Interim FDG-PET SUV Variation Adds Prognostic Value to Deauville 5-Point Scale in the Identification of Patients with Ultra-High-Risk Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Introduction: Interim response evaluation by F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (iPET) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) could be important to rule out disease progression and has been suggested to be predictive of survival. However, treatment guidance by iPET is not yet recommended for DLBCL in clinical practice. We aimed to compare the predictive value of iPET when utilizing the visual Deauville 5-point scale (DS) and the semiquantitative variation of maximum standardized uptake value (ΔSUV).

Risk Stratification and Cardiac Sympathetic Activity Assessment Using Myocardial [123I] MIBG Imaging in Renal Denervation.

Hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac sympathetic activity and investigate the role of myocardial123I-labelled meta-iodo benzyl guanidine ([123I] MIBG) scintigraphy in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with resistant hypertension treated with renal denervation (RDN). Eighteen patients were included in this prospective study (mean age 56 ± 10 years old, 27.

[F]FDG-PET in cardiac sarcoidosis: A single-centre study in a southern European population.

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is clinically diagnosed in 5% of patients with sarcoidosis but imaging studies suggest higher prevalence. We evaluated the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and cardiovascular outcomes of CS, diagnosed through F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([F]FDG-PET), in a southern European population.

Methods: Retrospective single-centre study of patients screened for sarcoidosis with [F]FDG-PET.

Metabolic active tumour volume quantified on [F]FDG PET/CT further stratifies TNM stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess whether the whole body metabolic active tumour volume (MTV), quantified on staging [F]FDG PET/CT, could further stratify stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: A group of 160 stage IV NSCLC patients, submitted to staging [F]FDG PET/CT between July 2010 and May 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. MTV was quantified.

The Role of Ga-68-PSMA PET/CT in the Initial Staging of Prostate Cancer - A Single Center 4 Year Experience.

Background: Recommended imaging modalities for prostate cancer staging have disappointing sensitivities, whereas [68Ga]-PSMA PET/CT (PET-PSMA) shows promising sensitivities and specificities in the initial management of prostate cancer. Recent studies have revealed that a significant change of management when PET-PSMA was used, with favorable negative predictive values.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed every PET-PSMA performed in our center for initial staging of intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer After Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer With Radioiodine in Young Females: What We Know and How to Investigate Open Questions. Review of the Literature and Results of a Multi-Registry Survey.

Published studies on the risk of radiation-induced second primary malignancy (SPM) after radioiodine treatment (RAI) of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refer mainly to patients treated as middle-aged or older adults and are not easily generalizable to those treated at a younger age. Here we review available literature on the risk of breast cancer as an SPM after RAI of DTC with a focus on females undergoing such treatment in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Additionally, we report the results of a preliminary international survey of patient registries from academic tertiary referral centers specializing in pediatric DTC.

Metabolic tumor burden quantified on [F]FDG PET/CT improves TNM staging of lung cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to test a new staging algorithm, combining clinical TNM staging (cTNM) with whole-body metabolic active tumor volume (MATV-WB), with the goal of improving prognostic ability and stratification power.

Methods: Initial staging [F]FDG PET/CT of 278 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, performed between January/2011 and April/2016, 74(26.6%) women, 204(73.

[Superiority of 18F-FNa PET/CT for Detecting Bone Metastases in Comparison with Other Diagnostic Imaging Modalities].

Introduction: The 18F-NaF positron emission tomography/computed tomography is being considered as an excellent imaging modality for bone metastases detection. This ability was compared with other imaging techniques.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 114 patients who underwent 18F-NaF positron emission tomography/ computed tomography.

Radiation dose comparison between V/P-SPECT and CT-angiography in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare two routine protocols at our institution, CTPA and V/P-SPECT, in terms of radiation dose to the most exposed organs (lungs and breast) and to the embryo/fetus in the case of pregnant patients.

