SPECT/CT骨显像在肿瘤患者可疑脊柱转移灶中的诊断价值

目的 评价99Tcm-亚甲基二膦酸盐(MDP)SPECT/CT骨显像对肿瘤患者可疑脊柱转移灶的诊断价值.方法 选取76例99Tcm-MDP骨显像可疑脊柱转移灶患者,进行SPECT/CT同机融合显像.76例患者中,与病理(含术中病理)检查结果对照19例,与随访1年余(2006年6月至2006年12月患者,随访至2008年3月)结果对照14例,显像结果与CT及MRI的共同结果对照43例.结果 SPECT/CT显像诊断肿瘤脊柱转移灶的灵敏度为95.83%(23/24),特异性为90.38%(47/52),准确性为92.11%(70/76),阳性预测值为82.14%(23/28),阴性预测值为97.92%(47/48),阳性似然比为9.97,阴性似然比为0.05.结论 SPECT/CT提高了肿瘤可疑脊柱转移灶鉴别诊断的准确性和特异性.     

18 F-FDG PET显像与99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像诊断肿瘤远处转移的比较

目的　评价18F 脱氧葡萄糖 (FDG)PET肿瘤显像与99Tcm 亚甲基二膦酸盐 (MDP)全身骨显像对检出骨和远处转移的价值。方法　对 16例恶性肿瘤放化疗后的患者进行18F FDGPET显像和99Tcm MDP全身骨显像 ,并对两种结果进行了比较。结果　 16例肿瘤患者中18F FDGPET显像皆阳性 ,其中 14例患者有远处转移 ,转移病灶共 62处 ,其中骨转移病灶 2 0处 ;在全身骨显像中 ,11例有局限性异常放射性浓聚 ,其中 2例为单一病灶 ,9例为多发病灶 ,共检出病灶 5 7处 ,另 5例骨显像正常。结论　18F FDGPET对恶性肿瘤的诊断具有较高的准确性和特异性 ,但对骨转移灶的诊断价值相对较差 ;99Tcm MDP显像阴性或单一病灶的可疑转移瘤患者有必要进行18F FDGPET检查 ,以明确诊断其他远处转移灶     

SPECT/CT融合显像在肿瘤患者骨盆病变中的诊断价值

目的 评价99Tcm-亚甲基二膦酸盐（MDP） SPECT/CT融合显像对肿瘤患者骨盆转移病灶的诊断价值。 方法 回顾性分析2018年8至12月于四川省肿瘤医院经组织病理学检查确诊为恶性肿瘤且临床疑似有骨转移的148例患者的临床资料,其中男性77例、女性71例,年龄29~86（48.8±14.5）岁。将患者分为原发盆腔肿瘤组（63例）和非原发盆腔肿瘤组（85例）。所有患者在首次行SPECT全身平面骨显像后,对骨盆的异常浓聚灶行SPECT/CT融合显像。经组织病理学检查和（或）影像学检查（SPECT、CT、SPECT/CT、MRI）随访6个月至1年,通过随访结果,比较SPECT平面骨显像与SPECT/CT融合显像诊断骨转移的符合率、准确率和阳性预测值。定性资料的比较采用Pearson χ2检验;采用单因素方差分析比较多个影像学检查的阳性预测值。 结果 SPECT平面骨显像共检出309个代谢增高病灶,其中239个与随访结果相符,诊断符合率为77.3%（239/309）,诊断骨转移的准确率为92.9%（208/224）,诊断良性病变的准确率为77.3%（34/44）。SPECT/CT融合显像共检出367个代谢增高病灶,其中349个与随访结果相符,诊断符合率为95.1%（349/367）,诊断骨转移的准确率为98.4%（299/304）,诊断良性病变的准确率为87.7%（50/57）。SPECT平面骨显像与SPECT/CT融合显像在诊断符合率、骨转移的诊断准确率、良性病变的诊断准确率间的差异均有统计学意义（χ2=0.595、28.795、4.546,均P<0.01）。SPECT/CT融合显像在骨盆病变中检出的病灶数多于SPECT平面骨显像,原发盆腔肿瘤组检出病灶数多于非原发盆腔肿瘤组,且差异有统计学意义（χ2=17.385,P=0.036）。各种影像学检查的阳性预测值以SPECT/CT最高（84%,52/62）,其余依次为SPECT（79%,48/61）、MRI（76%,47/62）和 CT（65%,39/60）,其阳性预测值间的差异有统计学意义（F=5.492,P=0.003）。 结论 与SPECT平面骨显像相比,99Tcm-MDP SPECT/CT可以提高肿瘤患者骨盆转移灶鉴别诊断的准确率和原发性盆腔肿瘤骨转移灶的检出率。     

