Comparison of MRI and I-FP-CIT SPECT for the evaluation of MSA-P clinical severity.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and I-labeled 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)nortropane single photon emission computed tomography (I-FP-CIT SPECT) for determining the clinical severity of patients with multiple system atrophy with Parkinsonism (MSA-P). MRI and I-FP-CIT SPECT images from 17 patients with MSA-P as diagnosed using the Unified MSA Rating Scale part IV (UMSARS IV) score were compared. Brain MRI scans were available for all 17 patients and I-FP-CIT SPECT images were available for 12 patients.

Remote effects in the ipsilateral thalamus and/or contralateral cerebellar hemisphere using FDG PET in patients with brain tumors.

Purpose: To evaluate reduced metabolism in the ipsilateral thalamus (TH) and/or contralateral cerebellum (CE) according to tumor localization and cortical metabolism around the tumor in patients with brain tumors based on FDG uptake.

Methods: This study investigated 48 consecutive patients with solitary cerebral hemisphere parenchymal brain tumors who underwent PET/CT and MRI. Patients were divided into 4 groups (A: reduced uptake in ipsilateral TH and contralateral CE, B: reduced uptake in ipsilateral TH only, C: reduced uptake in contralateral CE only, and D: no reduced uptake in ipsilateral TH or contralateral CE).

Preoperative evaluation of pelvic masses with combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic value of combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) to discriminate malignant or borderline malignant tumors from benign pelvic masses.

Methods: A prospective study of 30 women with suspected ovarian cancer who presented from July 2006 through August 2007. Selection was based on evidence from ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and rising tumor marker levels.

IgG4-related autoimmune prostatitis: two cases with or without autoimmune pancreatitis.

Recently, autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been reported with a variety of extra-pancreatic manifestations and infiltration of IgG4-positive cells into the affected organs. We report herein two cases with prostatitis. One was seen in a patient with typical AIP, and the other was observed without any clinical manifestation of AIP.

Umbilical metastasis from breast cancer related with tumor marker elevation.

We describe a 53-year-old woman with tumor marker abnormality caused by an umbilical metastasis from breast cancer. She had undergone breast conservation therapy (BCT) for breast cancer (T2N1M0) 9 years previously. Umbilical metastasis was detected 9 months after tumor marker elevation was first noted.