FDG PET/CT versus CT, MR imaging, and 67Ga scintigraphy in the posttherapy evaluation of malignant lymphoma.

Malignant lymphoma is the most common form of hematologic cancer, yet because of advanced methods of assessment, the traditional histology-based classification of lymphoma is insufficient for understanding lymphoma imaging. Still, radiologists should be familiar with the imaging findings in lymphoma. Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) allows improved diagnostic accuracy, and uptake of 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) can help predict response during treatment.

2-[Fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography versus whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI for detection of malignant lesions: initial experience.

Objectives: The new magnetic resonance whole body diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) uses short tau inversion recovery-echo planar imaging sequence under normal respiration. DWIBS is different from 2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D: -glucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) imaging in technology, but their images are similar. We compared the two modalities regarding the detection and characterization of malignant tumors.

Usefulness of fully automated constant ROI analysis software for the brain: 3DSRT and FineSRT.

The positioning or selection of a region of interest (ROI) is an essential step for the quantification of brain images. However, so long as the ROIs were manually selected, results obtained fluctuated considerably with subtle changes in their positioning. To perform an ROI analysis of the brain with improved objectivity and excellent reproducibility, we recently established fully automated ROI-based analysis software for the brain, the so-called 3DSRT and the FineSRT.

Improvement of regional cerebral blood flow after oral intake of branched-chain amino acids in patients with cirrhosis.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of oral intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on brain perfusion in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Single photon emission computed tomography scans were performed in 43 patients with cirrhosis and in 15 age-matched healthy subjects. Twenty-nine out of forty-three patients were randomly treated with either BCAA granules or placebo, and single photon emission computed tomography was performed before and after the treatment.

Evaluation of cingulate gyrus blood flow in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Although neuropsychological tests are commonly applied to detect minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), they provide no information about the cerebral regions involved. Recently, it has been reported that some populations of alcoholic cirrhotics, with mild HE, have reduced cerebral metabolic rate for glucose in bifrontal cortices and in the anterior cingulate gyrus. We evaluated the degree of reduction in blood flow at the anterior cingulate gyrus and the frontal lobes in cirrhotic patients who underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Single photon emission computed tomography and statistical parametric mapping analysis in cirrhotic patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Objective: The early diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment in cirrhotic patients is needed to improve the patients' daily living. In this study, alterations of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were evaluated in cirrhotic patients using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The relationships between rCBF and neuropsychological test, severity of disease and biochemical data were also assessed.

Increased myocardial uptake of iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine on delayed images, compared with early images, in patients with multiple system atrophy.

We present 2 interesting cases of multiple system atrophy in which increased myocardial iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake was observed on delayed images (3 hours after injection) compared with early images (15 minutes after injection). These findings have not been previously described. The duration of symptoms was less than 1 year in both these patients.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy during laparoscopic gastrectomy for early cancer.

Background/aims: Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel node (SN) biopsy can potentially be combined with minimally invasive surgery, but there are few reports of laparoscopic lymphatic mapping for gastrointestinal cancer. We examined the feasibility and accuracy of laparoscopic lymphatic mapping in predicting lymph node status in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: Seventeen patients with gastric cancer invading the mucosal or submucosal layers (T1) underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy with lymphatic mapping between March 2001 and May 2002.

Improvement of regional cerebral blood flow after treatment with branched-chain amino acid solutions in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective: The administration of solutions rich in branched-chain amino acids leads to mental recovery from acute hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, the mechanism of action of branched-chain amino acids remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of branched-chain amino acids on brain perfusion in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Preoperative transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer (stage IIIb) for down-staging and increase of resectability.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of preoperative transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAIC) for locally advanced breast cancer.

Methods: Seven patients with unresectable locally advanced breast cancer (stage IIIb) underwent TAIC percutaneously 1-3 times (mean, 1.7 times) until tumors became resectable.

Arterial chemoinfusion therapy through an implanted port system for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma--initial experience.

Arterial chemoinfusion therapy through an implanted port system was performed for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Eleven patients with unresectable ICC were studied. Seven patients had stage-IV disease, two had stage-III disease, and two had stage-II disease.