Feasibility of helical tomotherapy in stereotactic body radiation therapy for centrally located early stage non‒small-cell lung cancer or lung metastases.

Purpose: To investigate the ability of helical tomotherapy (HT) to spare critical organs immediately adjacent to the tumor target in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for centrally located lung lesions.

Methods And Materials: HT SBRT plans for 10 patients with centrally located lesions or lesions immediately adjacent to a critical structure were generated. A total of 70 Gy in 10 fractions was prescribed to the planning target volume (PTV) to satisfy a target volume coverage of ≥95% PTV receiving 70 Gy and an established set of dose constraints for the organs at risk (OARs).

Direct Charged-Particle Imaging System Using an Ultra-Thin Phosphor: Physical Characterization and Dynamic Applications.

Imaging β rays in vivo will help to advance microdosimetry and radiopharmaceutical development. In an earlier paper [1], we reported a newly developed system capable of directly imaging high-energy electron emissions in small animals in vivo. In this paper, we have thoroughly characterized the performance of the system.

Direct imaging of radionuclide-produced electrons and positrons with an ultrathin phosphor.

Unlabelled: Current electron detectors are either unable to image in vivo or lack sufficient spatial resolution because of electron scattering in thick detector materials. This study was aimed at developing a sensitive high-resolution system capable of detecting electron-emitting isotopes in vivo.

Methods: The system uses a lens-coupled charge-coupled-device camera to capture the scintillation light excited by an electron-emitting object near an ultrathin phosphor.

Combination therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an opportunity for pharmaceutical care in a specialty practice.

Objective: To describe the application of pharmaceutical care practices in the administration of new therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

Practice Description: At the Antibody Labeling Facility at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the nuclear pharmacist provides support in the formulation, preparation, and quality testing of radiopharmaceuticals. The nuclear pharmacist also provides direct patient care by assisting in the administration of radiopharmaceuticals, monitoring patients during their infusions, and counseling patients on radioimmunotherapy and radiation safety.

Real-time assessment of myocardial perfusion and wall motion during bicycle and treadmill exercise echocardiography: comparison with single photon emission computed tomography.

Objectives: We sought to determine the feasibility and accuracy of real-time imaging of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in detecting myocardial perfusion defects during exercise echocardiography compared with radionuclide tomography.

Background: Ultrasound imaging at a low mechanical index and frame rate (10 to 20 Hz) after intravenous injections of perfluorocarbon containing microbubbles has the potential to evaluate myocardial perfusion and wall motion (WVM) simultaneously and in real time.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with intermediate-to-high probability of coronary artery disease underwent treadmill (n = 50) or supine bicycle (n = 50) exercise echocardiography.