Functional compared to anatomical imaging in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease: An international, multi-center, randomized controlled trial (IAEA-SPECT/CTA study).

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that, in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) would result in less downstream testing than coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). METHODS: In this international, randomized trial, mildly symptomatic patients with an intermediate likelihood of having CAD, and asymptomatic patients at intermediate risk of cardiac events, underwent either initial stress-rest MPI or CCTA. The primary outcome was downstream noninvasive or invasive testing at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included cumulative effective radiation dose (ERD) and costs at 12 months. RESULTS: We recruited 303 patients (151 MPI and 152 CTA) from 6 centers in 6 countries. The initial MPI was abnormal in 29% (41/143) and CCTA in 56% (79/141) of patients. Fewer patients undergoing initial stress-rest MPI had further downstream testing at 6 months (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.91, P = 0.023). There was a small increase in the median cumulative ERD with MPI (9.6 vs. 8.8 mSv, P = 0.04), but no difference in costs between the two strategies at 12 months. CONCLUSION: In the management of patients with suspected CAD, a strategy of initial stress MPI is substantially less likely to require further downstream testing than initial testing with CCTA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identification number NCT01368770.

Radionuclide cholescintigraphy in genetically confirmed Rotor syndrome.

A 7-year-old girl had been followed up for persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia since birth. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was within the normal range, and liver protein synthesis had always been normal. Infectious etiology of jaundice, autoimmune diseases, drug-induced liver injury, hemolytic anemia, α-1 anti-trypsin deficiency, Wilson disease and Gilbert syndrome were ruled out. At the age of 8 years the patient underwent radionuclide dynamic cholescintigraphy, indicating poor accumulation of the radiotracer in the liver on one hand, and severe retention of the radiopharmaceutical in the blood pool (including the heart) on the other hand. Rotor syndrome was suspected and finally confirmed on molecular analysis. This case represents the first cholescintigraphy report in a pediatric patient with genetically proven Rotor syndrome.

Myocardial perfusion imaging parameters: IQ-SPECT and conventional SPET system comparison.

Technological advancement in hardware and software development in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) leads to the shortening of acquisition time and reduction of the radiation burden to patients. We compared semiquantitative perfusion results and functional parameters of the left ventricle between new dedicated cardiac system with astigmatic collimators called IQ-SPECT (Siemens Medical Solutions, USA) and conventional single photon emission tomography (SPET) system equipped with standard low energy high resolution collimators. A group of randomly selected 81 patients underwent consecutively the MPI procedure on IQ-SPECT and on conventional SPET systen, both without attenuation correction. The summed scores and the values of the functional parameters of the left ventricle: ejection fraction (EF), end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV, EDV) received from the automatic analysis software were compared and statistically analyzed. Our results showed that summed scores values were significantly higher for the IQ-SPECT system in comparison to the conventional one. Calculated EF were significantly lower for IQ-SPECT, whereas evaluated left ventricular volumes (LVV) were significantly higher for this system. In conclusion, we recorded significant differences in automatically calculated semiquantitative perfusion and functional parameters when compared uncorrected studies obtained by the IQ-SPECT with the conventional SPET system.

Lymphoscintigraphy of the Lower Extremities: Discrepancies Between Superficial and Deep Lymphatic Systems.

ABSTRACT: We describe a 57-year-old man with prostate cancer. A radical prostatectomy with a pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. After 2 years, a mild swelling of the lower extremities appeared, and the patient was referred for lower-limb lymphoscintigraphy. A lymphoscintigraphy of the superficial lymphatic system in the limbs showed prominent, dermal backflow in the area of the right hypogastrium. Lymphoscintigraphy of the deep lymphatic system showed reflux in the left hypogastrium. This discrepancy between the findings in the superficial and deep lower-limb lymphatic systems was explained by asymmetric sampling of the lymph nodes during the lymphadenectomy.

What is the risk for parametrial involvement in women with early-stage cervical cancer with tumour <20 mm and with negative sentinel lymph nodes?

AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of parametrial involvement in women with early-stage cervical cancer with tumour <20 mm and with negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLN). METHODS: We reviewed the cases of all women who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy with SLN biopsy for invasive cervical cancer between April 2004 and December 2009. Parametrial involvement was defined as direct extension, nodal disease or spread through vascular channels. RESULTS: From the 204 women who underwent radical surgery with SLN biopsy, 63 (FIGO stage IA2-10, IB1-53) met the inclusion criteria: tumour <20 mm in the largest diameter regardless of the depth of stromal invasion (less or more than half stromal invasion) and negative sentinel lymph nodes. Median age was 44.3 years (range 24-72). Lymph-vascular space invasion was present in 25 women. The histology identified squamous carcinoma in 50 women, adenocarcinoma in 11 women and adenosquamous carcinoma in two women. Tumour grade 1 occurred in 41, grade 2 in 16 and grade 3 in 6 of the cases. No parametrial involvement was observed. The false negative rate of SLN biopsy was 0%. CONCLUSION: No parametrial involvement was observed in women with early-stage cervical cancer with tumour <20 mm in diameter and negative sentinel lymph nodes regardless of the presence of lymph-vascular space invasion, histology subtype and grade of the tumour. Radical removal of the parametrium in this low-risk group is questionable.

Effectiveness of radiosynoviorthesis in the treatment of chronic synovitis of small and middle-sized joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Our aim was to describe and evaluate our experience in the treatment of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) of small and middle-sized joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eighty six patients with RA enrolled in the study. The criterion for enrolment was destructive process of the joint detected by X-rays and classified as a stage II-III according to Larsen. Seventy-six middle-sized joints were treated each with 74MBq or rhenium-186 sulphate and other 80 small joints with 10-40MBq of erbium-169 citrate each. The effect of treatment was evaluated at 6 and 12 months following the RSO treatment. The obtained values were compared with those of the initial state. The inflammatory and structural changes in activity were assessed according to the results of ultrasound examination, regression of pain, swelling of the joint and the improvement in mobility. The data obtained were statistically processed with the Chi-square test. Our results showed that RSO significantly decreased pain of the affected joints, however the influence upon joint motion was minimal. The best treatment results were observed in shoulders and elbows, while the ankles were the worst to respond to the RSO treatment. The significant (P<0.05) beneficial effect of the RSO treatment on pain and swelling reduction were only transient started on 1 week to 1 month and declined over 12 months. In conclusion, our study showed that RSO is a suitable alternative in the treatment of chronic synovitis, with a low potential of adverse effects. However the beneficial effect on pain and swelling reduction was only transient and declined over 12 months.

Characteristics of sentinel lymph nodes' metastatic involvement in early stage of vulvar cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nodal involvement is one of the most significant prognostic factors in early-stage vulvar cancer. AIMS: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in early-stage vulvar cancer and to describe the characteristics of metastatic lymph node involvement. METHODS: Of 23 women with early-stage squamous cell vulvar cancer included in the study, five had lateral lesions and 18 had midline lesions. SLN detection was performed by using a radioactive tracer and blue dye, followed by radical vulvectomy or radical wide excision with uni/bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, depending on tumour size and localization. SLNs were subsequently examined with haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The SLN detection was successful in all 23 women (100%) and in 38 of 41 groins (92.3%) tested. The total number of SLNs was 67, with an average of 1.76 per groin. In total, 20 positive SLNs were detected in 14 of 23 patients. From a total of 20 positive SLNs, micrometastases were found in five SLNs and isolated tumour cells in one SLN. We experienced one case with a false negativity of SLN. Sensitivity, negative predictive value, accuracy and false negativity of SLN detection were 93.3%, 88.8%, 95.6% and 7.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: The SLN biopsy performed by an experienced team is a feasible method, with high accuracy in patients with early-stage vulvar cancer. Prognostic value of micrometastases should be confirmed in further studies.

Primary Congenital Lymphedema.

