Non-infectious aortitis: a report of 32 cases from a single tertiary centre in a 4-year period and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Non-infectious aortitis often presents with non-specific symptoms leading to inappropriate diagnostic delay. We intend to describe the clinical spectrum and outcome of patients with aortitis diagnosed at a single centre. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of patients diagnosed with non-infectious aortitis between January 2010 and December 2013 at the Rheumatology Division from a 1.000-bed tertiary teaching hospital from Northern Spain. The diagnosis of aortitis was usually based on FDG-PET-CT scan, and also occasionally on CT or MRI angiography or helical CT-scan. RESULTS: During the period of assessment 32 patients (22 women and 10 men; mean age 68 years [range, 45-87]) were diagnosed with aortitis. The median interval from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis was 21 months. FDG-PET CT scan was the most common tool used for the diagnosis of aortitis. The underlying conditions were the following: giant cell arteritis (n=13 cases); isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (n=11); Sjögren's syndrome (n=2), Takayasu arteritis (n= 1); sarcoidosis (n=1), ulcerative colitis (n=1), psoriatic arthritis (n=1), and large-vessel vasculitis that also involved the aorta (n=2). The most common clinical manifestations at diagnosis were: PMR features, often with atypical clinical presentation (n=23 patients, 72%); diffuse lower limb pain (n=16 patients, 50%); constitutional symptoms (n=12 patients, 37%), inflammatory low back pain (n=9 patients, 28%) and fever (n=7 patients, 22%). Acute phase reactants were increased in most cases (median erythrocyte sedimentation rate 46 mm/1st hour, and a median serum C-reactive protein 1.5 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: Aortitis is not an uncommon condition. The diagnosis is often delayed. Atypical PMR features, unexplained low back or limb pain, constitutional symptoms along with increased acute phase reactants should be considered 'red flags' to suspect the presence of aortitis.

Assessment of aortitis by semiquantitative analysis of 180-min 18F-FDG PET/CT acquisition images.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of semiquantitative analysis of 180-min (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT images for the assessment of aortitis in cases of suspected large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and to establish a threshold index for application in the clinical setting. METHODS: This prospective study included 43 patients (mean age 67.5 ± 12.9 years) with suspicion of LVV (25 with a final diagnosis of aortitis). (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan was acquired 180 min after injection of 7 MBq/kg of (18)F-FDG. A semiquantitative analysis was performed calculating the aortic wall maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) (T), the lumen SUVmax (B) and the target to background ratio (TBR). These results were also compared with those obtained in a control population. RESULTS: The mean aortic wall SUVmax was 2.00 ± 0.62 for patients with aortitis and 1.45 ± 0.31 for patients without aortitis (p < 0.0001). The TBR was 1.66 ± 0.26 for patients with aortitis and 1.24 ± 0.08 for patients without aortitis (p < 0.0001). The differences were also statistically significant when the patients with aortitis and controls were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the area under the curve was greater for the TBR than for the aortic wall SUVmax (0.997 vs 0.871). The highest sensitivity and specificity was obtained for a TBR of 1.34 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 94.4%). CONCLUSION: Semiquantitative analysis of PET/CT images acquired 180 min after (18)F-FDG injection and the TBR index of 1.34 show very high accuracy and, therefore, are strongly recommended for the diagnosis of aortitis in the clinical setting.

Effectiveness of 11C-choline PET/CT in prostate cancer surveillance.

AIM: Our aim was to analyse the performance of [11C]choline PET/CT in prostate cancer (PCa) surveillance, especially in patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) < 1 ng/mL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-nine [11C]choline PET/CT examinations from 191 patients (68.2 ±â€¯7.2 years) submitted for PCa surveillance or biochemical recurrence were retrospectively evaluated. PSA at study was 13.0 ±â€¯84.2 ng/mL. Main initial treatment was radical prostatectomy (RP) in 81 patients, and other treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonotherapy) in 110. PET/CT was acquired 20' after injection of 555-740 MBq of [11C]choline. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and nineteen (66.6%) out of the 329 PET/CT examinations were positive. The percentage of positive examinations was significantly higher in patients with other initial treatment than RP compared to patients with RP (85.6% vs. 43.6%, respectively). One hundred and thirty PET/CT (59.4%) showed local recurrence, 48 (21.9%) distant recurrence, and 41 (18.7%) local plus distant recurrence. Initial therapeutic approach was changed in 139 cases (63.5%). In the subgroup of 81 [11C]choline PET/CT scans performed with PSA < 1 ng/mL, 23 (28.4%) showed a positive result. Initial therapeutic approach was changed in 9 (11.1%). Three (4.8%) out of 63 patients died as per PCa. CONCLUSION: [11C]choline PET/CT demonstrated its effectiveness in PCa surveillance and restaging, even in patients with serum PSA < 1 ng/mL. The diagnostic performance was different depending on the initial treatment, been higher in patients with non-surgical treatment.

