Utility of single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography for sentinel lymph node localization in breast cancer patients.

Objectives: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping is currently a routine technique in breast cancer management and preoperative scintigraphic imaging plays a crucial role in the process of SLN detection. The guidelines recommend performing planar acquisition and optional single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. The aim of this study was to verify whether routine performing of SPECT/CT in addition to planar imaging increases the sensitivity of SLN detection in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Incidentally recognised thyroid focal uptake of 99mTc-sestamibi during stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Introduction: 99mTc-sestamibi, a radiopharmaceutical widely used in the assessment of myocardial perfusion, can be used as an indicator of thyroid disease due to its oncophilic character. The aim of this study was to establish the usefulness of performing additional examinations of radiotracer uptake in the thyroid gland during standard stress scintigraphy with sestamibi in order to identify thyroid diseases.

Material And Methods: After a retrospective evaluation of 330 consecutive myocardial perfusion scintigraphies performed in our hospital during one year, 41 patients with a focal accumulation of 99mTc-sestamibi in the thyroid were enrolled in the study.

Long bone metastases as predictors of survival in patients with metastatic renal cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of long bone metastases in renal cancer patients and to evaluate their utility as predictors of survival in this group.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 20 patients with metastatic renal cancer and bone metastases. The patients were referred for regular bone scintigraphy in order to assess disease spread in the skeleton.

Brain metastases in patient with prostate cancer found in 18F-choline PET/CT.

Brain metastases are a rare complication of prostate cancer. They are usually diagnosed in an end-stage disease when the tumor has already spread to the other organs and tissues. We present a case of a male with castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases visualized in ¹⁸F-fluorocholine PET/CT scan.

Detection of splenic tissue by 99mTc-labelled Sn-colloid SPECT/CT scintigraphy.

This paper presents a case of an 80-year-old man with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after splenectomy performed many years ago, which normalized platelet count, presented with severe thrombocytopenia with no response to treatment. A SPECT/CT study was performed using 99mTc-labelled Sn-colloid. The histology confirmed the presence of splenic tissue in those foci.