2 010例调强放疗患者计划剂量验证结果分析

目的 分析2 010例调强放疗计划剂量验证结果,为改进和完善调强放疗计划验证方法提供参考。方法 回顾性分析北京大学第三医院2012年2月—2016年2月美国瓦里安公司Trilogy加速器治疗的2 010例计划的剂量验证结果,其中调强放射治疗（IMRT）计划965例,容积旋转调强放疗（VMAT）计划1 045例。计划设计使用Eclipse计划系统,剂量验证采用MatriXX及Multicube模体。分析计划和测量等中心点剂量差异,3%/3 mm标准平面剂量分布的γ通过率。等中心点剂量差异<±3%定为通过,平面剂量分布γ通过率>90%定为通过。分析病变部位、治疗技术（IMRT和VMAT）对计划验证通过率的影响。结果 2 010例计划等中心点剂量平均差异为-0.3%±2.4%,γ通过率为97.9%±3.4%。88.2%和96.7%的计划能够通过点剂量验证和平面剂量验证标准。不同病变部位计划验证γ通过率不同（F=3.09,P<0.05）。不同病变计划点剂量和面剂量验证通过率不同（χ²=40.93、39.15,P<0.05）。IMRT和VMAT计划验证点剂量通过率和面剂量验证通过率差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 大部分调强放疗计划能够通过计划验证,不同病变部位计划验证通过率不同,IMRT和VMAT计划验证通过率无差异。     

呼吸幅度对旋转容积调强剂量分布的影响研究

目的 研究呼吸幅度对旋转容积调强放疗(VMAT)剂量分布的影响。方法 采用呼吸运动模拟模体(QUASAR)模拟人体头脚方向的一维呼吸运动,二维电离室矩阵采集不同呼吸幅度等中心层面的剂量分布。通过Verisoft软件及绝对剂量分析,分析采集数据与计划数据比较的剂量分布、等中心绝对剂量百分误差和射野通过率。结果 呼吸运动对靶区等中心点剂量影响小于剂量允许误差5%(t=-22.614~-10.756,P<0.05),使靶区边缘剂量偏高、靶区内热点少、冷点多,且随着呼吸幅度的增大,对靶区整体剂量分布影响越大。6、8、10 mm整个射野γ通过率与静态相比差异有统计学意义(t=3.095、8.685、14.096,P<0.05)。8、10 mm靶区内射野通过率与静态相比差异有统计学意义(t=6.081、9.841,P<0.05)。结论 呼吸运动可导致VMAT剂量传输误差,且误差随靶区运动幅度的增加而升高,且呼吸运动方向靶区边缘的正常组织实际治疗受照剂量高于计划评价。     

胸上段食管癌无均整器容积弧形调强与固定野调强放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 探讨在瓦里安TrueBeam^TM直线加速器中使用无均整器出束容积弧形调强(RA-FFF)及常规固定野调强(IMRT)两种计划剂量学差异.方法 选择10例分期为cT_2-3N_0-1M_0-1a胸上段食管癌患者定位CT资料,使用ECLIPSE^TM 10.0.4治疗计划系统分别设计RA-FFF、IMRT根治性放疗计划,处方剂量为60 Gy/30次,比较2种计划的剂量学参数和执行效率.结果 2种计划靶区适形度相似,差异无统计学意义;IMRT计划的均匀性指数高于RA-FFF计划(t=7.298,P=0.008);RA-FFF计划中肺组织的V₂₀、V₅低于IMRT计划(t=2.451、2.604,P<0.05).RA-FFF及IMRT两种计划制定时间分别为(5.3±1.4)、(3.5±1.7)h(t=2.585,P<0.05),机器总跳数分别为632±213及734±132(t=-1.287,P=0.084),治疗执行时间分别为(2.2±0.9)、(4.5±1.3)min(t=4.60,P<0.01).结论 与IMRT计划相比,RA-FFF在胸上段食管癌治疗中具有相似的靶区剂量分布,可更好地保护肺组织,计划制定时间较长但执行效率较高.     

