Fit of biokinetic data in molecular radiotherapy: a machine learning approach.

Background: In literature are reported different analytical methods (AM) to choose the proper fit model and to fit data of the time-activity curve (TAC). On the other hand, Machine Learning algorithms (ML) are increasingly used for both classification and regression tasks. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of employing ML both to classify the most appropriate fit model and to predict the area under the curve (τ).

Venetoclax plus cyclophosphamide and topotecan in heavily pre-treated relapsed metastatic neuroblastoma: a single center case series.

The prognosis of relapsed/refractory (R/R) neuroblastoma (NB) is dismal, calling for new therapeutic strategies. Venetoclax (VEN) is a highly selective, potent, orally bioavailable, BCL-2 inhibitor small-molecule that showed a synergistic effect with cyclophosphamide and topotecan (Cy-Topo) in murine NB models. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of VEN plus Cy-Topo in children with R/R NB.

Pyelo-ureteral junction obstruction in poorly functioning kidneys: Does conservative management play a role in pediatric patients?

Background: Management of Pyelo-ureteral Junction Obstruction (PUJO) in poorly functioning kidneys in pediatric patients is still controversial, particularly regarding the role of conservative treatment.

Aim: To evaluate and present the outcomes of internal diversion and follow-up results of a small series of pediatric patients with UPJO in poorly functioning kidneys.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 17 consecutive patients with unilateral PUJO in kidneys with Differential Renal Function (DRF) <20% undergoing temporary internal urinary diversion between 2009 and 2021 at a single tertiary center.

The Pitfall of Ganglioneuroblastoma-Nodular Diagnosis: Clinical and Imaging Considerations over a Rare Bifocal Sporadic Case.

Neuroblastic tumors (NTs) represent the most common extracranial neoplasm occurring in childhood. Although ganglioneuroblastoma intermixed (GNBI) and ganglioneuroma (GN) are classified as very low-risk tumors, neuroblastoma (NB) and ganglioneuroblastoma-nodular (GNBN) may represent a serious risk to survival. Unfortunately, areas of GNBI and GNBN can coexist in the same mass, leading to incorrect risk staging when only biopsy is performed.

Central Nervous System Metastasis in Neuroblastoma: From Three Decades Clinical Experience to New Considerations in the Immunotherapy Era.

Central nervous system (CNS) metastatic spread in neuroblastoma (NB) is rare and occurs more often at relapse/progression. We report on CNS involvement in high risk (HR) NB over 25 years. For this retrospective study, we reviewed the CNS imaging of all the patients treated at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 2022.

PET/CT in congenital hyperinsulinism: transforming patient's lives by molecular hybrid imaging.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe and recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia due to defects in key genes involved in regulating insulin secretion. The delay in diagnosis and inappropriate management of HI lead to high risk of permanent hypoglycemic brain injury. The management of HI is challenging as each form of HI (focal, diffuse, and atypical) requires its own therapeutic strategy.

Personalized dosimetry for a deeper understanding of metastatic response to high activity I-mIBG therapy in high risk relapsed refractory neuroblastoma.

Background: Dosimetry in molecular radiotherapy for personalized treatment is assuming a central role in clinical management of aggressive/relapsed tumors. Relapsed/refractory metastatic high-risk neuroblastoma (rrmHR-NBL) has a poor prognosis and high-activity I-mIBG therapy could represent a promising strategy. The primary aim of this case series study was to report the absorbed doses to whole-body ( ), red marrow ( ) and lesions ( ).

Tandem high-dose 131I-MIBG therapy supported by dosimetry in pediatric patients with relapsed-refractory high-risk neuroblastoma: the Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital experience.

Objective: 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) combined with myeloablative chemotherapy represents an effective treatment in children affected by relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma (NBL) for disease palliation and in improving progression-free survival. The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of tandem 131I-MIBG followed by high-dose chemotherapy with Melphalan.

Methods: Thirteen patients (age range: 3-17 years) affected by relapsed/refractory NB, previously treated according to standard procedures, were included in the study.

Prognostic factors in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated with total thyroidectomy and RAI: a real-life multicentric study.

