Quantitative SPECT/CT parameters of myocardial 99mTechnetium-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) uptake in suspected cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: 99mTc-labelled bisphosphonates are used for imaging assessment of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR). Present study evaluates whether quantitative SPECT/CT measurement of absolute myocardial 99mTc-labelled 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (Tc-DPD) uptake can diagnose patients with suspected ATTR. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (25 male, age 80.03 ± 6.99 years) with suspected ATTR referred for Tc-DPD imaging had planar and SPECT/CT imaging of the chest. Three operators independently obtained Tc-DPD myocardial SUVmax and SUVmean above threshold (SMaT) (20, 40 and 60% of SUVmax), using a semi-automated threshold segmentation method. Results were compared to visual grading (0-3) of cardiac uptake. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (78%) had cardiac uptake (2 grade 1, 15 grade 2, 5 grade 3). SUVmax and SMaT segmentation thresholds enabled separating grades 2/3 from 0/1 with excellent inter- and intra-reader correlation. Cut-off values 6.0, 2.5, 3 and 4 for SUVmax, SMaT20,40,60, respectively, separated between grades 2/3 and 0 /1 with PPV and NPV of 100%. SMaT20,40,60(cardiac)/SUVmean (liver) and SMaT20,40,60(cardiac)/SUVmean(liver/lung) separated grades 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: Quantitative SPECT/CT parameters of cardiac Tc-DPD uptake are robust, enabling separation of patients with grades 2 and 3 cardiac uptake from grades 0 and 1. Larger patient cohorts will determine the incremental value of SPECT/CT quantification for ATTR management.

[Specialized equipment for stereophlebography]. / Spetsial'naia apparatura dlia stereoflebografii.

The authors describe a complex of equipment for radiodiagnosis of varicose veins of the lower limbs and for planning vascular operations. The complex is fitted out with an automatic stereocasette made in the form of an attachment to a standard radiodiagnostic system and a stereoscope for visual analysis of the stereophlebograms. The design and applications of the equipment are reviewed.

[Standardization of the study of maxillofacial roentgenology. II. Standardization of the methodology of orthopantomography]. / Standartizatsiia issledovaniia v cheliustno-litsevoi rentgenologii. Chast' II. Standartizatsiia metodiki ortopantomografii.

The main factor of a good quality of orthopantomograms is a correct position of the occlusion plane and chin support, the straightening of the cervical vertebrae, head fixation and a choice of physicochemical conditions for exposure. All these conditions ensure the standardization of orthopantomography, reducing to the minimum errors in investigations.

[A method of evaluating the basic characteristics of panoramic tomographs]. / Metodika otsenki osnovnykh kharakteristik panoramnykh tomografov.

Methods to control the basic characteristics of scanning tomography equipment: configuration and thickness of released layer, geometric increase of an image, resolving power, symmetry of an image, patients and staff radiation exposure are proposed. Construction of an easy-in-making device for evaluation of released layer configuration is described.

[The ASORI stereoroentgenogrammetric system]. / Stereorentgenogrammetricheskii kompleks ASORI.

The ASORI stereoroentgenometric complex includes a stereoroentgenographic unit, a kit of testometric devices and a measuring stereoscope. The above unit is designed on the basis of the PYM-20 roentgenodiagnostic apparatus and provides for automatic photography. The testometric devices have inclined contrast scales and are photographed. The stereo pairs are analysed on the measuring stereoscope. The structural elements of the investigated object are measured by the unit optical marker in relation to the testometric device image. The testometric method provides for operative and accurate measuring the anatomic structures in health and disease.