肺腺癌患者18F-FDG PET/CT半定量参数与EGFR基因突变亚型的关系

目的探讨肺腺癌患者~(18)F-FDG PET/CT半定量参数与表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)基因突变亚型间(19号外显子缺失突变和21号外显子点突变)的关系。方法收集64例肺腺癌患者术前~(18)F-FDG PET/CT及EGFR基因突变资料。葡萄糖代谢显像原发灶半定量参数包括最大标准化摄取值(SUV_(max))、平均标准化摄取值(SUV_(mean))、肿瘤代谢体积(MTV)和总糖酵解量(TLG)。经单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析评估各参数与突变亚型间的关系,通过AUC评估关联效能。结果 19号、21号外显子突变比例为23∶41。单因素分析显示,作为连续变量,原发灶最大径较小[OR=0.942,95%CI(0.890,0.998)]及低水平原发灶MTV(pMTV)[OR=0.957,95%CI(0.923,0.991)]更可能是21号外显子点突变;作为分类变量,原发灶最大径较小[26.5 mm:OR=3.759,95%CI(1.284,11.005)]、高水平SUV_(mean)[≥4.35:OR=4.267,95%CI(1.088,16.726)]及低水平pMTV[11.2 cm~3,OR=7.000,95%CI(1.798,27.253)]更易发生21号外显子点突变。多因素分析仅发现分类变量低水平pMTV更易发生21号外显子点突变(OR=8.093,P=0.041)。结论 EGFR基因突变肺腺癌患者原发灶~(18)F-FDG PET/CT半定量参数可能与19和21号外显子突变亚型存在一定相关性,但关联程度有限。     

胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠18F-NaF micro-PET/CT和μCT评分与组织病理学的相关性分析

目的评价胶原诱导性关节炎(CIA)大鼠~(18)F-NaF micro-PET/CT和μCT评分与组织病理学的相关性。方法选取70只健康雌性SD大鼠,随机取其中20只为对照组,50只为模型组,分别在造模成功后10天行micro-PET/CT显像,测定PET显像最小标准化摄取值(SUV_(min))、最大标准化摄取值(SUV_(max))及平均标准化摄取值(SUV_(mean))值;随后进行μCT扫描并评分,通过组织病理学评分评估类风湿性关节炎严重程度。对SUV_(min)、SUV_(max)及SUV_(mean)值、μCT评分与组织病理学评分进行Pearson相关分析。结果 ~(18 )F-NaF PET/CT的SUV_(min)、SUV_(max)、SUV_(mean)、μCT评分与组织病理学评分均呈正相关(r=0.920、0.943、0.923、0.768,P均0.001)。结论 ~(18 )F-NaF Micro-PET/CT能可靠地定量评价大鼠CIA模型骨侵蚀和骨畸形,优于μCT检查。     

~(68)Ga-PSMA-11PET/CT对未经治疗前列腺癌的临床决策的影响

目的:评价镓68(~(68 )Ga)标记Glu-CO-Lys(Ahx)-HBED-CC(PSMA-11)对未经治疗前列腺癌(PCa)的早期诊断及对临床决策影响的临床价值。方法:回顾性分析2017年5月~2017年10月在我院接受~(68 )GaPSMA-11PET/CT检查并经病理证实的20例PCa和13例前列腺增生(BPH)患者的临床资料,年龄52~89岁,血清前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)值为5.52~1 251ng/ml。由3位经验丰富的核医学医师对PET/CT图像进行双盲诊断。以感兴趣区方法,半定量计算肿瘤放射性摄取,以最大标准化摄取值(SUV_(max))表示。评价~(68 )Ga-PSMA-11PET/CT在术前诊断PCa的效能,对治疗方案的影响,并比较PCa组织放射性摄取与格里森评分(GS)和PSA的相关性。结果:~(68 )Ga-PSMA-11准确诊断了19例(19/20)PCa,敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、准确性分别为95.0%、69.2%、82.6%、90.0%和84.9%。发现7例(7/20)患者淋巴结转移,5例(5/20)患者骨转移。PCa患者肿瘤组织常呈局灶性放射性摄取,前列腺良性病变常为弥散性摄取,或轻度摄取。PCa患者肿瘤组织SUV_(max)明显高于BPH患者的前列腺SUV_(max)[(21.24±15.57)vs.(5.82±2.82),P0.001]。受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析出SUV_(max)的最佳临界值(cut-off值)为7.945[曲线下面积(AUC)为0.9096,P0.0001],敏感性和特异性分别为85%和84.62%。PCa患者的SUV_(max)与GS和PSA值有显著相关(P0.001;P0.001)。结论:~(68 )Ga-PSMA-11PET/CT对PCa原发灶及转移灶均有很好的诊断价值,尤其是在高危PCa有非常高的诊断效能,显著影响临床决策。     

