共面模板辅助CT引导下125I粒子植入治疗脊柱转移瘤疗效分析

目的 探讨共面模板（co-planar template, CPT）辅助CT下植入¹²⁵I放射性粒子近距离治疗脊柱转移瘤质量控制与近期疗效。方法 12例原发肿瘤经病理学明确诊断,影像学改变符合脊柱转移瘤特征,患者共有16个病灶。处方剂量（prescribed dose, PD）80 Gy,粒子活度（1.48×10⁷~2.59×10⁷）Bq（0.4~0.7 mCi）,CPT辅助CT引导下将植入针按术前计划穿刺并种植放射性¹²⁵I粒子。术后即刻扫描观察粒子分布情况,剂量评估。随访复查CT判定瘤体直径变化,进行疗效评估。随访时间为3~29个月。同时给予疼痛分级,评判疼痛改善情况。结果 16个病灶全部穿刺成功植入粒子。植入后剂量验证显示肿瘤靶区接受的平均照射剂量（209.21±37.16）Gy,D₉₀为（115.29±7.87）Gy,D₁₀₀为（76.59±5.53）Gy,V₉₀为（99.30±0.51）%,V₁₀₀为（98.06±1.15）%,适形指数（CI）0.981±0.012,靶区外体积指数（EI）0.012±0.007。脊髓接受的平均照射剂量为（30.47±4.83）Gy。靶区和脊髓接受的平均照射剂量与术前计划比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。术后3个月病灶完全缓解（CR）18.8%（3/16）, 部分缓解（PR）62.5%（10/16）,疾病进展（PD）6.25%（1/16）,疾病稳定 （SD）6.25%（1/16）,有效率（CR+PR）81.3%;疼痛完全缓解3例,部分缓解7例,轻度缓解2例;生存期11~39个月,中位生存期24个月。所有患者脊髓无放射性损伤发生。结论 应用CPT辅助CT引导可以按照术前计划控制粒子植入的位置和放射剂量,达到治疗肿瘤、并发症少、患者可耐受的目的。     

粒子植入术后肿瘤缩小时不同布源方式对剂量的影响

目的 假定¹²⁵I粒子植入术后肿瘤每月以20%速度退缩时,研究等间距与周边密集、中间稀疏2种布源方式对剂量的影响。方法 利用计算机三维治疗计划系统（TPS）勾画4 cm×5 cm的圆柱形肿瘤,根据布源方式不同分为等间距组和周边密集、中间稀疏组,以处方剂量125 Gy载入放射性活度1.85×10⁷Bq ¹²⁵I粒子行术前计划。假设¹²⁵I粒子植入肿瘤后肿瘤高不变,直径每月以20%的速度缩小,粒子随肿瘤均匀向心性集中,分别计算¹²⁵I粒子植入术后0、1、2、3个月时90%靶体积吸收剂量（D₉₀）、90%处方剂量覆盖体积占靶体积的百分比（V₉₀）、150%处方剂量覆盖体积占靶体积的百分比（V₁₅₀）。结果 等间距组载入粒子85颗,植入0、1、2、3个月后的D₉₀分别为126.20、130.41、133.82和139.48 Gy,V₉₀分别为97.0%、98.1%、99.3%和100%,V₁₅₀分别为70.2%、69.9%、71.1%和71.5%;周边密集、中间稀疏组植入粒子75颗,植入0、1、2、3个月后的D₉₀分别为126.46、125.41、123.50和128.83 Gy,V₉₀分别为95.2%、95.7%、94.9%和97.6%,V₁₅₀分别为52.8%、60.4%、62.7%和59.3%。结论 当肿瘤直径每个月以20%速度退缩时,粒子等间距分布时肿瘤预期吸收剂量逐渐增加;周边密集、中间稀疏的布源方式肿瘤预期吸收剂量不变,且高剂量区范围明显小于等间距布源。     