乳腺癌保乳术后部分乳腺三种放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 比较容积弧形调强（VMAT）、固定野动态调强（IMRT）及三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）技术对乳腺癌保乳术后采用部分乳腺放疗的剂量学差异。方法 选取20例临床分期为T_1-2N₀M₀的早期乳腺癌保乳术后患者进行VMAT,并同时设计IMRT及3D-CRT,比较3种计划的剂量学参数,包括剂量-体积直方图（DVH）、靶区剂量适形度、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间。结果 IMRT及VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,其中最大剂量,平均剂量及适形指数（CI）组间比较差异具有统计学意义（F=14.86、8.57、18.23,P<0.05）。正常组织受量：VMAT计划在患侧乳腺V₅上优于IMRT及3D-CRT计划（F=5.83,P<0.05）;IMRT在患侧肺V₂₀、V₅及D₅上有优势（F=16.39、3.62、4.81,P<0.05）;在对侧肺的统计中,IMRT计划在最大剂量及D₅上可以得到比VMAT和3D-CRT更低的剂量（F=3.99、3.43,P<0.05）;VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需机器跳数值分别为621.0±111.9、707.3±130.9、1161.4±315.6,计划间的差异有统计学意义（F=31.30,P<0.05）。VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需治疗时间分别为（1.5±0.2）、（7.0±1.6）、（11.5±1.9）min。结论 IMRT和VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,而不提高患侧肺剂量。对于部分乳腺癌的放疗,容积弧形调强放疗在降低机器跳数和减少治疗时间方面具有明显优势。     

容积旋转调强与固定野调强在晚期宫颈癌放疗的剂量学比较及疗效观察

目的 比较容积旋转调强（RapidArc）和固定野调强（IMRT）技术在宫颈癌根治性放疗的剂量学参数、急性不良反应发生率及疗效。方法 回顾性分析43例局部晚期（II_b~IV）宫颈癌患者,其中22例行容积旋转调强放疗,21例行固定野调强放疗,处方剂量50.4 Gy/28次,比较两组靶区剂量适形度、均匀性、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间;对比两组患者治疗期间的急性肠道及膀胱反应发生率;对比两组患者的完全缓解率和有效率。结果 与IMRT计划相比,RapidArc计划的靶区适形性指数CI略好,但差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;两组计划的靶区均匀性指数HI比较,差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。RapidArc计划中膀胱的V₄₀、V₅₀以及直肠的V₃₀、V₄₀、V₅₀均低于IMRT计划（t=-2.386、-2.397、-5.525、-2.883、-2.686,P < 0.05）,RapidArc计划中股骨头的平均剂量低于IMRT计划（t=-2.395,P < 0.05）。RapidArc较IMRT平均MU减少了53.15%,治疗所需平均时间缩短了62.14%。两组患者肠道、膀胱急性反应发生率相近。两组患者完全缓解率和有效率相近。结论 晚期宫颈癌根治性放疗中,采用RapidArc技术可以降低危及器官受量,缩短患者的治疗时间。     

乳腺癌根治术后双弧VMAT与IMRT计划的剂量学比较

目的 比较乳腺癌根治术后双弧的容积旋转调强放射治疗(VMAT)与5野的静态调强放射治疗(IMRT)2种计划之间的剂量学差异,评估VMAT技术在乳腺癌根治术后的剂量学特点与应用能力.方法 选取28例乳腺癌根治术后患者(左侧10例,右侧18例),分别制定双90度弧段的VMAT与5野的IMRT 2种计划,主要的计划评估参数为靶区的肿瘤控制概率(TCP)、适形指数(CI)、均匀指数(HI)以及接受相应处方剂量水平照射体积百分比V₉₅、V₁₁₀,危及器官(OAR)评估包括患侧肺的正常组织并发症概率(NTCP)、D_mean、V₅、V₂₀、V₃₀,心脏的NTCP值、D_mean、V₂₅,健侧乳腺的D_mean、机器跳数(MU)以及治疗时间.结果 VMAT计划与IMRT计划的TCP值分别为(96±2)%、(90±2)%(t=-6.28,P<0.01);HI值分别为0.15±0.04,0.22±0.02(t=13.29,P<0.05);肿瘤位于左侧时,心脏NTCP值在VMAT计划与IMRT计划中分别为(1.0±0.12)%,(1.7±0.13)%(t=2.14,P<0.05);肿瘤位于右侧时,2种计划心脏的NTCP差异无统计学意义,平均剂量分别为(3.27±0.26)、(6.0±0.47)Gy(t=9.21, P<0.01);VMAT计划在MU少于IMRT计划(t=9.58,P<0.01),治疗时间短于IMRT计划(t=8.40,P<0.05).结论 乳腺癌根治术后,VMAT计划具有更强的临床应用能力,且表现出更优的剂量学特点.     