Longer InN phonon lifetimes in nanowires.

We present a Raman scattering study of the anharmonic phonon decay of the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and E1(LO) phonons in InN nanowires over the 80-400 K temperature range. While the temperature-dependent anharmonic decay in the nanowires is similar to that found for bulk InN, the background contribution to the phonon lifetime is strongly reduced as a result of the improved crystalline quality. High-resolution measurements reveal a remarkably long lifetime of the [Formula: see text] mode. From the comparison between the [Formula: see text] frequencies measured in the nanowires with those of the thin film we obtain the deformation potentials for the [Formula: see text] mode.

Contribution of 11C-Choline PET/CT in prostate carcinoma biochemical relapse with serum PSA level below 1 ng/ml. / Aportación de la PET/TC con 11C-colina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata con antígeno específico prostático sérico inferior a 1 ng/ml.

OBJECTIVE: 11C-choline PET/CT has demonstrated good results in the restaging of prostate cancer (PCa) with high serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), but its use in patients with low serum PSA is controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the contribution of 11C-choline PET/CT in patients with PCa, biochemical relapse and PSA <1 ng/ml. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty consecutive patients (mean age: 65.9±5.6 years) with biochemical relapse of PCa and serum PSA <1ng/ml were evaluated retrospectively. PET/CT was performed 20min after intravenous administration of 555-740 MBq of 11C-choline. Minimum follow up time was 30 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one out of 50 patients (42%) had an abnormal 11C-choline PET/CT. In 7 out of 21 patients (14%) tumor was confirmed (4 in prostatic bed, 4 in pelvic lymph nodes, 2 in mediastinal lymph nodes and one synchronous sigmoid carcinoma), and in all cases the initial therapeutic planning was modified. In 2 patients (4%) subsequent tests diagnosed a benign disease (one sarcoidosis, one tuberculosis sequelae) and in 3 patients (6%) they ruled out pathology. The other 9 patients (18%) had no further assessment (7 mediastinal and 4 pelvic lymph nodes). Twenty-nine out of 50 patients (58%) had a normal PET/CT. At 30 months, follow up recurrence was confirmed only in 2 of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: 11C-choline PET/CT proved its usefulness in demonstrating tumor in 14% of patients with BR of PCa and serum PSA <1ng/ml, with therapeutic implications. In 4% of patients a benign condition was detected. A normal 11C-choline PET/CT was associated with a very low rate of recurrence at 30 months.

11C-PIB retention patterns in white and grey cerebral matter in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients. A visual analysis. / Patrones de retención de 11C-PIB en la sustancia blanca y en la sustancia gris cerebral de pacientes con hidrocefalia a presión normal idiopática. Un análisis visual.

OBJECTIVE: Cortical cerebral amyloid disease, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, has also been observed in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). The aim of this study was to compare the 11C-PIB PET/CT retention pattern in iNPH patients and healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparison was made of the 11C-PIB PET/CT retention pattern in 13 iNPH patients selected for surgical deviation, compared to a normal control population. Images were visually analyzed and scored for gray matter and white matter (WM) from 1 to 4 (slight to very high PIB retention). The scoring was analyzed in both groups separately for infra- and supra-tentorial regions. A comprehensive clinical report was presented in terms of positive, negative, or equivocal. RESULTS: 11C-PIB PET/CT scan were reported as negative in 8, positive in 3, and equivocal in 2. Five of 13 patients showed at least one cortical area with PIB retention with an intensity higher than that observed in the control group. Overall, white matter (WM) PIB retention of iNPH scored lower than in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference in the infratentorial WM (92/104 vs 54/56; p<.05) and a tendency to be lower in the supratentorial regions (70/84 vs 122/156, p=.327), in particular in the upper periventricular region (25/28 vs 40/52; p=.134). CONCLUSIONS: The PIB retention pattern seems to be different in NPH, compared to normal subjects. PIB retention in WM of NPH appears less intense than in healthy subjects, and they show a higher degree of PIB retention in cortical regions. This deserves to be taken it into account.