We present the case of a 26-year-old man with congenital primary lymphedema. A lymphedema of the right upper limb appeared at the age of 2 years, followed by edemas of the right lower limb and of the right part of the head and neck. A lymphedema of the left lower limb began 5 years ago, and finally an edema of the external genitalia began 2 years ago. Lymphoscintigraphy of the lower limbs and pelvic/abdominal region (including SPECT/ldCT) revealed interesting abnormalities.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive than dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy in detecting parenchymal lesions in children with acute pyelonephritis: A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Static renal scintigraphy is the gold standard for detection of inflammatory changes in the renal parenchyma in acute pyelonephritis. Our aim was to determine whether diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was comparable with static renal scintigraphy (DMSA-SRS) to demonstrate acute renal parenchymal lesions. OBJECTIVE: To compare 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid static renal scintigraphy (DMSA-SRS) with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for detecting acute inflammatory changes in the renal parenchyma in children with febrile urinary tract infection. METHODS: Thirty-one children (30 girls) aged 3-18 years with a first episode of febrile UTI without a previously detected congenital malformation of the urinary tract, were prospectively included. DMSA-SRS and DW-MRI were performed within 5 days of diagnosis to detect renal inflammatory lesions. The DW-MRI examination was performed without contrast agent and without general anesthesia. Late examinations were performed after 6 months using both methods to detect late lesions. RESULTS: DW-MRI confirmed acute inflammatory changes of the renal parenchyma in all 31 patients (100%), mostly unilateral. DMSA-SRS detected inflammatory lesions in 22 children (71%; p = 0.002). The lesions were multiple in 26/31 children (84%) on DW-MRI and in 9/22 (40%) on DMSA-SRS. At the control examination, scarring of the renal parenchyma was found equally by DW-MRI and DMSA-SRS in five patients (16%), three of whom were the same patients. The overall concordance of positive and negative late findings occurred in 87% of patients. There was correspondence in the anatomical location of acute and late lesions. DISCUSSION: The clinical significance of acute and late parenchymal findings on DWI-MR is yet to be determined. A limitation of our study is the age of the patients (older than 3 years) who are less sensitive to scar development; therefore, a smaller number of patients with scars could be analyzed during control examination. Further studies using the DW-MRI should confirm its reliability to detect acute and late lesions in younger children and infants and determine the clinical consequences. CONCLUSION: DW-MRI has higher sensitivity for detecting acute renal inflammatory lesions and multifocal lesions than DMSA-SRS. The incidence of scars was low and corresponded with the anatomical location of acute and late lesions.

Functional autonomies of thyroid and efficacy of radioiodine therapy.

In this paper, the authors present their experience with the radioiodine therapy of thyroid functional autonomies. The aims of this study were to establish the efficacy and determine the adverse effects of radioiodine therapy of patients with thyroid functional autonomies. Over a period of 31 years (from 1974 to 2005) 868 patients (766 women, 102 men with the age from 33 to 86 years; average age, 58.5) with unifocal functional autonomy, multifocal functional autonomy, and disseminated functional autonomy, received at least one treatment of radioiodine in our Department of Nuclear Medicine. For diagnostics and the evaluation of the radioiodine therapeutic effect of functional autonomies, a thyroid scintigraphy is the basic and necessary procedure. We have also performed a thyroid ultrasonography, an assessment of a serum level of a total and free thyroxine, total tri-iodothyronine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the radioiodine accumulation test, the estimation of the radioiodine effective half-life, and in some patients, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH)-TSH test. The follow-up examinations were done in all patients after 4-6 months, another examination after 1 year in 585 patients, and after 2 years in 284 patients. One therapeutic dose received 798 patients (91.9%) and it was sufficient for an elimination of functional autonomies. Some patients were retreated if there was the evidence of small or no treatment effect and no elimination of functional autonomies. Sixty-six (66) patients (7.6%) received two radioiodine treatments and 4 patients (0.5%) three treatments. Before radioiodine therapy, an average serum level of total thyroxine was 165.8 nmol/L, of free thyroxine 21.2 pmol/L, and of total triiodothyronine 3.3 nmol/L, and in all patients, TSH was suppressed. Before therapy, patient complaints were cardiovascular in 87%, neurological in 72%, hypermetabolic in 70%, and local in 31% of patients. After therapy, the average serum levels of total thyroxine were 110.9 nmol/L, free thyroxine 12.7 pmol/L, and total triiodothyronine 2.1 nmol/L with an improvement of symptoms in 91.5% of patients, no improvement in 8.2% and a worsening in 0.3% of patients. The suppression of TSH disappeared in 668 of treated patients (77%). An average volume reduction of thyroid of 40% was achieved in any type of functional autonomy after radioiodine treatment. Side-effects were minimal, and in some patients, presented as a transient neck pressure or pain and neck swelling. Postradiation hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 38 patients (4.4%). The results of this study show that the radioiodine therapy of the thyroid functional autonomies is safe, with a low incidence of adverse effects. It is effective, and for patients, is a nondemanding procedure.

