ABSTRACT
The Granada group in BNCT research is currently performing studies on: nuclear and radiobiological data for BNCT, new boron compounds and a new design for a neutron source for BNCT and other applications, including the production of medical radioisotopes. All these activities are described in this report.
Subject(s)
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy/methods , Particle Accelerators , Humans , Monte Carlo Method , NeutronsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET in the definition of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and analyze diagnostic validity of CT scan and FDG-PET in its staging. METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of potentially resectable NSCLC (n = 108) were studied by standard procedures in our setting, including fibrobronchoscopy, transthoracic fine-needle aspiration, thoracoabdominal CT scan and FDG-PET. Gold standard was histopathological study in patients who underwent surgery and by specific imaging methods and biopsy, when available, in patients who did not. RESULTS: In 13% of patients, the FDG-PET findings were negative and no tumor was observed in the histological study of the piece. In 22% of patients, FDG-PET detected metastatic disease (M0 by CT scan). For mediastinal involvement, global diagnostic accuracy was 0.90 with FDG-PET and 0.59 with CT scan. False positive FDG-PET findings were produced by inflammatory conditions and false negative findings by the small size or proximity of lymph nodes to primary tumor. Mediastinal staging by CT scan and FDG-PET was correct in 56% and 87% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although complementary, the functional method (FDG-PET) is significantly superior to the structural method (CT) for detection of mediastinal tumor disease.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radiopharmaceuticals , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Prospective Studies , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Describe our experience with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), in patients with uterine sarcomas, under suspicion of recurrence and in tumour staging after hysterectomy as an incidental pathology finding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review, between april 2002 and january 2006, of FDG-PET performed in 10 patients with clinical diagnosis of uterine sarcoma was made (7 patients under recurrence suspicion and three under initial staging). Mean age was 52.2 yrs. Evolution time after initial diagnosis vary from one month to 15 yrs (median time: 14 months). Lesions were classified as 8 leiomyosarcomas and 2 carcinosarcomas. FIGO staging were establish resulting 5 patients stage I, 1 patient stage III, and 4 patients stage IV. RESULTS: 4 of 7 patients under suspicion of recurrence showed discrepancies between positron emission tomography (PET) and conventional imaging techniques (CIT) information. FDG-PET was negative in three cases of non-conclusive CT. PET was negative in one case with pulmonary metastases. The 3 staging studies were concordant both FDG-PET and CIT images. Pathological information was obtained in 5 cases, and a mean time of 14 months of clinical follow up was made. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET can be useful in the follow up of uterine sarcoma patients, and also when it is an incidental finding in other causes hysterectomy.
Subject(s)
Fluorine Radioisotopes , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Leiomyosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnostic imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radiopharmaceuticals , Uterine Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Carcinosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Carcinosarcoma/pathology , Female , Humans , Hysterectomy , Incidental Findings , Leiomyosarcoma/pathology , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Retrospective Studies , Uterine Neoplasms/pathologySubject(s)
Osteosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Sarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Humans , Male , Radionuclide Imaging , ThighABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of FDG-PET in the follow-up of patients treated for endometrial cancer and with suspicion of recurrence according to conventional imaging methods (CT, MRI) and/or elevation of serum tumour markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2002 and December 2005, eleven patients underwent 17 FDG-PET studies (six with 2 studies); mean age was 63.4 yrs (range, 52-69 yrs) and time since diagnosis ranged from 11 months to 12 yrs (mean of 56 months). Initially, seven patients were in stage I, three in stage III and one in stage IV (FIGO classification). Histologically, they corresponded to 8 endometrioid carcinomas and 3 non endometrioid carcinomas. RESULTS: FDG-PET showed infradiaphragmatic uptake in 3 patients and disseminated disease in 7 cases. FDG-PET showed no uptake in one patient. CT (n = 7) or MRI (n = 7) detected infradiaphragmatic lesions in 5 patients and visceral lesions in 2. In 11 patients, tumour markers were elevated (CA125, n = 9; CA19.9, n = 2; CA15.3, n = 2). In 7 patients, FDG-PET modified the information yielded by conventional imaging techniques and in 4 patients, the FDG-PET contributed no additional information. In 2 patients, histologic confirmation of the lesions was obtained and in 9 patients, there were clinical follow-up (from 3 to 20 months, mean of 8.7 months) and imaging studies. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET is superior to CT and MRI for detecting recurrences in the follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Endometrial Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnostic imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radiopharmaceuticals , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
We have reviewed the legislation about the quality control of dose calibrator. The importance of verifying the correct work of these instruments, is fundamental in daily practice of radiopharmacy and nuclear medicine. The Spanish legislation establishes to include these controls as part of the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals, and the program of quality assurance in nuclear medicine. We have reviewed guides and protocols from international eminent organizations, summarizing the recommended tests and periodicity of them.
Subject(s)
Calibration/standards , Quality Control , Radiation Dosage , Radiopharmaceuticals/administration & dosage , Nuclear Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Nuclear Medicine/standards , Reproducibility of Results , SpainABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography with Tl-201 (SPECT Tl-201) to establish the tumoral or non-tumoral nature of brain space occupying lesions in comparison with usual diagnostic techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 37 patients, 24 men (64.9 %) and 13 women (35.1 %), mean age 48 +/- 16 years. After establishing the clinical and radiological diagnosis of brain lesion, all patients underwent SPECT Tl-201, evaluating it only by subjective analysis and blinded to neuroestructural techniques. After surgical resection all patients were evaluated anatomopathologically to establish the histologic nature. RESULTS: The sensitivity of SPECT Tl-201 (0.87) was higher than standard neuroimaging techniques (0.78). Specificity (0.43), positive (0.87) and negative (0.43) predictive values of SPECT were similar to neuroestructural procedures (MRI and CT scan) with 0.43, 0.82 and 0.38 values. Tumoral disease prevalence was 0.81. Neuroestructural procedures were non-conclusive in 18.9 % of the studies. No non-conclusive results were obtained with SPECT Tl-201. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT Tl-201 is a diagnostic procedure of high sensitivity to establish the tumoral nature of brain lesions, with poor specificity, similar to structural X-ray techniques.