Evaluation of an enhanced service for medication review in Swiss community pharmacies “Médicaments à Jour?”: study protocol

BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, it is estimated that 20,000 people are hospitalized each year as a result of drug related problems (DRP). There are many sources of DRPs, such as incorrect storage or missing dosages from packages. Community pharmacies (CP) are well positioned to identify and manage such DRPs in a timely manner. In Switzerland, no pharmacy service that focus on the management of DRPs is currently recognized and remunerated. A new service, "Médicaments à Jour?" (MaJ?), has been developed. It is focused on DRPs related to self-medication and medication management at home and it includes a systematic review of the patient’s treatment.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the MaJ? service for adults with polypharmacy in Swiss CP for the identification and management of DRPs.METHODS: A pre-post intervention study will be carried out in CPs in the canton of Vaud for 15 months. Volunteer pharmacists will include adults with a prescription for at least four chronic and systemic drugs for at least three months. Trained pharmacists will conduct structured consultations with patients at three points (T0, T6, T12) to deliver the service. The primary outcome of the study is the identification and management of DRPs. Secondary outcomes are patients’ knowledge about their treatments, number of expired or untaken medications and description of pharmaceutical interventions.RESULTS: the study has been approved and will be supported by health authorities ("Direction générale de la santé") and local pharmacists association ("Société Vaudoise de Pharmacie"). The Ethics Committee (CER-VD) concluded that the study does not fall under the Human Research Act. It will begin in spring 2022 in 19-35 pharmacies that will recruit at least 162 patients after randomization of eligible patients through a sequence of computer-generated random numbers. (AU)

Detección de pacientes de alto riesgo a través del servicio de indicación farmacéutica: INDICA+PRO Implantación (2020-2021) / Detection of high-risk patients through the Pharmaceutical Indication Service: INDICA+PRO Implementation (2020-2021)

JUSTIFICACIÓN: la derivación al médico es una de las posibles actuaciones del farmacéutico a través del servicio de indicación farmacéutica. Dicha derivación permite el cribado de pacientes de alto riesgo desde la farmacia comunitaria (FC). La colaboración multidisciplinar permite establecer criterios de derivación de pacientes consensuados entre profesionales. El estudio INDICA+PRO tiene como objetivo implantar el SIF protocolizado en la FC española a través del uso de protocolos consensuados en una fase previa de codiseño del servicio. OBJETIVOS: describir las características de los pacientes derivados al médico a través del SIF en el estudio INDICA+PRO Implantación. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio con diseño híbrido de efectividad-implantación tipo 3 llevado a cabo inicialmente durante 14 meses. La intervención codiseñada constaba de: procedimiento general del SIF establecido por Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en FC, protocolos consensuados entre sociedades médicas (Semergen y SemFyC), asociaciones farmacéuticas (SEFAC y MICOF) y universidad (GIAF-UGR) específicos para síntomas menores (dermatológicos, digestivos, relacionados con el dolor, respiratorios y otros) incluidos en una plataforma digital (SEFAC e_XPERT®) y la formación de los farmacéuticos con el seguimiento de 33 farmacéuticos facilitadores del cambio de práctica. Cada protocolo específico incluía criterios de derivación divididos en: duración del síntoma, edad del paciente, síntomas de alarma, medicamentos, problemas de salud y estado fisiológico del paciente y otros. (AU)

Implantación del servicio de indicación farmacéutica en farmacia comunitaria en España: INDICA+PRO Implantación (2020-2021) / Implementation of the pharmaceutical indication service in community pharmacies in Spain: INDICA+PRO Implementation (2020-2021)