Radiosynoviorthesis of knees by means of 166Ho-holmium-boro-macroaggregates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate adverse and therapeutic effects of applicated holmium-boro-macroaggregates (HBMAs) in the radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) of knees in patients suffering from chronic synovitis. We started RSO of the knees by means of a new radiopharmaceutical (RF) HBMA in patients with gonarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic synovitis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout arthropathy. Seventeen (17) intra-articular injections were performed in 15 patients who were receiving a mean activity of 972 MBq (range, 904-1057) of 166Ho-HBMA. Patient inclusion to the study followed a series of inclusion and exclusion criterions. The patients were hospitalized for 3 days. Side-effects were evaluated during their hospital stay and again after 6-8 weeks. Static scintigraphy of knee joints and measurements of blood radioactivity were performed. Therapeutic effects were evaluated after 6-8 weeks and at 6 months. In 2 hours and 2 days following the application, we proved, by means of knee and inguinal scintigraphy, only insignificant radiopharmaceutical leakage from the joint cavity to the inguinal lymph nodes in 4 patients. In the treated patients, no serious adverse effects occurred. Nine (9) patients were without complaints, 4 patients had slight knee exudation, and 2 patients had great exudation. Therapeutic effects were as follows: 2 patients were without pain, 9 were with lower pain, 3 were with the same pain, and 1 patient was with increased pain. Joint motion was improved in 7 patients, remained the same in 7 patients, and was impaired in 1 patient. Analgesics consumption was lower in 5 patients, the same in 9 patients, and greater in 1 patient. Knee exudation was absent in 2 patients, lower in 4 patients, the same in 6 patients, and greater in 3 patients. In 3 patients it was necessary to do surgical RSO. This RF can extend the range of clinically used radiopharmaceuticals for RSO and to supplement space between 90Y with high energy and 186Re with 169Er with lower beta energy. The energy of 166Ho is suitable for great and medium joints (i.e., knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and ankles).

J-pouch versus Roux-en-Y reconstruction after gastrectomy: functional assessment and quality of life (randomized trial).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and functional emptying of J-pouch versus Roux-en-Y reconstruction after total gastrectomy for malignancy. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, nonblinded, randomized, parallel clinical trial (Trial Number: MN Ostrava, 200604). With informed consent, patients undergoing gastrectomy for malignancy were randomized to J-pouch or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The time taken for a test semisolid meal labeled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid to exit the reconstructed parts was measured by dynamic scintigraphy 1 year after resection. Quality of life was measured using the Eypasch questionnaire at the same time as functional emptying assessment. This trial was investigator-initiated. RESULTS: In all, 72 patients were included into the study. The time taken for the test meal to exit the postgastrectomy reconstruction was 16.5±10.0 minutes (mean ± standard deviation) in the Roux-en-Y group and 89.4±37.8 minutes in the "J-pouch" group; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Emptying of the J-pouch appeared to be a linear decreasing function compared to the exponential pattern seen in the Roux-en-Y group. The quality of life measurement showed scores of 106±18.8 points (mean ± standard deviation) in the Roux-en-Y group compared to 122±22.5 points in the J-pouch group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0016). There were no important adverse events. CONCLUSION: After total gastrectomy, a J-pouch reconstruction empties more slowly and is associated with higher quality of life compared to Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Whether these two observations have a direct causative link remains unanswered.