SPECT/CT融合显像对乳腺癌骨转移的诊断价值

目的 评价SPECT/CT融合显像对^99Tc^m-MDP全身骨显像难于确诊的乳腺癌骨病灶的鉴别诊断价值.方法 对^99Tc^m-MDP全身骨显像难于确诊的132例乳腺癌患者的210个病灶行局部SPECT/CT同机融合断层显像,以临床随访及病理检查获得最终诊断结果,计算SPECT/CT融合显像对骨转移灶的诊断准确率、灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值,并对比不同部位病灶的诊断准确率差异.结果 ①210个病灶经SPECT/CT融合断层显像正确诊断的恶性病灶82个（39.0％）,良性病灶112个（53.3％）,诊断准确率为92.4％（194/210）,灵敏度为94.3％,特异度为91.1％,阳性预测值为88.2％,阴性预测值为95.7％.②SPECT/CT同机融合断层显像对不同部位的病灶的诊断准确率不一致,脊椎的诊断准确率最高,为95.9％（94/97）,肋骨最低,为83.7％（36/43）,其差异有统计学意义（χ^2=7.81,P＜0.05）.结论 SPECT/CT同机融合显像能够对^99Tc^m-MDP全身骨显像难于确诊的病灶进行准确诊断,其对不同部位的病灶的诊断准确率有差异,脊椎的诊断准确率最高,肋骨最低.     

第三代双源双能CT虚拟去钙骨髓成像在椎体成骨性骨转移瘤评价中的价值

目的 探讨第三代双源双能CT虚拟去钙骨髓成像(简称骨髓成像)用于评价椎体成骨性骨转移瘤的临床价值。方法 回顾性分析2017年11月至2018年9月在山西医科大学第一医院就诊的48例骨外恶性肿瘤患者[男性27例、女性21例,年龄(62.4±10.5)岁]的椎体骨转移情况,所有患者同期均行双源双能CT成像与9 Tcm-亚甲基二膦酸盐(MDP)全身骨显像,以临床随访诊断或病理诊断结果为标准,比较99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像、常规CT及骨髓成像3种方法在椎体成骨性骨转移瘤中的诊断价值。在骨髓成像图像上测量骨髓密度(CT值),3种方法诊断椎体成骨性骨转移瘤的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率的比较采用χ2检验,采用t检验比较椎体转移灶的骨髓CT值和正常椎体的骨髓CT值,采用受试者工作特征曲线分析骨髓CT值。结果 48例患者共计598个椎体,确诊成骨性骨转移瘤的椎体135个。99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像诊断数为127个,常规CT诊断数为119个,骨髓成像诊断数为129个,骨髓成像诊断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率分别为95.56%、94.82%、84.31%、98.65%和94.98%。99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像、常规CT、骨髓成像的阴性预测值(98.17%、96.60%、98.65%)和准确率(92.81%、95.82%、94.98%)间的差异均无统计学意义(χ2=4.891、5.591,P=0.087、0.061);99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像与骨髓成像的灵敏度(94.07%vs. 95.56%)、特异度(92.44%vs. 94.82%)及阳性预测值(78.40%vs. 84.31%)间的差异均无统计学意义(χ2=0.301、2.190、1.811,P=0.583、0.139、0.178);病变椎体转移灶的骨髓密度较正常椎体的骨髓密度低[(-588.96±332.37) HUvs.(-55.03±75.62) HU],差异有统计学意义(t=31.906,P=0.000)。骨髓密度的曲线下面积为0.99,临界值为-119.6 HU(灵敏度和特异度分别为97.80%和96.50%)。结论 第三代双源双能CT虚拟去钙骨髓成像可用于检测椎体成骨性骨转移瘤。     

