Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor PET/CT: A Promising Molecular Imaging Tool.

Purpose: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell membrane-bound serine peptidase, overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and activated fibroblasts at wound healing/inflammatory sites. Recently, molecular PET/CT imaging with radiolabeled FAP inhibitor (FAPI) has been evaluated in different diseases. We aimed to assess its potential role based on the available literature.

F-18 fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head: Comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: Femoral head avascular necrosis (FHAVN) is one of the increasingly common causes of musculoskeletal disability and poses a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Although radiography, scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been widely used in the diagnosis of FHAVN, positron emission tomography (PET) has recently been evaluated to assess vascularity of the femoral head. In this study, the authors compared F-18 fluoride PET/CT with MRI in the initial diagnosis of FHAVN.

F-18 FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of Takayasu arteritis: an experience from the tropics.

Objective: To evaluate the performance parameters of FDG PET/CT in patients with Takayasu arteritis at diagnosis and during immunosuppression.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 FDG PET/CT studies in 51 patients was performed (17 scans at diagnosis out of which 4 had follow-up scans also and 43 scans on immunosuppression). The degree of FDG uptake in the vessels was assessed visually using a 4-point scale and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVratio, extent of vasculitis and association with ESR were calculated.

(68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging in carotid body tumor.

Imaging modalities like Doppler ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are routinely used in the diagnosis of carotid body tumors. Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is another promising noninvasive technique in the diagnosis of carotid body tumors. We present F-FDG PET/CT and Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in a 30-year-old man with carotid body tumor.

Unilateral breast uptake of tc-99m pertechnetate in a patient with cold nodule of the thyroid.

Common causes of unilateral breast uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate are predominant breast-feeding on one side, mastitis, and breast cancer. Uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate in the epithelial cells of the breast, like that of iodide, depends on the transmembrane sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), the expression of which is known to be greatly enhanced during lactation and in breast cancer. The authors present an interesting case of predominant left breast uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate detected incidentally during thyroid scintigraphy, for the evaluation of a nodule in the left lobe of thyroid.

Is 68Ga-DOTATATE the answer in lung carcinoid? : Case report and review of literature.

Carcinoid tumors are rich in somatostatin receptors and show high uptake of radiotracer on octreotide scintigraphy. 68Ga-DOTATATE could be of great help at initial staging and during follow-up of these patients. We describe a patient with avid 68Ga-DOTATATE and poor F18-FDG uptake.

(18)F-fluoride PET/CT in avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a devastating disease in young adults. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the most sensitive and specific technique in the diagnosis of this condition. The authors present an interesting image of bilateral AVN of the femoral heads diagnosed on F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography.