18-Fluoride labeled sodium fluoride positron emission tomography with computer tomography: the impact of pretreatment staging in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer.

Background: 18-Fluoride labeled sodium fluoride (Na-18-F) positron emission tomography with computer tomography (PET/CT) has a better sensitivity and specificity than whole body bone scan (WBBS) in detecting osseous metastatic prostate cancer. We performed a pilot study of 20 men to examine what level of impact Na-18-F PET/CT has on management plans when used for staging newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Twenty men were prospectively enrolled into the study in South Australia.

Reproducibility of a semi-quantitative lobar pulmonary ventilation and perfusion technique using SPET and CT.

Objective: Evaluation of regional lung function is valuable prior to lung surgery in patients with chronic lung disease. Our aim was to evaluate the reproducibility of a locally developed single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPET/CT) programme between and within three observers in assessing lobar pulmonary volumes, perfusion and ventilation.

Subjects And Methods: Twelve lung transplantation candidates had VQ SPET and diagnostic CT to determine lobar pulmonary function and plan surgery.

Illicit stimulant use is associated with abnormal substantia nigra morphology in humans.

Use of illicit stimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy is an increasing health problem. Chronic use can cause neurotoxicity in animals and humans but the long-term consequences are not well understood. The aim of the current study was to investigate the long-term effect of stimulant use on the morphology of the human substantia nigra.

Is there an added clinical value of "true"whole body(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging in patients with malignant melanoma?

Accurate and reliable staging of disease extent in patients with malignant MM is essential to ensure appropriate treatment planning. The detection of recurrent or residual malignancy after primary treatment is important to allow for early intervention and to optimise patient survival. 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) PET or PET computed tomography (PET/CT) is indicated for surveillance of malignant MM due to its high sensitivity and specificity for soft-tissue or nodal recurrences and metastases.

Measurement of hand bone mineral density in early rheumatoid arthritis using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Aims: The earliest radiological change in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is periarticular osteopenia, which occurs prior to the appearance of erosions and clinically apparent deformities. The aim of the study was to measure periarticular bone mineral density (BMD) in the hands of patients with early RA, using dual energy X-ray absorptiomentry (DEXA) and to correlate this with markers of disease activity and radiological progression.

Methods: The study population (n = 50) of patients with RA of < 3 years duration underwent measurement of BMD of the non-dominant hand, femoral neck and lumbar spine and clinical assessment at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Glucose absorption and gastric emptying in critical illness.

Introduction: Delayed gastric emptying occurs frequently in critically ill patients and has the potential to adversely affect both the rate, and extent, of nutrient absorption. However, there is limited information about nutrient absorption in the critically ill, and the relationship between gastric emptying (GE) and absorption has hitherto not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to quantify glucose absorption and the relationships between GE, glucose absorption and glycaemia in critically ill patients.

Lymphatic mapping with 99mTc-Evans Blue dye in sheep.

Objective: 99mTc-Evans Blue (EB) is an agent that contains both radioactive and color signals in a single dose. Earlier studies in animal models have suggested that this agent when compared with the dual-injection technique of radiocolloid/blue dye can successfully discriminate the sentinel lymph node. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of 99mTc-EB as an agent to map the lymphatic system in an ovine model.

How regenerating lymphatics function: lessons from lizard tails.

Rational treatment of lymphoedema may be improved in the future with a better understanding of the physiological processes involved in the regeneration of new lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis). Many lizard species undergo tail autotomy as a predator escape response and subsequently regenerate nonlymphoedematous tails. Such species may offer novel models for examining lymphangiogenesis.

The tissue distribution of Evans blue dye in a sheep model of sentinel node biopsy.

Background: Tc-Evans blue is a 'single dose' agent for lymphatic mapping combining radioactivity and blue dye for sentinel node identification. The mechanism and distribution of blue dye retention in the lymph node is not clearly understood.

Objective: To demonstrate the cellular distribution of Tc-Evans blue in sheep sentinel lymph nodes by measuring the radioactivity of different tissue components and correlating this with pathological examination.

99mTc-Evans blue dye for mapping contiguous lymph node sequences and discriminating the sentinel lymph node in an ovine model.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of (99m)Tc-Evans blue for discriminating the sentinel lymph node in multitiered lymph node sequences by using an ovine model. (99m)Tc-Evans blue is an agent that has both radioactive and color signals in a single dose. Previous studies in smaller animal models suggested that this agent could have advantages over the dual-injection technique of radiocolloid/blue dye.

Pharmacokinetics and normal scintigraphic appearance of 99mTc aprotinin.