18F-FDG PET/CT评价初诊T细胞淋巴瘤代谢活性与免疫表型的相关性

目的观察初诊T细胞淋巴瘤~(18)F-FDG代谢活性与淋巴瘤免疫表型的关系。方法回顾性分析64例初诊T细胞淋巴瘤患者,均于治疗前接受~(18)F-FDG PET/CT检查且经病理学确诊。测量活检部位PET/CT最大标准摄取值(SUV_(max)),分析其与免疫表型之间的相关性。结果 64例活检部位SUV_(max)为2.23～24.42,中位SUV_(max)为8.02,与Ki-67、CD5表达呈正相关(r_s=0.31、P=0.02,r_s=0.81、P0.01),而与其他免疫学指标均无相关性(P均0.05)。结论 T细胞淋巴瘤代谢活性与Ki-67和CD5表达呈正相关;~(18)F-FDG PET/CT可作为无创评估Ki-67和CD5免疫表达的影像学手段。     

18F-FDG PET/CT在胆道系统恶性肿瘤中的应用

目的探讨~(18)F-FDG PET/CT诊断胆道系统恶性肿瘤的价值。方法回顾性分析34例临床疑似胆道恶性肿瘤患者的PET/CT影像资料,均获得术后病理结果,其中12例经手术切除淋巴结或淋巴结穿刺活检对18枚淋巴结获得病理诊断;与病理结果对照,计算PET/CT对胆道恶性病变原发灶、淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及准确率。结果 34例中,31例为恶性病变,3例为良性病变。PET/CT诊断胆道恶性肿瘤原发灶的灵敏度100%(31/31),特异度66.67%(2/3),阳性预测值96.88%(31/32),阴性预测值100%(2/2),准确率97.06%(33/34)。胆道恶性病变原发灶最大标准摄取值(SUV_(max))为8.42±4.27;3例胆道良性疾病SUV_(max)分别为12.90、2.00及1.90。共18枚淋巴结获得病理结果,包括转移性淋巴结13枚,良性增生5枚。PET/CT诊断淋巴结转移的灵敏度76.92%(10/13),特异度60.00%(3/5),阳性预测值83.33%(10/12),阴性预测值50.00%(3/6),准确率72.22%(13/18)。结论 PET/CT对胆道系统恶性肿瘤的诊断具有重要价值。     

Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌~(18)F-FDG摄取与临床病理特征的关系

目的分析术前18F-脱氧葡萄糖(fluorodeoxyglucose,FDG)正电子发射断层扫描/计算机体层摄影(positron emission tomography/computed tomography,PET/CT)测量Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌(non-small lung cancer,NSCLC)原发灶的最大标准化摄取值(maximum standardized uptake value,SUVmax)与临床病理因素的关系,探讨PET/CT检查对判断肿瘤病理特征的价值。方法回顾性分析中日友好医院2013年4月至2014年6月期间182例肺叶或肺段切除术前行PET/CT检查的Ⅰ期NSCLC患者的临床资料,其中男121例、女61例,年龄34~85(68.1±9.8)岁。对可能影响肿瘤SUVmax的各因素包括性别、年龄、吸烟史、组织学类型、TNM分期、T分期、肿瘤大小、脉管浸润和脏层胸膜浸润进行单因素分析和多因素回归分析。通过受试者工作特征曲线分析SUVmax的诊断效率和最佳诊断临界值。结果单因素分析提示SUVmax与性别(P=0.015)、吸烟史(P=0.001)、组织学类型(P0.001)、TNM分期(P=0.004)、T分期(P=0.001)、肿瘤大小(P0.001)、血管浸润(P=0.001)有关;多元线性回归分析显示组织学类型(P=0.001)、肿瘤大小(P=0.006)、血管浸润(P=0.009)是SUVmax的独立影响因素。肿瘤SUVmax对血管浸润有预测价值,以4.85为临界值时诊断效率最高,敏感性为65.5%,特异性为71.7%。结论Ⅰ期NSCLC的SUVmax与肿瘤组织学类型、大小、血管浸润情况相关,非腺癌、肿瘤较大、有血管浸润者SUVmax较高,通过术前SUVmax可预测肿瘤发生血管浸润的风险。     

S100A4蛋白在人非小细胞肺癌间质中的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨S100A4蛋白在人非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)间质中的表达及其临床意义,以确定其与肿瘤的侵袭、转移及预后的关系.方法 130例NSCLC 患者手术切除的肺癌组织标本,应用免疫组织化学方法(SP法)检测S100A4蛋白在肺癌组织间质中的表达,分析其与预后的关系.结果 S100A4蛋白在NSCLC间质表达的总阳性率为72.3%(94/130),在鳞状细胞癌、腺癌、腺鳞癌和大细胞癌间质表达的阳性率分别为84.3%、59.6%、70.0%和75.0%.S100A4蛋白在NSCLC间质的阳性表达与淋巴结转移(χ2=18.91,P=0.000)、远处转移(χ2=5.51,P=0.019)及TNM分期(χ2=21.54,P=0.000)明显相关.间质S100A4蛋白表达阳性患者3年生存率为36.2%(34/94),明显低于表达阴性的患者[63.9%(23/36),P=0.003].Cox风险比例模型分析结果表明,年龄≤50岁(OR=1.866)、有淋巴结转移(OR=1.826)、有远处转移(OR=6.224)、肿瘤低、未分化(OR=1.793)、TNM分期Ⅲ～Ⅳ期(OR=2.573)和间质中S100A4蛋白表达阳性(OR=1.776)是影响肺癌患者预后的危险因素.结论 S100A4蛋白在NSCLC间质中的表达与肺癌的侵袭、转移、分期及预后密切相关,它有希望成为一种能预测肿瘤进展及指导临床治疗的标记物.     

α-连接素在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及其与预后的关系

目的探讨非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)肿瘤组织中α-连接素(alpha-catenin,α-cat)的表达以及与其临床分期和预后的关系. 方法采用SP免疫组织化学染色方法分析NSCLC组织中α-cat的表达. 结果肿瘤的临床分期与α-cat的表达呈显著相关(r=0.978, P<0.05),Ⅲ期患者α-cat的异常表达高于Ⅰ期患者; α-cat的表达与NSCLC患者组织学类型和术后生存时间无关(P＞0.05 ). 结论 NSCLC组织中α-cat的表达不能作为临床判断NSCLC患者预后的指标.     

18F-FDG PET在胰腺癌患者预后评估中的价值

目的 评估18F-FDG PET判断胰腺癌患者预后的价值.方法 回顾性分析54例胰腺癌病例资料.取所有病例PET检查的标准摄取值(standard uptake value,SUV)平均值4为截断点分组,A组22例(SUV≤4),B组32例(SUV＞4),分析两组患者的预后.结果 A组1、3年生存率为68.18%、34.91%;B组1、3年生存率为33.61%、11.95%,两组生存率比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.01);Cox回归分析提示肿瘤分期和SUV是胰腺癌患者预后的独立危险因素.结论 18F-FDG PET在判断胰腺癌预后方面有一定的价值.     

18F-PSMA PET/CT半定量参数与前列腺癌临床指标的相关性

目的 探讨前列腺癌¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT半定量参数与前列腺癌各项临床指标的关系。方法 回顾性分析梅州市人民医院核医学科2020年11月至2022年4月经病理证实为前列腺癌并行¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT检查的60例患者,记录前列腺癌病灶最大标准摄取值(SUVmax)、平均标准摄取值(SUVavg),病灶PSMA体积(V_PSMA)以及病灶PSMA总量(TLU_PSMA)。比较不同Gleason评分、tP SA、世界卫生组织/国际泌尿病理协会(WHO/ISUP)分级及D’Amico风险分层组间SUVmax、SU-Vavg、V_PSMA、TLU_PSMA的差异有无统计学意义,并分析SUVmax、SUVavg、V_PSMA、TLU_PSMA与tP SA、fP-SA、fP SA/tP SA、Gleason评分、WHO/ISUP分级和D’Amico风险分层的相关性。结果 60例患者病灶摄取SUVmax、SUVavg、V     

Metabolic Response to Preoperative Chemotherapy Predicts Prognosis for Patients Undergoing Surgical Resection of Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver

Background

Biological characteristics of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) are increasingly recognized as major determinants of patient outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of metabolic response to preoperative chemotherapy as quantified by ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) for patients undergoing liver resection of CRCLM.

