[18F]-Sodium fluoride uptake in Takayasu arteritis.

BACKGROUND: While 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride with positron emission tomography relate with inflammation and calcification, their role in the assessment of patients with Takayasu arteritis has not yet been studied. METHODS: We present 5 patients with suspected active metabolic disease who underwent PET with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride in order to explore the locations and correlations of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride uptakes. Diagnosis of metabolic active disease was based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. RESULTS: We studied 3 female patients and 2 male patients. Median age was 29 years (min: 19 max: 63). In areas with atherosclerotic plaques, we found a negative correlation between 18F-sodium fluoride and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptakes (r = -0.78) (P = .001). Meanwhile, in areas with only metabolic active disease, we found a positive correlation between 18F-sodium fluoride and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptakes (r = 0.94) (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: In Takayasu arteritis, 18F-sodium fluoride uptake can document different stages of metabolic disease, even in the absence of active metabolic disease or symptoms.

[Vesicovaginal fistula in an 8-year-old girl]. / Fístula vesicovaginal en niña de ocho años.

We report a case of vesicovaginal fistula in an 8-year-old girl caused by a foreign body in the vagina. The foregoing condition was associated with vesical lithiasis. Correction of the fistula was performed during the same surgical procedure for stone removal, without waiting for 3-6 months to elapse as advocated by most of the authors. A review of the literature revealed only one such case has been reported earlier.

[Bladder carcinoma in patients under 40 years of age]. / Carcinoma vesical en pacientes menores de cuarenta años.

A retrospective study was undertaken on 147 cases of bladder tumors T1 GI-II that were treated over the period 1984-1987. Of these, 9 (6.1%) were tumors in patients under 40 years of age. All the foregoing 9 cases, and only 97 of the remaining 138 cases could be evaluated and compared. The male to female ratio was 8:1. Both patient groups were similar with respect to tumor grade, number, and size. All patients were treated by TUR and received chemotherapy post-operatively. Of the 9 patients under 40 years of age, 2 (22.2%) patients classed as GII had tumor recurrence and total cystectomy was performed in one (11.1%) due to tumor upgrading; whereas for the remaining patient group tumor recurrence was 37.7% and tumor progression was 6.6%. This finding shows that the choice of treatment or the decision to follow patients more or less closely cannot be based on patient age. Treatment should be based on patient overall condition and tumor grade and stage.