Impact of pre-treatment variables on the completion of 223radium-dichloride therapy in mCRPC patients with bone metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Radium-223 dichloride (223Ra) is an alpha-particle-emitter radiopharmaceutical, approved for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with symptomatic bone metastases and no visceral involvement. Its administration is based on a schedule of intravenous injection (55kBq/kg) every four weeks for up to six cycles. Because the biological effectiveness of 223Ra-therapy is dose-dependent, the main goal is to complete the entire treatment to achieve a better patient outcome. This study aims to identify potential pre-treatment variables that could impact on 223Ra-treatment completion and then be used to improve the clinical and supportive management of mCRPC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 consecutive mCRPC patients (mean age 77 years old), who were admitted for Ra223-therapy at our Department from February 2016 to October 2018, were enrolled for the analysis. The population was grouped as patients who completed 223Ra-therapy (group Ra223-C) and patients who do not (group 223Ra-U). For each group, we analyzed the effects of potential pre-treatment variables (age, Gleason Score, tumor burden, "Time From Diagnosis To 223Ra therapy", type and number of previous treatments, hemoglobin level, Alkaline Phosphatase, Prostate Specific Antigen and pain) on the Ra223-therapy completion. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the completion of 223Ra therapy and the variables examined. RESULTS: 16/30 (53%) patients were 223Ra-C, conversely 14/30 (47%) patients were 223Ra-U because of an early interrupted treatment. A statistically significant association was found only with tumor burden: 68.7% of patients who completed 223-therapy had less than 20 bone metastases (χ2=4.821, p=0.028). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary analysis demonstrates that the high tumor burden represents the most important pre-treatment factor that could affect treatment completion and that needs to be considered before starting 223Ra-therapy to achieve a better outcome in mCRPC patients.

The paleoradiology importance in the study of relics: the unique densitometric analysis of a bone relic of Saint Nicholas.

INTRODUCTION: DXA have greatly contributed to the development of paleoradiology, a branch of diagnostic imaging that allows to obtain information about human remains in contexts of archaeological and/or forensic interest. In this manuscript we report the unique experience of DXA performed on the relic of a Saint; in particular we analyzed a skeletal fragment of St. Nicholas, kept in the Basilica of Bari (Italy) since 1087. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone to be examined consisted of the posterior arch of the ninth left rib that was 12cm long, 1.2cm maximum width and 1.7cm thick at the body. The data acquired from the densitometric study were performed using the anthropometric measures reported in historical records of St. Nicholas' life: sex (male), age (75 years), weight (70kg), height (167cm), and ethnicity (Caucasian). In addition to the examination of the relic, a comparison assessment was made with the rib of a healthy 60 years old man (height of 170cm, without known skeletal pathologies). This sample had a length of 19cm, maximum width at the head 1cm, and 0.7cm thick at the body. The analysis of bone fragments is different from the analysis of bones in the context of the human body (where soft tissues are placed around the skeleton); for this reason, one of the most critical issues was to create a support that would allow the analysis of bone fragments. We simulated conditions similar to those occurring in patients: a density scale was established, using a specific plexiglass phantom on which the bone fragments to be examined were placed. From the analysis it was calculated the parameter bone mineral density (BMD), express in g/cm2, that indicates the relation between mass of bone mineral content and area of examined bone segment. BMD data was compared to a range normalized by age, sex and ethnicity (BMD-N). RESULTS: The results of the scannnig of St. Nicholas' rib showed a BMD of 0.97g/cm2 with a BMD-N between 0.77 and 1.08g/cm2. Simultaneous measurements of the relic compared with a reference rib showed highlighted BMD of 0.84g/cm2 for the relic and 0.50g/cm2 for the reference rib. The St. Nicholas data are 168% higher than reference bone. All our measurements of the relic indicated a high bone mineral density, most likely due to the presence of a high concentration of calcium salts. A relatively higher mineral density of the relic was seen compared to the healthy subject's rib. From the history of St Nicholas' life, we know of the long imprisonment at the age of 51 in damp and unhealthy environment. The results of this study suggest that a good bone mineral density was maintained by the Saint even in old age. An additional element that can influence bone mineral density is diet, certainly different during the time of St. Nicholas. The good bone densitometry indicates that the Saint maintained a proper diet, with a generally fair state of health. CONCLUSION: For this first DXA analysis of the rib relic of Saint Nicholas was necessary a long and complex experimental work to modify standard technique procedure to particular and unusual sample and Create specific supports and complementary instruments. Perform DXA analysis on relics permit to obtain additional information to living conditions, economical situation, behaviours, diet, diseaes, conservations conditions of remains, change of life style in different age. Our experimental work, the first of its kind, creates the way to analyze precious relics that often include only few bone fragments and data obtained by our work can be useful for a better management and movement of fragile relics. We ourselves are working on a new challenge for the analysis of bone finds from shipwrecks found at the bottom of the sea.