计算点阵网格大小对125I粒子植入剂量计算精度的影响

目的 观察 ¹²⁵I 粒子植入时,计算机治疗计划系统（TPS）软件中计算点阵网格大小对剂量计算精度的影响。方法 采用随机数字表法抽取10例粒子植入患者的验证计划,将点阵网格调整为128×128、96×96、64×64、32×32共4组,在粒子数目、位置、活度及靶区大小相同的条件下,应用TPS计算每个计划的剂量,分别得出4组D₉₀、V₉₀、V₁₀₀及V₁₅₀,并计算D₉₀的误差。结果 128×128、96×96、64×64、32×32 4组点阵网格D₉₀平均数分别为（7 178.8±2 237.7）、（7 072.7±2 240.8）、（6 889.1±2 305.5）、（6 351.0±2 515.7）cGy;D₉₀误差百分比分别为（0.74±0.6）%、（-0.89±2.2）%、（-3.85±4.7）%、（-10.46±4.8）%,组间差异有统计学意义（F=8.95,P<0.05）。4组点阵网格V₉₀分别为（93.12±0.32）%、（92.75±0.29）%、（91.87±1.28）%、（88.06±5.06）%,组间差异有统计学意义（F=7.85,P<0.05）;V₁₀₀分别为（90.21±0.14）%、（89.67±0.64）%、（88.68±1.80）%、（84.10±6.56）%,组间差异有统计学意义（F=6.64,P<0.05）;V₁₅₀分别为（73.48±3.49）%、（72.66±3.96）%、（71.33±4.83）%、（65.41±9.49）%,组间差异有统计学意义（F=3.90,P<0.05）。结论 计算点阵网格大小明显影响TPS计算剂量的准确性,在保证运算速度同时应尽量应用128×128的计算点阵网格。     

3D打印非共面模板辅助CT引导125Ⅰ粒子植入治疗盆腔复发子宫颈癌的剂量学研究

目的 通过评估术前、术后治疗计划的物理剂量学参数,阐明利用3D打印非共面模板（3D-PNCT）辅助CT引导¹²⁵Ⅰ粒子植入治疗盆腔复发子宫颈癌的精确性。方法 盆腔复发宫颈癌患者9例,术前均行CT模拟机扫描定位图像传送粒子治疗计划系统（B-TPS）行术前计划,打印3D-PNCT,模板复位,插植粒子针并植入粒子,记录术前计划和术中实际植入针数和粒子数,比较计划靶区剂量学参数适形指数（CI）、均匀性指数（HI）和靶区外体积指数（EI）;90%靶区体积剂量（D₉₀）、匹配周边剂量（mPD,即D₁₀₀）,100%、150%和200%处方剂量体积百分比V₁₀₀、V₁₅₀和V₂₀₀。结果 患者GTV术前、术后平均体积差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。术前粒子总数675颗,术后669颗。术前粒子针总数138根,术后132根。针道角度偏差平均1.99°±2.94°（0°~13°）。术前和术后CI、EI和HI、靶区D₉₀、MPD、V₁₀₀、V₁₅₀和V₂₀₀剂量参数差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 3D-PNCT辅助CT引导¹²⁵Ⅰ粒子植入治疗盆腔复发宫颈癌可获得较好的术前、术后治疗计划匹配和植入精确性。     

3D打印共面坐标模板辅助125I放射性粒子植入治疗盆壁复发宫颈癌的剂量学研究

目的 探讨放疗后盆壁复发宫颈癌患者采用3D打印共面坐标模板（3D-PCT）辅助¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入治疗剂量精确性实施的可行性。方法 本研究为单中心的回顾性研究,选取2016年4月至2017年12月北京大学第三医院应用3D-PCT辅助¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入治疗的放疗后盆壁复发宫颈癌患者资料10例。患者年龄37~71岁,中位年龄53.5岁,KPS评分≥ 70分。所有患者均接受过盆腔放疗。病灶体积为3.5~58.0 cm³（中位31.9 cm³）,处方剂量120~180 Gy,粒子活度0.55~0.67 mCi（1 Ci=3.7×10¹⁰Bq）,术前计划植入粒子数目为50（12~81）颗。根据术前计划在3D-PCT引导下行放射性粒子植入术。术后实际植入粒子数目为53（10~82）颗。评估剂量学参数包括D₉₀、D₁₀₀、V₁₀₀、V₁₅₀、V₂₀₀、靶区外体积指数（EI）、适形指数（CI）和均匀性指数（HI）,以及危及器官剂量D_{2 cm³}、D_{1 cm³}和D_{0.1 cm³}。术前计划与术后计划参数的比较采用相关样本非参数检验。结果 术后实际植入粒子数目多于术前计划设计,差异有统计学意义（Z=-2.255,P<0.05）。术后计划与术前计划的靶区剂量学参数D₉₀、D₁₀₀、V₁₀₀、V₁₅₀、V₂₀₀、EI、CI和HI比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。膀胱、肠道的D_{2 cm³}、D_{1 cm³}和D_{0.1 cm³}、直肠D_{0.1 cm³}的术后计划与术前计划剂量差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。直肠D_{2 cm³}和D_{1 cm³}术后计划剂量低于术前计划,差异均有统计学意义（Z=-2.100、-2.240,P<0.05）。结论 3D-PCT辅助¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入治疗盆壁复发宫颈癌,通过术中剂量优化,术后实际剂量达到术前计划设计,可以保证¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入盆壁复发宫颈癌的剂量精确实施。     