JUSTIFICACIÓN: INDICA+PRO es un estudio de implantación que tiene como objetivo la incorporación del servicio de indicación farmacéutica (SIF) protocolizado en la práctica diaria de la farmacia comunitaria (FC). Se ha estimado que el 25 % del tiempo del farmacéutico en España se dedica a la atención del paciente con síntomas menores. Tras la evaluación de un estudio de impacto que mostró resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos positivos en Valencia, se llevó a cabo el estudio INDICA+PRO Implantación para incrementar dicho impacto a escala nacional.OBJETIVOS: desarrollar y evaluar los resultados de un programa de implantación del SIF en la farmacia comunitaria española.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: diseño híbrido de efectividad-implantación tipo 3 con una duración inicial de 14 meses. La intervención constaba de diferentes elementos: procedimiento general del SIF establecido por Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en Farmacia Comunitaria, protocolos consensuados entre sociedades médicas (Semergen y SemFyC), asociaciones farmacéuticas (SEFAC y MICOF) y universidad (GIAF-UGR) específicos para 31 síntomas menores incluidos en una plataforma digital (SEFAC e_XPERT®) y la formación de los farmacéuticos con el seguimiento de 33 farmacéuticos facilitadores del cambio de práctica. Los pacientes recibieron seguimiento tras 10 días de la consulta en farmacia. Se utilizó un marco teórico para la implantación de servicios en FC. (AU)

Actuaciones del farmacéutico sobre la demanda de medicamentos a través del servicio de indicación farmacéutica: INDICA+PRO Implantación (2020-2021) / Pharmacist actions on medicines demand through the pharmaceutical indication service: INDICA+PRO Implementation (2020-2021)

JUSTIFICACIÓN: en España, las especialidades farmacéuticas publicitarias sólo están disponibles a través de la farmacia comunitaria (FC). Desde 2019, Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en Farmacia Comunitaria (Foro AF-FC) incluye la demanda de medicamento para un síntoma menor a través del servicio de indicación farmacéutica (SIF) y lo simboliza como “Deme esto para…”. El estudio INDICA+PRO Implantación tiene como objetivo implantar el SIF protocolizado en la FC española incluyendo ambas vías de entrada al servicio (consulta de síntoma menor y demanda de medicamento para el mismo).OBJETIVOS: describir la demanda de medicamentos para un síntoma menor atendidas por el farmacéutico comunitario a través del SIF.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: el estudio realizado utiliza un diseño híbrido de efectividad-implantación tipo 3 durante 14 meses inicialmente. La intervención implantada constaba de: procedimiento general del SIF establecido por Foro AF-FC, protocolos consensuados entre sociedades médicas (Semergen y SemFyC), asociaciones farmacéuticas (SEFAC y MICOF) y universidad (GIAF-UGR) específicos para 31 síntomas menores incluidos en una plataforma digital (SEFAC e_XPERT®) y la formación y el seguimiento de los farmacéuticos. Se consideraron los pacientes que acudían a FC demandando un medicamento para un síntoma menor incluido en el estudio (dermatológico, digestivo, relacionado con el dolor, respiratorio u otro). Todos los pacientes recibían seguimiento 10 días tras la consulta en FC.RESULTADOS: 14083 consultas fueron registradas por 687 farmacéuticos pertenecientes a 518 FC. Mayor número de consultas por síntoma menor (84,6 %, n=11911) que por demanda de un medicamento concreto fueron atendidas a través del SIF (15,4 %, n=2172). Entre aquellos pacientes que demandaron un medicamento, el 7,7 % (n=168) fueron derivados al médico. (AU)

Candida Esophagitis Incidentally Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT in Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma.

The diagnostic significance of esophageal 18F-FDG uptake in oncologic patient is challenging. It may represent normal physiological uptake, inflammation, infection, or neoplasia. We present a patient with a recent diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer stage IV and esophageal mild uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan. Biopsy of esophageal mucosa demonstrated Candida esophagitis.

Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT lung scintigraphy and computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism.