International Czech and Slovak cooperation in the treatment of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to present our experience concerning cooperation in the treatment of Slovak patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in Slovak and Czech hospitals. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the means of this cooperation and the results of therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From September 1991 to October 2005 in the Department of Nuclear Medicine in Ostrava 357 patients from the Slovak Republic with differentiated thyroid cancers (follicular and papillary) underwent complex therapy. They were diagnosed and operated due to the cancer (near-total thyroidectomy and removal of lymph node metastases) in Slovak hospitals. Then they were sent to the Department of Nuclear Medicine in Ostrava in the Czech Republic. In this department a radioiodine ablation of thyroid remnants, by means of the treatment amount of radioiodine of a standard activity of 3.7 GBq, was performed, and then a suppression and substitution therapy of thyroid hormones was started. After 3-6 months some patients were examined by means of diagnostic whole body scintigraphy after application of 300 MBq 131I. Some patients were treated by means of a standard activity of 7.4 GBq 131I and after 5 days whole body scintigraphy (WBS) was performed. In both of these groups of patients the diagnostic or therapeutic radioiodine application was done after withdrawal of thyroid hormone treatment. If thyroglobulin levels were low and WBSs were negative, patients were followed up in the Department of Nuclear Medicine in Martin. Patients with radioiodine accumulated metastases were again treated with radioiodine in Ostrava. If indicated, external radiation therapy targeted on the neck and upper mediastinum was performed in the Slovak Republic, in the University Hospital in Martin. Newly formed lymph node metastases were surgically treated in Slovakia, too. Generally we have very good treatment results. Also, economically our partnership is cost effective. Our collaboration also successfully continues after entrance of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic to the European Union in 2004. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this multi-centre study show that international Czech and Slovak cooperation in the complex therapy of patients with differentiated thyroid cancers is successful, with high efficacy. The treatment results were very similar to therapeutic results in our patients from the Czech Republic.

The diagnosis of brain death--own experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is a description of our experience with scintigraphic detection of brain death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients were studied from February 2003 to June 2006. We performed brain scintigraphic examination utilising (99m)Tc-HMPAO and a two-headed SPECT camera E.CAM. We used LEHR collimators. 15% energy window was centred around 140 keV. 650-750 MBq of radiopharmaceutical was injected as a bolus. Then dynamic scintigraphy of the head and neck was done in an anterior projection--2 s per frame for 60 s. Then static scintigraphy of the head in four projections followed (anterior, both lateral and posterior views), for 4 minutes per view. RESULTS: A typical picture of brain death on planar dynamic and static scintigrams showed an absence of perfusion and radiopharmaceutical accumulation in both cereberal and cerebral hemispheres and brain stem. Radioactivity in the area of the scalp and face could be present. Borderline findings, which demanded careful interpretation, were the cases with preservation of minimal cerebral perfusion and simultaneous absence of radiopharmaceutical accumulation in its parenchyma and cutoff of tracer accumulation in cerebral parenchyma only supra or infratentorial. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral perfusion scintigraphy is the most contributing factor for the diagnosis of brain death in patients after cranial trauma with subsequent neurosurgical operation, when angiography is often unsuitable. In these situations perfusion scintigraphy is able to show the absence of radiopharmaceutical accumulation in cerebral tissue. Scintigraphic detection of brain death gained an important role in new Czech legislation, and the demands of transplant centres for these examinations will certainly grow with the accrual of organ collections.

Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer. A comparison of two protocols.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was lymphatic mapping to identify SLN in cervical cancer (CaCerv) with radioactive colloids, intraoperative detection with patent blue dye (PBD) and gamma probe (GP) and biopsy and comparison of two protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 54 patients with CaCerv before hysterectomy and lymph nodes dissection (LND) we performed preoperative lymphoscintigraphy utilizing 99mTc-colloid (Nanocoll, SentiScint or Nanocis), activity 40 MBq, on the operation day (30 women) or the day before operation (24 women). Gynaecologists injected 4 peritumoural injections of colloid into the cervix around the tumour. Scintigraphy followed 25-50 minutes (one-day protocol) or 12-19 hours (two-day protocol) after injection. Gynaecologists also injected 4 peritumoural injections of PBD into the cervix around the tumour. All women underwent SLN biopsy and LND (in average 35 lymph nodes were taken) and hysterectomy. SLNs (active and/or blue lymph nodes) were examined by a pathologist [histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IH) with detection of cytokeratine]. No SLN was examined without IH. RESULTS: The gynaecologists withdrew 123 SLNs (on average 2.27/1 patient) and in total 1898 lymph nodes (on average 35/1 patient). In 1 woman the tumour was inoperable. Two-day protocol, which involved scintigraphy, PBD and GP detected SLNs on both sides (45 SLNs) in 17 women (70.8%), SLNs on the one side (6 SLNs) in 3 patients (12.5%) and no SLNs were found in 4 women (16.7%). One-day protocol detected SLNs on both sides in 23 patients (74.1%)--63 SLNs, in 7 women on one side (25.9%)--9 SLNs. Metastases in SLNs (with or without metastases in other LN) were found in 21 patients (38.9%)--in 1 woman of stage FIGO IB1, in 1 woman of stage FIGO IB2, in 1 patient of stage FIGO IIIA and in all 18 patients of stage FIGO IIIB. False negative SLN detection was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: In SLN detection in patients with CaCerv, all 3 methods--scintigraphy, PBD and GP--should be used, and the success rate of SLN detection increases, although scintigraphy has lower significance than in SLN detection in malignant melanoma and breast cancer. One-day protocol had a better detection rate of SLN than two-day protocol. The method is promising but its results are not as unequivocal and optimistic as in breast cancer and malignant melanoma, and it is still experimental. Additional experience is necessary.