组织非均匀性对宫颈癌近距离治疗剂量评估影响研究

目的 比较近距离治疗两种临床常用的剂量计算方法和基于CT影像的蒙特卡罗程序计算的剂量差异,探讨组织非均匀性对宫颈癌近距离治疗剂量评估的影响。方法 回顾性选取2018年1月至2020年6月在安徽省肿瘤医院接受三维近距离治疗的宫颈癌患者11例,分别采用美国医学物理师协会（AAPM） TG43号报告的纯水剂量计算方法（TG43-BT）、快速非均质剂量计算算法Acuros BV （BV-BT）和基于治疗CT影像的EGSnrc蒙特卡罗程序（MC-BT）计算各计划的剂量分布,分析比较3种算法的靶区剂量（D₉₈、D₉₀和D₅₀）、剂量区体积（V_{3 Gy}、V_{6 Gy}、V_{9 Gy}和V_{12 Gy}）和危及器官（OARs）D_{2 cm³}剂量差异。结果 TG43-BT中HRCTV D₉₀为6.274 Gy,比MC-BT高出了近5%,且TG43-BT对靶区体积剂量和各剂量区体积均存在过高评估;除靶区D₅₀和高剂量区V_{12 Gy}外,BV-BT和MC-BT对于靶区剂量计算差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。此外,BV-BT和MC-BT在直肠、小肠和乙状结肠的D_{2 cm³}评估上差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,而MC-BT膀胱D_{2 cm³}为4.609 Gy,比TG43-BT、BV-BT明显偏高。结论 TG43-BT未考虑组织非均匀性影响,普遍高估了靶区和多数OARs受量;BV-BT计算效率高,且在多数靶区和OARs评估参数上与MC-BT计算基本一致,但在近源位置和被充盈膀胱的剂量计算上存在不足,临床评估时仍需谨慎。     

125Ⅰ放射性粒子链腔内近距离放疗输尿管癌的初步经验

目的 初步评价放射性 ¹²⁵Ⅰ粒子链腔内近距离放疗输尿管癌的安全性和有效性。方法 10例输尿管癌患者采用C臂 CT联合数字血管造影（DSA）引导进行肾造瘘,并在输尿管闭塞/狭窄段置入 ¹²⁵Ⅰ粒子链行腔内近距离放疗。评价技术成功率、并发症、肿瘤局部控制率、输尿管通畅情况和生存时间,比较治疗前后Karnofsky评分、肾积水Girignon分级和疼痛评分,对比术前术后剂量学参数。结果 所有患者均顺利完成肾造瘘及粒子链植入,技术成功率100%,操作时间（12.3±3.8）min,无输尿管穿孔、感染、严重出血等情况发生。粒子链近距离放疗后2~3个月,局部病灶评价CR 4 例,PR 6例,局部控制率（CR+PR）100%。输尿管通畅率50%（5/10）。患者术后Karnofsky评分,肾积水Girignon分级,疼痛评分均较术前明显改善（Z=-2.72、-2.88、-2.83,P<0.01）。平均随访（14.6±6.5）（5~25）个月,3例随访期间病情进展,7例病情稳定;9例患者存活,1例因多器官衰竭死亡。术前术后D_90%、mPD、V_100%、V_150%、V_200%、CI、EI、HI比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 肾造瘘联合放射性粒子链腔内近距治疗输尿管癌安全有效,无严重并发症,是无法接受外科根治术患者有效替代方案。     

