Prospective comparison of whole-body bone SPECT and sodium 18F-fluoride PET in the detection of bone metastases from breast cancer.

Objective: The superiority of sodium F-fluoride PET (F-PET)/computed tomography (CT) over planar and single field-of-view single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) bone scintigraphy with Tc-methylene diphosphonate in bone metastases detection has been established. The present study prospectively compares whole-body Tc-methylene diphosphonate SPECT (WB-SPECT) and F-PET performance indices for the detection of bone metastases in breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 41 pairs of studies in female breast cancer patients (average age 58 years, range 30-75) were included.

Added Value of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Benign Bone Diseases of the Appendicular Skeleton.

Bone scintigraphy is a sensitive technique to detect altered bone mineralization but has limited specificity. The use of SPECT/CT has improved significantly the diagnostic accuracy of bone scintigraphy, in patients with cancer as well as in evaluation of benign bone disease. It provides precise localization and characterization of tracer-avid foci, shortens the diagnostic workup, and decreases patient anxiety.

Infarction of the cervical spinal cord in a 20-year-old healthy man resulting in complete quadriplegia.

How often are we faced with a tragic diagnosis in a young patient whose life is completely changed? Often in medicine the tragedy is short-lived: the patients never stabilise, they succumb early to their injuries or complications. We present the case of a young man in whom the exact cause of a spinal cord infarct has never been confirmed. As it transpires, regardless of the sequence of events and the time elapsed between injury and the onset of paralysis, his symptoms came with no warning, were life-threatening and terrifying.

FDG PET/CT imaging in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot.

Purpose: Osteomyelitis, the most serious complication of the diabetic foot, occurs in about 20 % of patients. Early diagnosis is crucial. Appropriate treatment will avoid or decrease the likelihood of amputation.

[An outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis after farm visit in Haifa subdistrict].

We report on an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) gastroenteritis among children residing in Haifa subdistrict after a farm visit. This incident emphasizes the importance of this issue and our report suggests preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission of enteric pathogens in such situations.