UNLABELLED: The aim was to compare ventilation/perfusion SPECT lung scintigraphy (V/Q-SPECT) and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospectively designed study included 53 patients with intermediate or high clinical probability of PE. A V/Q-SPECT and CTPA was performed on all patients. The V/Q-SPECT was interpreted according to the European Association of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (EANMMI) guidelines. CTPA was reported as positive, negative, or indeterminate. RESULTS: CTPA was positive in 22 cases, negative in 28, and indeterminate in 3. V/Q-SPECT was positive in 27 cases, negative in 24, and non-diagnostic in 2. In the 22 with positive CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 18, negative in 3, and non-diagnostic in 1. In the 28 with negative CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 8, negative in 19, and non-diagnostic in 1. In the 3 with indeterminate CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 1 and negative in 2. In the 2 non-diagnostic cases V/Q-SPECT, CTPA was positive in 1 and negative in one. In the 10 high clinical probabilities, CTPA and V/Q-SPECT were positive in 7, negative in 2, and in 1, CTPA was positive and V/Q-SPECT negative. In the 38 intermediate probability group, CTPA and V/Q-SPECT were positive in 11, negative in 17, with CTPA negative and V/Q-SPECT positive in 8, and in 2 CTPA was positive and V/Q-SPECT negative. The results show that V/Q-SPECT detected PE in 5 patients more than CTPA. CONCLUSION: Our results show a 77% concordance of both techniques. Overall V/Q-SPECT detected PE in 18% more patients than CTPA in the intermediate group. Both techniques have a complementary role when a diagnosis cannot be made with one of them.

New insight of functional molecular imaging into the atheroma biology: 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques after recent CVA. Preliminary results.

AIM: The identification of the vulnerable atheroma plaque could allow a more effective treatment of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Active calcification and inflammation of the carotid atheroma were assessed and compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques by 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG PET/CT. METHODS: Nine patients investigated for recent CVA and no preventive treatment with statins were enrolled. In each patient, at least one atheroma plaque was detected by CT angiogram. In total, 18 plaques were available: 9 symptomatic and 9 asymptomatic. 18F-NaF uptake and 18F-FDG uptake by each plaque were assessed visually and semiquantitatively by calculating target/background ratios (TBRs) and TBR indexes (TBR symptomatic/TBR asymptomatic and 18F-NaF TBR/18F-FDG TBR within each of the 2 clinical groups of plaques). RESULTS: All plaques showed 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG uptake, and semiquantitation showed higher 18F-NaF uptake by 11 of the 18 plaques, 6 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic. In the symptomatic group, the mean 18F-NaF TBR was 2·12 ± 0·44, and in the asymptomatic group, it was 1·85 ± 0·46. The 18F-NaF/18F-FDG showed that, overall, 18F-NaF uptake is higher than 18F-FDG. In the symptomatic plaques, the 18F-NaF was higher for the low calcium content and the lowest for the high. CONCLUSION: Active calcification and inflammation are simultaneous processes in the symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid atheroma. However, active calcification seems predominant over inflammation in both groups. In the symptomatic plaques, the highest 18F-NaF uptake does not correspond with the largest calcium content. These patterns open new insights on the role of 18F-NaF in the study of calcification and in the identification of the vulnerable carotid atheroma.

Effect of losartan and spironolactone on left ventricular mass and heart sympathetic activity in prehypertensive obese subjects: a 16-week randomized trial.

Obesity has been shown to be associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and heart sympathetic activity even in nonhypertensive subjects. These factors are predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independent of other traditional risk factors. We evaluated the effect of losartan and spironolactone on LVM and heart sympathetic activity in prehypertensive obese subjects. A 16-week blinded randomized trial was performed in middle-aged men selected from a Health Public program. Anthropometric and clinical variables were measured at baseline and after losartan (50 mg/day; n=25) or spironolactone (25 mg/day; n=25) treatment. Heart sympathetic activity was evaluated with 60-min electrocardiograph monitoring, and spectral analysis was carried out. LVM was measured by echocardiography according to Devereux and Reicheck's formula indexed for body height (m2.7) to account for obesity. Anthropometric variables, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure levels decreased in both groups of treatment without statisticall difference between them. Losartan increased heart rate variability (from 70.0 to 82.3 ms; P=0.01), and decreased low frequency-high frequency index (from 6.6 to 4.9; P=0.001), and LVM (from 49.2 to 45.2 g; P=0.004). In the multiple regression analysis for factors associated with reduction in LVM; treatment with losartan, and decrease in SBP were the only factors included in the model (R2=0.60; P=0.003). To conclude losartan, but not spironolactone, decreased LVM and heart sympathetic overactivity in prehypertensive obese subjects after 16 weeks of treatment. Regression on LVM was associated with reduction on SBP levels.

