CT guided mediastinal biopsy facilitated by PET/CT imaging: Our experience.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the efficacy of mediastinal tumor biopsies guided by computed tomography (CT) and facilitated by positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in our hospital. We also wanted to prove the use of PET/CT in performing such biopsies. Fifty-two patients were biopsied under CT guidance with PET/CT visual co-registration (35) and facilitated PET/CT registration (17).

[Comparative evaluation of Iterative and FORE-Iterative reconstruction algorithms for PET/CT].

In this study, the properties of the reconstruction algorithm Iterative in comparison with the FORE-Iterative using F-FDG PET/CT data were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Department of Nuclear Medicine of Evangelismos Athens General Hospital, in which data from 9 patients were collected and reconstructed with both algorithms, Iterative and FORE-Iterative. For each patient, the image quality was assessed using parameters such as SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).

The SRT reconstruction algorithm for semiquantification in PET imaging.

Purpose: The spline reconstruction technique (SRT) is a new, fast algorithm based on a novel numerical implementation of an analytic representation of the inverse Radon transform. The mathematical details of this algorithm and comparisons with filtered backprojection were presented earlier in the literature. In this study, the authors present a comparison between SRT and the ordered-subsets expectation-maximization (OSEM) algorithm for determining contrast and semiquantitative indices of (18)F-FDG uptake.

A robust method, based on a novel source, for performance and diagnostic capabilities assessment of the positron emission tomography system.

The aim of our work was to provide a robust method for evaluating imaging performance of positron emission tomography (PET) systems and particularly to estimate the modulation transfer function (MTF) using the line spread function (LSF) method. A novel plane source was prepared using thin layer chromatography (TLC) of a fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) solution. The source was placed within a phantom, and imaged using the whole body (WB) two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) standard imaging protocols in a GE Discovery ST hybrid PET/CT scanner.

Lack of association between KRAS mutations and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Caucasian metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Although Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene mutational testing is essential for the optimal design of therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer, it is not always feasible or reliable. In this retrospective study, we examined whether (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) scans can serve as a surrogate examination for KRAS mutational testing.

Patients And Methods: KRAS codon 12 and 13 mutational status was tested in 44 colorectal primary tumors and was compared with the (18)F-FDG PET/CT maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) values of the respective metastatic lesions.

Dose- and time-dependent effects of lipopolysaccharide on technetium-99-m-labeled diethylene-triamine pentaacetatic acid clearance, respiratory system mechanics and pulmonary inflammation.

Intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in animals is a commonly used model of acute lung injury, characterized by increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability causing protein-rich edema, inflammation, deterioration of lung mechanical function and impaired gas exchange. Technetium-99-m-labeled diethylene-triamine pentaacetatic acid ((99m)Tc-DTPA) scintigraphy is a non-invasive technique to assess lung epithelial permeability. We hypothesize that the longer the exposure and the higher the dose of LPS the greater the derangement of the various indices of lung injury.

Reliability and validity of the Greek QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 for measuring quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Greek EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 instruments.

Method: A sample of myeloma patients (N = 89) from two tertiary hospitals were surveyed with the QLQ-C30, QLQ-MY20 and various demographic and disease related questions. The previously validated Greek SF-36 instrument was used as a "gold standard" for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) comparisons.

Hysterosalpingography using a flat panel unit: evaluation and optimization of ovarian radiation dose.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was the evaluation and optimization of radiation dose to the ovaries (D) in hysterosalpingography (HSG).

Methods: The study included a phantom study and a clinical one. In the phantom study, we evaluated imaging results for different geometrical setups and irradiation conditions.

Iodine 131 treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with end stage renal failure: dosimetric, radiation safety, and practical considerations.

Background: Iodine 131 ablation following total thyroidectomy is considered an indispensable element of successful treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (Dtc). because of the essential role of the kidneys in iodine clearance, (131)I therapy of Dtc in patients with end stage renal disease, particularly those maintained on haemodialysis, present a number of special features: the (131)I activity needs to be modified, the haemodialysis sessions need to be adjusted at the time of (131)I therapy, and there are radiation safety considerations during dialysis. there is considerable controversy over these crucial questions in the reports published so far in the literature, which concern a total of fourteen patients.