Methods

All patients (n = 80) who had staging PET before liver resection for CRCLM at Austin Health in Melbourne between 2004 and 2011 were included. Thirty-seven patients had PET and CT imaging before and after preoperative chemotherapy. Semiquantitative PET parameters—maximum standardized uptake variable (SUV_max), metabolic tumour volume (MTV), and total glycolytic volume (TGV)—were derived. Metabolic response was determined by the proportional change in PET parameters (?SUV_max, ?MTV, ?TGV). Prognostic scores, CT RECIST response, and tumour regression grading (TRG) were also assessed. Correlation to recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan–Meier survival and multivariate analysis.

Results

Semiquantitative parameters on staging PET before chemotherapy were not predictive of prognosis, whereas all parameters after chemotherapy were prognostic for RFS and OS. Only ?SUV_max was predictive of RFS and OS on multivariate analysis. Patients with metabolically responsive tumours had an OS of 86 % at 3 years vs. 38 % with nonresponsive or progressive tumours (p = 0.003). RECIST and TRG did not predict outcome.

Conclusions

Tumour metabolic response to preoperative chemotherapy as quantified by PET is predictive of prognosis in patients undergoing resection of CRCLM. Assessing metabolic response uniquely characterizes tumour biology, which may allow future optimization of patient and treatment selection.     

Molecular Imaging of Proliferation and Glucose Utilization: Utility for Monitoring Response and Prognosis after Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background

Metabolic imaging of gastric cancer is limited due to the 30% of primary tumors that are not ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid. In contrast, the proliferation marker ¹⁸F-fluorothymidine (FLT) has been shown to visualize also non-FDG-avid gastric tumors. In this study we tested whether FLT-positron emission tomography (PET) can improve the predictive potential of molecular imaging for assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy in gastric cancer compared with FDG-PET.

Methods

45 patients with gastric cancer underwent FDG- and FLT-PET before and 2 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy. FDG/FLT-PET findings and Ki67 immunohistochemistry were correlated with clinical and histopathological response and survival.

Results

14 patients had non-FDG-avid tumors, whereas all tumors could be visualized by FLT-PET. No significant association of clinical or histopathological response with any of the analyzed metabolic parameters [initial standardized uptake value (SUV), SUV after 2 weeks, change of SUV for FDG/FLT] was found. Univariate Cox regression analysis for Ki67 and metabolic parameters revealed significant prognostic impact for survival only for FLT SUV_mean day 14 (p = 0.048) and Ki67 (p = 0.006). Multivariate Cox regression analysis (including clinical response, Lauren type, ypN category, and FLT SUV_mean day 14) revealed Lauren type and FLT SUV_mean day 14 as the only significant prognostic factors (p = 0.006, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

FLT uptake 2 weeks after initiation of therapy was shown to be the only imaging parameter with significant prognostic impact. Neither FLT-PET nor FDG-PET were correlated with histopathological or clinical response. However, these data must be interpreted with caution due to the single-center trial study design, relatively short follow-up, poor response rates, and unfavorable prognosis.     

18F-FDG PET/CT诊断腹膜后纤维化

目的探讨~(18 )F-FDG PET/CT诊断腹膜后纤维化(RPF)的价值。方法回顾性分析因RPF接受~(18 )F-FDG PET/CT检查的12例患者,分析其病灶形态、分布范围和葡萄糖代谢活性最大标准摄取比值(SUV_(max))。结果 12例患者中,7例为初诊患者,5例为治疗后患者。7例初诊RPF患者中4例为继发性,病因分别为IgG4相关疾病、乳腺癌和前列腺癌。12例患者均可见腹主动脉和/或髂血管旁软组织密度病灶,91.67%(11/12)患者可见输尿管受累。初诊RPF患者腹膜后病灶SUV_(max)(4.21±1.76)显著高于治疗后患者(1.46±0.25;P0.05)。依据PET/CT检查结果,3例有代谢活性病灶的特发RPF患者接受激素和/或他莫昔芬等免疫抑制治疗,4例具有活性病灶的继发RPF患者接受针对病因治疗;5例治疗后患者,3例继续当前激素维持剂量治疗,2例未接受其他治疗。结论 PET/CT可用于评价RPF病灶活性和分布范围。     