放射性粒子治疗早期腮腺癌靶区优化初步研究

目的 分析采用部分腮腺靶区行放射性粒子治疗早期腮腺癌的可行性。方法 回顾2004年11月至2013年2月在本院就诊的早期腮腺癌患者14例，所有患者手术均行肿物局部切除，术后联合¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入，根据靶区设计不同分为两组，部分腮腺靶区组和全腮腺靶区组，每组7例。比较两组患者的总生存率及局部控制率，并比较两组病例靶区体积、植入粒子数量、患侧下颌骨升支、咽缩肌、颈髓、外耳道、中耳、乳突等危及器官的受照剂量。结果 经随访51~116个月，两组病例均未见局部区域复发及远处转移，总生存率及局部控制率均为100%。部分腮腺靶区组CTV D₉₀平均为（90.3±20.4）Gy，全腮腺靶区组CTV D₉₀平均为（104.3±10.1）Gy，两组之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。部分腮腺靶区组和全腮腺靶区组的靶区体积平均分别为（9.2±2.4）和（35.1±13.5）cm³（t=5.003，P<0.05）。两组患侧下颌骨升支、咽缩肌、外耳道、中耳、乳突平均剂量及颈髓最大剂量相比较，差异均有统计学意义（t=3.534、4.279、3.034、3.471、7.221、6.103，P<0.05），部分腮腺靶区组较全腮腺靶区组靶区体积缩小、危及器官受照剂量明显降低。结论 早期低度恶性腮腺癌保守切除后，近距离治疗采用肿瘤周围区域的部分腮腺靶区具有一定的可行性，在保证临床疗效的同时可降低对正常组织的损伤。     

切向双弧容积弧形调强技术对保乳术后包括内乳淋巴结区照射的心脏剂量学评价

目的 通过对左侧乳腺癌保乳术后患者内乳淋巴结局部放疗,探讨一种新的切向50°双弧容积弧形调强放射治疗（tangential volumetric modulated arc therapy,T-VMAT）技术的剂量学特点,评价T-VMAT对心脏的潜在保护作用。方法 15例左侧乳腺癌保乳术后患者,每例患者分别设计常规加楔形板切线野（W-TF）、6野调强适形放射治疗（6F-IMRT）和T-VMAT计划,靶区处方剂量50 Gy/25次,计算并比较靶区和危及器官（OAR）的剂量体积参数和适形指标。结果 与W-TF相比,T-VMAT技术不仅可降低心脏和冠状动脉前降支（LAD）最大剂量D_max、平均剂量D_mean和≥ 10 Gy剂量区体积（P<0.05）,而且有降低5 Gy剂量区体积V_{5 Gy}趋势,但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;与6F-IMRT相比,T-VMAT技术可明显降低心脏的D_mean、V_{5 Gy}、V_{10 Gy}和V_{20 Gy},以及LAD的D_mean、V_{5 Gy}和V_{10 Gy}（P<0.05）。与W-TF相比,T-VMAT计划中同侧肺V_{20 Gy}和健侧乳腺V_{5 Gy}均未增加,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,且靶区剂量覆盖和适形度均明显优于W-TF,热点体积V₁₁₀明显低于W-TF（P<0.05）。结论 在不增加同侧肺和健侧乳腺受照体积的同时,T-VMAT不仅可以降低心脏和LAD高剂量区受照体积,而且有降低心脏和LAD低剂量区受照体积的趋势。     

乳腺癌调强放射治疗中使用0°托架支撑板的可行性研究

目的 探讨乳腺癌调强放射治疗中使用0°托架支撑板的可行性。方法 选择2015年10月至2017年2月保乳术后行全乳腺+瘤床同步补量调强放射治疗病例60例,采用随机数表法将病例分成3组各20例,第一组支撑板角度选择12°,第二组选择7°,第三组选择0°;比较3组患者患侧肺V₂₀、V₅、D_mean,各组左乳患者心脏V₁₀、V₃₀、D_mean差异及准直器角度差别,分析各组摆位误差的分布并计算群体系统误差和随机误差。结果 3组病例患侧肺V₂₀、V₅、D_mean,左乳患者心脏V₁₀、V₃₀、D_mean之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;各组准直器角度与支撑板角度的和近似为固定值13.4°。3组病例的摆位误差,只有z（前后）方向的差异有统计学意义（χ²=78.32,P<0.001）,此方向0°组中位数最接近0值且四分位间距最小;绝对误差y（头脚）、z方向的差异有统计学意义（χ²=7.63、22.61,P<0.05）,z方向3组数据递进减小且0°组值最小,y方向12°组最小,但与0°组差别不大。3组病例的群体系统误差x（左右）、z方向0°组最小,y方向12°组最小。结论 乳腺托架支撑板0°是可行的,倾斜角可由准直器转角代替,且可显著减小z方向的摆位误差。     