宫颈癌卵巢移位术后VMAT与IMRT卵巢放疗剂量的比较

目的 比较行卵巢移位术后的宫颈癌患者固定野调强（IMRT）和容积旋转调强（VMAT）计划中卵巢的剂量学差异。方法 31例接受宫颈癌根治术和卵巢移位术,术后需放射治疗的患者,设计9野均分IMRT计划和双弧VMAT计划,在保证靶区处方剂量及危及器官限量的情况下,尽量降低卵巢剂量。分析两种技术卵巢平均剂量的差异,以及卵巢-靶区间的位置与卵巢剂量间的关系。结果 31例患者中共有54个卵巢进行了有效的移位（移至靶区外）。其中9个卵巢位于宫颈癌靶区上边界以上即射野外,IMRT和VMAT的卵巢平均剂量分别为（177.8±90.7）和（166.7±70.6） cGy,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。45个卵巢与靶区处于相同的层面,IMRT和VMAT的卵巢平均剂量为（459.1±239.9）和（428.3±238.2） cGy （z=3.11,P=0.002）;卵巢平均剂量与卵巢体心到靶区最近距离高度负相关（IMRT：r=-0.922,P=0.001;VMAT：r=-0.865,P=0.001）;为将卵巢平均剂量降低至500 cGy,IMRT与VMAT计划中卵巢体心到靶区最近距离应分别大于3.6和3.3 cm。结论 卵巢位于靶区上边界以上时IMRT与VMAT卵巢剂量无差异;卵巢与靶区处于相同层面时,VMAT计划对于卵巢剂量和治疗效率上均优于IMRT;卵巢剂量可通过卵巢体心到靶区的最近距离预测。     

螺旋断层固定野调强放疗技术在中段食管癌放疗中的应用

目的 探究螺旋断层固定野调强放疗TomoDirect(TD)技术在中段食管癌放疗中的应用,并评价计划质量和效率。方法 对本院收治的10例局部晚期根治性中段食管癌患者进行研究。分别在TomoTherapy和Pinnacle³计划系统设计TD、螺旋断层调强放疗(HT)和常规加速器固定野调强放疗(IMRT)计划。比较3种计划的靶区适形度指数(CI)、均匀性指数(HI)和危及器官(OARs)受量以评价计划质量;比较治疗时间和机器跳数(MU)以评价治疗效率。结果 与IMRT计划相比,TD和HT计划的靶区CI和HI具有剂量学优势(t=5.261、10.419、-5.463、-6.862,P<0.05);与HT计划相比,TD计划的靶区CI和HI要差(t=-7.055、2.325,P<0.05)。与IMRT计划相比,TD和HT计划的平均双肺V₂₀、V₃₀和平均剂量显著变低(t=-5.372、-6.296、-5.372、-6.296、-2.865、-4.632,P<0.05)。与HT计划相比,TD和IMRT计划的心脏平均剂量要低(t=-3.112、2.829,P<0.05)、心脏最大剂量要高(t=3.154、-3.348,P<0.05)。与HT计划相比,TD计划的脊髓最大剂量和正常组织平均剂量要高(t=3.071、5.076,P<0.05)。与HT计划相比,TD平均治疗时间和机器跳数减少12.0%和37.2%(t=-4.095、-12.559,P<0.05),IMRT计划的治疗时间最短。结论 TD技术应用于中段食管癌放疗具有一定优势,与HT技术相比,TD射线利用率高,治疗时间短;与IMRT技术相比,TD靶区CI、HI以及平均双肺V₂₀、V₃₀和平均剂量具有明显的剂量学优势。     

