Metastatic pancreatic and lung cancer patient in complete remission following immunotherapy: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with dispiriting survival data. Immunotherapy is a promising approach to many cancer types, but achieves poor outcomes in advanced PDAC due to its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We describe a case of metastatic PDAC effectively treated with pembrolizumab. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with unresectable locally advanced PDAC, treated with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel followed by radiotherapy plus capecitabine. At nine months, pancreatic tumor progression was observed at the level of the hepatic hilum with the appearance of a new pulmonary nodule suggestive of a second primary, confirmed by left lung biopsy. Systemic immunotherapy was then initiated with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed cell death protein-1 that covers the two tumor types. The patient showed a complete metabolic response that was maintained throughout the treatment. The patient continues to be disease-free at 5.6 years since the start of immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the administration of pembrolizumab after chemoradiotherapy has a beneficial effect in patients with metastatic PDAC. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with metastatic PDAC and metastatic lung cancer showing such a long-lasting complete response after pembrolizumab treatment without curative surgery. Further studies are required to determine biomarkers that identify PDAC patients most likely to benefit from this immunotherapy.

Recommendations for the management of yttrium-90 radioembolization in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases: a multidisciplinary review / Recomendaciones para el manejo de la radioembolización con itrio-90 en el tratamiento de pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal: una revisión multidisciplinaria

Purpose: Strategies for the treatment of liver metastases from colon cancer (lmCRC) are constantly evolving. Radioembolization with yttrium 90 (Y-90 TARE) has made significant advancements in treating liver tumors and is now considered a potential option allowing for future resection. This study reviewed the scientific evidence and developed recommendations for using Y-90 TARE as a treatment strategy for patients with unresectable lmCRC. Methods: A multidisciplinary scientific committee, consisting of experts in medical oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, radiology, and nuclear medicine, all with extensive experience in treating patients with ImCRC with Y-90 TARE, led this project. The committee established the criteria for conducting a comprehensive literature review on Y-90 TARE in the treatment of lmCRC. The data extraction process involved addressing initial preliminary inquiries, which were consolidated into a final set of questions. Results: This review offers recommendations for treating patients with lmCRC using Y-90 TARE, addressing four areas covering ten common questions: 1) General issues (multidisciplinary tumor committee, indications for treatment, contraindications); 2) Previous process (predictive biomarkers for patient selection, preintervention tests, published evidence); 3) Procedure (standard procedure); and 4) Post-intervention follow-up (potential toxicity and its management, parameters for evaluation, quality of life). Conclusions: Based on the insights of the multidisciplinary committee, this document offers a comprehensive overview of the technical aspects involved in the management of Y-90 TARE. It synthesizes recommendations for applying Y-90 TARE across various phases of the treatment process.(AU)

Recommendations for the management of yttrium-90 radioembolization in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases: a multidisciplinary review.

PURPOSE: Strategies for the treatment of liver metastases from colon cancer (lmCRC) are constantly evolving. Radioembolization with yttrium 90 (Y-90 TARE) has made significant advancements in treating liver tumors and is now considered a potential option allowing for future resection. This study reviewed the scientific evidence and developed recommendations for using Y-90 TARE as a treatment strategy for patients with unresectable lmCRC. METHODS: A multidisciplinary scientific committee, consisting of experts in medical oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, radiology, and nuclear medicine, all with extensive experience in treating patients with ImCRC with Y-90 TARE, led this project. The committee established the criteria for conducting a comprehensive literature review on Y-90 TARE in the treatment of lmCRC. The data extraction process involved addressing initial preliminary inquiries, which were consolidated into a final set of questions. RESULTS: This review offers recommendations for treating patients with lmCRC using Y-90 TARE, addressing four areas covering ten common questions: 1) General issues (multidisciplinary tumor committee, indications for treatment, contraindications); 2) Previous process (predictive biomarkers for patient selection, preintervention tests, published evidence); 3) Procedure (standard procedure); and 4) Post-intervention follow-up (potential toxicity and its management, parameters for evaluation, quality of life). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the insights of the multidisciplinary committee, this document offers a comprehensive overview of the technical aspects involved in the management of Y-90 TARE. It synthesizes recommendations for applying Y-90 TARE across various phases of the treatment process.

