Is the level of diffusion restriction in celiac and cervico-thoracic sympathetic ganglia helpful in their proper recognition on PSMA ligand PET/MR?

Aim:  To check if diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) might be helpful in proper recognition of celiac (CG) and cervicothoracic (CTG) sympathetic ganglia on the whole-body multimodal PSMA-ligand PET/MR imaging, in the view of their common misleading avidity on PET potentially suggestive of malignant lesions, including metastatic lymph nodes.

Methods:  The thickness and the level of diffusion restriction was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in 406 sympathetic ganglia (189 CTG in 101 males and 217 CG in 116 males) on DWI maps (b-value 0 and 800 s/mm) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps (mean ADC) of the whole-body PET/MR 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR. To form a reference group of a matching ganglia size, the smallest lymph node was chosen from each patient with metastases and underwent the same procedure.

The "question-mark" MR anatomy of the cervico-thoracic ganglia complex: can it help to avoid mistaking it for a malignant lesion on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR?

Background Detectable uptake of 68Ga-PSMA-ligands in sympathetic ganglia may potentially lead to mistaking them for malignant lesions. Our aim was to investigate the anatomy of cervico-thoracic-ganglia-complex (CTG-C) in the MR part of multimodal 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR imaging, in view of PET factors hindering its proper identification. Patients and methods In 106 patients, 212 sites of the CTG-C were retrospectively reviewed to assess the radiotracer uptake (SUVmax), size, shape, position, symmetry of location and visual uptake intensity.

Are superior cervical sympathetic ganglia avid on whole body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/magnetic resonance?: a comprehensive morphologic and molecular assessment in patients with prostate cancer.

Objectives: Recent reports warn against erroneous mistaking of celiac and stellate sympathetic ganglia for metastatic lymph nodes on multimodal prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-ligand PET imaging. The aim was to check the intensity of Ga-PSMA-11 uptake and magnetic resonance (MR) features of superior cervical ganglia (SCG) on PET/MR imaging.

Methods: In 89 patients 106 SCG were reliably identified on Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR.

Unusual Drainage of the Bifurcated Left Renal Vein Into a Dilated Lumbar Azygos Vein and Inferior Vena Cava.

We report a unique case of unusual drainage of the bifurcated retroaortic left renal vein, with the cranial wider branch draining into a dilated lumbar azygos vein and caudal thinner branch connecting with the inferior vena cava. The right renal vein was duplicated. The anomaly was discovered on multimodal F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography performed for oncological purposes.

Celiac ganglia: can they be misinterpreted on multimodal 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR?

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the morphologic features and Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 avidity of celiac ganglia (CG) on multimodal PET/MRI.

Materials And Methods: Ga-PSMA-11 whole-body PET/MR examinations in 120 patients, referred for staging or follow-up of prostate cancer, were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the radiotracer uptake [maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax)] and morphologic features (size, shape, location) of CG. Nodular, oval and longitudinal nodular, thick or with oval parts shapes of CG were regarded as mistakable with lymph nodes, whereas linear and longitudinal shapes were considered as not mistakable.

Relationship between Glioblastoma Dose Volume Parameters Measured by Dual Time Point Fluoroethylthyrosine-PET and Clinical Outcomes.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is highly invasive. Despite irradiation with wide margins, GBM usually recurs in-field. Recent data have suggested that progression might be promoted by sublethal irradiation.

Evaluation of Brain Edema Formation Defined By MRI After LINAC-based Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Background: Peri-lesional edema is a serious and well-known complication of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Here we evaluated edema risk after SRS and assessed its formation and resolution dynamics.

Patients And Methods: 107 patients underwent SRS for heterogeneous diagnoses: 34 (29%) with arteriovenous malformations, 38 (35%) with meningiomas, 16 (15%) with metastatic tumors, 16 (15%) with acoustic neuromas, 3 with (3%) cavernomas, and 2 (2%) each with anaplastic astrocytomas and anaplastic oligoastrocytomas.

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma - metabolic and anatomical features in 18FDG-PET/CT and response to therapy.

Aim Of The Study: Determining the role of PET/CT imaging in the evaluation of treatment efficacy in primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL).

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis of seven PMBCL patients, treated at the University Hospital in Krakow, with interim PET/CT after the third course of chemo-immunotherapy.The analysis was based on the calculation of exact tumour volume and metabolic activity, compared with initial values (directly after diagnosis).

The influence of Sm-153 therapy on bone marrow function.

Aim Of The Study: Studies about possible risks connected with β-emitterradiotherapy concentrate mainly on potential myelotoxicity. Results of previously published analysis based on white blood cells (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts - before and after radionuclide treatment - are quite varied. The aim of our study was to present the greatest possible impact of Samarium-153 on bone marrow function in clinical practice.

Expression of RCAS1 correlates with urothelial bladder cancer malignancy.

RCAS1 is a protein that participates in regulation of the tumor microenvironment and its immune responses, all in order to evade the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze RCAS1 expression in urothelial bladder cancer cells (and in fibroblasts and macrophages of the tumor stroma) and its relationship with the histological pattern of malignancy. Eighty-three postcystectomy patients were enrolled.

Expression of OCT4A: the first step to the next stage of urothelial bladder cancer progression.

OCT4 (octamer-binding transcription factor) is a transcription factor responsible for maintaining the pluripotent properties of embryonic stem cells. In this paper, we present the results of studies to investigate the role of the OCT4 splicing variant in urothelial bladder cancer and the relationship between the OCT4 phenotype and the morphological parameters of tumor malignancy. Ninety patients who received a cystectomy for bladder cancer were enrolled.

Bilateral aggressive malignant granulosa cell tumour with essentially different immunophenotypes in primary and metastatic lesions comprising predominantly sarcomatoid and fibrothecomatous patterns - looking for prognostic markers: a case report.

We present an unusual case of a young woman with rare bilateral, very aggressive ovarian granulosa cell tumour (GCT), comprised of granulosa, sarcomatoid and fibrothecomatous fields with significantly different immunostaining of primary and metastatic tumours showing stronger WT1, Bcl2, fascin and EGFR expression in metastases. Despite radical surgery and chemotherapy the tumour recurred rapidly and the patient died 16 months later. Such results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of immunostaining for the above markers as prognostic/predictive factors and the need for careful assessment of the immunoprofile of both primary and metastatic tumours, which can be useful for therapy and follow-up planning in GCT cases.

Acute pulmonary embolus in the course of cancer.

Risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) is relatively high in patients with advanced chronic diseases, particularly with malignancies. Most patients with cancer have blood coagulation test abnormalities indicative of up-regulation of the coagulation cascade, increased platelet activation and aggregation. Pulmonary thromboembolism is common in patients with any cancer and incidence is increased by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and disease progression.