Clinical utility of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in initial staging of patients with prostate cancer and importance of intraprostatic SUVmax values.

Background: As in disease recurrence, providing clinicians with the exact extent of the disease at the time of initial diagnosis is key in the management and individual treatment of prostate cancer (PC) patients. Intending to examine the usefulness of gallium- 68 PSMA-11 positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT) and to determine if there is a correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum values, WHO/ISUP (World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology's) grade group of the tumor and SUVmax (maximized standardized uptake value) values we retrospectively analyzed PET/CT studies performed for initial staging of the disease.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 34 studies of patients who underwent [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT as part of the initial staging of prostate cancer.

Detection of brown tumors by [18F]F-choline PET/CT performed in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Brown tumours are rare bone lesions occurring in patients with severe hyperparathyroidism (HPT) because of increased osteoclastic activity due to high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). We report the case of 30-year-old woman with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to severe chronic kidney diseases who underwent [18F]F-choline PET/CT scan for localization of the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland before surgical treatment. [18F]F-choline PET/CT scan showed increased choline uptake in the lower left parathyroid gland and in multiple bone lytic lesions.

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Locally Invasive Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Locally invasive papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) protrudes beyond the thyroid capsule and invades local structures. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are implicated in local invasion and metastasis in PTC. The aim of our study was to determine expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in tissue specimens of invasive and non-invasive PTC.

Incidental detection of breast cancer by 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT performed for primary hyperparathyroidism.

We present a case report of incidental detection of breast cancer in a female patient referred for 18F-fluorocholine (FCH) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) due to primary hyperparathyroidism. This imaging method was recently shown as more sensitive for the detection of metabolically hyperactive parathyroid glands than neck ultrasound and (2-metoksyizobutyloizonitryl labeled with technetium-99m) [99mTc]MIBI. Increased accumulation of FCH was found in the hyperactive parathyroid gland and unexpectedly in the right breast lesion.

Efficacy of long-term ultrasonography in follow-up of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case of neck metastasis developed 19 years following primary treatment.

The cases of relapse in papillary thyroid cancer patients who were initially considered low-risk and for many years were without signs of the disease are extremely rare, but exist. This is supported by the clinical case of a patient who underwent a total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid cancer and 19 years later metastasis with extracapsular spreading in a presumed thyroid place was revealed. Due to such cases, the importance of long-term ultrasound monitoring is emphasized.

18F-FET and 18F-choline PET-CT in patients with MRI-suspected low-grade gliomas: a pilot study.

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of O-(2-[18F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (18F-FET) and fluoromethyl-(18F)-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl-ammonium chloride (18F-FCH) computed tomography (CT) in patients with primary low-grade gliomas (LGG).

Methods: The study enrolled patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-suspected LGG. Patients underwent both 18F-FET and 18F-FCH positron emission tomography (PET)-CT.

Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer: Institutional Experience.

Although most patients with thyroid cancer have a favorable clinical course, some patients develop a more aggressive type of cancer and exhibit more rapid disease progression with worse prognosis. Those patients usually exhibit mutations of proteins such as tyrosine kinase enzymes that play a significant role in regulation of tumor proliferation and spreading. Development of targeted therapies is based on the inhibition of mutated kinases which are involved in the MAPK signaling pathway.

Can inflammatory markers and clinical indices serve as useful referral criteria for leukocyte scan with inflammatory bowel disease?

Background: In the follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Tc-99m-HMPAO labelled leukocytes scintigraphy (leukocyte scan; LS) has long been established as a valuable diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between scintigraphic results, inflammatory markers (IM) (including white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP)), clinical parameters and clinical indices of the disease activity (CI), in order to determine clinical settings in which LS is indicated.

Materials And Methods: A total of 147 patients who underwent LS, (79 males, 68 females, median age 36), were examined from April 2010 until December 2017 at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia.

Intraoperative Detection of Hyperplastic Parathyroid Gland With Positron Emitter 18F-Fluorocholine and Handheld Probe.

We present the first intraoperative detection of a hyperplastic parathyroid gland with a positron emitter F-fluorocholine and handheld probe, with the estimation of the absorbed dose to the surgeon and surgical staff. Intraoperative positron emitter detection enabled the resection of a small parathyroid gland, resulting in normal postoperative values of PTH and serum calcium in a 69-year-old woman. Calculated whole-body dose to the surgical staff and surgeons' fingers is well below the annual limits for exposed workers and the general public.

The Significance of Thallium-201-Chloride SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in the Management of Patients With Stable Chronic Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) can be evaluated for myocardial viability by examining reverse redistribution of Thallium-201 (TI) through cardiac scintigraphy. There is limited knowledge about association of a reverse redistribution with favorable cardiac outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lower myocardial necrosis, fewer ischemic events, and less angina will be associated with reverse redistribution of TI imaging.