Reradiosynoviorthesis of the knee.

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment results between radiosynoviorthesis and reradiosynoviorthesis of knees. Before the radiosynoviorthesis, an ultrasonography, X-ray, and three-phase bone scintigraphy were done. The treatment effect can be expected if a synovitis is proved by these examinations. To knees, 200 MBq of the yttrium citrate was injected for the first radiosynoviorthesis or for reradiosynoviorthesis. After an application, it is possible to do the scintigraphic examination, when information about a tracer distribution in joints is obtained. The treatment effect was evaluated by the clinical examination, the ultrasonography, and the three-phase bone scintigraphy with some lapse of time. If the effect of the radiosynoviorthesis was not satisfying, it could be repeated no sooner than 6 months later. Among our patients we had a high percentage of the repeated radiosynoviorthesis. The authors applicated the yttrium citrate to 1243 knees. A rate between single radiosynoviorthesis and reradiosynoviorthesis was 11:8. Repeated radiosynoviorthesis were as effective as the initial ones, and their repeated use does not decrease the expected therapeutic effect.

Hepatic metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) often form metastases in neck lymph nodes, lungs and bones. Other metastases--to the brain, kidneys, skin and liver are rare. Liver metastases of DTC occur in the terminal phase of the disease and predominantly do not accumulate radioiodine. Functional (accumulating radioiodine) metastases are very rare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an 85 year old patient with DTC of the follicular type after removal of the thyroid and lymph nodes metastases on the neck and after the elimination of thyroid remnants by radioiodine, a functional metastasis in the liver was detected by combination of whole-body scintigraphy following administration of 131I and liver scintigraphy by using 99mTc-colloid, supplemented by bone scintigraphy after administration of 99mTc-MDP. At first, the high thyroglobulin serum level was falsely negative after repeated radioiodine treatment. The patient was treated for this hepatic accumulating metastasis eight times by 59.2 GBq total dose of radioiodine. Radioiodine treatments were repeated for 7 years, the patient died at the age of 92 years. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to distinguish between diffuse and focal radioiodine accumulation in a liver. Only a focal accumulation is characteristic for functional liver metastasis in which thyroxin synthesis is preserved. The correspondence of focal accumulation of radioiodine on whole-body scintigraphy with "cold" area on liver scintigraphy is specific for diagnosis of this metastasis. At the same time, it confirms the fact that radioiodine therapy can be both promising and successful, as we can see in the case of our patient.

