Assessment of lymphedema with lymphoscintigraphy: Can nodal quantification help?

Lymphoscintigraphy with combined qualitative and quantitative analysis is reported to be a more sensitive approach to diagnose lymphedema in comparison with the conventional clinical analysis. Our study seeks to evaluate the diagnostic performance of lower limb lymphoscintigraphy with amalgamation of qualitative and quantitative analysis by measuring the ilio-inguinal nodal uptake. This prospective observational study was comprised of 86 patients (172 limbs) diagnosed with lower limb lymphedema. After a thorough clinical grading of edema, radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy was performed as per a dedicated institutional protocol. Ilio-inguinal nodal quantification of tracer uptake was computed along with the visual study of the scans. Additionally, the corresponding mean nodal uptake percentage for each grade of lymphedema was assessed and a cut off nodal uptake percentage to differentiate between normal and abnormal limbs was defined. Although quantitative analysis with nodal uptake percentage provides objective criteria to diagnose lymphedema, it can only act as an adjunct to qualitative method without replacing it. Finally, standardization of procedure for quantitative lymphoscintigraphy is needed including the potential for combining both rate of clearance of tracer from injection site and nodal uptake for quantification.

Incremental Value of Three-Phase Bone Scintigraphy and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography in a Case of Postpartum PUO in the Wake of The Antibiotic-Resistance Era.

Postpartum methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection occurs in patients with complicated vaginal delivery or cesarean section. The infection can manifest as mastitis, endometritis, and if untreated may lead to toxic shock syndrome. We report a case of postpartum MRSA osteomyelitis diagnosed by 99mtechnetium-methylene diphosphonate skeletal scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (CT) that was further confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and CT-guided biopsy. This multimodal imaging approach helped reach the diagnosis and in further management of the patient.

Fibromatosis with aggressive demeanor: Benign impersonator of malignancy.

Fibromatosis or desmoid fibromatosis is a rare benign neoplasm and develops commonly in the abdominal wall, abdominal cavity, or extra-abdominal sites. The mainstay of treatment is surgery. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are preferred in cases of inoperable/relapse or a multifocal disease. Hereby, we report a case of fibromatosis arising in the left popliteal fossa, proven by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Local excision of the mass was performed. The patient was asymptomatic for 6 months, after which she complained of difficulty in walking. Clinical evaluation elicited recurrence in the surgical bed. In spite of the surgical excision with tumor-free margins, recurrence was seen within a span of 6 months. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) was done to rule out multifocal disease and to define the extent of relapse. Although magnetic resonance imaging provides an excellent soft-tissue resolution to delineate the disease, 18F-FDG PET/CT is an important and supplementary tool which aids in the management of fibromatosis.

Primary pancreatic lymphoma camouflaged under the umbrella of spectrum of neuroendocrine tumors in somatostatin receptor imaging.

Primary pancreatic lymphomas are very rare as compared to other pancreatic neoplasms. However, unlike carcinomas, pancreatic lymphoma is treatable with satisfactory cure rates. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 68Ga-DOTANOC is a well-established diagnostic modality in the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Over the years, it has been evident that any neoplasm with SSTR expression shows increased tracer uptake, lymphoma, being the most prominent one. Herein, we report a case of pancreatic mass, suggested as NET on fine-needle aspiration cytology referred to us for staging. Whole-body 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan showed a large pancreatic mass with peripancreatic nodes, level I cervical nodes, cardiac, and left testicular masses which were initially thought to be possibly metastatic from pancreatic NET. However, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the specimen was suggestive of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The present case emphasizes that pancreatic lymphoma is one of the potential differentials for pancreatic masses apart from NET on SSTR imaging. Noteworthy is the fact, that IHC plays a poignant role in the evaluation and is a mandatory tool for the management of tumors. Moreover, the whole imaging picture and clinical scenario ought to be given utmost importance for giving an affirmative diagnosis on imaging. SSTR expression in lymphomas may further obviate a remote fact that peptide receptor radionuclide therapy can be considered as an end of the line treatment for refractory lymphomas.

18-Fluorine-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of the Great Masquerader Melioidosis: A Case Series.

Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease in India. The disease has a crippling effect on the patient owing to its widespread dissemination and complications post bacteremia. The role of 18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is becoming increasingly important in terms of documenting the extent of disease and response to treatment. Herein, we present cases of two patients who were referred for a whole-body 18F-FDG PET-CT scan with a history of long-standing fever that went undiagnosed. 18F-FDG PET-CT scan was performed to evaluate pyrexia of unknown origin. A conclusion was reached after blood culture which showed the growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei - which is considered to be the cause of this rare but debilitating disease.

Role of PET-CT in the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

AIM: Role of PET-CT in assessment of myocardial viability in patients with LV dysfunction. METHODS: This prospective study included 120 patients with LV dysfunction who underwent 99mTechnetium-Sestamibi myocardial perfusion SPECT-CT and 18FFDG cardiac PET-CT. They also underwent serial echocardiography and coronary angiography along with myocardial perfusion and FDG PET study. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had single vessel disease, 48 had triple vessel disease, and rest had double vessel disease. Among 786 segments, matched defects were seen in 432 (55%) and mismatched defects in 354 (45%) segments. 78 patients were surgically managed, and 42 were medically managed. The change in LVEF after surgical management was statistically significant compared to medical management. CONCLUSION: Viability assessment should be performed in patients who present after 12h of acute myocardial infarction or with LV dysfunction due to ischemic heart disease to decide upon appropriate surgical management.

Monoarticular carcinomatous knee joint arthritis as an initial presentation of cervical carcinoma.

When it comes to cancer, one can expect the unexpected. The clinical presentations can be very bizarre. One of these uncommon presentations is monoarticular arthritis. The age group affected by cancer and arthritis are similar. However, the possibility of joint pain being secondary to metastatic involvement does not come to mind easily. In this report, a 65-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with complaint of pain and restricted movement of the right knee joint, in whom the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features were suggestive of infective monoarthritis. However, synovial fluid aspirate showed presence of malignant cells. Hence, patient was evaluated with whole-body (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography which detected primary malignancy of the cervix with regional nodal and right knee joint metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of cervical malignancy with solitary skeletal metastasis involving the knee joint. The report also discusses overall incidence of malignant arthritis.

SPECT in asymptomatic diabetics with and without microalbuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic diabetics with the help of myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (MPS), a non-invasive imaging modality and its correlation in diabetics with or without microalbuminuria. METHODS: This study included 99 patients in the age group of 30 to 80 years who were asymptomatic but possessed one or more risk factors for CAD. These patients were divided into two groups, diabetics with and without microalbuminuria (Micral). Thirty eight patients were Micral positive and 61 were Micral negative. Ischemia was detected by MPS and compared with coronary angiographic findings in both the groups. RESULTS: Amongst the 99 diabetic patients, MPS was positive in 39 patients. Out of 39 MPS positive patients, 31(79.5%) were micral positive and 8 (20.5%) were micral negative. Out of 38 micral positive patients, 31 patients were positive on MPS and 27 had significant angiographic (CAG) findings. Those with micral positive and MPS positive had multivessel CAD by CAG. It was seen that MPS status was 91.4% sensitive, 74.1% specific and had 82.1% positive predictive values (PPV) and 87.0% negative predictive value (NPV) for detection of significant CAD. CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuria is an inexpensive screening tool and a powerful independent predictor for major cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MPS is a sensitive, non invasive diagnostic test for identification of CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients.

Correlation of myocardial perfusion SPECT with invasive and computed tomography coronary angiogram.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of atherosclerosis can be detected by multislice computed tomography (MSCT), invasive coronary angiogram (CAG) and the resultant myocardial ischaemia by myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (MPS). In this study an attempt is made to compare MSCT with MPS and also to compare the MSCT findings with that of invasive CAG in patients suspected to have coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 99 patients suspected to have CAD underwent both MSCT and MPS with (99m)Tc sestamibi. The MSCT studies were classified as having no CAD, significant CAD (>50% diameter stenosis), and insignificant CAD (<50% diameter stenosis). Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography was reported as normal and reversible ischaemia. In a subgroup of 33 patient invasive CAG was done. RESULTS: In 99 patients, 396 coronaries were evaluated with MSCT and MPS. Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) in these patient ranged from 0 to 2200. No CAD was noted in 128 (32%) coronaries but MPS was found abnormal in 9 (7%) coronaries. Insignificant CAD was noted in 169 (43%) coronaries amongst which reversible ischaemia was noted in 23 (14%). Significant CAD was noted in 99 (25%) coronaries of which only 54 (55%) were MPS positive for reversible ischaemia. The MSCT has a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%. When MSCT was normal, MPS was almost normal, but the reverse was not true. That is when MPS was normal MSCT was not always normal but showed lesion of insignificant obstruction. In the subset of 33 patients, who underwent invasive angiogram, 132 coronaries were evaluated. Coronary angiogram showed 48 coronaries (36%) to have significant CAD (>50% diameter stenosis). Multislice computed tomography correlated well in 46 (84%) with P value of <0.001 (χ(2)-test) but for 9 (16%) showing overestimation due to increased CACS (>800). Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography was normal in 15 (27%) coronaries. CONCLUSION: Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography provides functional information of the anatomical lesions and MSCT provides anatomical information. Both are two different diagnostic modalities. The MSCT has high NPV in patients with less likelihood for CAD. When compared with CAG, the correlation with MSCT was good and is useful where the calcium score is low.

