Effect of statins on arterial wall inflammation as assessed by 18F-FDG PET CT: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is largely mediated by inflammatory process. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs which also have anti-inflammatory effects. 18 fluorine radiolabeled fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is considered to be a good indicator of arterial wall inflammation.

Has the Time Come to Switch From Extensive Lymph Node Dissection to Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Radical Laparoscopic Prostatectomy?

The efficacy of the available procedures currently recommended for staging and prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer patients treated with radical laparoscopic prostatectomy is discussed, taking into account the available evidence and potential implications in patient management.

PET/CT-based 3D multi-class semantic segmentation of ovarian cancer and the stability of the extracted radiomics features.

Accurate segmentation of ovarian cancer (OC) lesions in PET/CT images is essential for effective disease management, yet manual segmentation for radiomics analysis is labor-intensive and time-consuming. This study introduces the application of a 3D U-Net deep learning model, leveraging advanced 3D networks, for multi-class semantic segmentation of OC in PET/CT images and assesses the stability of the extracted radiomics features. Utilizing a dataset of 3120 PET/CT images from 39 OC patients, the dataset was divided into training (70%), validation (15%), and test (15%) subsets to optimize and evaluate the model's performance.

Production and regulatory issues for theranostics.

Theranostics 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.

The Role of 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Spondylodiscitis.

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.

Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor (FAPI) PET Imaging in Sarcomas: A New Frontier in Nuclear Medicine.

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.

Guardians of precision: advancing radiation protection, safety, and quality systems in nuclear medicine.

Background: 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.

Molecular image-guided surgery in gynaecological cancer: where do we stand?

Purpose: The aim of this review is to give an overview of the current status of molecular image-guided surgery in gynaecological malignancies, from both clinical and technological points of view.

Methods: A narrative approach was taken to describe the relevant literature, focusing on clinical applications of molecular image-guided surgery in gynaecology, preoperative imaging as surgical roadmap, and intraoperative devices.

Results: The most common clinical application in gynaecology is sentinel node biopsy (SNB).

Setting-up a training programme for intraoperative molecular imaging and sentinel node mapping: how to teach? How to learn?

Background: The current expansion of image-guided surgery is closely related to the role played by radio-guided surgery in supporting the sentinel node (SN) procedure during more than three decades. The so-called triple approach (lymphoscintigraphy, gamma probe detection and blue dye) was not only essential in the seminal validation of the SN procedure but also a first collective learning effort based on skill transfer and outcome-related evaluation which laid the fundaments to delineate the field of intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) based on a similar multimodality approach and multidisciplinary practice.

Methods: These elements are also becoming valid in the current incorporation of SPECT/CT and PET/CT to existing and new protocols of IMI procedures and SN mapping concerning other clinical applications.

The OCDA-Net: a 3D convolutional neural network-based system for classification and staging of ovarian cancer patients using [F]FDG PET/CT examinations.

Objective: To create the 3D convolutional neural network (CNN)-based system that can use whole-body [F]FDG PET for recurrence/post-therapy surveillance in ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods: In this study, 1224 image sets from OC patients who underwent whole-body [F]FDG PET/CT at Kowsar Hospital between April 2019 and May 2022 were investigated. For recurrence/post-therapy surveillance, diagnostic classification as cancerous, and non-cancerous and staging as stage III, and stage IV were determined by pathological diagnosis and specialists' interpretation.

Theranostic in Nuclear Medicine - The paradigm of NET.

Theranostics is an emerging field in medicine that combines diagnostics and therapeutics into a single approach. Overall, theranostics represents a promising paradigm for personalized medicine, as it allows for targeted and precise treatment based on individual patient characteristics. In nuclear medicine, theranostics involves the use of radiopharmaceuticals that have both diagnostic and therapeutic properties.

The QuADRANT study: Current status and recommendations for improving uptake and implementation of clinical audit of medical radiological procedures in Europe. The radiotherapy perspective.

Background: QuADRANT was a research project funded by the European Commission to evaluate clinical audit uptake and implementation across Europe, with an emphasis on clinical audit as mandated within the BSSD (Basic Safety Standards Directive).

Aim: Focusing on the QuADRANT objectives - to obtain an overview of European clinical audit activity; identify good practices, resources, barriers and challenges; provide guidance and recommendations going forwards; identify the potential for European Union action on quality and safety focusing on the field of radiotherapy.

Results: A pan-European survey, expert interviews and a literature review conducted within the framework of the QuADRANT project indicated that developments in national clinical audit infrastructure are required.

Tc-Tilmanocept performance for sentinel node mapping in breast cancer, melanoma, and head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a European expert panel.

Purpose: Although multiple radiopharmaceuticals are currently available for sentinel node (SN) biopsy, Tc-tilmanocept is of particular interest due to its low molecular weight and specific binding capability for the mannose receptors of lymphatic reticuloendothelial cells. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to provide an update from a European expert panel on the performance of Tc-tilmanocept for SN biopsy.

Methods: A systematic literature search of the PubMed/Medline and Embase databases was performed to identify studies on the use of Tc-tilmanocept for SN identification in oncological patients.

QuADRANT: a study on uptake and implementation of clinical audit of medical radiological procedures in Europe-expert recommendations for improvement, endorsed by the ESR.

Background: QuADRANT was a study funded by the European Commission to evaluate clinical audit uptake and implementation across Europe, with an emphasis on clinical audit as mandated within the BSSD (Basic Safety Standards Directive).

Aims: QuADRANT objectives-obtain an overview of European clinical audit activity; identify good practices and resources, barriers and challenges; provide guidance and recommendations going forwards; identify the potential for European Union action on quality and safety in the three core project specialties, radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.

Findings And Recommendations: QuADRANT identified that developments in national clinical audit infrastructure are required.