18F-FDG PET/CT动态评价单纯125I粒子植入或联合顺铂化学治疗兔VX2肺癌效果

目的 分析¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT动态观察单纯¹²⁵I粒子植入术及联合化学治疗（化疗）对兔VX2肺癌的干预效果的价值。方法 将VX2肿瘤组织接种于3~4月龄新西兰大耳白兔右肺下叶,制成兔VX2肺癌模型。将30只模型兔随机分为3组,每组10只。对A组通过治疗计划系统（TPS）植入25.9 MBq（0.7 mCi）¹²⁵I粒子,B组经耳缘静脉注射顺铂7 mg/kg体质量,C组予以上2种干预。分别于治疗前及治疗后第3、7、14天对实验兔行全身PET/CT扫描,于右肺肿瘤部位及肝右叶勾画ROI,检测其最大标准摄取值（SUV_max）,计算肿瘤SUV_max/肝脏SUV_max（SUV_T/L）;于治疗前及治疗后第3、7天完成PET/CT检查后分别处死2只,治疗后第14天PET/CT检查后处死4只动物,取肿瘤组织进行病理学检查。结果 3组间及A、B组内治疗前及治疗后不同时间点肿瘤最大径差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。C组治疗后第14天肿瘤最大径较治疗前缩小（P<0.05）。治疗后第7、14天,C组SUV_T/L值较A、B组均降低（P均<0.05）;A、B组治疗后第7、14天SUV_T/L值均较治疗前降低,C组治疗后第3、7、14天SUV_T/L值均较治疗前降低（P均<0.05）。病理学检查发现3组治疗后肿瘤细胞均逐渐减少,A、C组炎症细胞及肿瘤坏死区较B组更多;C组治疗后第14天仅见少量肿瘤细胞,炎症细胞及纤维组织增多。结论 ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT可动态监测并早期评价单纯¹²⁵I粒子植入术及联合化疗对兔VX2肺癌的干预效果。     

18F-NaF PET/CT IMAGING IN FIBROUS DYSPLASIA OF BONE

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a mosaic skeletal disorder resulting in fractures, deformity, and functional impairment. Clinical evaluation has been limited by a lack of surrogate endpoints capable of quantitating disease activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT imaging in quantifying disease activity in patients with FD. Fifteen consecutively evaluated subjects underwent whole-body ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT scans, and FD burden was assessed by quantifying FD-related ¹⁸F-NaF activity. ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT parameters obtained included (i) SUV_max (standardized uptake value [SUV] of the FD lesion with the highest uptake); (ii) SUV_mean (average SUV of all ¹⁸F-NaF–positive FD lesions); (iii) total volume of all ¹⁸F-NaF–positive FD lesions (TV); and (iv) total FD lesion activity determined as the product of TV multiplied by SUV_mean (TA = TV × SUV_mean) (TA). Skeletal outcomes, functional outcomes, and bone turnover markers were correlated with ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT parameters. TV and TA of extracranial FD lesions correlated strongly with skeletal outcomes including fractures and surgeries (p values ≤ 0.003). Subjects with impaired ambulation and scoliosis had significantly higher TV and TA values (P < 0.05), obtained from extracranial and spinal lesions, respectively. Craniofacial surgeries correlated with TV and TA of skull FD lesions (P < 0.001). Bone turnover markers, including alkaline phosphatase, N-telopeptides, and osteocalcin, were strongly correlated with TV and TA (P < 0.05) extracted from FD lesions in the entire skeleton. No associations were identified with SUV_max or SUV_mean. Bone pain and age did not correlate with ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT parameters. FD burden evaluated by ¹⁸F-NaF-PET/CT facilitates accurate assessment of FD activity, and correlates quantitatively with clinically-relevant skeletal outcomes. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography versus Computed Tomography in Predicting Histopathological Response to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate diagnostic computed tomography (CT) and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for identification of histopathologic response to neoadjuvant erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

This study was designed as an open-label phase 2 trial, performed in four hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients received preoperative erlotinib 150 mg once daily for 3 weeks. CT and FDG-PET/CT were performed at baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment. CT was assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. FDG-PET/CT, tumor FDG uptake, and changes were measured by standardized uptake values (SUV). Radiologic and metabolic responses were compared to the histopathological response.

Results

Sixty patients were enrolled onto this study. In 53 patients (22 men, 31 women), the combination of CT, FDG-PET/CT, and histopathological evaluation was available for analysis. Three patients (6 %) had radiologic response. According to European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, 15 patients (28 %) showed metabolic response. In 11 patients, histopathologic response (≥50 % necrosis) was seen. In predicting histopathologic response, relative FDG change in SUV_max showed more SUV_max decrease in the histopathologic response group (?32 %) versus the group with no pathologic response (?4 %) (p = 0.0132). Relative change in tumor size on diagnostic CT was similar in these groups with means close to 0.