F-18 FDG PET/CT in pulmonary artery sarcoma: clinical vignette.

Pulmonary artery sarcomas (PAS's) are extremely rare malignant tumors that arise from the endothelial lining of the pulmonary arteries. On CT scans PAS's appear as intraluminal filling defects in the pulmonary arteries, mimicking pulmonary embolism (PE). Due to the similarities in radiographic features as well as in clinical presentation, PAS's are usually misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism.

The value of 18F-DOPA PET/CT in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and increased calcitonin values.

Aim: The aim of this prospective observational study was to examine the benefit of a fluorine-18-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-DOPA) PET/computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in terms of increased calcitonin levels.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-eight MTC patients after initial total thyreoidectomy with increasing follow-up calcitonin levels suggestive for active disease after negative conventional imaging findings (neck ultrasound or thorax, abdomen, pelvis multislice computed tomography as standard imaging) were scanned using F-DOPA PET/CT from November 2012 to April 2016. The mean calcitonin level was 108.

GIANT CELL AORTITIS DIAGNOSED WITH PET/CT - PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME?

Vasculitides are heterogenic group of autoimmune connective tissue diseases which often present difficulties in early diagnosing. Giant cell arteritis is vasculitis of large and medium arteries. It predominantly presents with symptoms of affection of the external carotid artery branches.

The nonspecific lymph node uptake of 18F-choline in patients with prostate cancer--a prospective observational study.

Background: The aim of this study was to observe and characterize the nonspecific ¹⁸F-choline lymph node uptake in patients with prostate cancer.

Material And Methods: In this single center, prospective observational study which was done in University Hospital Center Zagreb between December 2012 and October 2014, 69 patients (median age 71 years; range 50-92) with prostate cancer were included. Patients underwent ¹⁸F-choline PET/CT for staging or restaging of prostate cancer.

Results of a Prospective Multicenter International Atomic Energy Agency Sentinel Node Trial on the Value of SPECT/CT Over Planar Imaging in Various Malignancies.

Unlabelled: We aimed to assess the additional value of SPECT/CT over planar lymphoscintigraphy (PI) in sentinel node (SN) detection in malignancies with different lymphatic drainage such as breast cancer, melanoma, and pelvic tumors.

Methods: From 2010 to 2013, 1,508 patients were recruited in a multicenter study: 1,182 breast cancer, 262 melanoma, and 64 pelvic malignancies (prostate, cervix, penis, vulva). PI was followed by SPECT/CT 1-3 h after injection of (99m)Tc-colloid particles.

The most common factors influencing on quality of life of thyroid cancer patients after thyroid hormone withdrawal.

Background: The aim of study was to evaluate which factors impact mostly on life-quality of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma after thyroid hormone withdrawal.

Subjects And Methods: 150 patients were enrolled in the study by using Quality of life- Thyroid version questionnaire in which they expressed their physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. The answers have been interpreted on a scale from 0 to 10.

[Lymphoma diagnosis and treatment - second Croatian consensus].

New, extended and modernized recommendations for diagnostics and treatment of lymphomas were accepted at a meeting held in March 2012 with the participation of major Croatian experts. They encompass morphological, radiological and nuclear diagnostics, systemic treatment, radiotherapy and follow-up of most tumors of lymphoid tissues occurring in adults. The recommendations were agreed upon by consensus.

Usefulness of low iodine diet in managing patients with differentiated thyroid cancer - initial results.

Background: Low iodine diet (LID) is recommended in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer before radioiodine administration. Patients with increased thyroglobulin (Tg) level, but negative (131)I whole body scan present diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. This study was designed to evaluate the benefit of a two-week LID in patients with elevated serum Tg levels and negative (131)I whole body scans.

Reliability of sentinel node assay in vulvar cancer: the first Croatian validation trial.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of sentinel node assay in early stage vulvar cancer patients by using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy.

Methods: Technetium-99m colloid albumin was injected intradermally around the tumor for lymphoscintigraphic mapping and intraoperative hand-held gamma probe detection of sentinel nodes. For all patients, sentinel node biopsy was followed by inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, regardless of the sentinel lymph node status.

[Sentinel lymphadenectomy in squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx].

The study included 20 patients with carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx. The incidence of metastases was compared between sentinel lymph nodes and the rest of lymph nodes in resected material. Patient inclusion criteria were primary tumor verified as squamous cell carcinoma by preoperative histopathology and negative clinical neck finding (cN0).