An Overview of Appropriate Medical Practice and Preparedness in Radiation Emergency Response.

Radiation emergencies involving high doses of nuclear radiation pose significant risks from exposure to ionizing radiation in various scenarios. These situations include transportation accidents involving radioactive materials, occupational exposure, nuclear detonations, dirty bombs, and nuclear power plant accidents. In addition to the immediate risks of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and related diseases, long-term exposure can increase the risk of other health issues such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children, face particular concern due to potential impacts on their health and the health of unborn babies. The severity of ARS depends on several factors such as radiation dose, quality, dose rate, exposure uniformity, and individual biological responses. Bioindicators are biological responses or markers that help assess the severity and effects of radiation exposure on an individual. Bioindicators can include physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or laboratory tests such as changes in blood cell counts and gene expression that can help in assessing and treating exposed individuals. Additionally, early prodromal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and erythema can provide important clues for diagnosis and treatment. Developing a comprehensive plan for radiation emergencies is vital for safeguarding public health, infrastructure, and the environment. First responders play a critical role in establishing safety perimeters, triage, and coordination with various stakeholders. Education and training are essential for medical personnel and the public. This article provides general recommendations and identifies challenges to effective radiation emergency preparedness and response.

Unmasking Coincident Hodgkin Lymphoma and Giant Cell Tumor: Insights from [18F] FDG PET/CT.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumors represent a group of typically non-malignant tumors found within the joints and soft tissues. The occurrence of tenosynovial giant cell tumor alongside hematologic malignancies is an infrequent finding. Herein, we report a patient who presented with coinciding Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and tenosynovial giant cell tumor before chemotherapy initiation. The case was discovered during initial assessment using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging for HL staging. An unrelated hypermetabolic mass within the left knee joint led to the discovery of this unusual case, which led to a CT-guided biopsy and tenosynovial giant cell tumor discovery. This was clearly demonstrated in interim and end-of-therapy PET/CT studies when all lymphomatous lesions had resolved but the tenosynovial giant cell tumor remained. This case serves as a reminder of the intricate nature of oncological pathology and emphasizes the need for thorough and vigilant diagnostic evaluation for optimal management plan.

An unusual case of Takayasu arteritis presenting with persistent cough in a young female patient: A case report.

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory arteritis of large vessels. Females aged 20-40 are usually affected and the manifestations can range from asymptomatic disease to major cardiovascular and neurological abnormalities. Herein, we present a case of a 20-year-old female who had a persistent cough as the initial manifestation of an underlying TA. She had a free past medical history. The patient sought medical help multiple times and took many antibiotics with no improvement. Laboratory tests showed a marked elevation in inflammatory markers so the patient was admitted for further investigations. CT scan showed a circumferential mural thickening involving mainly the descending thoracic aorta which is highly suggestive of an underlying chronic granulomatous vasculitis behind this. Our patient was treated with a combination of corticosteroid and azathioprine and showed substantial improvement after 2 weeks. TA can present with various symptoms. Therefore, patients presenting with atypical symptoms and late-onset vascular symptoms need a high degree of suspicion with close follow-up to allow early detection of any complication.

The Diagnostic and Predictive Value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

This retrospective study examines the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting nodal metastasis for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and assesses the predictive values of metabolic and structural features derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT. By involving 66 patients from 2014 to 2021, the sensitivity and specificity of both modalities were calculated. 18F-FDG PET/CT outperforms neck MRI for nodal disease detection, with 89% sensitivity, 65% specificity, and 77% accuracy for nodal metastasis (p = 0.03). On the other hand, neck MRI had 66% sensitivity, 62% specificity, and 64% accuracy. Approximately 11% of patients witnessed a change in their therapy intent when relying on 18F-FDG PET/CT nodal staging results. Analyzing the cohort for PET-derived metabolic and morphological parameters, a total of 167 lymph nodes (LN) were visualized. Parameters such as the LN maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and LN size were computed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Among the 167 identified cervical LNs, 111 were histopathologically confirmed as positive. ROC analysis revealed the highest area under the curve for LN MTV (0.89; p < 0.01), followed by LN size (0.87; p < 0.01). Both MTV and LN size independently predicted LN metastasis through multivariate analysis. In addition, LN MTV can reliably predict false-positive LNs in preoperative staging, offering a promising imaging-based approach for further exploration.

FDG PET/CT Depicting Right Iliac Vein Tumor Thrombosis following Low Anterior Resection in Rectal Cancer Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Venous tumor thrombus is a rare complication of rectal cancer but is more common in other types of cancer, like renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. The usual site of tumor thrombus in rectal cancer patients is the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), which is seldom seen in the common iliac vein, with only a few cases reported till now. We present a case of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid right iliac vein tumor thrombosis after low anterior resection in a patient with rectal cancer and review the literature.