Hot tongue on FDG PET scan in a patient of Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing antipsychotic treatment.

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET-CT) is the modality of choice for the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of many malignancies. The importance of eliminating false positives cannot be underestimated because they can dramatically alter the clinical course. We present a case of benign uptake in the tongue secondary to tardive dyskinesia in a 53-year-old woman referred for therapy response evaluation of Hodgkin's lymphoma who was concurrently receiving oral antipsychotic therapy. This case emphasizes the importance of detailed clinical history and examination when concluding definite diagnosis.

Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography in asymptomatic diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most important cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus (DM) due to autonomic neuropathy leads to asymptomatic CAD. Hence, it is important to screen the patients with DM for CAD. AIM: To study the prevalence of asymptomatic CAD by Myocardial Perfuision SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) (MPS) in diabetics. METHODS: This prospective study included 88 asymptomatic patients (58 males and 30 females) of Type 2 DM of more than 5 years duration in the age group of 40-65 years. Risk factors like hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history of CAD and Body Mass Index > or = 25 kg/sq.m were assessed. All these patients underwent MPS study as two day standard protocol. Thirty eight patients underwent invasive Coronary Angiography (CAG) and stenosis greater than 50% was considered significant. RESULTS: Abnormal perfusion was detected in 38 (43%) diabetics and 4 (11%) controls. A total of 81 perfusion defects were identified (19 fired and 62 reversible). CAG showed significant coronary stenosis in 26 (68.4%), insignificant in 8 (21%) and no stenosis in 4 (10.6%) patients. A total of 114 coronaries were analysed, significant stenosis in 67 (58.8%) coronaries, 21 (18.4%) had insignificant lesions and 26(22.8%) were normal. In comparison to CAG, MPS had sensitivity of 86.6% and specificity of 51%. CONCLUSION: The Myocardial Perfusion SPECT is a sensitive diagnostic tool to identify ischemia in asymptomatic diabetics. MPS can be used as screening test for risk stratification. It has a prognostic value in predicting the outcome of CAD and can be useful for long-term follow up too.

First row transition metal ion-assisted ammonia-borane hydrolysis for hydrogen generation.

Ammonia-borane (AB) hydrolysis for the generation of hydrogen has been studied using first row transition metal ions, such as Co (2+), Ni (2+), and Cu (2+). In the cases of cobalt- and nickel-assisted AB hydrolysis, amorphous powders are formed that are highly catalytically active for hydrogen generation. Annealing of these amorphous powders followed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the presence of Co(0) and Co 2B and Ni(0) and Ni 3B, respectively. On the other hand, copper-assisted AB hydrolysis was catalyzed by in situ generated H (+) and Cu(0) nanoparticles. The reduction ability of AB for the realization of coinage metal nanoparticles from the respective metal salts has also been studied. These reduction reactions were found to be facile, affording colloids of pure metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticles prepared in this manner were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy.

Lymphoscintigraphy as a diagnostic tool in patients with lymphedema of filarial origin--an Indian study.

Lymphedema is a common clinical problem. Filariasis is the commonest cause of lymphedema in India and is a chronic debilitating disease. The purpose of this study is to highlight the role of lymphoscintigraphy in the evaluation of lymphedema. Our study population consisted of 418 patients diagnosed with filarial lymphedema of different clinical stages referred for lymphoscintigraphy of the limbs by the lymphologist at our institution. An analysis of the various studies was done to determine how lymphoscintigraphy can be useful in documentation of the diagnosis, evaluation, as a screening procedure to prevent progression, and to enhance management of filarial lymphedema.