[18F]-Sodium fluoride uptake in Takayasu arteritis.

BACKGROUND: While 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride with positron emission tomography relate with inflammation and calcification, their role in the assessment of patients with Takayasu arteritis has not yet been studied. METHODS: We present 5 patients with suspected active metabolic disease who underwent PET with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride in order to explore the locations and correlations of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride uptakes. Diagnosis of metabolic active disease was based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. RESULTS: We studied 3 female patients and 2 male patients. Median age was 29 years (min: 19 max: 63). In areas with atherosclerotic plaques, we found a negative correlation between 18F-sodium fluoride and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptakes (r = -0.78) (P = .001). Meanwhile, in areas with only metabolic active disease, we found a positive correlation between 18F-sodium fluoride and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptakes (r = 0.94) (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: In Takayasu arteritis, 18F-sodium fluoride uptake can document different stages of metabolic disease, even in the absence of active metabolic disease or symptoms.

[Splenectomy in histiocytosis X]. / Esplenectomía en histiocitosis X.

Present concepts of histiocytosis X are reviewed and the results obtained in three patients that underwent splenectomy are described; postoperative survival is analyzed in order to evaluate the possible beneficial influence of splenectomy. One case corresponded to a female with a survival of nine years and another one a male with a survival of fifteen months; both received postoperative treatment with corticosteroids and are asymptomatic at the present time. The third case had an unfavorable evolution (he did not receive postoperative treatment). Even though present experience dose not alow to establish definitive conclusions, we must consider in the usefulness of splenectomy as a part of the treatment of histiocytosis X.

[Spontaneous perforation of the bile ducts in childhood]. / Perforación espontánea de las vías biliares en la infancia.

At the pediatric surgery service of Centro Médico La Raza during 20 years six spontaneous perforations of biliary ducts have occurred. Two groups of causes are proposed; the first includes previous biliary ducts malformations with two sub-groups, one with great malformations as partial atresia, cystic dilatation and cystic disease of the biliary tract; the second sub-group includes weak areas. The second group has no previous pathology. Precipitating causes are infections and obstructions. Three of the six patients corresponded to duct perforation and three to gallbladder perforation; the initial diagnosis was different to biliary pathology in all the patients. Male were predominant; there was no previous pathology in any patient; this is difficult to interpret as all of them presented with important morphologic changes. Treatment possibilities are discussed comparing our experience with others'.