Characteristic multimodal imaging of palatal follicular lymphoma: a case report on effectiveness of CT, diffusion-weighted MR imaging and intraoral ultrasonography.

Oral lymphomas are relatively uncommon. Follicular lymphoma is the second most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We report characteristic multimodal imaging of palatal follicular lymphoma, especially CT, diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) and intraoral ultrasonography. A 67-year-old woman presented with swelling on the right side of the palate within 2 months. On clinical examination, an approximately 35 × 20 mm mass lesion with elastic soft was found to overlay the right side of the palate. Contrast-enhanced CT image showed a mass with homogeneous enhancement on the right side of the palate, and bone tissue algorithm CT showed focal erosion of the right posterior maxilla. Regarding MR imaging, on T1-weighted image, the mass showed low signal intensity and homogeneous enhancement, and T2-weighted and STIR images revealed intermediate and high signal intensity, respectively. Furthermore, DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map showed high and low signal intensity, respectively. ADC value of the mass was 0.60 × 10-3 mm2s-1. On intraoral ultrasonography, the mass showed clear boundary, hypoechoic echogenicity, homogeneous internal architecture, vascular signals using color Doppler imaging and heterogeneous hard using strain elastography. A partial biopsy of the palatal region was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was follicular lymphoma. This case suggests that multimodal imaging, especially CT, DWI with ADC map and intraoral ultrasonography with color Doppler imaging and strain elastography, could be effective for evaluating palatal lesions.

Comparison of maximum and mean standardized uptake values of jaw pathologies with bone SPECT/CT: an especial focus on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the comparison of maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of jaw pathologies with bone Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and a special focus on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with jaw pathologies (63 MRONJ, 13 chronic osteomyelitis, 11 osteoradionecrosis and 2 primary intraosseous carcinoma) underwent bone SPECT/CT scans acquisition at 4 h after intravenous injection of Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate in this prospective study. The evaluation of mean and maximum SUVs of jaw pathologies were performed using Q. Metrix and Xeleris workstation and defined the data automatically. Statistical analyses were performed by Pearson's correlation coefficient for comparison of maximum and mean SUVs and Mann-Whitney U-test for SUVs of MRONJ. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Maximum SUVs of MRONJ, chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and primary intraosseous carcinoma were 17.6 ± 8.4, 21.7 ± 7.1, 11.9 ± 4.8 and 26.6 ± 7.0, respectively. Mean SUVs of MRONJ, chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and primary intraosseous carcinoma were 10.1 ± 4.9, 11.9 ± 3.3, 7.0 ± 2.8 and 10.1 ± 4.5, respectively. The maximum SUV of jaw pathologies was significantly correlated with the mean SUV (Y = 0.494X + 1.228; R2 = 0.786; P < 0.001). Furthermore, maximum and mean SUVs of MRONJ had significant differences in underlying diseases, medication and staging. CONCLUSION: The maximum and mean SUVs with bone SPECT/CT can be an effective tool for the quantitative evaluation of jaw pathologies, especially MRONJ.

Comparison of single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of osteonecrosis of jaw by new calculated parameters.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate parameters for medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw (MRONJ) patients using the bone SPECT/CT, especially bone mineral-based parameters. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with MRONJ (43 osteoporosis and 20 bone metastasises) underwent CT, MRI and SPECT/CT. A commercially available software automatically detected lesion area and calculated the quantitative SPECT/CT parameters as bone mineral-based standardized uptake value (SUV). RESULTS: Regarding stage of MRONJ patients, bone mineral based maximum SUV of stage 3 was significantly higher than stage 1, 2 (P = 0.018). Regarding duration of medication therapy, bone mineral based maximum SUV 1 year or more was significantly higher than less than 1 year P = 0.019). Regarding present of periosteal bone proliferation on CT, bone mineral based maximum SUV was significantly higher than those of absent (P = 0.029). Regarding spread of soft tissue inflammation on MRI, bone mineral based maximum SUV of 2 or more was significantly higher than those of less than 2 spaces (P = 0.025). Regarding blood pool phase imaging with SPECT, bone mineral based maximum SUV of intense uptake was significantly higher than those of decrease uptake (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: SPECT/CT bone mineral-based parameters indicated significant difference in staging, dosing period, periosteal bone proliferation on CT, spread of soft tissue inflammation on MRI, and blood phase imaging with SPECT. Bone SPECT/CT bone mineral-based parameters are helpful for the assessment of MRONJ.

