Objectives: This study aims to identify repeated previous shortcomings in medical imaging data collection, curation, and AI-based analysis during the early phase of respiratory pandemics. Based on the results, it seeks to highlight essential steps for improving future pandemic preparedness.
Materials And Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Reviews for articles published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021, using the terms "imaging" or "radiology" or "radiography" or "CT" or "x-ray" combined with "SARS," "MERS," "H1N1," or "COVID-19.
Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has attracted considerable attention since its recent endorsement by the Food and Drug Administration, as it has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic modality within the landscape of oncology. This study explores the prognostic utility of [F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([F]FDG PET) in lymphoma patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy. Through meta-analysis, pooled hazard ratio (HR) values were calculated for specific PET metrics in this context.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTheranostics has become a major area of innovation and progress in cancer care over the last decade. In view of the introduction of approved therapeutics in neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer in the last 10 years, the ability to provide access to these treatments has emerged as a key factor in ensuring global benefits from this cancer therapy approach. In this Series paper we explore the issues that affect access to and availability of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals, including supply and regulatory issues that might affect the availability of theranostic treatments for patients with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol (Engl Ed)
August 2024
Spondylodiscitis, characterized by inflammation of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral bodies, presents a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations and variable imaging findings. This review examines the role of PET-CT with FDG, in the evaluation of spondylodiscitis, focusing on its utility in diagnosis, assessment of disease extent, treatment response monitoring, and prognostication. FDG PET-CT, by combining metabolic and anatomical imaging modalities, offers superior sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional imaging techniques in detecting infectious foci, distinguishing between infection and post-treatment changes, and identifying occult sources of infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
July 2024
The field of nuclear medicine has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the area of PET imaging. One such development is the use of Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitors (FAPI) as a novel radiotracer. FAPI PET imaging has shown promising results in various malignancies, including sarcomas, which are a diverse group of cancers originating from mesenchymal cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In the rapidly evolving field of nuclear medicine, the paramount importance of radiation protection, safety, and quality systems cannot be overstated. This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate regulatory frameworks and guidelines, meticulously crafted and updated by national and international regulatory bodies to ensure the utmost safety and efficiency in the practice of nuclear medicine.
Methods: We explore the dynamic nature of these regulations, emphasizing their adaptability in accommodating technological advancements and the integration of nuclear medicine with other medical and scientific disciplines.
The field of nuclear medicine has undergone remarkable advances, particularly with the introduction of new devices, radionuclides for imaging and therapy, new clinical applications, and emergence of medical evidence. As this dynamic field continues its rapid expansion, there is an urgent need to increase the number of well-trained professionals globally. Consequently, advocating for nuclear medicine as a thriving field of study and work for women becomes paramount in ensuring the establishment of a robust workforce capable of meeting the growing demands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of staging PET/CT and neck MRI in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and to assess the value of PET/CT in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Sixty-eight patients who had both modalities performed before treatment between 2014 and 2021 were included in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT and MRI were evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSupine [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission technology/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a commonly used modality for the initial staging of breast cancer, and several previous studies have shown superior sensitivity and specificity of prone FDG PET/CT in comparison to its supine counterpart. This retrospective study included 25 females with breast cancer referred for staging. They underwent supine FDG PET/CT followed by prone FDG PET/CT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) occurs in about 25% of patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and up to 45% in patients who receive external beam radiotherapy (RT). Early diagnosis of PCa recurrence is of high importance for successful salvage therapy. The aim of the present study is to analyze the efficacy of Ga-PSMA PET/CT in detecting the presence of local and/or systemic disease in patients with a history of PCa who have BCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBreast cancer is the most frequent cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Accurate lymph node staging is essential for both prognosis (of early-stage disease) and treatment (for regional control of disease) in patients with breast cancer. The sentinel lymph nodes are the regional nodes that directly drain lymph from the primary tumor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted a survey to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nuclear medicine services worldwide at two specific time-points: June and October 2020. In this paper, we describe the impact of COVID-19 on nuclear medicine departments in Africa (19 countries, 41 centers) and Latin America (15 countries, 83 centers) obtained from the survey. Respectively in Africa and Latin America, the volume of nuclear medicine procedures decreased by 69% and 79% in June 2020 and 44% and 67% in October 2020.