177 Lu-DOTATATE Uptake in the Lungs of a Patient With COVID-19 Pneumonia.

A 76-year-old woman with liver and bone metastasis of a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177 Lu-DOTATATE. Scintigraphy with SPECT/CT performed 4 days after the treatment demonstrated 177 Lu-DOTATATE uptake as multifocal ground glass opacities in the bilateral lungs. This uptake was considered to be due to COVID-19 pneumonia because the patient was infected with the virus 7 days prior to the treatment.

A novel CT-based radiomics model for predicting response and prognosis of chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

No clinically relevant biomarker has been identified for predicting the response of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Herein, we established a CT-based radiomics model with artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the response and prognosis of CRT in ESCC. A total of 44 ESCC patients (stage I-IV) were enrolled in this study; training (n = 27) and validation (n = 17) cohorts.

Differences between professionals in treatment planning for patients with stage III lung cancer using treatment-planning QA software.

Background: The quality of treatment planning for stage III non-small cell lung cancer varies within and between facilities due to the different professions involved in planning. Dose estimation parameters were calculated using a feasibility dose-volume histogram (FDVH) implemented in the treatment planning quality assurance software PlanIQ. This study aimed to evaluate differences in treatment planning between occupations using manual FDVH-referenced treatment planning to identify their characteristics.

Feasibility of accelerated partial breast irradiation with strut-adjusted volume implant brachytherapy in Japan focusing on dosimetry and acute toxicity: a Japanese multi-institutional prospective study.

Background: A Japanese multi-institutional prospective study was initiated to investigate the effectiveness and safety of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using strut-adjusted volume implant (SAVI) brachytherapy, with subjects registered between 2016 and 2021. Herein, we report the preliminary results on the feasibility of this treatment modality in Japan, focusing on the registration process, dosimetry, and acute toxicities.

Patients And Methods: Primary registration was conducted before breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and the eligibility criteria included the following: age ≥ 40 years, tumor unifocal and unicentric, ≤ 3 cm in diameter, cN0M0, proven ductal, mucinous, tubular, medullary, or lobular carcinoma by needle biopsy.

Effect of Positive Biopsy Core Rate on Low-dose-rate Brachytherapy Outcomes in Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer.

Background/aim: Intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Although low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) is mainly used for low- to intermediate-risk PCa, limited reports have evaluated the detailed differences in outcomes, including differences between patients with ISUP grade group (GG) 2 and GG3 intermediate-risk PCa. This study aimed to investigate the differences in outcomes between intermediate-risk Japanese patients with GG2 and GG3 PCa who underwent LDR-BT.

Prostate-specific Antigen Levels Following Brachytherapy Impact Late Biochemical Recurrence in Japanese Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer.

Background/aim: Evaluation of long-term outcomes is essential for the successful treatment of localized prostate cancer; however, the risk of late recurrence following brachytherapy is still not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for localized prostate cancer in Japanese patients and identify factors associated with late recurrence after treatment.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, cohort study included patients who underwent LDR-BT at the Tokushima University Hospital in Japan between July 2004 and January 2015; 418 patients, who were followed-up at least 7 years after LDR-BT, were included in the study.

Absolute Lymphocyte Count Changes During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy are Associated With Prognosis of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients.

Ntroduction/background: Some reports have shown that absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is associated with prognosis in breast cancer; however, the impact of ALC changes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ALC changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients and disease prognosis.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study January 2010 to September 2020) included patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Appropriate management reduces radiation exposure in daily urological practice.

Objectives: To identify and raise awareness of the radiation exposure of urologists due to X-ray fluoroscopic procedures in daily practice.

Methods: This was a single-center, cohort study of 30 consecutive patients who underwent periodic percutaneous or transurethral replacements of urinary tract catheters. A total of 55 replacements every 3 months with cases aligned were performed by a single urologist.

Effect of dental metal artifact conversion volume on dose distribution in head-and-neck volumetric-modulated arc therapy.

Purpose: During treatment planning for head-and-neck volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), manual contouring of the metal artifact area of artificial teeth is done, and the area is replaced with water computed tomography (CT) values for dose calculation. This contouring of the metal artifact areas, which is performed manually, is subject to human variability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the effect of inter-observer variation on dose distribution.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of definitive radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Purpose To assess the treatment results of definitive radiotherapy for esophageal cancer at Tokushima University Hospital and clarify the prognostic factors. Methods Seventy consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent definitive radiotherapy between May 2004 and March 2012 were included in the present study. Local control rate, overall survival rate, and radiation morbidity were examined and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate prognostic factors.

Clinical outcomes of hypofractionated image-guided multifocal irradiation using volumetric-modulated arc therapy for brain metastases.

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) can be used to design hypofractionated radiotherapy treatment plans for multiple brain metastases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of hypofractionated image-guided multifocal irradiation using VMAT (HFIGMI-VMAT) for brain metastases. From July 2012 to December 2016, 67 consecutive patients with 601 brain metastases were treated with HFIGMI-VMAT at our institution.