[18F]DCFPyL PET/CT versus [18F]fluoromethylcholine PET/CT in Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer (PYTHON): a prospective, open label, cross-over, comparative study.

PURPOSE: Primary objective was to compare the per-patient detection rates (DR) of [18F]DCFPyL versus [18F]fluoromethylcholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), in patients with first prostate cancer (PCa) biochemical recurrence (BCR). Secondary endpoints included safety and impact on patient management (PM). METHODS: This was a prospective, open label, cross-over, comparative study with randomized treatment administration of [18F]DCFPyL (investigational medicinal product) or [18F]fluoromethylcholine (comparator). Men with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after initial curative therapy were enrolled. [18F]DCFPyL and [18F]fluoromethylcholine PET/CTs were performed within a maximum time interval of 12 days. DR was defined as the percentage of positive PET/CT scans identified by 3 central imaging readers. PM was assessed by comparing the proposed pre-PET/CT treatment with the local treatment", defined after considering both PET/CTs. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients with first BCR after radical prostatectomy (73%; median PSA = 0.46 ng/ml [CI 0.16;27.0]) or radiation therapy (27%; median PSA = 4.23 ng/ml [CI 1.4;98.6]) underwent [18F]DCFPyL- and/or [18F]fluoromethylcholine -PET/CTs, between July and December 2020, at 22 European sites. 201 patients completed the study. The per-patient DR was significantly higher for [18F]DCFPyL- compared to [18F]fluoromethylcholine -PET/CTs (58% (117/201 patients) vs. 40% (81/201 patients), p < 0.0001). DR increased with higher PSA values for both tracers (PSA ≤ 0.5 ng/ml: 26/74 (35%) vs. 22/74 (30%); PSA 0.5 to ≤ 1.0 ng/ml: 17/31 (55%) vs. 10/31 (32%); PSA 1.01 to < 2.0 ng/ml: 13/19 (68%) vs. 6/19 (32%);PSA > 2.0: 50/57 (88%) vs. 39/57 (68%) for [18F]DCFPyL- and [18F]fluoromethylcholine -PET/CT, respectively). [18F]DCFPyL PET/CT had an impact on PM in 44% (90/204) of patients versus 29% (58/202) for [18F]fluoromethylcholine. Overall, no drug-related nor serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The primary endpoint of this study was achieved, confirming a significantly higher detection rate for [18F]DCFPyL compared to [18F]fluoromethylcholine, in men with first BCR of PCa, across a wide PSA range. [18F]DCFPyL was safe and well tolerated.

Impact of routine preoperative 18 FDG PET/CT on the surgical management of primary colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the usefulness of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 FDG-PET/CT) in the preoperative setting of colorectal cancer (CRC), assessing its impact on changes in management strategy. METHODS: Retrospective study of CRC patients who underwent preoperative 18 FDG-PET/CT and CT staging scans in a single referral center. The agreement between 18 FDG-PET/CT, contrast-enhanced CT, and colonoscopy for the surgical location was compared using the κ coefficient. Maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax ) value was obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-five patients were included. 18 FDG-PET/CT improved tumor localization in 84.6% (165/195) of cases (κ value 0.798, p < 0.001), thus correcting endoscopic errors 69.7% (30/43) of the time. In patients with incomplete colonoscopies, 18 FDG-PET/CT detected synchronous tumors in 2.5% (5/195) patients, overlooked by CT staging scans. Based on extracolonic 18 FDG-uptake, the second primary malignancy was diagnosed in 7(3.6%,7/195) patients and total accuracy for lymph node and distant metastasis was 66.1% and 98.4%, respectively. The treatment plan was altered in 30 (15.4%, 30/196) patients. There was a significant association between the SUVmax and tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 4.254, p = 0.003) and the depth of tumor invasion (OR 1.696, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Based on its ability to aid in preoperative evaluation and definitively alter surgical treatment planning, 18 FDG-PET/CT should be further evaluated in primary CRC.