SPECT／CT显像诊断转移性骨肿瘤的临床意义

目的探讨SPECT／CT显像在肿瘤骨转移诊断中的临床价值。方法选择237例可疑肿瘤骨转移和不明原因骨痛的患者,注射99Tcm亚甲基二膦酸盐（MDP）后180min行全身骨显像,对发现的可疑病灶立即行同机CT扫描,再行图像融合和分析。对患者资料进行回顾性分析,平面显像和SPECT／CT显像结果与病理结果对照21例,与2种以上影像技术（MRI、CT、X线）诊断结果对照106例,与随访2年结果对照110例,计算平面显像和SPECT／CT与这些对照方法的诊断符合率。采用SAS6．12软件进行统计学处理,对平面和SPECT／CT显像的诊断符合率行／检验。结果平面显像237例中142例诊断和对照方法诊断结果符合,其中72例良性病变,70例骨转移,肯定性诊断总符合率95．30％（142／149）。SPECT／CT显像237例中224例结果和对照方法诊断结果符合,其中104例为良性病变,120例为骨转移,SPECT／CT诊断总符合率94．51％（224／237）,其中肯定性诊断总符合率为99．48％（192／193）。平面显像和SPECT／CT对骨转移的肯定性诊断符合率差异有统计学意义（x2=5．37,P=0．024）。结论SPECT／CT显像不仅可以精确定位,而且还可补充单独CT检查获得的诊断信息,明显提高对骨病变诊断的价值。     

Accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography for diagnosis of single bone metastasis: comparison with bone scintigraphy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) with bone scan for diagnosis of single bone metastasis using a semiquantitative method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients with suspected single bone metastasis, who underwent both FDG-PET and a bone scan, were selected. The number and location of lesions detected upon both FDG-PET and bone scan were recorded, and the lesions were compared using the McNemar test. For semiquantitative analysis, a maximum (max) standard uptake value (SUV) of 2.5 was used as the positive cutoff value for metastasis. The difference in max SUV value among 3 groups (osteolytic, osteoblastic, and benign lesions) was assessed using the Student-Newman-Keuls method. Biopsy results, other imaging findings (multirow detector computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging), and the patient's clinical course were used as references. RESULTS: There were 47 single bone metastases and 29 benign lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of bone scans for diagnosing bone metastases were 89%, 41%, and 71%, respectively, and those of FDG-PET were 85%, 52%, and 72%, respectively. These data were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Using a max SUV of 2.5 as the positive cutoff value for metastasis, the specificity and accuracy of FDG-PET, 83% for each, improved. When classifying bone metastasis as osteoblastic or osteolytic, the max SUV was significantly higher in osteolytic metastasis than in osteoblastic and benign lesions (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) using the semiquantitative parameter SUV improves the diagnostic ability to differentiate between single bone metastases and benign lesions.     

Benign versus malignant osseous lesions in the lumbar vertebrae: differentiation by means of bone SPET