Our first clinical experience with radiosynoviorthesis by means of (166)Ho-holmium-boro-macroaggregates.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we evaluate the therapeutic and adverse effects of the application of 166-holmium-boro-macroaggregates (HMBA) in radiosynovectomy (RSO) of the knees. We assessed the efficacy and safety of (166)Ho-HBMA in a prospective clinical trial in patients suffering from chronic synovitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An effective component of radiopharmaceutical (166)Ho-boro-macroaggregates is radionuclide (166)Ho which has both beta-emission and gamma-emission. The physical half-life time of 166 Ho is 26.8 hours. After application of the radiopharmaceutical into a joint cavity, the effect of beta-emission causes radiation necrosis of pathologically changed (inflamed) synovial membrane. From 15th April 2005, we have started RSO of knees by means of new radiopharmaceutical (166)Ho-boro-macroaggregates in patients with gonarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic synovitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout arthropathy. Seventeen intra-articular injections were performed in fifteen patients receiving a mean activity of 972 MBq (range: 904-1,057 MBq) (166)Ho-HMBA. The patients were hospitalized for three days. Side effects were evaluated during hospital stay and after 6-8 weeks. Static scintigraphy of knee joints and measurements of blood radioactivity were performed. Therapeutic effects were evaluated after 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: In 2 hours and 2 days after application, we proved, by means of knee and inguinal scintigraphy, only insignificant radiopharmaceutical leakage from the joint cavity to the inguinal lymph nodes in four patients. In treated patients, no serious adverse effects occurred. Nine patients were without complaints; 4 patients had slight knee exsudation and 2 patients had great exsudation. Therapeutic effects after 6-8 weeks were as follows: 2 patients were without pain, 9 with lower pain, 3 with the same pain and 1 patient with increased pain. Joint motion was improved in 7 patients, remained the same in 7 patients and was impaired in 1 patient. Analgesics consumption was lower in 5 patients, the same in 9 patients and greater in 1 patient. Knee exsudation was absent in 2 patients, lower in 4 patients, the same in 6 patients and greater in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We proved only insignificant radiopharmaceutical leakage from the joint cavity to the inguinal lymph nodes. Six patients had early slight or great radiation synovitis. The possible cause could be rather high applicated activity. One can take into consideration its reduction. Therapeutic effects can be precisely evaluated after a longer time interval than was possible for us (6-8 weeks after RSO). (166)Ho-boro-macroaggregates can extend the scale of clinically used radiopharmaceuticals for RSO. This paper is presented in the scope of the first stage of clinical evaluation of synovectomy application of holmium-boro-macroaggregates.

Incidental diagnosis of uterine cancer on 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy.

A 59-year-old woman with a history of chronic pyelonephritis underwent a renal scintiscan with technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA). Images showed substantially hypofunctional small left kidney. A large oval extrarenal uptake area above the urine bladder was also seen. An iv X-ray urography showed at the same area a spacious "shadow". A computerized tomography showed a very large uterus, sized 19 x 10 cm, with myomatous nodes, calcifications and disintegration cavities. Hysterectomy and bilateral adnexotomy were performed. Histopathology showed a myomatous uterus with an adenocarcinoma which also affected both ovaria. External radiotherapy followed.

Modified PISAPED Criteria in Combination with Ventilation Scintigraphic Finding for Predicting Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

This prospective clinical study aimed at assessing three pulmonary scintigraphic algorithms to detect acute pulmonary embolism (PE): Lung ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy along with modified prospective investigation of pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PIOPED) criteria; lung perfusion scintigraphy along with prospective investigative study of acute pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PISAPED) criteria; and lung perfusion scan in combination with ventilation scan, along with modified PISAPED criteria, which were newly developed. Patients with suspicion of PE were eligible for this study if they had no abnormal chest x-ray. Their diagnostic workup included a clinical assessment, a pulmonary V/Q scintigraphy, and CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), as well as a clinical outcome assessment over a period of 24 weeks. Referred to the final clinical diagnosis of patients, the sensitivity and specificity of each algorithm were evaluated. The diagnostic performance of each algorithm by the area under the maximum likelihood fitted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined. With respect to the PISAPED criteria, the sensitivity was 60.8% and specificity was 87.3%. No patient was classified into nondiagnostic category. The PIOPED criteria showed that the sensitivity was 95.0% and specificity was 88.2%, while 57.4% of the patients were in nondiagnostic category. The areas under the ROC curve constructed from the PISAPED criteria results and the modified PIOPED criteria results were 0.734 and 0.859 (P < 0.01), respectively. The modified PISAPED criteria demonstrated that the sensitivity was 83.8% and specificity was 89.1%. No patient was classified into nondiagnostic category. The area under the ROC curve constructed from modified PISAPED criteria was 0.864 (P < 0.01). Perfusion scans used with ventilation scans and modified PISAPED criteria may increase the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary scintigraphy for acute PE, compared with the two major algorithms.