Volumetric analysis of mandibular lesions with SPECT/CT: a pilot clinical study of maximum standardized uptake value.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate mandibular lesions using volumetric analysis with bone single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). Material and methods: Eight patients with mandibular lesions underwent SPECT/CT scan acquisition 4 hours after injection of Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP). Regarding volumetric analysis, maximum standar-dized uptake value (SUV) was obtained using software and a workstation (Q.Volumetrix MI and GEniE-Xeleris 4 DR, respectively). The localization and size of the volume of interest (VOI) can be drawn over the lesion, mesial, distal, and opposite side as normal using the CT, SPECT, and SPECT/CT transaxials, coronals, and sagittals as the anatomical reference. Q.Volumetrix MI can analyse SUV of lesions by organ segmentation using optional pan and zoom imaging. Then, the dosimetry software provided multiple quantitative data for a given VOI. Statistical analyses for the maximum SUV were performed by Mann-Whitney U test. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Maximum SUVs for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (n = 4, 25.4 ± 4.9), chronic osteomyelitis (n = 3, 14.6 ± 3.1), and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1, 31.7) were significantly higher than those of the opposite side as normal mandible (3.8 ± 0.7, 4.6 ± 1.8, and 7.4, respectively; p = 0.000). Conclusions: Volumetric analysis with SPECT/CT could be useful for the evaluation of mandibular lesions, such as detecting and surgical planning.

Odontogenic Infection Pathway to the Parapharyngeal Space: CT Imaging Assessment.

Introduction: Parapharyngeal space infection may lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications. The aim of this study was to assess the odontogenic infection pathway to the parapharyngeal space using CT imaging. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients in mandibular odontogenic infections with abscess who underwent contrast-enhanced CT were evaluated in this study. We reviewed the location of abscess and spread of odontogenic infections to the different components of the buccal space, submandibular space, sublingual space, masticator space and parapharyngeal space using CT imaging. The location of abscess and spread of odontogenic infections were analyzed with the Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Regarding the odontogenic infection pathway to parapharyngeal space, the masticator space (100%) was the most frequent, followed by the buccal space (85.7%), submandibular space (85.7%) and sublingual space (57.1%), while those without parapharyngeal space, the submandibular space (83.3%) was the most frequent, followed by the buccal space (75.0%), masticator space (58.3%) and sublingual space (33.3%). The masticator space was significant space in patients with/without parapharyngeal space infection (P = 0.047). Conclusion: CT imaging could be an effective method in assessment of odontogenic infection pathway to the parapharyngeal space. The odontogenic infection in masticator space tends to display spread of parapharyngeal space.

A clinical pilot study of salivary gland secretion for xerostomia patients with Sjögren's syndrome using SPECT/CT.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined whether time-activity curves (TAC) can be used to differentiate between patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome using SPECT/CT. METHODS: Thirteen xerostomia patients (5 with Sjögren's syndrome and 8 without Sjögren's syndrome) underwent SPECT/CT. Salivary gland secretion data were digitally observed, producing separate time-activity curves (TAC) for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT. The salivary gland secretion fraction was defined as A (before stimulation test [counts/frame]) divided by B (after stimulation test [counts/frame]). The A/B ratios of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and those without Sjögren's syndrome were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data. RESULTS: The A/B ratio of parotid glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.2) was significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (2.7 ± 0.7). The A/B ratio of submandibular glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.4) is significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (1.8 ± 0.6). CONCLUSION: The TAC for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT may be useful for the objective and quantitative diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient with multiple myeloma: an unusual case with tumor in the surgical specimen.

