificaron los resultados quirúrgicos ni el sexo, edad, edad de comienzo y tiempo de desarrollo de la enfermedad, ni la frecuencia de las crisis. No encontramos asociación entre crisis en el postoperatorio inmediato y peor control de la epilepsia alargo plazo. La RM fue normal en el 25% de los pacientes; en ellos, los resultados quirúrgicos (grados I-II de Engel a los dos años: 62%) fueron significativamente peores que en los casos detumor/cavernoma (86%); ante otras lesiones en la RM, el resultado fue intermedio (72%). En relación a la capacidad lateralizadora/localizadora del foco epileptógeno de las diferentes pruebas, destaca el vídeo-EEG-EFO, seguido de la RM, SPECT, EEG y NPS

Aim. To report our experience in the surgical treatment of temporal-lobe epilepsy. Patients and methods. Ananalysis was performed of the outcomes of 137 patients submitted to surgery between 1990 and 2001, with a follow-up of more than two years. A study was conducted of the percentages of successful detection by the different complementary tests - MRI,EEG, interictal SPECT, video-EEG with foramen ovale electrodes (FOE), neuropsychological study (NPS) - and the precision with which they reported the epileptogenic focus. Results and conclusions. Successful surgical outcomes (Engel grades I-II):73.4%. No surgical mortality occurred, although some mild, reversible morbidity was observed. Surgical outcomes were not affected by sex, age, age of onset and the length of time the patient had had the disease, or the frequency of the seizures. No association was found between seizures in the immediate post-operative period and a poorer long term control of the epilepsy.MR images were normal in 25% of patients; in these cases the surgical outcomes (Engel grades I-II at two years: 62%) were significantly poorer than in cases of tumours/cavernomas (86%); RMI studies of other types of lesions gave intermediate results (72%). With respect to the capacity of the different tests to lateralise/locate the epileptogenic focus, video-EEG-FOE proved to be the best, followed by MRI, SPECT, EEG and NPS

[Cerebral perfusion during word repetition in epileptic patients]. / Perfusión cerebral durante la repetición de palabras en pacientes epilépticos.

OBJECTIVE: To localize the cortical regions for language in patients who are to have brain surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a SPECT (Single Photon Emission using Computerized Tomography) study of cerebral perfusion in 14 patients with drug-resistant temporal epilepsy who were candidates for brain surgery. The patients were selected consecutively from those attending for surgical assessment. We selected the patients in whom two 99mTc-HMPAO studies could be done in the same week: one without sensory stimulation and one whilst listening and repeating a series of ordinary words in fairly frequent use. The two studies were assessed qualitatively (on a 16 colour image scale, with a background subtraction of 20% and standardized to the point of maximum uptake). Changes were considered to be significant when a greater intensity of two colours was localized and semiquantitative (with regular areas of interest, of 4 x 4 pixels, placed on the region in which the qualitative change was observed and referenced to cerebellar activity). RESULTS: We found increased perfusion in the temporo-parietal regions in 11 of the 14 patients. In most (9/14 cases) this was bilateral and in two cases on the left only. We observed a certain predominant pattern: a bilateral increase in temporal perfusion, involving the more anterior regions of the left hemisphere and also the middle and posterior regions of the right hemisphere. The maximum percentage increase in perfusion on semiquantitative assessment was 12%. CONCLUSION: Although the changes seen may correspond to activation in the cortical regions related to different cerebral functions, we consider that with the SPECT technique one may detect changes in perfusion of the regions of the brain which are involved in language processing.

Perfusión cerebral durante la repetición de palabras en pacientes epilépticos / Cerebral perfusion during word repetition in epileptic patients

Objetivo. Localizar las regiones corticales que soportan la función del lenguaje en pacientes que van a someterse a una intervención quirúrgica cerebral. Pacientes y métodos. Hemos estudiado con tomografía computarizada por emisión de fotón único (SPECT) de perfusión cerebral a 14 pacientes con epilepsia temporal farmacorresistente candidatos a tratamiento quirúrgico. Los pacientes se eligieron de forma consecutiva entre los que acudían para su valoración prequirúrgica. Se seleccionaron aquellos enfermos en los cuales pudo realizarse dos estudios con 99mTc-HMPAO en la misma semana: uno en reposo sensorial y otro durante la escucha y repetición de una serie de palabras con baja imaginabilidad y frecuencia de uso medio. Se valoraron ambos estudios de forma cualitativa (imagen en escala de 16 colores, con sustracción del 20 por ciento de fondo y normalizadas al punto de máxima captación), y se consideraron cambios significativos, cuando se localizaba un aumento de intensidad mayor de dos colores, y semicuantitativos (con áreas de interés regulares, de 4 ¥4 píxeles, colocadas sobre la región donde se apreciaba el cambio cualitativo y referenciadas a la actividad de cerebelo). Resultados. Se encontraron aumentos de la perfusión en las regiones temporoparietales, en 11 de los 14 pacientes. En la mayoría (9/14 casos) fueron bilaterales y en dos casos solamente izquierdo. Se observó un cierto patrón predominante: aumento de perfusión temporal bilateral, con implicación de las regiones más anteriores del hemisferio izquierdo, así como medias y posteriores del derecho. El porcentaje de incremento máximo de la perfusión en la valoración semicuantitativa fue del 12 por ciento. Conclusión. Aunque los cambios observados pueden corresponder a la activación de regiones corticales relacionadas con diversas funciones cerebrales, consideramos que con la técnica de SPECT son detectables cambios de perfusión en las regiones cerebrales que intervienen durante el proceso del lenguaje (AU)

[Solid liver mass. Studies with nuclear medicine]. / Masa hepática sólida. Estudios de Medicina Nuclear.

We present the case of a 23 year old female with two incidentally detected hepatic mass that have not clinically o radiologically specific findings. Nuclear medicine tracers, including colloids and hepatobiliary agents showing the characteristic findings of focal nodular hyperplasia: Hypervascularization, normal uptake of colloids, accumulation of hepatobiliary tracer and hot spots due to the retention of this tracer during the clearance fhase. The patient was underwent hepatectomy. The examination of surgical specimen revealed focal nodular hyperplasia. The scintigraphic studies could be an useful tool in the noninvasive diagnosis of liver masses.