(18)F-sodium fluoride PET/CT for the in vivo visualization of Mönckeberg's sclerosis in a diabetic patient.

Diabetes is a major frequent cause of atherosclerosis vascular disease. Arterial calcification in diabetic patients is responsible for peripheral vascular involvement. Molecular imaging using (18)F-sodium fluoride ((18)F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has been recently proposed as a marker to study the in vivo mineralization process in the atheroma plaque. A 69-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes and no clinical evidence of peripheral arterial disease underwent an (18)F-NaF PET/CT scan. A linear, well-defined (18)F-NaF uptake was detected along the femoral arteries. In addition, the CT component of the PET/CT identified an unsuspected "tram-track" calcification in his femoral arteries, suggestive of medial calcification (Mönckeberg's sclerosis). In other vascular territories, focal (18)F-NaF uptake was also detected in carotid and aorta atheroma plaques. Molecular imaging with (18)F-NaF PET/CT might provide new functional information about the in vivo vascular calcification process in diabetic patients.

(18)F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of large vessel vasculitis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

PURPOSE: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) may present together with large vessel vasculitis (LVV), and frequently requires a more intensive therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and management of LVV associated to PMR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 40 consecutive patients (27 women/13 men, 68.10±10.27 years) with PMR and suspicion of associated LVV submitted for (18)F-FDG PET/CT. A PET/CT scan was obtained 180 min after (18)F-FDG intravenous injection. A visual analysis was performed on the images. Five vascular regions were evaluated: supra-aortic trunks (SAT), thoracic aorta (TA), abdominal aorta (AA), iliac arteries (IA), and femoral/tibioperoneal arteries (FTA). The intensity of uptake was graded from 0 to 3. A final diagnosis of LVV was established in 26/40 patients (65%). RESULTS: In the 26 patients with a diagnosis of LVV, the highest intensity of (18)F-FDG uptake was observed in the TA, SAT, and FTA. All of these patients showed uptake at the TA, with grade 2 and 3 in most cases. In 4 of the 14 patients without LVV, no uptake was observed in any vascular region, and in the other 10 patients only a grade 1 uptake was observed in 1 or to 2 territories. Out of the 20 treated LVV patients, (18)F-FDG PET/CT led to a therapeutic change in 17 (85%). CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG PET/CT was useful in identifying patients with LVV associated to PMR. The detection of vascular inflammation had an important impact, and led to a change of treatment in a high percentage of patients with LVV.

[Comparison of HOMA IR with the minimal model for measuring insulin sensitivity in polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Comparación del HOMA IR con el modelo mínimo para medir sensibilidad a la insulina en el síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of premenopausal women. These women have insulin resistance independent of obesity; and insulin resistance is now recognized as a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. PURPOSE: We sought, therefore, to assess whether there was correlation between a simple fasting measure of insulin sensitivity (Homeostatic Model) and the Minimal-Model in this syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-three PCOS women (aged 22.7 +/- 6.2 years and body mass index (BMI) 29.1 +/- 5.4) underwent frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test (Minimal-Model). RESULTS: Seventeen patients (51.5%) had insulin sensitivity < 1.5 x 10(-4) min.-1.microU-1.mL-1. Patients with BMI > de 27 was more resistant than the BMI < or = de 27 (p = 0.004). The correlation in PCOS between Si (insulin sensitivity) and HOMA IR was found significant for all the group (p = 0.0001; RRANK = -0.76) and those women with BMI > de 27 (RRANK = -0.77; p = 0.00006), but not significant correlation was found in those with BMI < or = de 27 (RRANK = -0.43; p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the HOMA IR may be useful as a screening test for insulin resistance in overweight and obese Mexican PCOS women but not in the lean ones.