Comparing walking with knee-ankle-foot orthoses and a knee-powered exoskeleton after spinal cord injury: a randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Recovering the ability to stand and walk independently can have numerous health benefits for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Wearable exoskeletons are being considered as a promising alternative to conventional knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) for gait training and assisting functional mobility. However, comparisons between these two types of devices in terms of gait biomechanics and energetics have been limited. Through a randomized, crossover clinical trial, this study compared the use of a knee-powered lower limb exoskeleton (the ABLE Exoskeleton) against passive orthoses, which are the current standard of care for verticalization and gait ambulation outside the clinical setting in people with SCI. Ten patients with SCI completed a 10-session gait training program with each device followed by user satisfaction questionnaires. Walking with the ABLE Exoskeleton improved gait kinematics compared to the KAFOs, providing a more physiological gait pattern with less compensatory movements (38% reduction of circumduction, 25% increase of step length, 29% improvement in weight shifting). However, participants did not exhibit significantly better results in walking performance for the standard clinical tests (Timed Up and Go, 10-m Walk Test, and 6-min Walk Test), nor significant reductions in energy consumption. These results suggest that providing powered assistance only on the knee joints is not enough to significantly reduce the energy consumption required by people with SCI to walk compared to passive orthoses. Active assistance on the hip or ankle joints seems necessary to achieve this outcome.

[18F]FDG PET/CT in Short-Term Complications of COVID-19: Metabolic Markers of Persistent Inflammation and Impaired Respiratory Function.

SARS-CoV-2 virus infects organs other than the lung, such as mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, but, to date, metabolic imaging studies obtained in short-term follow-ups of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection are rare. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in the short-term follow-up of patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia and to explore the association of the findings with clinical prognostic markers. The prospective study included 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (November 2020-March 2021). Clinical and laboratory test findings were gathered at admission, 48-72 h post-admission, and 2-3 months post-discharge, when [18F]FDG-PET/CT and respiratory function tests were performed. Lung volumes, spirometry, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and respiratory muscle strength were measured. Volumetric [18F]FDG-PET/CT results were correlated with laboratory and respiratory parameters. Eleven [18F]FDG-PET/CT (55%) were positive, with hypermetabolic mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 90.9%. Mediastinal lesion's SUVpeak was correlated with white cells' count. Eleven (55%) patients had impaired respiratory function, including reduced DLCO (35%). SUVpeak was correlated with %predicted-DLCO. TLG was negatively correlated with %predicted-DLCO and TLC. In the short-term follow-up of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia, [18F]FDG-PET/CT findings revealed significant detectable inflammation in lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes that correlated with pulmonary function impairment in more than half of the patients.

Systematic review on wearable lower-limb exoskeletons for gait training in neuromuscular impairments.

Gait disorders can reduce the quality of life for people with neuromuscular impairments. Therefore, walking recovery is one of the main priorities for counteracting sedentary lifestyle, reducing secondary health conditions and restoring legged mobility. At present, wearable powered lower-limb exoskeletons are emerging as a revolutionary technology for robotic gait rehabilitation. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview on wearable lower-limb exoskeletons for people with neuromuscular impairments, addressing the following three questions: (1) what is the current technological status of wearable lower-limb exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation?, (2) what is the methodology used in the clinical validations of wearable lower-limb exoskeletons?, and (3) what are the benefits and current evidence on clinical efficacy of wearable lower-limb exoskeletons? We analyzed 87 clinical studies focusing on both device technology (e.g., actuators, sensors, structure) and clinical aspects (e.g., training protocol, outcome measures, patient impairments), and make available the database with all the compiled information. The results of the literature survey reveal that wearable exoskeletons have potential for a number of applications including early rehabilitation, promoting physical exercise, and carrying out daily living activities both at home and the community. Likewise, wearable exoskeletons may improve mobility and independence in non-ambulatory people, and may reduce secondary health conditions related to sedentariness, with all the advantages that this entails. However, the use of this technology is still limited by heavy and bulky devices, which require supervision and the use of walking aids. In addition, evidence supporting their benefits is still limited to short-intervention trials with few participants and diversity among their clinical protocols. Wearable lower-limb exoskeletons for gait rehabilitation are still in their early stages of development and randomized control trials are needed to demonstrate their clinical efficacy.

