Focal F-FDG uptake predicts progression of pre-invasive squamous bronchial lesions to invasive cancers.

Introduction: Pre-invasive squamous lesions of the central airways can progress into invasive lung cancers. Identifying these high-risk patients could enable detection of invasive lung cancers at an early stage. In this study, we investigated the value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans in predicting progression in patients with pre-invasive squamous endobronchial lesions.

Should vascular wall F-FDG uptake be adjusted for the extent of atherosclerotic burden?

Vascular wall F-FDG uptake is often used as a surrogate marker of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. A potential caveat is that vascular wall F-FDG uptake is higher simply because more atherosclerosis is present. To determine if the degree of inflammation is high or low relative to the extent of atherosclerosis, vascular wall F-FDG uptake may require statistical adjustment for a non-inflammatory marker reflecting the extent of atherosclerosis, e.

Variability in quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation using 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Background: 18F-FDG-PET(/CT) is increasingly used in studies aiming at quantifying atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. Considerable methodological variability exists. The effect of data acquisition and image analysis parameters on quantitative uptake measures, such as standardized uptake value (SUV) and target-to-background ratio (TBR) has not been investigated extensively.

Colorectal liver metastatic disease: efficacy of irreversible electroporation--a single-arm phase II clinical trial (COLDFIRE-2 trial).

Background: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel image-guided tumor ablation technique that has shown promise for the ablation of lesions in proximity to vital structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts. The primary aim of the COLDFIRE-2 trial is to investigate the efficacy of IRE for unresectable, centrally located colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Secondary outcomes are safety, technical success, and the accuracy of contrast-enhanced (ce)CT and (18)F-FDG PET-CT in the detection of local tumor progression (LTP).

Effectiveness of an (18)F-FDG-PET based strategy to optimize the diagnostic trajectory of suspected recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy: The RELAPS multicenter randomized trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of (18)F-FDG-PET as first-line diagnostic investigation, prior to performing a direct laryngoscopy with biopsy under general anesthesia, in patients suspected of recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: 150 patients suspected of recurrent T2-4 laryngeal carcinoma at least two months after prior (chemo)radiotherapy with curative intent for resectable disease were randomized to direct laryngoscopy (CWU: conventional workup strategy) or to (18)F-FDG-PET only followed by direct laryngoscopy if PET was assessed 'positive' or 'equivocal' (PWU: PET based workup strategy), to compare the effectiveness of these strategies. Primary endpoint was the number of indications for direct laryngoscopies classified as unnecessary based on absence of recurrence, both on direct laryngoscopy and on six month follow up.

Response evaluation after chemoradiotherapy for advanced nodal disease in head and neck cancer using diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG-PET-CT.

Objectives: Evaluation of accuracy and interobserver variation of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDGPET-CT) to detect residual lymph node metastases after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in advanced staged head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials And Methods: Retrospectively, routinely performed DW-MRI (n=73) and 18F-FDG-PET-CT (n=58) 3months after CRT in HNSCC-patients with advanced nodal disease (N2-N3) were assessed by two radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians (individually and in consensus). Imaging was scored dichotomously and on a five-point Likert scale.

Diffusion-weighted EPI- and HASTE-MRI and 18F-FDG-PET-CT early during chemoradiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer.

Main Problem: Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) has potential to predict chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is generally performed using echo-planar imaging (EPI). However, EPI-DWI is susceptible to geometric distortions. Half-fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE)-DWI may be an alternative.

The use of PET-MRI in the follow-up after radiofrequency- and microwave ablation of colorectal liver metastases.

Background: Thermal ablation of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) may result in local progression, which generally appear within a year of treatment. As the timely diagnosis of this progression allows potentially curative local treatment, an optimal follow-up imaging strategy is essential. PET-MRI is a one potential imaging modality, combining the advantages of PET and MRI.

Can we increase the yield of FDG-PET in the preoperative work-up for epilepsy surgery?

Purpose: [(18)F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) is a semi-invasive, interictal method of localization of hypometabolic epileptic foci. FDG-PET can be useful in the clinical work-up prior to epilepsy surgery, especially in equivocal cases. We investigated whether we could increase the yield of presurgical FDG-PET in patients with difficult epilepsy requiring chronic subdural electrocorticography (ECoG).

PET-CT after radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases: suggestions for timing and image interpretation.

Introduction: The main area of concern regarding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of colorectal liver metastases is the risk of developing a local site recurrence (LSR). Reported accuracy of PET-CT in detecting LSR is high compared to morphological imaging alone, but no internationally accepted criteria for image interpretation have been defined. Our aim was to assess criteria for FDG PET-CT image interpretation following RFA, and to define a timetable for follow-up detection of LSR.

Toward prediction of efficacy of chemotherapy: a proof of concept study in lung cancer patients using [¹¹C]docetaxel and positron emission tomography.

Purpose: Pharmacokinetics of docetaxel can be measured in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) and a microdose of radiolabeled docetaxel ([(11)C]docetaxel). The objective of this study was to investigate whether a [(11)C]docetaxel PET microdosing study could predict tumor uptake of therapeutic doses of docetaxel.

Experimental Design: Docetaxel-naïve lung cancer patients underwent 2 [(11)C]docetaxel PET scans; one after bolus injection of [(11)C]docetaxel and another during combined infusion of [(11)C]docetaxel and a therapeutic dose of docetaxel (75 mg·m(-2)).

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in elderly patients with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate of unknown origin.

Patients with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and non-specific symptoms often pose a diagnostic dilemma. PET/CT visualises infection, inflammation and malignancy, all of which may cause elevated ESR. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of 18F-fluorodeoxglucose positron emission tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnostic work-up of referred patients with an elevated ESR, in whom initial routine evaluation did not reveal a diagnosis.

Incidence and treatment of local site recurrences following RFA of colorectal liver metastases.

Background: Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) who are ineligible for curative surgery are potential candidates for radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Although RFA has emerged as a well accepted and documented treatment modality, there are still some reservations because of initially high rates of local site recurrences (LSR). The aim of the present study was to evaluate LSR levels following RFA treatment, with a specific focus on re-treatment and survival.

Tumor cavitation in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy: incidence and outcomes.

Introduction: Commonly reported complications after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include febrile neutropenia, radiation esophagitis, and pneumonitis. We studied the incidence of tumor cavitation and/or "tumor abscess" after CCRT in a single-institutional cohort.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2010, 87 patients with stage III NSCLC underwent cisplatin-based CCRT and all subsequent follow-up at the VU University Medical Center.

Blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function in Alzheimer's disease.

A major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is accumulation of amyloid-β in senile plaques in the brain. Evidence is accumulating that decreased clearance of amyloid-β from the brain may lead to these elevated amyloid-β levels. One of the clearance pathways of amyloid-β is transport across the blood-brain barrier via efflux transporters.

Absolute quantification of [(11)C]docetaxel kinetics in lung cancer patients using positron emission tomography.

Purpose: Tumor resistance to docetaxel may be associated with reduced drug concentrations in tumor tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) allows for quantification of radiolabeled docetaxel ([(11)C]docetaxel) kinetics and might be useful for predicting response to therapy. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative [(11)C]docetaxel PET scans in lung cancer patients.

18F-FDG PET as a tool to predict the clinical outcome of infliximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: an explorative study.

Unlabelled: 18F-FDG PET is a sensitive, promising method for visualizing disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to assess the association between changes in 18F-FDG joint uptake after 2 wk of infliximab treatment and clinical outcome.

Methods: Scans were obtained at the initiation of treatment and at 2 wk.

Quantitative parametric perfusion images using 15O-labeled water and a clinical PET/CT scanner: test-retest variability in lung cancer.

Unlabelled: Quantification of tumor perfusion using radioactive water (H(2)(15)O) and PET is a promising method for monitoring treatment with antiangiogenic agents. However, use of dynamic H(2)(15)O scans together with a fully 3-dimensional clinical PET/CT scanner needs to be validated. The purpose of the present study was to assess validity and reproducibility of dynamic H(2)(15)O PET/CT scans for measuring tumor perfusion and validate the quantitative accuracy of parametric perfusion images.

[Fluorodeoxyglucose F18(FDG)-probe guided biopsy].

Although positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has improved the diagnosis of malignant and inflammatory abnormalities, histopathological examination is often required to supplement imaging examination in order to make a definite diagnosis. In some cases a lesion is not visible using conventional imaging techniques but is visible on a PET scan with fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (FDG). In other cases a lesion cannot be approached percutanuously because of localisation or size of the lesion.

Added value of positron emission tomography imaging in the surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Objective: [F-18]-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is used increasingly in the work-up to surgery for patients with potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases. This study evaluates the clinical effectiveness, impact on health care resources and cost-effectiveness of adding FDG-PET to the diagnostic algorithm alongside a randomized clinical trial from a health care perspective.

Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, the net monetary benefit (NMB) of FDG-PET added to conventional diagnostic work-up (CWU) was determined in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Interobserver variability in chest CT and whole body FDG-PET screening for distant metastases in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the interobserver variability in chest computed tomography (CT) and whole body 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) screening for distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Procedure: Chest CT and whole body FDG-PET of 69 HNSCC patients with high-risk factors who underwent screening for distant metastases were analyzed. All scans were independently read by two experienced radiologists or nuclear physicians who were blinded to the other examinations and follow-up results.

FDG PET and PET/CT: EANM procedure guidelines for tumour PET imaging: version 1.0.

The aim of this guideline is to provide a minimum standard for the acquisition and interpretation of PET and PET/CT scans with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). This guideline will therefore address general information about[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) and is provided to help the physician and physicist to assist to carrying out,interpret, and document quantitative FDG PET/CT examinations,but will concentrate on the optimisation of diagnostic quality and quantitative information.

Reduced parahippocampal and lateral temporal GABAA-[11C]flumazenil binding in major depression: preliminary results.

Purpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been related to both a dysfunctional gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) system and to hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). Although GABA has been suggested to inhibit HPA axis activity, their relationship has never been studied at the level of the central GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor in depressed patients or in relation to antidepressant treatment.

Methods: Eleven depressed outpatients were compared, before and after treatment with citalopram, with nine age-matched healthy controls.