Preclinical SPECT and PET: Joint EANM and ESMI procedure guideline for implementing an efficient quality control programme.

The aim of this guideline is to provide recommendations for the implementation of an effective and efficient quality control (QC) programme for SPECT and PET systems in a preclinical imaging lab. These recommendations aim to strengthen the translational power of preclinical imaging results obtained using preclinical SPECT and PET. As for clinical imaging, reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability are essential when groups of animals are used in a longitudinal imaging experiment.

Four-dimensional computed tomography as first-line imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism, a retrospective comparison to conventional imaging in a predominantly single adenoma population.

Background: To determine the use of four-dimensional CT as first-line imaging compared to the traditional combination of ultrasound and [Tc]Tc-Sestamibi SPECT.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of preoperative imaging in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, who underwent parathyroidectomy between 2012 and 2021. In one group, the combination ultrasound and [Tc]Tc-Sestamibi SPECT was used as first-line imaging (n = 54), in the other group four-dimensional CT was the first-line imaging modality (n = 51).

Sex differences in clot, vessel and tissue characteristics in patients with a large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular thrombectomy.

Introduction: To improve our understanding of the relatively poor outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT) in women we assessed possible sex differences in baseline neuroimaging characteristics of acute ischemic stroke patients with large anterior vessel occlusion (LVO).

Patients And Methods: We included all consecutive patients from the MR CLEAN Registry who underwent EVT between 2014 and 2017. On baseline non-contrast CT and CT angiography, we assessed clot location and clot burden score (CBS), vessel characteristics (presence of atherosclerosis, tortuosity, size, and collateral status), and tissue characteristics with the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS).

Torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament.

Pathology of the falciform ligament is extremely rare. We present a case of a 50-year-old man with a torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament. This is a self-limiting disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid volume improves prediction of malignant edema after endovascular treatment of stroke.

Background: The ratio of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume to intracranial volume (ICV) has been identified as a potential predictor of malignant edema formation in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the added value of the CSF/ICV ratio in a model to predict malignant edema formation in patients who underwent endovascular treatment.

Methods: We included patients from the MR CLEAN Registry, a prospective national multicenter registry of patients who were treated with endovascular treatment between 2014 and 2017 because of acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion.

Diagnostic performance of an algorithm for automated collateral scoring on computed tomography angiography.

Objectives: Outcome of endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients depends on collateral circulation to provide blood supply to the ischemic territory. We evaluated the performance of a commercially available algorithm for assessing the collateral score (CS) in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: Retrospectively, baseline CTA scans (≤ 3-mm slice thickness) with an intracranial carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery segment M1 or M2 occlusion, from the MR CLEAN Registry (n = 1627) were evaluated.

Impact of the lockdown on acute stroke treatments during the first surge of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Netherlands.

Introduction: We investigated the impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting lockdown on reperfusion treatments and door-to-treatment times during the first surge in Dutch comprehensive stroke centers. Furthermore, we studied the association between COVID-19-status and treatment times.

Methods: We included all patients receiving reperfusion treatment in 17 Dutch stroke centers from May 11th, 2017, until May 11th, 2020.

Aspiration Versus Stent Retriever Thrombectomy for Posterior Circulation Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Whereas a clear benefit of endovascular treatment for anterior circulation stroke has been established, randomized trials assessing the posterior circulation have failed to show efficacy. Previous studies in anterior circulation stroke suggest that advanced thrombectomy devices were of great importance in achieving clinical benefit. Little is known about the effect of thrombectomy techniques on outcomes in posterior circulation stroke.

Implications of colonic and extra-colonic findings on CT colonography in FIT positive patients in the Dutch bowel cancer screening program.

Objectives: In the Dutch National colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program, patients with a positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) are referred for a colonoscopy. In a small proportion, because of contraindications, a computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is performed to rule out advanced neoplasia. The aim of our study is to evaluate the intra- and extra-colonic yield of CTC and its clinical implications.

SPECT/CT imaging of inflammation and calcification in human carotid atherosclerosis to identify the plaque at risk of rupture.

Background: Calcification and inflammation are atherosclerotic plaque compositional biomarkers that have both been linked to stroke risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate their co-existing prevalence in human carotid plaques with respect to plaque phenotype to determine the value of hybrid imaging for the detection of these biomarkers.

Methods: Human carotid plaque segments, obtained from endarterectomy, were incubated in [111In]In-DOTA-butylamino-NorBIRT ([111In]In-Danbirt), targeting Leukocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 (LFA-1) on leukocytes.

Initial experience with dual-layer detector spectral CT for diagnosis of blood or contrast after endovascular treatment for ischemic stroke.