Monaco与Pinnacle计划系统在肺癌容积旋转调强计划中的比较

目的 比较Monaco和Pinnacle 2套计划系统设计的肺癌容积旋转调强(VMAT)计划的计划质量、治疗效率和剂量验证精度.方法 选取20例肺癌病例,其中左肺癌10例,右肺癌10例,分别利用Monaco 3.0和Pinnacle 9.2两套计划系统设计VMAT计划,比较2种计划的靶区适形度、均匀性、最大剂量(D_max)、平均剂量(D_mean)与最小剂量(D_min)及危及器官的受照剂量;比较治疗计划执行时间、机器跳数和剂量验证的准确性.结果 除PTV的D_min外,Monaco计划靶区的其他各项剂量学指标都明显优于Pinnacle(t=5.927~12.034,P<0.05);2种计划除患侧肺V₁₀、全肺V₅外,Monaco计划肺的其他剂量学指标都差于Pinnacle(t=3.545~7.485,P<0.05),Monaco计划对心脏的保护明显优于Pinnacle(t=2.836~4.011,P<0.05),但较差的是Monaco计划执行时间(t=9.780,P<0.05)和MU数量(t=5.304,P<0.05).Monaco计划的Delta⁴验证结果优于Pinnacle(t=4.937,P<0.05).结论 对于肺癌的VMAT计划,Monaco与 Pinnacle两套计划系统都能满足临床应用要求;Pinnacle在肺的保护与计划执行方面有明显的优势,Monaco在靶区剂量分布和心脏的保护,以及剂量验证方面具有优势.     

基于容积旋转弧形调强放疗技术的肝癌立体定向放疗方案评估与位置误差分析

目的 基于容积旋转弧形调强放疗（VMAT）技术,对肝癌立体定向放疗（SABR）方案进行评估,并结合图像引导技术及呼吸管理技术,分析执行中患者位置误差。方法 回顾性分析接受基于VMAT技术的SABR治疗并配合自主深呼气末屏气技术（vDEBH）进行呼吸管理的15例肝癌患者。VMAT计划采用2个部分弧,对治疗方案评估剂量参数,比较VMAT与调强放疗技术（IMRT）的计划质量差异。所有优化方案均经质量保证（QA）验证,包括点剂量和面剂量验证、机器跳数（MU）和出束时间记录。每次治疗时,锥形束CT（CBCT）影像采集2次,包括治疗前1次评估两次治疗间误差和治疗结束后1次评估当次治疗内位移。结果 VMAT和IMRT优化方案的各剂量学参数均满足临床治疗要求,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;相比IMRT,VMAT方案的平均MU降低了28.1%（t=3.064,P<0.05）,且治疗时间缩短了31.6%（t=2.278,P<0.05）。CBCT图像引导结果显示,采用vDEBH技术可有效减少当次治疗内的位置误差,各方向上的偏移均控制在可容许范围内（<3 mm）。结论 基于VMAT技术的肝癌SABR治疗计划在靶区体积剂量分布和正常组织受量等剂量学表现与IMRT技术相当,可行性良好且在治疗效率方面优势明显。     

Assessment of therapeutic effect in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism using bone scintigraphy

OBJECTIVE: The semi-quantitative method of bone scintigraphy [bone to soft tissue (B/ST) ratio] has been used in diagnosing and evaluating systemic metabolic bone diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate of the therapeutic effect of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP). METHODS: The subjects were ten hemodialysis patients with SHP. Seven patients underwent parathyroidectomy (PTX), and 22-Oxacalcitoriol (derivative of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) (OCT) was given to three patients. Bone scintigraphy and blood tests [intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and deoxypridinoline (DPYD)] were performed before and after treatment. Regions of interest were drown around cranium, lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck and soft tissue of left medial thigh to calculate the B/ST ratio. RESULT: The B/ST ratios of cranium, lumbar vertebrae, and femoral neck were reduced significantly after PTX (cranium, p = 0.0079, lumbar vertebrae, p = 0.0282, femoral neck, p = 0.0252). Intact PTH, ALP, Ca, P, BALP and DPYD levels were reduced significantly after PTX (intact PTH, p = 0.003, Ca, p = 0.0005, P, p = 0.0393, ALP, p = 0.0051, DPYD, p = 0.0232, BALP, p = 0.0324). After OCT administration, the B/ST ratio of each bony region showed tendency to diminish, although not significantly. Intact PTH levels were reduced significantly, although ALP, BALP, and DPYD levels were not. Ca and P levels were increased significantly because of the medicinal action of OCT. CONCLUSION: The B/ST ratio of cranium may be non-invasive method and have potential in evaluating the therapeutic effect of SHP.     

