Optimal SPECT processing and display: Making bad studies look good to get the right answer

Conclusion  Several quality-control measures take place before (patient and camera preparation) and during SPECT acquisition to achieve high-quality images. Not uncommonly, technologists and physicians are left with suboptimal images that have to be addressed to reach the “right answer” for patient diagnosis and hence management. In many cases patients may be reimaged, especially if the problem is detected early, but in other cases either the patient has left the nuclear laboratory or there is an inevitable problem that, even with reimaging, will not be resolved. In these situations the technologist and physician have to seek the available techniques to obtain the best images possible. These resources are discussed in this issue as an aid in quality control to obtain the best possible images.     

Minimal-invasive Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom

ZusammenfassungHintergrund Bedingt durch die intraoperative Katecholaminsekretion mit hämodynamischen Veränderungen, einem größeren Tumordurchmesser und einer deutlichen Neovaskularisation ist die Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom im Vergleich zu anderen Nebennierenerkrankungen schwieriger und potenziell komplikationsträchtiger. Ziel unserer Studie war die Frage, ob das Risiko intraoperativer kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen durch das minimal-invasive Vorgehen potenziert wird.Patienten und Methodik Im Zeitraum zwischen Februar 1992 und Mai 2005 wurden in unserer Klinik 82 Eingriffe wegen eines Phäochromozytoms bei 71 Patienten durchgeführt. Davon wurden 8 (1) Patient(en) bi-(tri-)lateral adrenalektomiert und bei 2 Patienten erfolgte eine ipsilaterale Rezidivoperation. Eingeschlossen sind 5 weitere Patienten mit Rezidiv nach Erstoperation vor 1992. Sechsunddreißig Eingriffe erfolgten konventionell (transperitoneal n=35, retroperitoneal n=1) und 46 Operationen endoskopisch (transperitoneal n=28, retroperitoneal n=18), davon keine Konversion zum offenen Vorgehen.Ergebnisse Das mediane Alter zum Zeitpunkt der Operation betrug 45 (24–75) Jahre bei einer Anamnesedauer von 12 (0–180) Monaten. Die offen operierten Phäochromozytome waren mit 5,5 (1–19) cm vs. 3,5 (0,5–8) cm (endoskopisch) signifikant größer (p=0,0011). Patienten mit endoskopischer, insbesondere mit retroperitoneoskopischer Adrenalektomie hatten im Vergleich zum konventionellen Vorgehen intraoperativ höhere systolische und diastolische maximale Blutdruckwerte sowie Spitzen über 200 mmHg (statistisch nicht signifikant). Faktoren mit möglichem Einfluss auf intraoperative hämodynamische Veränderungen waren in der multivariaten Analyse das Geschlecht (p=0,0107), der operative Zugangsweg (p=0,0153), das Patientenalter (p=0,0364) und die Tumorgröße (p=0,0484). Die postoperative stationäre Verweildauer war nach endoskopischer Operation signifikant kürzer (p<0,0001).Schlussfolgerung Die endoskopische Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom ist in der Routine ohne vermehrtes Risiko kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen die Methode der Wahl. Das offene Vorgehen sollte extraadrenalen Befunden oder sehr großen Tumoren mit Malignitätsverdacht vorbehalten bleiben.      

Radioiodine therapy of Graves' hyperthyroidism in patients without pre-existing ophthalmopathy: can glucocorticoids prevent the development of new ophthalmopathy?

BACKGROUND: Radioiodine therapy (RIT) combined with glucocorticoids is an effective therapy for Graves' disease, but it is debatable whether glucocorticoids should be applied in patients without Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). METHODS: The effect of 0.4 - 0.5 mg prednisone every second day over a period of 5 weeks after RIT was monitored over a follow-up period of at least 12 months after RIT. A questionnaire was sent to 186 consecutive patients without GO concerning eye symptoms after RIT. 148 patients (80 %) answered. If eye symptoms had occurred after RIT, additional clinical examination was carried out at our outpatient clinic. The primary endpoint was the absence or onset of GO within the first year after RIT. RESULTS: Within 12 months after RIT the examination confirmed GO in 5 out of 148 patients (3.4 %). In all cases the symptoms were transient. No adverse reaction to the use of prednisone after RIT was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of new GO in the first year after RIT was low and the clinical course of GO was mild when RIT was combined with a low-dose glucocorticoid regimen. Preventive administration of glucocorticoids can therefore be recommended in patients with Graves' disease even without evident GO.     

Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure measurement in tracheotomised patients.

The present study compared four different sites and conditions for the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in 38 spontaneous breathing tracheotomised patients. Of the patients, 28 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The four different conditions were: 1) through a cuff inflated cannula (condition A); 2) through the mouth with a deflated cannula (condition B); 3) through the mouth with a phonetic uncuffed cannula (condition C); and 4) through the mouth after stoma closure (condition D). Five trials in each condition were performed using a standardised method. The measurement of both MIP and MEP differed significantly depending on the condition of measurement. MIP taken in condition A was significantly higher when compared with conditions B, C and D. MEP in condition A was significantly higher when compared with condition B and D. In condition A the highest frequency of the best measurement of MIP and MEP was observed at the fourth and fifth effort, respectively. The same results were obtained after the selection of only COPD patients. In conclusion, respiratory muscle assessment differs significantly depending on measurement condition. Measurement through inflated cannula tracheotomy yields higher values of both maximal inspiratory and maximal expiratory pressure.     

Energy cost of activity and exercise in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), perturbations of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) may be a major determinant of altered nutrition and growth. Measurement of TDEE is problematic, though the flex-heart rate method (FHRM) provides a close estimation of TDEE, as compared to the cost-prohibitive, gold standard, the double-labeled water method, and permits estimates of the energy cost of daily activities (ECA) above resting energy expenditure (REE). We hypothesize that alterations in ECA affects TDEE in CF. PURPOSE: To measure components of TDEE in adolescents with CF and normal lung function compared with controls, and to determine whether ECA can be improved by diet and exercise. METHODS: Clinically stable CF subjects (aged 9-13, n=12) and age- and gender-matched controls (n=13) had repeated measurements of TDEE by FHRM, REE, and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) during a 6-week exercise and diet program. RESULTS: While the mean REE was similar in both groups, ECA was significantly lower in CF adolescents as compared to controls (p=0.02). During CPET, maximal exercise in CF was characterized by hyperventilation, which was unrelated to ventilation-perfusion mismatching. There were no changes in REE after dietary intervention. CONCLUSION: ECA in CF adolescents with normal lung function is lower when compared to healthy controls. These findings support the hypothesis that clinically stable patients with CF have inefficient energy metabolism or alternatively conserve energy during activities of daily living.