Differential Diagnosis of Hepatic Mass with Central Scar: Focal Nodular Hyperplasia Mimicking Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary hepatic tumor that usually appears in young adults. Radical surgery is considered curative for this kind of tumor, so early diagnosis becomes essential for the prognosis of the patients. The main characteristic of this entity is the central scar, which is the center of differential diagnosis. We report the case of a 30-year-old man who was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma by ultrasonography. Contrast-enhanced CT confirmed this diagnosis, and the patient underwent a [18F] fluorocholine PET/CT. Hypermetabolism and the morphology in the nuclear medicine exploration suggest neoplastic nature of the lesion. Radical surgery was performed, and histopathologic analysis was performed, which resulted in focal nodular hyperplasia. Hepatic masses with central scar could have a difficult differential diagnosis, and focal nodular hyperplasia could mimic fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma imaging patterns. These morphofunctional characteristics have not been described in [18F] Fluorocholine PET/CT, so there is a need to find out the potential role PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of hepatic mass with central scar.

Evaluation of an exercise-enabling control interface for powered wheelchair users: a feasibility study with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Powered wheelchairs are an essential technology to support mobility, yet their use is associated with a high level of sedentarism that can have negative health effects for their users. People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) start using a powered wheelchair in their early teens due to the loss of strength in their legs and arms. There is evidence that low-intensity exercise can help preserve the functional abilities of people with DMD, but options for exercise when sitting in a powered wheelchair are limited. METHODS: In this paper, we present the design and the feasibility study of a new version of the MOVit device that allows powered-wheelchair users to exercise while driving the chair. Instead of using a joystick to drive the wheelchair, users move their arms through a cyclical motion using two powered, mobile arm supports that provide controller inputs to the chair. The feasibility study was carried out with a group of five individuals with DMD and five unimpaired individuals. Participants performed a series of driving tasks in a wheelchair simulator and on a real driving course with a standard joystick and with the MOVit 2.0 device. RESULTS: We found that driving speed and accuracy were significantly lowered for both groups when driving with MOVit compared to the joystick, but the decreases were small (speed was 0.26 m/s less and maximum path error was 0.1 m greater). Driving with MOVit produced a significant increase in heart rate (7.5 bpm) compared to the joystick condition. Individuals with DMD reported a high level of satisfaction with their performance and comfort in using MOVit. CONCLUSIONS: These results show for the first time that individuals with DMD can easily transition to driving a powered wheelchair using cyclical arm motions, achieving a reasonable driving performance with a short period of training. Driving in this way elicits cardiopulmonary exercise at an intensity found previously to produce health-related benefits in DMD.

Impact of amyloid-PET in daily clinical management of patients with cognitive impairment fulfilling appropriate use criteria.

To evaluate the use of amyloid-positron emission tomography (PET) in routine clinical practice, in a selected population with cognitive impairment that meets appropriate use criteria (AUC).A multicenter, observational, prospective case-series study of 211patients from 2 level-3 hospitals who fulfilled clinical AUC for amyloid-PET scan in a naturalistic setting. Certainty degree was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale: 0 (very low probability); 1 (low probability); 2 (intermediate probability); 3 (high probability); and 4 (practically sure), before and after amyloid PET. The treatment plan was considered as cognition-specific or noncognition-specific.Amyloid-PET was positive in 118 patients (55.9%) and negative in 93 patients (44.1%). Diagnostic prescan confidence according amyloid-PET results showed that in both, negative and positive-PET subgroup, the most frequent category was intermediate probability (45.7% and 55.1%, respectively). After the amyloid-PET, the diagnostic confidence showed a very different distribution, that was, in the negative-PET group the most frequent categories are very unlikely (70.7%) and unlikely (29.3%), while in the positive-PET group were very probable (57.6%) and practically sure (39%). Only in 14/211 patients (6.6%) the result of the amyloid-PET did not influence the diagnostic confidence, while in 194 patients (93.4%), the diagnostic confidence improved significantly after amyloid-PET results. The therapeutic intention was modified in 93 patients (44.1%). Specific treatment for Alzheimer disease was started, before amyloid-PET, in 80 patients (37.9%).This naturalistic study provides evidence that the implementation of amyloid-PET is associated with a significant improvement in diagnostic confidence and has a high impact on the therapeutic management of patients with mild cognitive impairment fulfilled clinical AUC.