Bone scanning is a well-accepted and frequently performed diagnostic procedure with a high sensitivity, especially when single-photon emission tomography (SPET) acquisitions are added. However, the differentiation of benign from malignant osseous lesions often poses difficulty. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the particular localisation of an intraosseous lesion in a lumbar vertebra is an indicator of its aetiology. Bone scintigraphy including planar whole-body scans as well as SPET imaging of the lumbar spine was performed in 109 patients. The diagnoses of osseous lesions in the lumbar vertebrae were made strictly on the basis of the findings of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography or plain radiography. Sixteen patients had to be excluded from the study because they did not undergo adequate radiological examination. To determine the particular localisation of vertebral lesions in the bone scan, two experienced nuclear medicine physicians examined the studies independently while blinded to the radiological results. Four anatomical regions were differentiated within the vertebra: the vertebral body, the pedicle, the facet joints and the spinous process. Clopper-Pearson analysis, which takes into account the number of examinations, yielded the following probability intervals for the malignancy of intraosseous lesions in the lumbar spine: vertebral body 36.8%-57.3%, pedicle 87.7%-100%, facet joints 0.8%-21.4% and spinous process 18.7%-81.3%. It was concluded that lesions affecting the pedicle are a strong indicator for malignancy, whereas involvement of the facet joints is usually related to benign disease. Lesions affecting the vertebral body or the spinous process do not show a clear tendency towards either malignancy or benignity. In contrast to other studies, a significant probability of malignancy (35.6%) was observed in lesions affecting exclusively the vertebral body.     

Bone scintigraphy and the added value of SPECT (single photon emission tomography) in detecting skeletal lesions.

Skeletal metastases are one of the major clinical problems for the oncologist. Over the last several decades bone scintigraphy has been used extensively in detecting bone involvement since it can provide information about disease location, prognosis and the effectiveness of treatment. Bone scan offers the advantage of total body examination, and images bone lesions earlier than other techniques. In this paper the main clinical problems related to the most common applications of bone scan in breast, prostate, lung cancer and other tumours are discussed. The experience carried out at the National Cancer Institute of Milan by using bone SPECT to detect single bone metastases is reported. One hundred and eighteen patients with bone metastases (from different tumour types: breast, lung, prostate, lymphomas, etc.) were studied by planar scintigraphy, SPECT and other radiological modalities (CT, MRI or X-rays). The overall performances of bone SPECT were sensitivity: 90.5% (19/21), specificity 92.8% (90/97), positive predictive value 73% (19/26), negative predictive value 97.8% (90/92), accuracy 92.4% (109/118). Considering breast cancer, the most frequent pathology in our series, and the lumbar spinal tract, the most common skeletal segment involved, the figures of merit of SPECT were: sensitivity 100% (4/4), specificity 95.3% (41/43), positive predictive value 66.7% (4/6), negative predictive value 100% (41/41), accuracy 95.7% (45/47). In conclusion bone SPECT showed very good performances, in particular improving the predictive value of planar scan in the diagnosis of vertebral metastases.     

Benign versus malignant osseous lesions in the lumbar vertebrae: differentiation by means of bone SPET

Bone scanning is a well-accepted and frequently performed diagnostic procedure with a high sensitivity, especially when single-photon emission tomography (SPET) acquisitions are added. However, the differentiation of benign from malignant osseous lesions often poses difficulty. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the particular localisation of an intraosseous lesion in a lumbar vertebra is an indicator of its aetiology. Bone scintigraphy including planar whole-body scans as well as SPET imaging of the lumbar spine was performed in 109 patients. The diagnoses of osseous lesions in the lumbar vertebrae were made strictly on the basis of the findings of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography or plain radiography. Sixteen patients had to be excluded from the study because they did not undergo adequate radiological examination. To determine the particular localisation of vertebral lesions in the bone scan, two experienced nuclear medicine physicians examined the studies independently while blinded to the radiological results. Four anatomical regions were differentiated within the vertebra: the vertebral body, the pedicle, the facet joints and the spinous process. Clopper-Pearson analysis, which takes into account the number of examinations, yielded the following probability intervals for the malignancy of intraosseous lesions in the lumbar spine: vertebral body 36.8%–57.3%, pedicle 87.7%– 100%, facet joints 0.8%–21.4% and spinous process 18.7%–81.3%. It was concluded that lesions affecting the pedicle are a strong indicator for malignancy, whereas involvement of the facet joints is usually related to benign disease. Lesions affecting the vertebral body or the spinous process do not show a clear tendency towards either malignancy or benignity. In contrast to other studies, a significant probability of malignancy (35.6%) was observed in lesions affecting exclusively the vertebral body. Received 23 November 1999 and in revised form 12 February 2000     

Immunoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-labelled monoclonal anti-CEA BW 431/26 antibodies in patients with suspected recurrent and metastatic colorectal carcinoma: two-year follow-up.

