Multicenter Evaluation of the Feasibility of Clinical Implementation of SPECT Myocardial Blood Flow Measurement: Intersite Variability and Imaging Time.

Background: Single-center studies have shown that single photon emission computed tomography myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurement is accurate compared with MBF measured with microspheres in a porcine model, positron emission tomography, and angiography. Clinical implementation requires consistency across multiple sites. The study goal is to determine the intersite processing repeatability of single photon emission computed tomography MBF and the additional camera time required.

Prognostic role of baseline F-FDG pet/CT in stage I and stage ii non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: investigate the prognostic role of baseline F-FDG PET/CT in stage I-II NSCLC.

Material And Methods: 296 patients were included. Clinicopathological features and PET/CT semiquantitative parameters [standardized uptake value (SUV) body weight max (SUVmax), SUV body weight mean (SUVmean), SUV lean body mass (SUVlbm), SUV body surface area (SUVbsa), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), ratio SUVmax/liver (S-L) and ratio SUVmax/blood-pool (S-BP) were extracted].

New criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis using 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine a qualitative scoring system and a semi-quantitative method of FDG-PET/CT imaging in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods: We retrospectively included 108 patients who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT for suspected IE. PET/CT scans were interpreted using a 4-point score (0 = no uptake; 1 = cardiac uptake < blood-pool activity; 2 = blood-pool < uptake < liver activity; 3 = uptake > liver) and semi-quantitatively using SUVmax and SUVmean of the suspected valve lesion, liver, spleen, and of the bone marrow (BM).

Radiolabelled PSMA PET/CT in breast cancer. A systematic review.

Background: Radiolabelled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based PET/CT is a whole-body imaging technique currently performed for the detection of prostate cancer lesions. PSMA has been also demonstrated to be expressed by the neovasculature of many other solid tumours. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible diagnostic role of radiolabelled PSMA PET/CT in breast cancer.

Long-term treatment with tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis: efficacy and safety in a monocentric cohort of patients.

Objective: The efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) in GCA is supported by two randomized controlled studies, in which TCZ allowed remission to be achieved after 52 weeks of treatment. However, after discontinuation of treatment, half of the patients relapsed. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with TCZ and the role of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT scanning in the follow-up of these patients.

Improvement of diagnostic accuracy of 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography in detection of infective endocarditis using a 72-h low carbs protocol.

Background: The major challenge in diagnosing infective endocarditis using fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) is the high physiological myocardial F-FDG uptake, which may interfere with the detection of pathological uptake. Our aim was to retrospectively analyse the impact of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat (LCHPHF) diet starting 72 h before the examination with classic overnight fasting.

Methods: We included 92 patients (51 with LCHPHF diet 72 h before the examination and 41 with overnight fast only).

F-FDG PET or PET/CT in Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

The aim of this systematic review was to examine published data about the potential role of Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET or PET/CT) in patients affected by mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). A comprehensive computer literature search of Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Embase databases was conducted, including articles indexed up to November, 2019; 25 studies or subsets in studies analyzing the value of F-FDG PET or PET/CT in patients with MCL were eligible for inclusion. From the analyses of the selected studies, the following main findings are described: (1) MCL are F-FDG-avid in most of cases, especially nodal lesions, but bone marrow and gastrointestinal disease localizations have low F-FDG avidity; (2) F-FDG PET/CT seems to be helpful in staging setting, showing a better diagnostic performance than conventional imaging and a positive impact on clinical stage; (3) F-FDG PET/CT is useful in evaluating treatment response, especially after chemotherapy and transplantation; and (4) metabolic response after therapy seems to have a prognostic role.

Three years' clinical practice of Radium-223 therapy in patients with symptomatic bone metastases from metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer: a single-centre experience.

Background: Radium-223 was a treatment approved for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no-visceral metastases, in progression after at least two prior lines of systemic therapy, or ineligible for any available systemic treatment. The aim of this study was to provide further characterization and sub-selection of patients who would benefit most with Radium-223 treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 38 patients treated with Radium-223 between 2015 and 2018.

Comparison between NNH-PET and Tc-Tetrofosmin-CZT SPECT in the evaluation of absolute myocardial blood flow and flow reserve.

Background: PET/CT is the standard for quantitative assessments of myocardial blood flow (MBF), but it requires short-lived-tracers, costly, and not widely available. SPECT with Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors allows dynamic acquisition and quantitation of MBF. The study aims were to compare MBF measurements by Tc-tetrofosmin-CZT to NNH PET/CT after regadenoson-induced coronary hyperemia and to evaluate the effect of attenuation correction (AC).

Potential of Radiolabeled PSMA PET/CT or PET/MRI Diagnostic Procedures in Gliomas/Glioblastomas.

Background: Radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen PSMA-based PET/CT or PET/MRI is a whole-body imaging technique currently performed for the detection of prostate cancer lesions. PSMA has been also demonstrated to be expressed by the neovasculature of many other solid tumors.

Objective: The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible diagnostic role of radiolabeled PSMA PET/CT or PET/MRI in patients with gliomas and glioblastomas, by summarizing the available literature data.

Possible delayed diagnosis and treatment of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer by adopting the 2015 ATA guidelines.

Objective: According to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, thyroid ablation by iodine-131 (I-131) therapy is absolutely recommended only in patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Often distant metastases are not recognized early and they can stay silent for long time. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of metastatic disease before and after I-131 and to evaluate the influence of the new ATA guidelines in the management of DTC.