Differential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes: a comparison of clinical and automated - metabolic brain patterns' based approach.

Purpose: Differentiation among parkinsonian syndromes may be clinically challenging, especially at early disease stages. In this study, we used F-FDG-PET brain imaging combined with an automated image classification algorithm to classify parkinsonian patients as Parkinson's disease (PD) or as an atypical parkinsonian syndrome (APS) at the time when the clinical diagnosis was still uncertain. In addition to validating the algorithm, we assessed its utility in a "real-life" clinical setting.

Abnormal metabolic brain network associated with Parkinson's disease: replication on a new European sample.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the specific metabolic brain pattern characteristic for Parkinson's disease (PD): Parkinson's disease-related pattern (PDRP), using network analysis of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) brain images in a cohort of Slovenian PD patients.

Methods: Twenty PD patients (age 70.1 ± 7.

The effect of 18F-FDG-PET image reconstruction algorithms on the expression of characteristic metabolic brain network in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of the expression of Parkinson's Disease Related Pattern (PDRP) across multiple sets of 18F-FDG-PET brain images reconstructed with different reconstruction algorithms.

Methods: 18F-FDG-PET brain imaging was performed in two independent cohorts of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and normal controls (NC). Slovenian cohort (20 PD patients, 20 NC) was scanned with Siemens Biograph mCT camera and reconstructed using FBP, FBP+TOF, OSEM, OSEM+TOF, OSEM+PSF and OSEM+PSF+TOF.

Intercalated chemotherapy and erlotinib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.

Among attempts to delay development of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), intercalated therapy has not been properly evaluated. In a phase II trial, 38 patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC in advanced stage were treated with 4 to 6 3-weekly cycles of intercalated schedule with gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2, days 1 and 4), cisplatin (75 mg/m2, day 2) and erlotinib (150 mg, days 5 - 15), followed by continuous erlotinib as maintenance. In addition to standard radiologic evaluation according to RECIST, PET/CT was done prior to treatment and at 6 months, using PERCIST as a method for assessment of response.

Thyroid lesions incidentally detected by (18)F-FDG PET-CT - a two centre retrospective study.

Background: Incidental (18)F-FDG uptake in the thyroid on PET-CT examinations represents a diagnostic challenge. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is one possible parameter that can help in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid PET lesions.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated (18)F-FDG PET-CT examinations of 5,911 patients performed at two different medical centres from 2010 to 2011.

Lung scintigraphy in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: current methods and interpretation criteria in clinical practice.

Background: In current clinical practice lung scintigraphy is mainly used to exclude pulmonary embolism (PE). Modified diagnostic criteria for planar lung scintigraphy are considered, as newer scitigraphic methods, especially single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are becoming more popular.

Patients And Methods: Data of 98 outpatients who underwent planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and 49 outpatients who underwent V/Q SPECT from the emergency department (ED) were retrospectively collected.

Nonischemic ST segment elevation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to chest wall deformity from kyphoscoliosis.

A 57-year-old male was admitted with suspected acute coronary syndrome. He reported experiencing moderate chest pain when walking during the day prior to admission, but had very prominent ST segment elevations in the precordial electrocardiography (EKG) leads. A physical examination revealed remarkable severe kyphoscoliosis with chest deformity.

Reproducibility of 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine renography: population comparison.

Purpose: To evaluate reproducibility of diuretic renography, performed according to current guidelines in adult and pediatric patient populations.

Materials And Methods: Fifty adult and 50 pediatric renograms were processed twice by each of three observers. For differential renal function (DRF) assessment, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard deviation of DRF calculation and the repeatability parameter were calculated.

Radiation exposure of hemophiliacs after radiosynoviorthesis with 186Re colloid.

Unlabelled: Very limited data are available in the literature on the doses of unwanted radiation that patients receive following treatment with radiosynoviorthesis (RSO).

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the radiation exposure after RSO with (186)Re colloid in hemophiliacs.

Methods: This study involved 12 hemophiliacs who were treated for hemophilic joint disease with 14 RSOs by using (186)Re colloid.

Early effects of treatment on regional cerebral blood flow in first episode schizophrenia patients evaluated with 99Tc-ECD-SPECT.

Objectives: Altered regional cerebral blood flow (r-CBF) is mentioned as one of possible etiological factors or as a consequence of schizophrenia. Perfusion scintigraphic brain studies with SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) can detect areas of the brain with altered perfusion during the disease. Conflicting data exist on follow-up after treatment.

Radiosynoviorthesis for treatment of hemophilic hemarthrosis--Slovenian experience.

Unlabelled: Radiosynoviorthesis is a well-accepted method for the treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis in hemophilic patients.

Objectives: The aims of our study were to evaluate the effectiveness of radiosynoviorthesis in patients suffering from hemophilic hemarthrosis, to determine the effect of treatment on antihemophilic factor consumption, and to assess the patient's satisfaction with radiosynoviorthesis.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2003, 26 radiosynoviortheses were done in 21 hemophilic patients; in 4 patients the treatment was repeated, and in 1 patient two joints were treated.