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunoscintigraphy with BW 431/26 anti-CEA antibody in the follow-up of 15 patients with colorectal carcinoma. A whole-body scan followed by SPET imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed 4-6 and 20-24 h after the intravenous infusion of 0.6-1.0 mg of intact anti-CEA monoclonal BW 431/26 antibody labelled with 814-1110 MBq of 99Tcm. The HAMA response and serum CEA levels were determined. Immunoscintigraphic findings were verified by biopsy, radiologically and/or by 2 year follow-up. On an individual patient basis, immunoscintigraphy demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 100%, accuracy of 87%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 60%. Better results were achieved in the pelvic region than in the liver or in the extra-hepatic abdominal region. We evaluated 40 lesions; on an individual lesion basis, immuno-scintigraphy gave a sensitivity of 80% and an accuracy of 80%. SPET images detected significantly more lesions than whole-body planar images (P < 0.05). SPET at 20-24 h detected significantly more 'hot' lesions than at 4-6 h (P < 0.01). No correlation between CEA serum levels and immunoscintigraphy was observed (r = 0.376, P > 0.05). One of nine patients (11%) developed HAMA after immunoscintigraphy. We conclude that immunoscintigraphy with BW 431/26 antibody appears able to differentiate between tumour recurrence and scar tissue, and to evaluate liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Serum CEA levels appear not to influence the result of immunoscintigraphy and the HAMA response is minimal. A delayed SPET scan should be part of an immunoscintigraphic imaging protocol when 99Tcm-labelled BW 431/26 monoclonal antibody is used.     

乳腺癌患者骨病灶SPECT/CT融合显像的临床价值

目的 探讨SPECT/CT融合显像诊断与鉴别乳腺癌患者全身骨显像放射性异常浓聚灶的临床价值。 方法 对25例乳腺癌患者的99Tcm-MDP全身骨显像显示的骨异常放射性浓聚灶行SPECT/CT融合显像。4~8个月后再次行全身骨显像及SPECT/CT融合显像复查。图像由两名有经验的核医学科医师独立分析, 部分CT图像由有经验的放射科医师分析指导。 结果 在25例乳腺癌患者的37个异常放射性浓聚灶中, 确定29(29/37, 78. 38%)个病灶为骨转移灶, 其中有2个椎体病灶在初次检查中判读为良性病灶; 8(8/37, 21. 62%)个病灶为良性病灶, 其中1个肋骨病灶在初次检查中判读为骨转移灶, 比较全身骨显像和SPECT/CT融合显像, 二者之间差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.975, P < 0.05)。骨转移灶主要分布于椎骨及肋骨。全身骨显像和SPECT/CT融合显像的诊断灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率分别为82.76%、75.00%、92.31%、54.55%、81.08%和93.10%、87.50%、96.43%、77.78%、91.89%。采用受试者操作特性曲线(ROC)进行分析, 结果:全身骨显像曲线下面积为0. 860±0. 056, SPECT/CT融合显像曲线下面积为0. 974±0. 020。SPECT/CT融合显像曲线下面积大于全身骨显像曲线下面积, 两者之间差异具有统计学意义(χ2=9. 924, P < 0.001)。 结论 SPECT/CT融合显像较全身骨显像能更好地鉴别出乳腺癌骨病灶的性质, 能够提高诊断准确率, 具有重要的临床价值; 必要时应在4~8个月后复查SPECT/CT。     

The benefit of SPECT when added to planar scintigraphy in patients with bone metastases in the spine.