Purpose: To determine whether spectral detector CT (SDCT) with a plain non-enhanced monochromatic CT, a water-weighted image after iodine removal, an iodine map, and Mono energetic images changes the diagnosis and classification of intracranial hemorrhage based on single energy CT after endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischemic stroke.

Methods: Two readers evaluated single energy and SD CT data collected from 63 patients within one week after EVT. They diagnosed ICH or contrast staining, and graded ICH according to the Heidelberg and Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) classification.

Autoradiographical assessment of inflammation-targeting radioligands for atherosclerosis imaging: potential for plaque phenotype identification.

Purpose: Many radioligands have been developed for the visualization of atherosclerosis by targeting inflammation. However, interpretation of in vivo signals is often limited to plaque identification. We evaluated binding of some promising radioligands in an in vitro approach in atherosclerotic plaques with different phenotypes.

Malignant infarction after endovascular treatment: Incidence and prediction.

Background: Early prediction of malignant infarction may guide treatment decisions. For patients who received endovascular treatment, the risk of malignant infarction is unknown and risk factors are unrevealed.

Aims: The objective of this study is to estimate the incidence of malignant infarction after endovascular treatment in patients with an occlusion of the anterior circulation, to identify independent risk factors, and to establish a model for prediction.

Importance of Occlusion Site for Thrombectomy Technique in Stroke: Comparison Between Aspiration and Stent Retriever.

Background And Purpose: Thrombectomy with stent retriever and direct aspiration are equally effective in the endovascular treatment of anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke. We report efficacy and safety of initial treatment technique per occlusion segment.

Methods: For this study, we analyzed data from the MR CLEAN Registry, a prospective, observational study in all centers that perform endovascular therapy in the Netherlands.

Does the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib sensitize to DNA-damaging therapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms? - A preclinical assessment in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare tumors with a slow proliferation. They are virtually resistant to many DNA-damaging therapeutic approaches, such as chemo- and external beam therapy, which might be overcome by DNA damage inhibition induced by proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib.

Methods And Results: In this study, we assessed several combined treatment modalities in vitro and in vivo.

Nuclear Imaging of Post-infarction Inflammation in Ischemic Cardiac Diseases - New Radiotracers for Potential Clinical Applications.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in the western world. Despite major improvements in myocardial reperfusion with sophisticated percutaneous coronary intervention technologies and new antithrombotic agents, there is still no effective therapy for preventing post- infarction myocardial injury and remodeling. Death of cardiomyocytes following ischemia results in "danger signals" that elicit an inflammatory reaction to remove cell debris and form scar tissue.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Imaging in Oncology is rapidly moving from the detection and size measurement of a lesion to the quantitative assessment of metabolic processes and cellular and molecular interactions. Increasing insights into cancer as a complex disease with involvement of the tumor stroma in tumor pathobiological processes have made it clear that for successful control of cancer, treatment strategies should not only be directed at the cancer cells but should also take aspects of the tumor microenvironment into account. This requires an understanding of the complex molecular and cellular interactions in cancer tissue.

MSC encapsulation in alginate microcapsules prolongs survival after intra-articular injection, a longitudinal in vivo cell and bead integrity tracking study.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are promising candidates for use as a biological therapeutic. Since locally injected MSC disappear within a few weeks, we hypothesize that efficacy of MSC can be enhanced by prolonging their presence. Previously, encapsulation in alginate was suggested as a suitable approach for this purpose.

Incidental Breast Carcinoma Detected With 13N-NH3 Cardiac PET Imaging.

A 78-year-old woman with chest pain and a history of pacemaker implantation for arrhythmia underwent myocardial perfusion imaging by means of N-NH3 cardiac PET/CT. N-NH3 cardiac PET showed no signs of ischemia or infarction. Incidentally, a nodule with increased N-NH3 activity was observed in the right breast.

Imaging inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques, targeting SST with [In]In-DOTA-JR11.

Background: Imaging Somatostatin Subtype Receptor 2 (SST) expressing macrophages by [DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate (DOTATATE) has proven successful for plaque detection. DOTA-JR11 is a SST targeting ligand with a five times higher tumor uptake than DOTATATE, and holds promise to improve plaque imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of DOTA-JR11 for plaque detection.

Anesthetic management during endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the MR CLEAN Registry.

Objective: To compare outcomes after endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke with 3 different types of anesthetic management in clinical practice, as anesthetic management may influence functional outcome.

Methods: Data of patients with an anterior circulation occlusion, included in the Dutch nationwide, prospective Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN) Registry between March 2014 and June 2016, were analyzed. Patients were divided into 3 groups defined by anesthetic technique performed during EVT: local anesthesia only (LA), general anesthesia (GA), or conscious sedation (CS).