人体中的镭-226、镭-228、钋-210、铅-210

本文报道了广东阳江高本底地区6名、对照地区8名人尸体的骨²²⁶Ra、²²⁶Ra的浓度以及部分居民内脏器官中。²¹⁰Po、²¹⁰Pb的浓度。结果轰明阳江高本底地区和对照地区居民骨镭-226、镭-228的浓度分别为29.9pCi/kg, 26.9pCi/kgl 8.7pCi/kg, 8.2pCi/kg.由此估算出阳江高本底地区屠民骨中²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra的负薄璧及对骨衬、骨髓所产生的剂量当量分别为对照地区民民的3.4倍, 3.3倍。两地区居民内脏器官中^{210Po、210Pb的测定分析铡数较少但仍看出, 高本底地区均明显高于对照地区.}     

Production of large quantities of 90Y by ion-exchange chromatography using an organic resin and a chelating agent

The performance of a system composed of an organic cation exchanger (Dowex 50Wx8) and a chelating agent (EDTA) previously described for the successful production of (90)Y via a (90)Sr/(90)Y generator is assessed under dynamic conditions. In an attempt to overcome the established limitation of ion-exchange resins for the separation of subcurie quantities of activity, (90)Y is repeatedly isolated from an 11.8-GBq (320 mCi) (90)Sr cow using a three-column tandem arrangement. The high recovery and radionuclidic purity obtained for (90)Y and the parameters of the separation (time, eluant concentration, pH and flow rate range) strongly suggest that Ci quantities of (90)Y can be handled satisfactorily by the ion-exchange method. No replacement or treatment of the cow, low waste generation and (90)Sr losses less than 0.1% after each run were observed during the present study which, in combination with the low cost of this resin, may result in an attractive alternate method for the production of large quantities of (90)Y.     

Comparison of extraarticular leakage values of radiopharmaceuticals used for radionuclide synovectomy

OBJECTIVES: Radionuclide synovectomy is a reliable therapy in patients with chronic synovitis. However, radiation doses delivered to non-target organ systems due to leakage of radioactive material from the articular cavity are an important disadvantage of this procedure. In this study we compared extraarticular leakage values of the 3 commonly used radiopharmaceuticals; 90Y-citrate, 90Y-silicate and 186Re-sulfide colloid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with persistent synovitis were enrolled in the study. Twenty-two hemophilic, 8 rheumatoid arthritis and 5 patients with pigmented villonodular synovitis were studied. 90Y labeled silicate and citrate were used for knee joints and 186Re-sulfide for intermediate sized joints. Radiocolloid leakage values were evaluated using a gamma camera with 20% window centered over the bremsstrahlung photopeak of 90Y and a respective window over the 137 keV photopeak of 186Re. Regions of interest were drawn over the injection site, the regional lymph nodes and the background areas. Leakage of radiocolloid was calculated by dividing the counts/pixel in the regional lymph node area to the counts/pixel in the injection site. RESULTS: No visible leakage was observed. The median leakage values calculated for 90Y-citrate, 90Y-silicate and 186Re-sulfide were found as 1.9%, 2.4% and 2.7%, respectively. The difference between the variability of leakage values was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in terms of extraarticular leakage between 9Y-citrate, 9Y-silicate and 186Re-sulfide radiocolloids.     