PURPOSE: This study compared the efficiency of SPECT with planar bone scans in differentiating malignant from benign lesions and in detecting metastases to the spine. METHODS: Planar scintigraphy and SPECT were performed in 37 patients with low back pain without known malignancy and in 38 patients with confirmed malignancy. The type, location, and intensity of tracer accumulation were compared on the planar and SPECT scans. The malignant or benign nature of lesions was proved by radiologic methods, histologic findings, 6 month follow-up, or all of these. RESULTS: More metastases were detected by SPECT (SPECT, 58 of 64; planar, 42 of 64; P < 0.01). In three of seven patients with known malignancy who had a normal result of planar scan, only SPECT detected metastases. Fifty-nine metastases were radiologically mainly osteolytic, one was osteoblastic and four were mixed. Most lesions showed increased radioactivity (40 of 42 on planar scans vs. 45 of 58 on SPECT) and 2 of 42 (5%) vs. 12 of 58 (21%) were cold with marginally increased uptake. One of 58 metastases was a cold lesion seen on SPECT only. Lesions were more often malignant than benign when seen on SPECT in a pedicle (n = 5; malignant = 3, benign = 2), in the body and pedicle (n = 22; malignant = 14, benign = 8), within the vertebral body (n = 5; malignant = 4, benign = 1) and in the whole vertebra (n = 6; malignant = 4, benign = 2). The lesion to background ratio was higher on SPECT than on planar scans (SPECT, 2.26; planar scans, 1.86; P < 0.05 in malignant lesions). CONCLUSIONS: SPECT of the spine improved the diagnostic accuracy of bone scans when added to a planar scan in patients with known malignancy and clinical suspicion of spinal metastases when the planar scan was borderline abnormal. It helps in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions of the spine.     

99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in musculoskeletal tumors.

The aim of this study was to assess the value of 99mTc-hexakis2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy in patients with clinical and radiologic features of primary or metastatic musculoskeletal tumors. METHODS: The scintigraphic findings for 84 patients were compared with the surgical and histologic findings. Each patient underwent three-phase bone scanning with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) and dynamic and static MIBI scintigraphy. The MIBI scans were evaluated by visual and quantitative analysis. The count ratio of the lesion to the adjacent or contralateral normal area (L/N) was calculated from the region of interest drawn on the MIBI scan. The Mann-Whitney test was used to determine the differences between the uptake ratios of malignant and benign lesions. RESULTS: Although increased MDP uptake was not specific for bone malignancy, a significant difference was found between benign tumors (L/N = 1.22 +/- 0.43) and malignant tumors (L/N = 2.25 +/- 1.03) on MIBI scans. Sensitivity and specificity were 81% and 87%, respectively. Forty-six of 53 proven benign lesions did not show significant MIBI uptake. The negative predictive value was 88%. In all seven sites of pathologic fracture, significant uptake was seen. However, three malignant lesions were not detected by MIBI scintigraphy, whereas seven benign lesions showed false-positive results. CONCLUSION: The major diagnostic worth of MIBI scintigraphy is its high negative predictive value. Although not capable of replacing tissue biopsy as a definitive diagnostic modality for musculoskeletal neoplasms, MIBI scintigraphy does appear to have a role in better preoperative assessment and in distinguishing between pathologic and simple fractures.     

The usefulness of 99mTc tetrofosmin scintigraphy in patients with breast cancer recurrences

To verify the usefulness of 99mTc tetrofosmin scintigraphy in the follow-up of breast cancer patients, we studied 72 surgically treated breast cancer patients with suspected local recurrences (20 cases) or distant metastases (52 cases) at clinical examination and/or at conventional imaging procedures (CIPs). In all patients, a whole-body scan followed by planar and single photon emission tomography (SPET) images of selected sites were acquired 10 min after the intravenous injection of 740 MBq of 99mTc tetrofosmin, using a rectangular dual-head gamma camera equipped with high-resolution parallel-hole collimators. Loco-regional recurrences were diagnosed in 19 patients and distant metastases in 44 cases, while benign lesions were ascertained in nine cases. 99mTc tetrofosmin SPET showed higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy per patient than did CIP (96.8% vs 85%, 77.7% vs 55.5% and 94.4% vs 81.1%, respectively) with statistical significance for accuracy (P <0.05). The combined use of SPET and CIP achieved 100% sensitivity and 98.6% accuracy. Planar imaging did not give additional information in respect of either SPET or CIP, showing significantly lower sensitivity and accuracy values (47.6% and 52.8%, respectively). Our data seem to suggest that 99mTc tetrofosmin SPET, but not planar, may be useful in the follow-up for the detection of loco-regional and distant recurrences in patients with breast cancer. The technique can play a complementary role to conventional diagnostic imaging procedures in selected patients.     