Clinical significance of performing 18F-FDG PET on patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a summary of a Japanese multicenter study

Objective  The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of performing ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) on patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods  The patient samples for this study were provided by seven PET institutions in Japan. Forty-one patients with pathologically proved GISTs, 24 men and 17 women (mean age 60.3 years, range 26–81 years) were enrolled in this study. Final diagnosis was based on the follow-up imaging at least 3 months after the PET scan or histopathological examinations. Results  There were eight preoperative cases and 33 follow-up cases in our series. Preoperative cases showed that the sites of primary tumor were the stomach (5 cases, 62.5%), and small intestine (3 cases, 37.5%). One stomach lesion and one small intestine lesion showed negative findings. In follow-up cases, there were 18 PET-negative cases. Among them, two cases were considered as false negative by follow-up imaging. On the other hand, 15 cases showed positive findings at 23 lesions. Most PET-positive cases were considered as true positive except for one false-positive case, who later received surgery and was diagnosed as leiomyoma histopathologically. In 14 cases, PET findings were considered to provide additional information to conventional imaging. In eight cases among them, PET findings were considered to have influenced the decision-making of therapeutic plans. Conclusion  Our data suggest that FDG PET has an incremental value over conventional imaging for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with GISTs in Japan as reported worldwide, and supports its introduction as a routine diagnostic tool for patients with GISTs.     

Therapeutic effects of acupuncture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study using 18F-FDG–PET

Objective  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether improvement of regional inflammatory findings in knee joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be detected by positron-emission tomography (PET) using ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) after acupuncture treatments, as well as improvement of systemic inflammatory markers. Methods  Six RA patients (all female, 61 ± 12 years old) received 10 acupuncture treatments in 2 months, to 11 traditional acupuncture points around a knee joint considered effective on RA. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for intensity of pain, knee joint range of motion (ROM), face scale for patient mood, and modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ) for disability of daily activities were assessed just before and after acupuncture. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) and the volume with SUV more than 1.0 [Volume(SUV > 1)] on FDG–PET images as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also measured before and after the treatments. Results  VAS, ROM, face scale and MHAQ improved in all patients and significantly after acupuncture, but no significant change was detected in ESR, CRP, SUV_max, or Volume(SUV > 1). Conclusions  Acupuncture relieves symptom, remedies physical function, and improves quality of life in RA patients, but may have no or very limited anti-inflammatory effect systemically. The regional effects of acupuncture are unlikely to be induced through reduction of regional inflammation. We believe this clinical study is the first step for elucidating therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture, which must be important for the rational use and further development of acupuncture.     

Usefulness of whole PTH assay in patients with renal osteodystrophy —Correlation with bone scintigraphy

OBJECTIVE: Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay has recently been reported to be effective in evaluating both 1-84 PTH (whole PTH) and inactive 7-84 PTH. Inactive 7-84 PTH is considered to be increased in hemodialysis patients and to prevent the effects of 1-84 PTH, and intact PTH is considered to overestimate the PTH activity in these patients. As such, a whole PTH assay has recently been developed. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of a whole PTH assay using the bone to soft tissue (B/ST) ratio on bone scintigraphy. METHOD: Twenty-five hemodialysis patients were included in our study. In all patients, bone scintigraphy and a blood test [whole PTH, intact PTH, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P)] were performed. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn around the cranium, lumbar vertebrae, left femoral neck, and soft tissue of the medial left thigh to obtain the B/ST ratio. RESULTS: The B/ST ratio of the cranium and left femoral neck correlated with whole PTH and intact PTH. In particular, the B/ST ratio of the cranium correlated most significantly with the value of whole PTH. Whole PTH levels correlated with intact PTH levels (r = 0.891, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that a whole PTH assay may be useful in evaluating PTH activity using the B/ST ratio. The B/ST ratio of the cranium may reflect the bone metabolism of hemodialysis patients.     

Detection of metastatic lesions from malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with 18F-FDG positron emission tomography and 123I-MIBG scintigraphy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic features of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) as compared with 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and (123)I-meta-iodo-benzyl guanidine scintigraphy (MIBG) on metastatic lesions of patients with malignant pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. METHODS: We prospectively studied 11 patients with histologically confirmed pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma and possible metastatic lesions. FDG-PET, MIBG, and DWI examinations were performed within 1 week, and the images were visually interpreted. Abnormal positive uptake either on MIBG or on FDG-PET was considered as metastases. Abnormal high signal intensities on DWI were considered as metastases using conventional T1-and T2-weighted images as reference. RESULTS: FDG-PET and DWI demonstrated metastatic lesions in all 11 patients, but MIBG showed no metastatic lesions in two patients. The numbers of lymph node metastases depicted on FDG-PET, MIBG, and DWI were 19, 6, and 39; bone metastases were 50, 49, and 60; liver metastases were 9, 9, and 15; lung metastases were 5, 7, and 5, respectively. MIBG failed to demonstrate many metastatic lesions, which were demonstrated on FDG-PET or DWI, although two mediastinal lymph node metastases, three lung metastases, and six bone metastases, which were not seen on DWI, were clearly demonstrated on MIBG. DWI showed 15 liver metastases, but 6 of them were not seen on FDG-PET or MIBG. CONCLUSIONS: DWI may be particularly advantageous in depicting lymph node and liver metastases and may have a higher rate of detecting metastatic lesions when compared with MIBG or FDG-PET. The limitations of DWI were possible false-positive finding, and probable lower detectability of mediastinal lymph node and lung metastasis.     