Predictive value of 18F-FDG PET/CT on survival in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in terms of survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who had undergone surgery preceded by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Moreover, the existence of correlation between Overall Survival (OS) and Disease Free Survival (DFS) with pathological staging ((y)pTNM and TRG) was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients with biopsy-proven of LARC were included. All patients underwent conventional diagnostic/staging procedures to characterize the rectal lesion. The first whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed 1 week before the beginning of nCRT (baseline scan). The second 18F-FDG PET/CT was scheduled at 5-6 weeks from nCRT completion (post-nCRT scan). Survival was evaluated in 3 different restaging classification systems, based on focusing only on primary lesion (TRG), loco-regional evaluation (ypTNM) and whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT evaluation (VRA). RESULTS: Among the 58 patients at the end of the observation, 46/58 patients (79.3%) were alive and 12/58 (20.7%) were dead. This work demonstrated a higher percentage of patients with TRG complete response (39.7%) compared to literature (24.6%), with longer Overall Survival (OS) and Disease Free Survival (DFS) in responders even if without statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the predictive and prognostic potential role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in assisting physicians on personalized decision in the selective risk-adapted treatment strategy, and to schedule the correct follow-up approach.

99mTc-diphosphonates bone scintigraphy for vitality evaluation in cleft palate.

Cleft of the lip, palate and alveolus are congenital oro-maxillofacial malformation with an established treatment protocol. At present, there is great interest in the alveolar bone grafting procedures that involve the use of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), to enhance bone formation and specifically to promote bone graft healing in head and neck tissues regeneration. The aim of this retrospective case report study was to assess the condition and viability of the standard bone grafting in association with PRP (platelet rich plasma) to enhance osteogenesis and maintain osteointegration in alveolar cleft with a follow up of eight years from the surgical procedure. The viability of bone grafts was documented by means of head bone scintigraphy (99mTc-MDP). The scintigrams revealed the decreased uptake at the cleft region and the increased uptake at the adjacent alveolus of the cleft. From these findings we suggest that platelet concentrates decrease the need of further surgical intervention in cleft palate patients. In addition, scintigraphy may be useful to evaluate postoperative bone formation in the alveolar cleft.

Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing peritoneal carcinomatosis in the restaging of patient with ovarian cancer as compared to contrast enhanced CT and tumor marker Ca-125 / Papel del 18F-FDG PET/CT en el diagnóstico de carcinomatosis peritoneal en la reclasificación de los pacientes con cáncer de ovario en comparación con el TC con contraste y con el marcador tumoral Ca-125

Objectives. To investigate the role of whole-body fluorine-18-2-deoxy-2-fluoro- d -glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the identification of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). Material and methods. Seventy-nine patients with histologically proven stages III-IV OC who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT were studied retrospectively. We considered group A as 51 patients who also underwent computed-tomography with contrast-enhancement (CECT), and group B as 35 patients who had also been tested for biomarker Ca-125. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of 18F-FDG PET/CT as compared to CECT and to Ca-125 were evaluated. Results. 18F-FDG PET/CT’ sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for all 79 patients were: 85%, 92.31%, 88.61%, 91.89% and 85.71%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET/CT sensitivity in group A was 78.6%, while it was 53.6% for CECT. 18F-FDG PET/CT specificity, calculated in the same group, was 91.3%, while that of CECT was 60.9% (statistically significant difference, McNemar 4, P = 0.039). Accuracy was 84.3% and 56.9%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET/CT’ sensitivity in group B was 86.4%, while that of Ca-125 was 81.8% (no statistical difference, McNemar 0, P = 1). 18F-FDG PET/CT specificity in group B was 84.6% while that of Ca-125 was 38.5% (clear but not statistically significant difference, McNemar 3.12, P = 0.070). Accuracy calculated in the same group was 85.7% for 18F-FDG PET/CT and 65.7% for Ca-125. Conclusion. 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful diagnostic tool when peritoneal biopsy cannot be performed and it can better select those who are candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy (AU)