Objective: To confirm the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of 99mTc aprotinin in normal volunteers and to determine the optimum time for scanning post-injection, prior to further investigations of 99mTc aprotinin as an imaging agent for amyloidosis.

Methods: Five patients (three men and two women, average age 49 years, age range 38-66 years) without a history of amyloidosis or any of the associated diseases, were included in this prospective study. Blood and urine were collected and images were performed of the whole body and wrists.

Gastric emptying is slow in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of these symptoms and explore their relationship with objective (radionuclide) studies of upper GI function.

Methods: Thirty-two (32) patients with CFS and 45 control subjects completed a questionnaire on upper GI symptoms, and the 32 patients underwent oesophageal clearance, and simultaneous liquid and solid gastric emptying studies using radionuclide techniques compared with historical controls.

Retention and distribution of two 99mTc-DTPA labelled vaginal dosage forms.

Unlabelled: To objectively evaluate the performance of new vaginal dosage forms, it is important to determine their time of residence and their distribution. This paper describes the in vivo characteristics of a reference and test product in this situation.

Method: A randomised cross-over study was performed in the same phase of the menstrual cycle in eight pre-menopausal women.

Sentinel lymph node dissection and lymphatic mapping for local subcutaneous recurrence in melanoma treatment: longer-term follow-up results.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node dissection (LM/SLND) for surgical staging of cutaneous primary melanoma is currently being evaluated, but the role of these techniques in recurrent (secondary) melanoma is largely unexplored. Our experience with 12 patients indicates the potential usefulness of LM/SLND in the management of locally recurrent melanoma at subcutaneous sites. We have even used mapping to localize the sentinel node draining a subcutaneous local recurrence after previous LM/SLND for primary melanoma.

Simultaneous 13C/14C dual isotope breath test measurement of gastric emptying of solid and liquid in normal subjects and patients: comparison with scintigraphy.

Background: To develop a simple method for simultaneous solid and liquid gastric emptying assessment using a dual isotope labelled breath test.

Material And Methods: 13 patients were given 100 g ground beef labelled with 25 MBq (99m)Tc sulphur colloid and 74 KBq (14)C octanoic acid, and 150 ml 10% glucose drink labelled with 8 MBq (67)Ga citrate and 150 mg (13)C acetate. 10 normal volunteers were given the same test meals but labelled with (14)C and (13)C only.

Liver density measured by DEXA correlates with serum ferritin in patients with beta-Thalassemia Major.

Patients with beta-Thalassemia Major have a requirement for repeated blood transfusion, which ultimately results in liver iron- and whole body iron-overload. These patients are also at risk of reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Seventeen patients (9 female, age 19-32 yr) were referred for bone density estimations of the hip, spine, and whole body.

Effect of port composition on tumor cell adherence: an in vivo model.

Introduction: We have reported previously on an in vitro model to examine tumor cell adherence to metal and plastic laparoscopic ports and to port sites through which they had been passed. This demonstrated that increased numbers of tumor cells were found both on metal ports compared with plastic ports and on the port sites through which metal ports had passed. In this study, the in vivo adherence of such cells to ports and port sites was investigated.

Influence of lavage timing on tumor cell burden during colonic resection.

Introduction: A subset of patients undergoing elective resection for an intra-abdominal malignancy may have viable tumor cells present within the peritoneal cavity at the start of the procedure. The presence of these cells may alter the pattern of tumor recurrence.

Methods: Six million human colorectal tumor cells were radiolabeled and injected into the pelvis of eight pigs before the undertaking of a standardized laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy.

Outcomes of patients referred for confirmation of brain death by 99mTc-exametazime scintigraphy.

Objective: To review clinical outcomes in patients referred for confirmation of brain death by (99m)Tc-labelled exametazime scintigraphy and to assess any tangible benefit.

Design And Setting: A retrospective casenote review in the intensive care unit and nuclear medicine department of a tertiary-level acute care hospital.

Patients And Participants: 66 consecutive patients, in whom a clinical diagnosis of brain death was not possible, undergoing (99m)Tc-labelled exametazime scintigraphy from February 1993 to March 2002, and for 56 of whom casenotes were available for review.

Regenerating lizard tails: a new model for investigating lymphangiogenesis.

Impaired lymphatic drainage in human limbs causes the debilitating swelling termed lymphoedema. In mammals, known growth factors involved in the control of lymphangiogenesis (growth of new lymph vessels) are vascular endothelial growth factors-C and -D (VEGF-C/D). Here we characterize a model of lymphangiogenesis in which the tail of lizards is regenerated without becoming oedematous.