Should 18F-FDG PET/CT Be Routinely Performed in the Clinical Staging of Locally Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate F-FDG PET/CT compared with conventional imaging techniques in the clinical management of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC).

Methods: A prospective study between January 2010 and December 2011 in patients with suspected LAGC was conducted in our hospital. F-FDG PET/CT, contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), endoscopic ultrasound, and laparoscopy were performed in all cases.

Left ventricular function and visual phase analysis with equilibrium radionuclide angiography in patients with biventricular device.

Purpose: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is a technique indicated in patients with moderate to severe heart failure and ventricular dyssynchrony. To evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and synchronisation changes after CRT with a biventricular pacing implant, we used an equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA).

Methods: Fifty patients were studied.

Bilateral Paget disease of the calcaneus diagnosed by conventional bone scintigraphy.

An 85-year-old woman who had an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and elevated alkaline phosphatases (420 U/L) was referred for Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy for initial evaluation of skeletal metastases. Bone symptoms were limited to chronic pain in both knees. A bone scan revealed pagetoid findings in both calcanei.

Validation and application of the sentinel lymph node concept in malignant vulvar tumours.

Purpose: Inguinal lymphadenectomy, unilateral or bilateral, is widely used in cases of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma but has a high morbidity. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy may be used in the management of these patients. The aims of this study were firstly to determine the reliability of SLN biopsy in predicting regional lymph node status and secondly to apply this technique in the routine clinical setting.

Role of pre-operative imaging using 99mTc-MIBI and neck ultrasound in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who are candidates for subtotal parathyroidectomy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess whether pre-operative (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy and neck ultrasound (US) are of value in improving the outcome of subtotal parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: Forty-eight consecutive haemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism prospectively underwent "blinded" subtotal parathyroid surgery, with 1-year follow-up to establish cure or relapse of their secondary hyperparathyroidism. Double-phase (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy and neck US were performed pre-operatively in all patients.

Clinical relevance of sentinel lymph nodes in the internal mammary chain in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Despite the widespread use of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer patients, some controversy exists about the correct management of extra-axillary nodes, especially those located in the internal mammary chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SLNs in this region, calculate the lymphoscintigraphic and surgical detection rates and evaluate the clinical impact on staging and therapeutic decisions.

Methods: The study involved 383 consecutive women diagnosed with early breast cancer with T1 or T2 tumours.

Predicting the effect of intravenous calcitriol on parathyroid gland activity using double-phase technetium Tc 99m-sestamibi scintigraphy.

Background: Although intravenous calcitriol is useful for decreasing intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) blood levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) undergoing hemodialysis, approximately half these patients remain refractory to this treatment. The current study measures the diagnostic utility of double-phase technetium Tc 99m-sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy in predicting the response to calcitriol treatment.

Methods: Sixty hemodialysis patients with SHP with iPTH blood levels between 240 and 600 pg/mL (ng/L) were selected.