Objetivos. Investigar el papel de flúor-18-2-desoxi-2-fluoro-D-glucosa tomografía por emisión de positrones/tomografía computarizada (18F-FDG PET/CT) en la identificación de la carcinomatosis peritoneal en pacientes con cáncer de ovario (CO). Material y métodos. Setenta y nueva pacientes con CO en estadio III-IV que se sometieron a 18F-FDG PET/CT fueron estudiadas retrospectivamente. Consideramos el grupo A de 51 pacientes que también realizaron la tomografía computarizada con contraste (CECT) y el grupo B de 35 pacientes que tenían cuantificación del Ca-125. Se evaluó sensibilidad, especificidad, exactitud, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y valores predictivos negativos (VPN) de 18F-FDG PET/CT en comparación con CECT y Ca-125.Resultados. La sensibilidad, especificidad, exactitud, VPP y VPN de 18F-FDG PET/CT en los 79 pacientes fueron: 85, 92,31, 88,61, 91,89 y 85,71% respectivamente. La sensibilidad de 18F-FDG PET/CT en el grupo A fue de 78,6% y de 53,6% por CECT. La especificidad de 18F-FDG PET/CT en el mismo grupo fue de 91,3%, mientras la de CECT del 60,9% (diferencia estadísticamente significativa, McNemar = 4, P = 0,039); la exactitud fue respectivamente de 84,3 y 56,9%. La sensibilidad de la 18F-FDG PET/CT en el grupo B fue de 86,4%, mientras que la del Ca-125 fue de 81,8% (sin diferencia estadística, McNemar = 0, P = 1). La especificidad 18F-FDG PET/CT en el grupo B fue de 84,6%, mientras que la del Ca-125 fue de 38,5% (diferencia evidente, no estadísticamente significativa, McNemar = 3,12, P = 0,070). La exactitud en el mismo grupo fue 85,7% para el 18F-FDG PET/CT y 65,7% para Ca-125. Conclusión. La 18F-FDG PET/CT es un instrumento de diagnóstico útil cuando la biopsia peritoneal no se puede realizar y puede seleccionar de manera mejor las candidatas a quimioterapia adyuvante (AU)

Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing peritoneal carcinomatosis in the restaging of patient with ovarian cancer as compared to contrast enhanced CT and tumor marker Ca-125.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of whole-body fluorine-18-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in the identification of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with histologically proven stages III-IV OC who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT were studied retrospectively. We considered group A as 51 patients who also underwent computed-tomography with contrast-enhancement (CECT), and group B as 35 patients who had also been tested for biomarker Ca-125. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of (18)F-FDG PET/CT as compared to CECT and to Ca-125 were evaluated. RESULTS: (18)F-FDG PET/CT' sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for all 79 patients were: 85%, 92.31%, 88.61%, 91.89% and 85.71%, respectively. (18)F-FDG PET/CT sensitivity in group A was 78.6%, while it was 53.6% for CECT. (18)F-FDG PET/CT specificity, calculated in the same group, was 91.3%, while that of CECT was 60.9% (statistically significant difference, McNemar 4, P=0.039). Accuracy was 84.3% and 56.9%, respectively. (18)F-FDG PET/CT' sensitivity in group B was 86.4%, while that of Ca-125 was 81.8% (no statistical difference, McNemar 0, P=1). (18)F-FDG PET/CT specificity in group B was 84.6% while that of Ca-125 was 38.5% (clear but not statistically significant difference, McNemar 3.12, P=0.070). Accuracy calculated in the same group was 85.7% for (18)F-FDG PET/CT and 65.7% for Ca-125. CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG PET/CT is a useful diagnostic tool when peritoneal biopsy cannot be performed and it can better select those who are candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.

18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis and Post-Therapeutic Treatment in a Patient with an Early Stage of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis.

UNLABELLED: Here, we report an experience about 18F-FDG-PET/CT in a patient with an early stage of Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis (IRF). At the diagnosis Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CE-CT) revealed periaortic solid tissue in the infrarenal section and locoregional lymph nodes; findings were interpreted as lymphomatous tissue. 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed elevated 18F-FDG uptake in the periaortic tissue but no uptake was detected in lymph nodes. The histologic examination showed recent-onset IRF. The patient began corticosteroid therapy. Nearly at the end of the therapy, CE-CT showed the enlargement of the fibrous tissue and 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed an increased 18F-FDG uptake in the aforesaid lesion and another area of uptake in the aortic wall. 18F-FDG-PET/CT can play an important role in the diagnosis of patients with an initial clinical suspicion of retroperitoneal fibrosis and in their management. Then the patient began a therapy with methotrexate and after six months we performed an 18F-FDG-PET/CT which didn't show 18F-FDG uptake. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.