(99)mTc-tetrofosmin SPET in the detection of both primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission tomography (SPET) in the detection of both primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis. We studied 192 consecutive patients in whom primary breast cancer was suspected on the basis of mammography and/or physical examination. After intravenous injection of 740 MBq (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin, both planar and SPET scintimammography was performed in all patients using a rectangular dual-head gamma camera equipped with low-energy, high-resolution, parallel-hole collimators. In 175 patients with breast cancer at histology, the per-lesion overall sensitivity of SPET and planar imaging for the detection of breast cancer was 95.8% and 75.9% (P<0.0005), respectively. The sensitivity of SPET and planar imaging was, respectively, 96.5% and 79.5% in palpable (P<0.0005) and 90% and 45% in non-palpable lesions (P<0.01). With regard to lesion size, the sensitivity of SPET and planar imaging was, respectively, 90.5% and 45.2% in lesions < or =10 mm ( P<0.0005), 95.3% and 81.4% in lesions of 11-20 mm (P<0.005), 100% and 84.6% in lesions of 21-30 mm (P<0.05) and 100% and 95.8% in lesions >30 mm (P>0.05). In the remaining 17 patients with benign mammary lesions at histology, per-lesion overall specificity of SPET and planar imaging was 76.2% and 85.7% (P>0.05), respectively. Neither SPET nor planar imaging showed false-positive results in non-palpable lesions or in those < or =10 mm. In 173 breast cancer patients submitted to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), per-axilla overall sensitivity of SPET and planar imaging in the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis was 93% and 52.3% ( P<0.0005), respectively. The sensitivity of SPET and planar imaging was, respectively, 100% and 82.6% in palpable nodes (P>0.05), 90.5% and 41.3% in non-palpable nodes (P<0.0005), 92.8% and 35.7% in the presence of < or =3 nodes ( P<0.0005) and 93.2% and 68.2% in the presence of >3 nodes (P<0.005). The specificity of SPET and planar imaging was 91% and 100% (P<0.05), respectively. (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin SPET appears to be a reliable method for the detection of both primary BC and axillary lymph node metastasis, and its diagnostic accuracy exceeds that of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin planar scintimammography. The use of SPET is particularly important in the identification of small non-palpable primary carcinomas and metastatic axillae with < or =3 non-palpable lymph nodes. More extensive use of SPET appears warranted in the management of breast cancer patients.     

Tc-99m PMT hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the utility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy for tissue characterization of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using Tc-99m N-pyrydoxyl-5-methyltriptophane (Tc-99m PMT). METHODS: We examined 13 patients with HCC (29 extrahepatic metastases and 3 benign bone lesions) and 5 patients with other cancers (15 extrahepatic metastases). Thirty minutes to 6 hours after intravenous administration of Tc-99m PMT, planar (all 47 lesions) and SPECT (42 lesions) images were obtained. Accumulation of Tc-99m PMT in the lesion was evaluated visually by comparing bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or all of these. RESULTS: Findings were positive in 12 of 13 patients with HCC and extrahepatic metastases (16 of 29 on planar imaging and 21 of 26 on SPECT). Findings in all three benign bone lesions and 15 metastatic lesions from non-HCC primary lesions were negative (0 of 18 on planar imaging, 0 of 16 on SPECT). There were no false-positive findings in these lesions. Lesion-by-lesion sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were 55%, 100%, 72%, 100%, and 58% by planar imaging and 81%, 100%, 88%, 100%, and 76% by SPECT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high specificity and reasonable sensitivity, Tc-99m PMT appears to be useful for the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic metastases from HCC. SPECT improves the detectability of small or faint accumulation in metastases from HCC.     