The clinical impact of18F-FDG PET in papillary thyroid carcinoma with a negative131I whole body scan: A single-center study of 108 patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether FDG PET could localize the recurrent or metastatic lesions in papillary thyroid cancer patients with negative radioiodine scan. METHODS: Whole body PET was performed after injecting 370-555 MBq of 18F-FDG in 108 patients, who were suspected of having recurrence or metastasis and whose 131I whole body scans were negative. Recurrence or metastasis occurred in 63 patients by pathology or clinical assessment, whereas 45 patients remained in remission. RESULTS: FDG PET revealed recurrence or metastases in 59 patients (sensitivity 93.7%), whereas thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were elevated in 41 (sensitivity 65.1%). In 35 of 45 patients in remission, FDG PET was negative (specificity 77.8%). When patients positive for antithyroglobulin antibody were excluded, the sensitivity and specificity of serum Tg became 84.8% and 46.9%, respectively. Compared to Tg measurement, FDG PET detected more metastatic lesions in cervical lymph nodes. Of 40 patients with a negative radioiodine scan showing diffuse hepatic uptake, metastases occurred in 23 patients and remission in 17. FDG PET showed 100% sensitivity and 76.5% specificity in the detection of recurrence in these 40 patients. CONCLUSION: FDG PET is useful for localizing recurrent or metastatic lesions in 131I scan-negative thyroid cancer patients. In particular, it is superior to serum Tg measurement for identifying metastases to cervical lymph nodes. We recommend its use in cases of negative radioiodine scan with diffuse hepatic uptake.     

Standardized uptake values of uterine leiomyoma with <Superscript>18</Superscript>F-FDG PET/CT: variation with age,size, degeneration,and contrast enhancement on MRI

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of age, size, the degree of degeneration, and contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in uterine leiomyomas using quantitative standardized uptake values (SUVs). METHODS: A total of 61 leiomyomas of 41 patients, who underwent combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F-FDG and contrast-enhanced MRI were included in this study. Sixty-one leiomyomas were divided into two groups: "non-degenerated" leiomyomas showing distinct low signal intensity on T2-weighted images and intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and "degenerated" leiomyomas showing other types of signal intensity. Sixty-one leiomyomas were also divided into two groups of "strongly enhancing" leiomyomas and "weakly enhancing" leiomyomas in terms of their degree of contrast enhancement on MRI. RESULTS: The mean values of the maximum and average SUVs for the total of 61 leiomyomas were 2.34 +/- 0.75 (range 1.59-5.15) and 1.74 +/- 0.50 (0.66-3.95), respectively. There was a moderate negative correlation between the maximum and average SUVs and age (r = -0.43 and P = 0.00016, r = -0.31 and P = 0.029, respectively). Although there was a mild positive correlation between maximum SUV and size (r = 0.35 and P = 0.011), there was no significant difference between average SUV and size. Although there was no significant difference in average SUV between "degenerated" and "non-degenerated" leiomyomas, the maximum SUV of "degenerated" leiomyomas was significantly higher than that of "non-degenerated" leiomyomas (P = 0.0012). The degree of contrast enhancement on MRI was not significantly correlated with 18F-FDG uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Mild or moderate uptake of 18F-FDG is often observed in uterine leiomyoma and declines with age, and should not be confused with malignant accumulation.     

Clinical impact of whole body FDG-PET on the staging and therapeutic decision making for malignant lymphoma

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical impact of whole-body FDG-PET for the pre-therapeutic evaluation of malignant lymphoma and compared to that of 67Ga-scintigraphy when added to non-RI examinations. METHODS: We examined 46 patients with malignant lymphoma including 42 newly diagnosed cases and 4 relapsed cases. Whole-body FDG-PET was started 63 minutes after the administration of FDG with ECAT EXACT HR+. The clinical stage of each patient was determined based on the results of a non-RI examination (consisting of physical examination, CT, gastrointestinal studies and bone marrow aspiration), 67Ga planar images and FDG-PET. Discrepant findings were verified based on the response to treatment and the findings of a follow-up examination more than 6 months after treatment. Finally, 152 nodal regions and 19 extranodal tissues were found to be involved by disease. RESULTS: In the 152 nodal lesions, FDG-PET detected 54 nodal lesions in addition to 98 lesions detected by non-RI examinations, whereas 67Ga-scintigraphy detected 14 additional lesions. The sensitivity of non-RI, non-RI + 67Ga and non-RI + FDG was 64.5%, 73.7% and 100.0%, respectively. In 19 extranodal lesions, FDG-PET detected 5 extranodal lesions in addition to 13 lesions detected by non-RI examinations, whereas 67Ga-scintigraphy detected 1 additional lesion. The sensitivity of non-RI, non-RI + 67Ga and non-RI + FDG was 68.4%, 73.7% and 94.7%, respectively. When combining the FDG-PET findings with the non-RI findings, the improvement of the detectability was much higher than that when 67Ga findings were combined to the non-RI findings. For the staging of lymphoma, the non-RI and non-RI + 67Ga findings accurately diagnosed 76.1% and 80.4%, respectively, whereas the non-RI + FDG findings accurately diagnosed 82.6%. Finally, FDG-PET resulted in changes in the clinical management of 8 patients (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET offers more information in addition to the findings of conventional diagnostic methods than 67Ga-scintigraphy in order to accurately detect malignant lymphoma. FDG-PET can therefore play an important role in therapeutic decision making on lymphoma.     

Assessment of mean transit time in the engrafted lung with <Superscript>133</Superscript>Xe lung ventilation scintigraphy improves diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in living-donor lobar lung transplant recipients

Objective Staging of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) following lung transplantation is based on declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ¹³³Xe ventilation scintigraphy in the early detection of BOS following living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT), to compare ¹³³Xe washout imaging with computed tomography (CT) findings for early detection of BOS following LDLLT, and to evaluate ¹³³Xe washout imaging by quantitative analyses. Methods Subjects comprised 30 double-lung recipients and 1 single-lung recipient, who had undergone LDLLT at our institution and survived more than 1 year. Clinically diagnosed BOS developed in six recipients. Declines in graft function were evaluated using a combination of three methods, namely, dynamic spirometry, high-resolution CT (HRCT), and ¹³³Xe ventilation scintigraphy. Findings for all transplanted lungs were compared between CT and ¹³³Xe washout imaging. ¹³³Xe washout imaging was assessed using mean transit time (MTT) of bi-and unilateral lungs. Correlations between MTT of bilateral lungs and FEV₁% were evaluated. Differences in MTT between BOS and non-BOS lungs, and between non-BOS and donor lungs were also evaluated on unilateral lungs. Appropriate cut-off values of MTT of unilateral lungs were set for the diagnosis of BOS. Results In all six BOS cases, prolonged-washout images of engrafted lungs revealed early-phase BOS with declines from baseline FEV₁, whereas only one BOS case could be detected using early CT findings of BO (bronchodilatation, decrease in number and size of pulmonary vessels, thickening of septal lines, and volume reduction). A significant correlation was identified between MTT and FEV₁% (r = −0.346, P < 0.0001). MTT of unilateral lungs was significantly longer in BOS lungs than in non-BOS lungs (P < 0.0001). The cut-off MTT of unilateral lungs for the diagnosis of BOS was set at 64.77 s. Conclusions Our data show that ¹³³Xe washout imaging offers excellent potential for early detection of BOS compared with early CT findings. Using ¹³³Xe washout imaging and MTT with radioactive tracer offers a noninvasive indication of selective ventilatory function in engrafted lungs following LDLLT. MTT appears useful for identifying BOS following LDLLT and allows quantitative evaluation of graft function in unilateral lungs.     

Increased accumulation of N-isopropyl-p-(123I)-iodoamphetamine in two cases with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS)

Summary We present two cases with mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes (MELAS), which showed both increased and decreased accumulation of N-isopropyl-p-(¹²³I)-iodoamphetamine (¹²³I-IMP) in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The increased accumulation of the tracer occurred, before low density appeared on conventional computed tomography, suggesting that ¹²³I-IMP SPECT may be useful in pathophysiological study of MELAS.