Multiple Breath-hold Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Under Fluoroscopic Image Guidance with an Implanted Fiducial Marker: An Advanced Technique.

An advanced technique for multiple breath-hold volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has been proposed under fluoroscopic image guidance with a fiducial marker implanted close to a tumor. The marker coordinates on a digitally reconstructed radiography image at a gantry start angle, under a planned breath-hold condition, were transferred to the fluoroscopic image window. Then, a reference lateral line passing through the planned breath-hold marker position was drawn on the fluoroscopic image.

Successful treatment of highly advanced immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease presenting renal mass-like regions with end-stage kidney failure: a case study.

Background: Immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease characterized by immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cell-rich tubulointerstitial nephritis has distinctive serological and radiological findings. Renal prognosis is good because of a good response to glucocorticoids. Here we report a case of successful treatment of highly advanced immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease presenting renal mass-like regions with end-stage kidney failure.

Predictive Factors for Prolonged Urination Disorder After Permanent I Brachytherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer.

Background: We assessed the change in LUTS after prostate brachytherapy to reveal factors for prolonged urination disorder.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred and four patients received prostate brachytherapy at our institution and were followed-up for at least 2 years. We evaluated the correlation of mean IPSS changes and clinical factors.

Multi-institutional retrospective analysis of learning curves on dosimetry and operation time before and after introduction of intraoperatively built custom-linked seeds in prostate brachytherapy.

This multi-institutional retrospective analysis examined learning curves for dosimetric parameters and operation time after introduction of intraoperatively built custom-linked (IBCL) seeds. Data from consecutive patients treated with seed implantation before and after introduction of IBCL seeds (loose seed, n = 428; IBCL seed, n = 426) were collected from 13 centers. Dose-volume histogram parameters, operation times, and seed migration rates were compared before and after introduction of IBCL seeds.

Clinical Significance of Neoadjuvant Combined Androgen Blockade for More Than Six Months in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer Treated with Prostate Brachytherapy.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of neoadjuvant combined androgen blockade (CAB) for ≥ 6 months in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: A total of 431 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent prostate brachytherapy (BT) with or without neoadjuvant CAB for ≥ 6 months with mean follow-up time of 64.6 months (range 24-108 months) were evaluated retrospectively.

Anti-idiotype scFv-enzyme fusion proteins: a clonable analyte-mimicking probe for standardized immunoassays targeting small biomarkers.

Most immunoassays use probes that convert concentrations of analytes into signal intensity. To prepare the probes, analytes are usually linked to a reporter protein (e.g.

Changes of tumor and normal structures of the neck during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer requires adaptive strategy.

The treatment period over which radiation therapy is administered extends over several weeks. Since tumor shrinkage in response to radiation therapy and weight loss due to radiation-induced mucositis may impact on the dose distribution in both target and organ at risk in patients with head and neck cancer, the anatomical changes of tumor and neck volumes during this period should be taken into consideration. We investigated the anatomical changes that occurred in the target and normal structure of the neck during radiation therapy for pharyngeal cancer, and evaluated the necessity of an adaptive strategy.

Using the MDCT thick slab MinIP method for the follow-up of pulmonary emphysema.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of thick slab minimum intensity projection (MinIP) as a follow-up method in patients with pulmonary emphysema. This method was used to determine the presence or absence of changes over time in the lung field based on multi-detector-row CT (MDCT) data.

Methods: Among patients diagnosed with pulmonary emphysema who underwent 16-MDCT (slice thickness, 1 mm) twice at an interval of 6 months or more, 12 patients without changes in the lung field and 14 with clear changes in the lung field were selected as subjects.

Efficacy of carbon dioxide for diagnosis and intervention in patients with failing hemodialysis access.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the only proven safe intravascular contrast agent in renal failure and contrast allergy. The use of CO₂ as a contrast agent for the evaluation of failing dialysis fistulas has the potential to preserve residual renal function by eliminating the use of contrast material or decreasing the amount used for fistulograms.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of fistulography using CO₂ for diagnosis and intervention in patients with failing hemodialysis access.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for patients with maxillary gingival carcinoma using a novel customized intraoral mold technique.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel customized intraoral mold treatment for maxillary gingival carcinoma (UGC).

Study Design: Two patients with UGC were treated as salvage therapy using this technique. The mold was designed to keep normal soft tissues adjacent to the tumor away from the radioactive source as much as possible, and it was shielded by lead.

Risk factors for radiation pneumonitis caused by whole breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery.

We evaluated risk factors of radiation pneumonitis (RP) after whole breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. Four hundred and seventy-two cases underwent whole breast irradiation with tangential field following breast-conserving surgery in our hospital, between January 2005 and April 2007. Of these cases, we performed statistical analyses for 423 breasts of 413 patients, using a pulmonary dose-volume histogram.

Nucleoside H-boranophosphonates: a new class of boron-containing nucleotide analogues.

A study on the synthesis of nucleoside H-boranophosphonates, a new class of nucleotide analogues having a P-->BH(3) and a P-H group, via condensation of the corresponding nucleosides with H-boranophosphonate derivatives is described.