Utilidad de la PET/TC con 18F-fluorocolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata: relevancia de la cinética del PSA y la terapia hormonal / Usefulness of 18F-fluorocoline PET/CT in prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence: Influence of PSA kinetics and hormone therapy

Objetivo: Evaluar la capacidad de la 18F-fluorometilcolina (FCH) tomografía por emisión de positrones/tomografía computarizada (PET/TC) en la detección de la enfermedad en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata, su correlación con la cinética del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) y la influencia de la terapia hormonal antiandrogénica. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo, que incluyó a pacientes con cáncer de próstata y criterios de recidiva bioquímica y/o resistencia a la castración, según la Asociación Europea de Urología. Los resultados de la FCH PET/TC se categorizaron en dos grupos (positivo vs. negativo) utilizando como gold estándar la anatomía patológica, otras pruebas de imagen y/o seguimiento clínico. Se estudió la relación entre la FCH PET/TC y la cinética del PSA (PSA en el momento de la exploración [trigger-PSA], tiempo de duplicación [PSAdt] y velocidad de ascenso [PSAva]) y se analizó la influencia de la terapia hormonal. Resultados: Se incluyeron 203 pacientes. La tasa de detección global de la FCH PET/TC fue del 43,3%. El grupo de pacientes con FCH PET/TC positiva mostró una cinética de PSA más agresiva (PSAdt: 7,5±7,5meses y PSAva 8,37±14,8ng/ml/a) que el grupo FCH PET/TC negativa (PSAdt: 14,5±7,6meses y PSAva: 1,8±3,7ng/ml/a). La tasa de detección de la FCH-PET/TC en el subgrupo con resistencia a la castración fue del 89,1%, significativamente mayor a la tasa del 29,9% del grupo con tratamiento curativo, p <0,001. Conclusiones: La FCH PET/TC es útil en la detección de la enfermedad en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata, especialmente en los pacientes con terapia hormonal o cinética del PSA más agresiva

Purpose: To evaluate the capacity of 18f-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer and to determine the correlation with PSA kinetics and influence of antiandrogen hormone therapy. Patients and methods: Observational and retrospective study, which included patients with prostate cancer and criteria for biochemical recurrence and/or resistance to castration, according to the European Association of Urology. FCH PET/CT results were classified as positive or negative, using as gold standard the pathology report, findings of other imaging test, and/or clinical follow-up results. The correlation between FCH PET/CT and PSA kinetics (PSA at the time of exploration [PSA-trigger], doubling time [PSAdt] and velocity [PSAva]) was studied and the influence of hormone therapy was analysed. Results: The study included 203 patients. The FCH PET/CT detection rate was 43.3%. The group of patients with FCH PET/CT positive showed more aggressive PSA kinetics (PSAdt: 7.5 months and PSAva 8.37±14.8ng/ml/a) than the FCH PET/CT negative group (PSAdt: 14.5±7.6 months and PSAva: 1.8±3.7ng/ml/a). The detection rate of FCH PET/CT in the subgroup with castration resistance was 89.1%, significantly higher than in the group with radical treatment at 29.9%, p<.001. Conclusions: FCH PET/CT is useful to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, especially in patients who receive hormone therapy or more aggressive PSA kinetics

Usefulness of 18F-fluorocoline PET/CT in prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence: Influence of PSA kinetics and hormone therapy. / Utilidad de la PET/TC con 18F-fluorocolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata: relevancia de la cinética del PSA y la terapia hormonal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the capacity of 18f-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer and to determine the correlation with PSA kinetics and influence of antiandrogen hormone therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational and retrospective study, which included patients with prostate cancer and criteria for biochemical recurrence and/or resistance to castration, according to the European Association of Urology. FCH PET/CT results were classified as positive or negative, using as gold standard the pathology report, findings of other imaging test, and/or clinical follow-up results. The correlation between FCH PET/CT and PSA kinetics (PSA at the time of exploration [PSA-trigger], doubling time [PSAdt] and velocity [PSAva]) was studied and the influence of hormone therapy was analysed. RESULTS: The study included 203 patients. The FCH PET/CT detection rate was 43.3%. The group of patients with FCH PET/CT positive showed more aggressive PSA kinetics (PSAdt: 7.5 months and PSAva 8.37±14.8ng/ml/a) than the FCH PET/CT negative group (PSAdt: 14.5±7.6 months and PSAva: 1.8±3.7ng/ml/a). The detection rate of FCH PET/CT in the subgroup with castration resistance was 89.1%, significantly higher than in the group with radical treatment at 29.9%, p<.001. CONCLUSIONS: FCH PET/CT is useful to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, especially in patients who receive hormone therapy or more aggressive PSA kinetics.