Multiple myeloma is characterized by a neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells primarily in the bone marrow. Neoplastic plasma cells stimulated osteoclasts, and destroy bone tissue, causing bone pain, pathological fractures, paralysis due to spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. Bisphosphonates are used as supportive therapy in the management of multiple myeloma. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a well-known complication of treatment with bisphosphonates, denosumab, and other drugs, such as anti-angiogenic agents and novel anti-cancer drugs. We report MRONJ in a patient with multiple myeloma, especially an unusual case with tumor in the surgical specimen. A 73-year-old woman presented with pain on the left side of the mandible within 3 months. On clinical examination, an exposed bone without purulent drainage presented on the left side of the mandible. Before 2 years, she received chemotherapy of zoledronate for multiple myeloma at another hospital. Panoramic imaging showed radiopacities of bone in the left side of the mandibular molar area. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with axial, multiplanar reformation (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) images showed the sequestrum without periosteal reaction. She was diagnosed as MRONJ, and underwent surgery. Finally, the surgical specimen was diagnosed as multiple myeloma in the sequestrum. This case suggests that the evaluation of the surgical specimen of MRONJ could be essential for detection of primary tumor.

CBCT imaging and histopathological characteristics of osteoradionecrosis and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging and histopathological characteristics of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten surgical specimens from segmental mandibulectomy (3 ORN and 7 MRONJ) were analyzed using CBCT. The CBCT parameters were as follows: high-resolution mode (tube voltage, 90.0 kV; tube current, 4.00 mA; rotation time, 16.8 s; field of view, 56 mm×56 mm; thickness, 0.099 mm). Histopathological characteristics were evaluated using histological slides of the surgical specimens. The Pearson chi-square test was used to compare ORN and MRONJ in terms of CBCT findings (internal texture, sequestrum, periosteal reaction and cortical perforation) and histopathological characteristics (necrotic bone, inflammatory cells, reactive bone formation, bacteria, Actinomyces, and osteoclasts). A P value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: MRONJ showed periosteal reaction on CBCT more frequently than ORN (7 of 7 [100%] vs. 0 of 3 [0%], P<0.05). Regarding histopathological characteristics, MRONJ showed osteoclasts more frequently than ORN (6 of 7 [85.7%] vs. 0 of 3 [0%], P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the CBCT imaging and histopathological characteristics of ORN and MRONJ, and the findings suggest that CBCT could be useful for the evaluation of ORN and MRONJ.

Bone single-photon emission computed tomography-CT peak standardized uptake value for chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, standardized uptake value (SUV) has been applied for the evaluation of SPECT-CT. This study was performed to investigate the bone SPECT-CT peak SUV for chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). METHODS: Sixty-five patients with jaw lesions (12 chronic osteomyelitis, 12 osteoradionecrosis and 41 MRONJ) underwent SPECT-CT after injection of technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate. The peak SUV was compared for the chronic osteomyelitis with osteoradionecrosis and MRONJ using GI-BONE software. Statistical analyses for the peak SUV were performed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance with Tukey's HSD test. A P-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Peak SUV for chronic osteomyelitis (15.6 ± 4.4) was significantly higher than those for osteoradionecrosis (6.7 ± 2.1, P = 0.000) and MRONJ (10.7 ± 6.1, P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The SPECT-CT peak SUV using GI-BONE software can be useful for the evaluation of jaw lesions, such as chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and MRONJ.

A case of a patient with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-producing pancreatic cancer who responded to nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine.

A 67-year-old male patient presented with an irregular mass involving the pancreatic body and tail with multiple liver/lymph node metastases. A biopsy indicated the presence of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Fever and increased white blood cell count, C-reactive protein levels, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels led to the diagnose of G-CSF-producing pancreatic cancer. The patient did not respond to FOLFIRINOX therapy (leucovorin, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), but nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine treatment was effective, resulting in tumor shrinkage and reduced G-CSF levels. After the fifth course of this therapy, exacerbation was noted, and the patient died of primary cancer 6 months after initiating the therapy. Here we report the case of this patient with G-CSF-producing pancreatic cancer who responded to chemotherapy.