Conclusions

FDG-PET/CT has an advantage over CT as a predictive tool to identify histopathologic response after 3 weeks of EGFR–TKI treatment in NSCLC patients.     

The use of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography to detect mediastinal lymph nodes in metastatic breast cancer

BackgroundTo assess the predictive value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG–PET/CT) in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastasis with histopathologic verification in breast cancer (BC) patients.Materials and methodsBetween February 2012 and October 2019, 37 BC patients who underwent histopathological verification for FDG-PET positive mediastinal lymph nodes were retrospectively analyzed. Nine patients (24%) were screened before beginning treatment, while 27 (76%) were screened at the time of disease progression, an average of 39 months after completion of initial treatment.ResultsThe histopathologic diagnosis revealed lymph node metastasis from BC in 15 patients (40%) and benign disease in 22 patients (60%). The standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of mediastinal lymph nodes was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis compared to those with benign histology (9.0 ± 3.5 vs. 5.9 ± 2.4; P = 0.007). The cut-off value of SUV_max after the ROC curve analysis for pathological lymph node metastasis was 6.4. Two of the 15 patients with mediastinal SUV_max ≤ 6.4 and 13 of the 22 patients with SUV_max > 6.4 had lymph node metastasis. Age and pathological findings were prognostic factors for overall survival in univariate analysis. The treatment decision was changed in 19 patients (51%) after mediastinoscopic evaluation of the entire cohort.ConclusionsThis is the first study to support the need for pathologic confirmation of a positive PET/CT result following evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes for staging BC, either at initial diagnosis or at the time of progression. Treatment decisions were consequently altered for nearly half of the patients.     

Role of FDG-PET/CT in evaluating surgical outcomes of operable breast cancer – Usefulness for malignant grade of triple-negative breast cancer

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for speculating the malignant level and prognostic value of operable breast cancers.MethodsOf 578 consecutive patients with primary invasive breast cancer who underwent curative surgery between 2005 and 2010, 311 patients (53.8%) who received FDG-PET/CT before initial therapy were examined.ResultsReceiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed the cutoff value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) to predict cancer recurrence was 3.8 in all patients and 8.6 in patients with the triple-negative subtype, respectively. In all patients, 3-year DFS rates were 98.8% for patients with a tumor of SUV_max ≤ 3.8 and 91.6% for patients with a tumor of SUV_max > 3.8 (p < 0.001). High value of SUV_max was significantly associated with large tumor size (p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.040), high nuclear grade (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.032), negative hormone receptor status (p < 0.001), and positive HER2 status (p = 0.014). Based on the results of multivariate Cox analysis in all patients, high SUV_max (p = 0.001) and negative hormone receptor status (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with poor prognosis. In patients with triple-negative subtype, 3-year DFS rates were 90.9% for patients with a tumor of SUV_max ≤ 8.6 and 42.9% for patients with a tumor of SUV_max > 8.6 (p = 0.002), and high SUV_max was the only significant independent prognostic factor (p = 0.047).ConclusionFDG-PET/CT is useful for predicting malignant behavior and prognosis in patients with operable breast cancer, especially the triple-negative subtype.     

Correlation between mechanical stress by finite element analysis and 18F‐fluoride PET uptake in hip osteoarthritis patients

¹⁸F‐fluoride positron emission tomography (¹⁸F‐fluoride PET) is a functional imaging modality used primarily to detect increased bone metabolism. Increased ¹⁸F‐fluoride PET uptake suggests an association between increased bone metabolism and load stress at the subchondral level. This study therefore examined the relationship between equivalent stress distribution calculated by finite element analysis and ¹⁸F‐fluoride PET uptake in patients with hip osteoarthritis. The study examined 34 hips of 17 patients who presented to our clinic with hip pain, and were diagnosed with osteoarthritis or pre‐osteoarthritis. The hips with trauma, infection, or bone metastasis of cancer were excluded. Three‐dimensional models of each hip were created from computed tomography data to calculate the maximum equivalent stress by finite element analysis, which was compared with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) examined by ¹⁸F‐fluoride PET. The SUV_max and equivalent stress were correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient ρ = 0.752), and higher equivalent stress values were noted in higher SUV_max patients. The correlation between SUV_max and maximum equivalent stress in osteoarthritic hips suggests the possibility that ¹⁸F‐fluoride PET detect increased bone metabolism at sites of stress concentration. This study demonstrates the correlation between mechanical stress and bone remodeling acceleration in hip osteoarthritis. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:78–83, 2015.