Using CT Data to Improve the Quantitative Analysis of 18F-FBB PET Neuroimages.

18F-FBB PET is a neuroimaging modality that is been increasingly used to assess brain amyloid deposits in potential patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this work, we analyze the usefulness of these data to distinguish between AD and non-AD patients. A dataset with 18F-FBB PET brain images from 94 subjects diagnosed with AD and other disorders was evaluated by means of multiple analyses based on t-test, ANOVA, Fisher Discriminant Analysis and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification. In addition, we propose to calculate amyloid standardized uptake values (SUVs) using only gray-matter voxels, which can be estimated using Computed Tomography (CT) images. This approach allows assessing potential brain amyloid deposits along with the gray matter loss and takes advantage of the structural information provided by most of the scanners used for PET examination, which allow simultaneous PET and CT data acquisition. The results obtained in this work suggest that SUVs calculated according to the proposed method allow AD and non-AD subjects to be more accurately differentiated than using SUVs calculated with standard approaches.

Association of circulating tumour cells with early relapse and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography uptake in resected non-small-cell lung cancers.

OBJECTIVES: More than 20% of lung cancer patients develop a recurrence, even after curative resection. We hypothesized that relapse may arise from the dissemination of circulating tumour cells (CTCs). This study evaluates the significance of CTC detection as regards the recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in surgically resected patients. Secondly, we investigated the association between CTCs and the uptake of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by the primary tumour on a positron emission tomographic (PET) scan. METHODS: In this single-centre prospective study, blood samples for analysis of CTCs were obtained from 102 patients with Stage I-IIIA NSCLC both before (CTC1) and 1 month after (CTC2) radical resection. CTCs were isolated using immunomagnetic techniques. The presence of CTCs was correlated with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured on preoperative FDG PET/computed tomographic scans. Recurrence free survival (RFS) analysis was performed. RESULTS: CTCs were detected in 39.2% of patients before and in 27.5% 1 month after the operation. The presence of CTCs after the operation was significantly correlated with SUVmax on PET scans, pathological stage and surgical approach. Only SUVmax was an independent predictor for the presence of CTC2 on multivariate analysis. Postoperative CTCs were significantly correlated with a shorter RFS ( P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, the presence of CTC2 was associated with RFS, independent of disease staging. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of CTCs 1 month after radical resection might be a useful marker to predict early recurrence in Stage I-III NSCLC. The SUVmax value of the primary tumour on preoperative PET scans was associated with the presence of CTC 1 month after the operation.

Changes in the severity of aortic regurgitation at peak effort during exercise.

BACKGROUND: Chronic aortic regurgitation can be well tolerated for a long time. Some patients with normal ventricular function can even reach high levels of sporting performance. How the severity of regurgitation may change during exercise, however, is little known, although some studies suggest it diminishes. The present work examines, during exercise, the functional capacity, ventricular function, and regurgitation fraction (RF) in asymptomatic subjects with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation with preserved ejection fraction. METHODS: The study subjects (n=32; 23 men, 9 women) were patients referred to our echocardiography laboratory with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation, preserved left ventricular systolic function, and sinus rhythm into NYHA functional class I. All underwent transthoracic echocardiography at rest and at peak effort during an exercise protocol involving an inclined cycloergometer. Left atrial and ventricular volume indices were recorded, along with diastolic and systolic function, cardiac index, peripheral resistance, and RF. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 43.8±18.2years; 59% suffered moderate regurgitation, 41% severe aortic regurgitation, and 84% had a dilated left ventricle. All subjects managed exercise loads adequate for their age. Peak effort was associated with a significant reduction (mean 44.5% [range 10-95%]) in the RF (21.8±13.2 vs. 39.3%±14.7% at rest; p=0.0001). The absolute reduction in the RF at peak effort was greater among the subjects with severe aortic regurgitation (21.2% vs. 13.3% in those with moderate regurgitation; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The RF becomes smaller during exercise in asymptomatic subjects with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation and preserved ventricular function.

