Optimizing PSMA scintigraphy for resource limited settings - a retrospective comparative study.

Background: PSMA PET/CT is the most sensitive molecular imaging modality for prostate cancer (PCa), yet much of the developing world has little or no access to PET/CT. [Tc]Tc-PSMA scintigraphy (PS) is a cheaper and more accessible gamma camera-based alternative. However, many resource-constrained departments have only a single camera without tomographic or hybrid imaging functionality, and camera time is frequently in high demand.

Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from the plasma concentration of endogenous substances such as creatinine, and it is simple and cost-effective to do so, but the error on these estimates on an individual patient basis is high. Thus, GFR measurement is indicated in any clinical situation in which greater accuracy is required especially if the result will impact treatment decisions. Outside of the United States the radiopharmaceutical that has been most commonly used for measurement of GFR is Cr-EDTA.

Dual energy window imaging for optimisation of P/V ratios in VP SPECT.

Purpose: Ventilation-perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (VP SPECT) plays an important role in pulmonary embolism diagnosis. Rapid results may be obtained using same-day ventilation followed by perfusion imaging, but generally requires careful attention to achieving an optimal count rate ratio (P/V ratio) of ≥ 3:1. This study investigated whether the ratio of counts simultaneously acquired in adjacent primary and Compton scatter energy windows (E) on V SPECT was predictive of final normalised perfusion count rate (PCR) on P SPECT using [Tc]Tc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA), thus allowing for optimisation of P/V ratios.

Repeatability of glomerular filtration rate studies performed using 99mTc-DTPA in a population including cancer patients.

Objective: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement remains an integral investigation in clinical practice and is particularly important in the prediction and follow-up of renal side-effects of nephrotoxic chemotherapy in cancer patients. Knowing the coefficient of variation (CV) of a test is vital for the correct interpretation of serial studies. Recent difficulties with 51Cr-EDTA availability have renewed interest in 99mTc-DTPA, but there is a paucity of data on the test-retest variability of this radiopharmaceutical.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate in children: adapting existing equations for a specific population.

Background: Creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR)-estimating equations frequently do not perform well in populations that differ from the development populations in terms of mean GFR, age, pathology, ethnicity, and diet. After first evaluating the performance of existing equations, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of an in-house modification of the equations to better fit a specific population.

Methods: Estimated GFR using 8 creatinine-based equations was first compared to 2-sample Cr-ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid plasma clearance in non-cancer and cancer groups independently.