A 6-year experience of Zephyr endobronchial valves for severe emphysema in an Australian single-centre cohort.

Background: Endobronchial valve (EBV) insertion for lung volume reduction is a management option for patients with severe emphysema. One-way valves cause lobar deflation and improve lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life.

Aims: To retrospectively analyse and compare the outcomes of the first 57 patients treated with EBVs between 2015 and 2021 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital to international standards.

Normative Quantitative Values for Dacryoscintigraphy and the Effect of Lid Massage.

Our objectives were to establish normative quantitative values for dacryoscintigraphy in an older population and to evaluate the effect of lid massage. We conducted a prospective study of 44 eyes of 22 participants aged between 54-90 y that had no symptoms of epiphora and no clinical tear film instability, lid abnormality, lacrimal system impairment, or patent lacrimal duct on syringing. Dacryoscintigraphy was performed and interpreted by a single nuclear medicine physician.

Validation of RAH VQ SPECT/CT lobar quantification program using a modified version of GE Q lung.

Objective: The value of ventilation-perfusion (VQ) single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) lobar quantification for pre-operative assessment of lobectomy and lung volume reduction is known. Our in-house developed software, RAH ventilation perfusion SPECT/CT quantification (RAHVQSQ) has been shown to be able to identify the target lobe for collapse in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) for advanced emphysema. We have proven inter and intra observer reproducibility but are yet to validate the accuracy of our program.

Use of Ventilation-Perfusion Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography to Select the Target Lobe for Endobronchial Valve Lung Volume Reduction.

Background: Quantitative planar ventilation-perfusion (VQ) has a complementary role in target lobe selection for endobronchial valve lung volume reduction (EBV-LVR), especially in homogenous disease. We investigated a novel method of lung lobar quantitation using VQ single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with computed tomography (CT) to generate a parameter called the ventilation-perfusion differential index (VQDI).

Aim: The aim of this study was to validate VQDI as a parameter for target lobe selection in EBV-LVR against the gold standard test of quantitative computed tomography (qCT).

Value of myocardial perfusion imaging in renal transplant evaluation.

Aim: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) is commonly used for preoperative renal transplant assessment. We performed an audit to evaluate the prognostic value of MPI in this cohort.

Method: Between 1999 and 2009, 838 transplants were performed in South Australia.

Radionuclide arthrogram with SPECT/CT for the evaluation of mechanical loosening of hip and knee prostheses.

Objective: To evaluate the value of SPECT/CT in radionuclide arthrogram (RNA) for the assessment of mechanical loosening of hip and knee prostheses.

Method: A retrospective audit of 117 RNA SPECT/CTs evaluated by a single reader--40 hips, (1 hemiarthroplasty) and 77 knees (12 unicompartmental). The detection of any radiotracer within the bone/prosthetic interface was deemed positive for loosening.

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.