Técnicas de imagen en el intervencionismo percutáneo estructural: cierre de comunicación interauricular y oclusión de la orejuela izquierda / Imaging techniques in percutaneous cardiac structural interventions: atrial septal defect closure and left atrial appendage occlusion

El desarrollo de procedimientos intervencionistas en el tratamiento de las cardiopatías estructurales confiere a las técnicas de imagen un papel fundamental. Permiten explorar detalles anatómicos de las estructuras del corazón necesarios para conseguir excelentes resultados. Hasta el 98% de las comunicaciones interauriculares ostium secundum pueden cerrarse con éxito de manera percutánea. Una sistemática evaluación de la anatomía del septo interauricular, que incluya la detección y la cuantificación del tamaño y la forma de todos los defectos, los bordes del tejido que rodea el defecto y el grado y la dirección del cortocircuito, permite la correcta selección de candidatos. La ecocardiografía tridimensional ha mejorado significativamente la evaluación y los resultados. En el futuro, su fusión con otras modalidades de imágenes, como la tomografía computarizada cardiaca y la fluoroscopia, será especialmente útil para guiar el procedimiento. El cierre percutáneo de la orejuela izquierda es una alternativa para el tratamiento de pacientes con fibrilación auricular y contraindicación para la anticoagulación oral. Se prevé incluso que, en el futuro, se podrá cambiar el enfoque clínico para la prevención del ictus en pacientes seleccionados. Es un procedimiento eficaz y seguro, con éxito del implante del dispositivo en un 94-99% de los casos. Sin embargo, requiere un equipo con experiencia en intervencionismo cardiaco estructural. La ecocardiografía tridimensional actualmente es la herramienta de imagen más adecuada para evaluar la idoneidad de la anatomía, seleccionar tipo y tamaño del dispositivo y guiar el procedimiento conjuntamente con la fluoroscopia y en el seguimiento posterior al implante (AU)

Because of advances in cardiac structural interventional procedures, imaging techniques are playing an increasingly important role. Imaging studies show sufficient anatomic detail of the heart structure to achieve an excellent outcome in interventional procedures. Up to 98% of atrial septal defects at the ostium secundum can be closed successfully with a percutaneous procedure. Candidates for this type of procedure can be identified through a systematic assessment of atrial septum anatomy, locating and measuring the size and shape of all defects, their rims, and the degree and direction of shunting. Three dimensional echocardiography has significantly improved anatomic assessments and the end result itself. In the future, when combined with other imaging techniques such as cardiac computed tomography and fluoroscopy, 3-dimensional echocardiography will be particularly useful for procedure guidance. Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage offers an alternative for treating patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindication for oral anticoagulants. In the future, the clinical focus may well turn to stroke prevention in selected patients. Percutaneous closure is effective and safe; device implantation is successful in 94% to 99% of procedures. However, the procedure requires an experienced cardiac structural interventional team. At present, 3-dimensional echocardiography is the most appropriate imaging technique to assess anatomy suitability, select device type and size, guide the procedure alongside fluoroscopy, and to follow-up the patient afterwards (AU)

Leiomioma de esófago con intensa captación de18fluorodeoxiglucosa en la tomografía por emisión de positrones-tomografía computarizada / Oesophageal leiomyoma with intense uptake in positron tomography with 18Fluorodeoxyglucose and computed tomography

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Imaging Techniques in Percutaneous Cardiac Structural Interventions: Atrial Septal Defect Closure and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Because of advances in cardiac structural interventional procedures, imaging techniques are playing an increasingly important role. Imaging studies show sufficient anatomic detail of the heart structure to achieve an excellent outcome in interventional procedures. Up to 98% of atrial septal defects at the ostium secundum can be closed successfully with a percutaneous procedure. Candidates for this type of procedure can be identified through a systematic assessment of atrial septum anatomy, locating and measuring the size and shape of all defects, their rims, and the degree and direction of shunting. Three dimensional echocardiography has significantly improved anatomic assessments and the end result itself. In the future, when combined with other imaging techniques such as cardiac computed tomography and fluoroscopy, 3-dimensional echocardiography will be particularly useful for procedure guidance. Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage offers an alternative for treating patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindication for oral anticoagulants. In the future, the clinical focus may well turn to stroke prevention in selected patients. Percutaneous closure is effective and safe; device implantation is successful in 94% to 99% of procedures. However, the procedure requires an experienced cardiac structural interventional team. At present, 3-dimensional echocardiography is the most appropriate imaging technique to assess anatomy suitability, select device type and size, guide the procedure alongside fluoroscopy, and to follow-up the patient afterwards.