Rapid determination of Sr impurities in freshly “generator eluted” Y for radiopharmaceutical preparation

⁹⁰Y is one of the most useful radionuclides for radioimmunotherapeutic applications and has a half-life (t_1/2=64.14 h) suitable for most therapeutic applications, beta particles of high energy and decays to a stable daughter. It is significant that ⁹⁰Y is available conveniently and inexpensively from a radionuclide “generator” by decay of its parent, ⁹⁰Sr. Nevertheless, current and planned clinical applications with [⁹⁰Y] labelled compounds employ activity levels that cannot be readily obtained from an in-house generator, but from commercial sources. We have evaluated Eichrom's Sr-resin, either as an “in-house” generator or as a fast QC method for analysis of ⁹⁰Y solutions.In particular, for the development as a generator, we investigated the percentage of the radio-Sr in the first 8 M HNO₃ eluate: in this fraction the concentration of ⁹⁰Sr must be smaller than 10⁻⁵% (recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection). For evaluation as a rapid QC method, we analyzed the concentration of ⁹⁰Y in all the fractions containing “only” radio-Sr: ⁹⁰Y should not be present in these eluates. After the collection of β⁻ and γ spectra and analysis of them, we concluded that commercial Sr-resin minicolumn cannot give us the results expected; we developed an in-house system loaded with 4 mL of Sr-resin which gave better results as a generator and a rapid QC method.     

Radiobiological Issues in the Anomalous Enhanced Effect of Low-dose-rate Fission-spectrum Neutrons: Reply to Letter to the Editor by G. W. Barendsen

Summary

The influence of diet or its ingredients on ¹⁴¹Ce absorption and retention was investigated in six-day-old rats. Animals were fed over 8 h with cow's milk, rat diet or a mixture of rat diet ingredients (fish meal, sunfiower meal, alfalfa, cane molasses and premix) labelled with ¹⁴¹Ce. Whole-body radioactivity was determined in a double crystal scintillation counter every 24 h over a six-day period. Gut, liver, kidney and femur retention and cerium distribution in the gut was determined at the end of the experiment. Compared to milk diet, administration of rat diet or ingredients caused respectively 3 and 7·5 times lower whole body retention. Carcass retention was reduced by rat diet or ingredients 2–3 times and intestinal retention 3 and 8 times respectively. Irrespective of the dietary treatment the main site of cerium intestinal retention was the ileum. Our present results indicate that some compounds of rat diet might be considered as a means of reducing cerium absorption and intestinal retention in the very young.     

226Ra 228Ra 210Pb和210Po在水生生物及食物链中转移规律的探讨

目的 为了解天然放射性核素²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra、²¹⁰Pb与²¹⁰Po在水生物及食物链中转移和蓄积情况。方法 定点采集养殖水产品及栖息环境中水与底质沉积物, 按不同的实验需要, 每个鲜样分别剥取肉, 骨(壳),鳞片和胃肠。烹饪样品, 洗净、称重、清炖, 熟后分离出骨(壳),余为食物。样品分别测定²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra、²¹⁰Pb和²¹⁰Po含量。数据按统计学要求处理, 配对数据, 作了配对显着性检验。结果 ²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra和²¹⁰Pb主要沉积于骨(壳)中, 浓集系数为10²～10³,肉中为10⁰～10².²¹⁰Po主要蓄积在水生物胃肠中, 浓集系数在10²～10⁴,鱼类胃肠与贝类肉中可达10⁴.水产食品烹饪加工过程²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra和²¹⁰Pb在食物链中转移不明显, 经配对显着性检验, 差异无显着性(P0.05);然而210Po在淡水鱼类和虾类中转移是明显的, 肉配对检验有非常显着性差别(P<0.01).结论水生物对²²⁶Ra、²²⁸Ra、²¹⁰Pb和²¹⁰Po有很强浓集能力。     

Scintigraphic findings of MALT lymphoma of the thyroid

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has been established as a distinct entity among non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and the most common primary site is the stomach. We describe scintigraphic findings in a patient with MALT lymphoma of the thyroid. A 71-year-old woman with Hashimoto's thyroiditis suffered from rapid cervical swelling, and ultrasonography and CT revealed a thyroid nodule. The nodule showed accumulation of 99mTc pertechnetate comparable to the surrounding thyroid tissue, mimicking a benign nodule. Both 67Ga and 201Tl imaging visualized the lesion as an increased uptake area. After radiotherapy, abnormally increased uptake disappeared on 67Ga images, which predicted a favorable outcome. MALT lymphoma of the thyroid may be visualized as a warm nodule on 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy.     

Rapid synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of folic acid derivatives labeled with fluorine-18 for PET imaging of folate receptor-positive tumors

In an attempt to visualize folate receptors that overexpress on many cancers, [¹⁸F]-fluorobenzene and pyridinecarbohydrazide-folate/methotrexate conjugates ([¹⁸F]-1, [¹⁸F]-2-folates and [¹⁸F]-8, [¹⁸F]-9-MTXs) were synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement reactions using ethyl-trimethylammonium-benzoate and pyridinecarboxylate precursors. The intermediates ethyl [¹⁸F]-fluorinated benzene and pyridine esters were reacted with hydrazine to produce the [¹⁸F]-fluorobenzene and pyridinecarbohydrazides, followed by coupling with N-hydroxysuccinimide-folate/MTX. Radiochemical yields were greater than 80% (decay corrected), with total synthesis time of less than 45 min. Radiochemical purities were always greater than 97% without high-performance liquid chromatography purification. These synthetic approaches hold considerable promise as rapid and simple method for the radiofluorination of folate derivatives with high radiochemical yield in short synthesis time. In vitro tests on KB cell line showed that significant amount of the radioconjugates were associated with cell fractions, and in vivo characterization in normal Balb/c mice revealed rapid blood clearance of these radioconjugates with excretion predominantly by the urinary and partially by the hepatobiliary systems. Biodistribution studies in nude mice bearing human KB cell line xenografts demonstrated significant tumor uptake and favorable biodistribution profile for [¹⁸F]-2-folate over the other conjugates. The uptake in the tumors was blocked by excess coinjection of folic acid, suggesting a receptor-mediated process. Micro-positron emission tomography images of nude mice bearing human KB cell line xenografts confirmed these observations. These results demonstrate that [¹⁸F]-2-folate may be useful as molecular probe for detecting and staging of folate receptor-positive cancers, such as ovarian cancer and their metastasis as well as monitoring tumor response to treatment.     

Development of a modular system for the synthesis of PET [C]labelled radiopharmaceuticals

[¹¹C]labelled radiopharmaceuticals as N-[¹¹C]methyl-choline ([¹¹C]choline), l-(S-methyl-[¹¹C])methionine ([¹¹C]methionine) and [¹¹C]acetate have gained increasing importance in clinical PET and for the routine production of these radiopharmaceuticals, simple and reliable modules are needed to produce clinically relevant radioactivity. On the other hand, flexible devices are needed not only for the routine synthesis but also for more complex applications as the development of new tracers. The aim of this work was the adaptation of an Eckert Ziegler modular system for easy routine synthesis of [¹¹C]choline, [¹¹C]methionine and [¹¹C]acetate using components that account for straightforward scaling up and upgrades.     

Pre-therapeutic dosimetry and biodistribution of 86Y-DOTA-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide versus 111In-pentetreotide in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumours

Purpose For the internal radiotherapy of neuroendocrine tumours, the somatostatin analogue DOTATOC labelled with ⁹⁰Y is frequently used [⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide (SMT487-OctreoTher)]. Radiation exposure to the kidneys is critical in this therapy as it may result in renal failure. The aim of this study was to compare cumulative organ and tumour doses based upon dosimetric data acquired with the chemically identical ⁸⁶Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide (considered as the gold standard) and the commercially available ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide.Methods The cumulative organ and tumour doses for the therapeutic administration of 13.32 GBq ⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide (three cycles, each of 4.44 GBq) were estimated based on the MIRD concept (MIRDOSE 3.1 and IMEDOSE). Patients with a cumulative kidney dose exceeding 27 Gy had to be excluded from subsequent therapy with ⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide, in accordance with the directives of the German radiation protection authorities.Results The range of doses (mGy/MBq ⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide) for kidneys, spleen, liver and tumour masses was 0.6–2.8, 1.5–4.2, 0.3–1.3 and 2.1–29.5 (⁸⁶Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide), respectively, versus 1.3–3.0, 1.8–4.4, 0.2–0.8 and 1.4–19.7 (¹¹¹In-pentetreotide), with wide inter-subject variability. Despite renal protection with amino acid infusions, estimated cumulative kidney doses in two patients exceeded 27 Gy.Conclusion Compared with ⁸⁶Y-DOTA-Phe¹-Tyr³-octreotide, dosimetry with ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide overestimated doses to kidneys and spleen, whereas the radiation dose to the tumour-free liver was underestimated. However, both dosimetric approaches detected the two patients with an exceptionally high radiation burden to the kidneys that carried a potential risk of renal failure following radionuclide therapy.