Purpose: This multicentric study aimed to investigate the main prognostic factors associated with treatment response at 1 year after radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) and the last disease status in pediatric patients affected by differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Materials And Methods: In the period 1990-2020, all consecutive patients ≤ 18 years from six different centers were retrospectively included. Patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high risk for persistence/recurrence.

Usefulness of iodine-123 whole-body scan in planning iodine-131 treatment of the differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescence.

Objective: Radioiodine treatment (RAI-T) of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is important to avoid disease progression, in particular in pediatric patients. For these reasons, a diagnostic scan may be useful to assess therapeutic tailored activity. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of diagnostic whole-body scan (WBS) with iodine-123 (I) in combination with recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rh-TSH; Thyrogen) (rh-TSH-Dx-WBS), in planning RAI-T or further surgery before RAI-T in pediatric DTC.

A Pediatric Case of Well-Functioning Supernumerary Kidney: Relative Renal Function Assessment Using Radionuclide Imaging.

We present an interesting image of a well-functioning supernumerary kidney evaluated with DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) renal scintigraphy in a 14-year-old girl. At 2 years of age, the patient had a diagnosis of supernumerary kidney. She remained asymptomatic up to childhood age, and then a DMSA study was required to guide the following adequate surveillance strategy.

Unusual Presentation of Relapse in Neuroblastoma: Pancreatic Metastases Detected by 123I-MIBG Scintigraphy.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for 8% to 10% of all childhood cancers. The spread of metastases is both lymphatic and hematogenous. Hematogenous route occurs most commonly in bone marrow and cortical bone; pancreatic metastases are very rare, and there are few reports about this topic in medical literature.

Cystic fibrosis: a surgical matter?

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common in patients with chronic lung diseases. We evaluated the incidence of GERD in young patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and defined the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux episodes analyzed by pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance (pH-MII) and esophagogastric scintigraphy.

Patients And Methods: Since 2010, 31 patients with CF underwent pH-MII.

Determining the appropriate time of execution of an I-131 post-therapy whole-body scan: comparison between early and late imaging.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the appropriate time for performing an iodine-131 post-therapy whole-body scan (TxWBS) through a qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of early and late scans.

Materials And Methods: This study evaluated pairs of scans of 134 patients who underwent TxWBS on the third and seventh day. The scans were analyzed to evaluate sites, intensity of uptake, concordance or discordance between the scans, relationship with risk factors, and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels.

Role of three-phase bone scintigraphy in paediatric osteoid osteoma eligible for radiofrequency ablation.

Objective: The objective of the study was to underline the importance of three-phase bone scintigraphy at the time of diagnosis in children with suspected osteoid osteoma (OO) who are eligible for radiofrequency ablation.

Methods: Fifty-three patients (13 girls; mean age 7.2 years, 20% younger than 10 years of age) who underwent bone scintigraphy for suspected OO between 2005 and 2010 were included in the study, of whom 46 underwent a radiography at diagnosis.

Comparison of different positron emission tomography tracers in patients with recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma: our experience and a review of the literature.

Several morphological and functional imaging techniques are usually used to detect residual/recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with variable results; currently, there is growing interest in positron emission tomography (PET) methodology. Herein, we report our experience of and a literature review about the comparison of different positron emission tomography (PET) tracers in patients with residual/recurrent MTC. (18)F-DOPA PET/CT seems to be the most useful imaging method to detect recurrent MTC lesions, performing better than (18)F-FDG and (68)Ga-somatostatin analogs PET/CT.

Detection rate of recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography: a meta-analysis.

Several studies evaluated the diagnostic performance of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in detecting recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with conflicting results. Aim of our study is to meta-analyze published data about this topic. A comprehensive computer literature search of studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases through December 2011 and regarding FDG PET or PET/CT in patients with suspected recurrent MTC was carried out.

Comparison of 18F-DOPA, 18F-FDG and 68Ga-somatostatin analogue PET/CT in patients with recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate and compare (18)F-FDG, (18)F-DOPA and (68)Ga-somatostatin analogues for PET/CT in patients with residual/recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) suspected on the basis of elevated serum calcitonin levels.

Methods: Included in the study were 18 patients with recurrent MTC in whom functional imaging with the three tracers was performed. The PET/CT results were compared on a per-patient basis and on a per-lesion-basis.