A head-to-head comparison between technetium-99m-tetrofosmin and technetium-99m-MIBI scintigraphy to evaluate suspicious breast lesions

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of technetium-99m-tetrofosmin and technetium-99m-MIBI in a head-to-head comparison. Both radiopharmaceuticals are routinely used for detecting breast cancer. In a prospective, open, diagnostic trial, the two radiopharmaceuticals were administered randomly on different days to the same 101 women suffering from 103 breast tumours. Planar images and single photon emission computer tomography (SPET) were performed. After histological examination of the tumours, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value were compared. 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 99mTc-MIBI showed low sensitivity in planar images (44% vs 46%, respectively). SPET improved sensitivity (70% vs 69%, respectively). Specificity in planar images was 83% and 87%, and it was even lower using SPET (70% vs 78%, respectively). Positive predictive value in planar images was 76% vs 81%, and it was not changed by SPET. Negative predictive value was low in planar images (54% vs 57%, respectively), but it was improved by using SPET (65% vs 67%, respectively). In conclusion, 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy show similar diagnostic value in assessing suspicious breast lesions.     

Bone single-photon emission tomography in recent meniscal tears: an assessment of diagnostic criteria

Bone single-photon emission tomography (SPET) was performed in 40 patients within 6 months of acute knee injury where internal derangement of the knee was suspected, and the results related to the arthroscopy findings. Scan features with high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy for a meniscal tear could not be obtained on planar imaging. However, a half-crescent or more of increased tibial plateau activity on transaxial SPET gave a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 76%, a positive predictive accuracy of 77% and a negative predictive value of 89%. For longitudinal (bucket handle) tears alone the optimum scan pattern was a full crescent of increased tibial plateau activity with adjacent femoral activity and increased blood pool activity which gave corresponding values of 78%, 94%, 78% and 93%. It is concluded that the inclusion of tibial plateau activity of less than a full crescent and the presence of femoral condyle and blood pool activity in the diagnostic criteria improves the ability of bone SPET to detect meniscal tears. The value of bone SPET in the diagnosis of meniscal tears suggests that it could have a significant role to play in the management of knee injuries. Correspondence to: P.J. Ryan     

Bone marrow immunoscintigraphy for the detection of skeletal metastases in patients with breast cancer

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of bone marrow immunoscintigraphy (BMIS) for the detection of skeletal metastases in 23 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer. All patients underwent whole-body BMIS 3-6 h after the intravenous injection of 0.20-0.33 mg of the intact anti-NCA 95 MAb BW 250/183 labelled with 259-555 MBq 99Tcm and a whole-body 99Tcm-MDP bone scan. In four patients, BMIS SPET of the lumbar spine was also performed. Serum alkaline phosphatase was determined in all patients and the level of human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) in 16. Final diagnosis was confirmed by radiology and 2 years follow-up. Compared with the 99Tcm-MDP bone scan, BMIS demonstrated better specificity (88% vs 75%) and a better positive predictive value (92% vs 85%). There were no significant differences between BMIS and the bone scan in the detection of skeletal metastases (P > 0.05). In one patient with normal planar BMIS of the lumbar spine, SPET disclosed a metastatic lesion in the bone marrow. The correlation coefficient between BMIS and bone scan and between BMIS and serum alkaline phosphatase was r = 0.688 and r = 0.483 respectively. One patient developed a minor HAMA response after BMIS. Patients with diffuse increased activity of the skull on the bone scan had a significantly higher skull to whole body ratio on BMIS (P < 0.01). Thus BMIS can improve the specificity and positive predictive value of bone scanning in the detection of skeletal metastases, with a low HAMA response. Diffuse increased activity of the skull on bone scans could be explained by bone marrow extension. SPET scanning of the spine may improve the sensitivity of BMIS.