Methods: At our institution, the CTPA protocol includes a contrast enhanced CT (scan parameters: 100kVp, 700mA, 0.5s/rot, pitch 0.

TERT, BRAF, and NRAS in Primary Thyroid Cancer and Metastatic Disease.

Context: Little is known about the frequency of key mutations in thyroid cancer metastases and its relationship with the primary tumor genotype.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of TERT promoter (TERTp), BRAF, and NRAS mutations in metastatic thyroid carcinomas, analyzing primary thyroid tumors, lymph node metastases (LNMs), and distant metastases.

Design And Patients: Mutation analysis was performed in 437 tissue samples from 204 patients, mainly with papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs; n = 180), including 196 LNMs and 56 distant metastases.

Assessment of skeletal tumour burden on 18F-NaF PET/CT using a new quantitative method.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a method of quantifying skeletal tumour burden with F-NaF PET/CT.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 117 patients who underwent F-NaF PET/CT for the detection of bone metastases, 68 women and 49 men, 16-82 years old (mean±SD: 62.9±10.

[PET/CT with 18F-Fluorocholine in Patients with Prostatic Cancer in Biochemical Recurrence].

Introduction: In prostate cancer, after therapy with curative intent, biochemical recurrence frequently occurs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of PET/CT with 18F-fluorocholine in restaging these patients and in their orientation, and to analyze the effect of the risk stratification, the values of PSA and the hormone suppression therapy, in the technique sensitivity.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 107 patients with prostate carcinoma in biochemical recurrence who underwent PET/CT with 18F-fluorocholine in our hospital, between December 2009 and May 2014.

Thyroid carcinoma in children and young adults: retrospective review of 19 cases.

Introduction: Thyroid carcinoma is rare in children and young adults. Most of management guidelines are based in data from adult population. Several controversies remain regarding the aggressiveness of clinical presentation and therapeutic approach.

Rest myocardial perfusion imaging: a valuable tool in ED.

Background: Acute chest pain is a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits. Rest myocardial perfusion imaging (RMPI) during or immediately after an episode of chest pain can provide diagnostic and prognostic information concerning acute coronary syndromes.

Aim: Our purpose was to evaluate the RMPI score in risk stratification of chest pain suspected to be of cardiac ischemic origin and negative troponin assessment.

Stimulated thyroglobulin at recombinant human TSH-aided ablation predicts disease-free status one year later.

Context: Thyroglobulin (Tg) levels measured at the time of remnant ablation after thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) were shown to have prognostic value in predicting disease-free status.

Objectives: Our objectives were to determine whether stimulated Tg levels, measured at the time of remnant ablation performed under recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) stimulation, has value in predicting absence of detectable disease 1 year after radioiodine therapy and to compare the results obtained with this approach with a cohort of patients submitted to ablation after THW.

Design: This was a prospective observational study.

Prognosis of normal stress-only gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging: a single center study.

It has been advocated that using the stress followed by rest protocol, if the stress images were normal there is no need of rest images, reducing radiation exposure and costs. Our purpose was to assess the prognosis of a group of patients with normal stress-only gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. This was retrospective study that includes 790 patients with normal myocardial stress only perfusion gated SPECT images.

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Introduction: Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has been used to quantify mechanical dyssynchrony. Mechanical dyssynchrony appears to be related to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the presence and predictors of mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with impaired left ventricular function (LVEF) ≤50%.

Nuclear medicine training and practice in Portugal.

Nuclear medicine in Portugal has been an autonomous speciality since 1984. In order to obtain the title of Nuclear Medicine Specialist, 5 years of training are necessary. The curriculum is very similar to the one approved under the auspices of the European Union of Medical Specialists, namely concerning the minimum recommended number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Persistent primary hyperparathyroidism: an uncommon location for an ectopic gland--case report and review.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder that mainly affects middle-aged women. Patients are usually asymptomatic. The disease might be ascribable to hyperplasia, carcinoma, and single or multiple adenomas.