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFrom the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic we, the nuclear medicine (NM) community, expediently mobilized to enable continuity of essential services to the best of our abilities. For example, we effectuated adapted guidelines for NM standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enacted heightened infection protection measures for staff, patients, and the public, alike. Challenges in radionuclide supply chains were identified and often met.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrent research indicates that prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is related to angiogenesis of many solid tumors including breast cancer (BC), our objective is evaluating PSMA expression in primary tumor and metastatic BC by Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In this retrospective study twenty-one patients with BC included all molecular subtypes, was evaluated with F-FDG-PET/CT imaging as stratification and Ga-PSMA-PET/CT. Primary sites of BC was identifying in all patients with F-FDG-PET/CT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPositron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is currently one of the main imaging modalities for cancer patients worldwide. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT has earned its global recognition in the modern management of cancer patients and is rapidly becoming an important imaging modality for patients with cardiac, neurological, and infectious/inflammatory conditions.Despite its proven benefits, FDG has limitations in the assessment of several relevant tumours such as prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Med Case Rep
April 2019
Introduction: Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum is an uncommon complication after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery.
Case Presentation: Our patient was a 48-year-old woman with two previous cervical surgeries with fixation of C4-C5 and C5-C6, the last one in 2003. Two years after surgery, she presented with arthralgia, arthritis, chills, and fluctuating rash.
Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
October 2018
Our study examines the association between two Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) semi-quantitative parameters: PUVmax (maximum uptake value) and LTB (lesion to background) baseline and the end of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with pathologic response in each of the following breast cancer subtype: Triple negative breast cancer (TPN), HER2-positive, and ER-positive/HER2-negative cancers. One-hundred and eight patients, 71 with invasive ductal carcinoma and 37 with infiltrating lobular carcinoma were evaluate with F-FDG-PEM scans before and after of NAC. We assessed the impact of 2 PEM semi-quantitative parameters for molecular subtype correlated with pathologic response according Miller-Payne grade (MPG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the added value of CT over planar and SPECT-only imaging in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal infection using Tc-UBI 29-4.
Materials And Methods: 184 patients with suspected musculoskeletal infection who underwent planar and SPECT/CT imaging with Tc-UBI 29-41 were included. Planar, SPECT-only and SPECT/CT images were reviewed by two independent analysts for presence of bone or soft tissue infection.
Rev Invest Clin
August 2015
The actual standard of care of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) includes rituximab in combination with chemotherapy, with response rates up to 76%. However, this treatment may not be accessible to many patients, particularly in developing countries, where most of the treatment must be paid from the pocket of patients or their families. In México, since 2011 a federal program has fully covered this treatment of patients with DLBCL.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer Chemother Pharmacol
July 2014
Background: There are currently no available biomarkers for advanced pleural mesothelioma that determine which patients could benefit from a specific chemotherapy regimen.
Methods: Based on the results of a previously published phase II study, we associated the (99m)Technetium-labelled liposomal doxorubicin ((99m)Tc-LD) uptake value (75 % cut-off) with the response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients treated with a combination of liposomal doxorubicin and cisplatin.
Results: Patients with tumours exhibiting increased (99m)Tc-LD uptake showed better response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival than those exhibiting lower uptake 73.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises a heterogeneous group of haematological malignancies, classified according to their clinic, anatomic-pathological features and, lately, to their molecular biomarkers. Despite the therapeutic advances, nearly half of the patients will die because of this disease. The new diagnostic tools have been the cornerstone to design recent therapy targets, which must be included in the current treatment guidelines of this sort of neoplasms by means of clinical trials and evidence-based medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF