Prognostic significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT indices in metastatic renal cell cancer and evaluation of revised IMDC risk model by including 18F-FDG PET-CT parameters.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic markers in metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) are still insufficient. Any prognostic model objectively determines disease burden. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) parameters and outcomes in mRCC, and to define a revised International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) model for the intermediate-risk group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of mRCC was conducted. To investigate the prognostic significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) were determined in pre-treatment images. Cutoff values were defined by ROC curve analyses and their association with outcomes was analyzed. Additionally, a TLG-adjusted IMDC model was created by stratifying intermediate-risk group patients according to TLG levels. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients. The disease control rate (DCR) was 61.5% and median overall survival (OS) was 18 months (95% confidence interval=9.2-25.8). In the univariate analyses, IMDC score, MTV, and TLG were prognostic factors for Disease Control Rate (DCR), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)-Performance Status (PS), IMDC score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), treatment option, MTV, and TLG were prognostic factors for OS (P < 0.05 each). In the multivariate analyses, MTV was an independent prognostic factor for DCR, and ECOG-PS, LDH, IMDC score, and TLG were independent prognostic factors for OS. According to the revised-IMDC model, the intermediate-favorable group showed longer OS than the intermediate-unfavorable group. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment MTV was independent prognostic factor for DCR and ECOG-PS, LDH, IMDC score, and TLG were independent prognostic factors for OS. Revised-IMDC model could identify patients with a worse prognosis among the IMDC intermediate-risk group.

Evaluating therapeutic efficacy of extended shelf-life 90 Y glass microspheres in transarterial radioembolization for colorectal cancer: a quantitative FDG PET/CT analysis.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the use of extended shelf-life (ExSL) Yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) glass radiomicrospheres in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of ExSL 90 Y glass radiomicrospheres with a personalized treatment approach by analyzing 18 F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters [metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG)] separately before and after the treatment. METHODS: A total of 93 radioembolization sessions involving 77 patients were included. Simplicit 90 Y software was utilized to perform multicompartmental voxel-based dosimetry. Adverse events were recorded using the CTCAE v5.0 criteria. The survival data were recorded in detail. RESULTS: The overall disease control rate was 84.9%, with a median overall survival (OS) of 12.7 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.3 months. A statistically significant increase in treatment response rate was observed when there was an increase in absorbed tumor dose for pre-treatment unit MTV ( P  = 0.005) and TLG ( P  = 0.004) values. We didn't observe any additional side effects/vital risks that could be considered clinically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study has provided evidence on the therapeutic effectiveness and safety in terms of dose-toxicity profile of ExSL 90 Y glass microspheres in a large cohort of mCRC patients. With a personalized treatment approach, the increase in radiation dose absorbed by the tumor has shown a significant contribution to treatment response rate, as indicated by quantitative measurements obtained through 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Bone Lipogranuloma Mimicking Metastatic Disease on 18F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Primary bone lipogranuloma is an extremely rare disease associated with reactive inflammatory granulomatous reaction associated with exogenous or endogenous lipids. Herein, we report a case of bone lipogranuloma with intense 18F-FDG uptake, which mimics metastatic disease on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a patient with breast cancer.

Disseminated Nocardia farcinica Infection and Treatment Response on F-18 Fludeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography.

We report a rare case of nocardiosis with increased F-18 Fludeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) uptake in widespread abscess foci of Nocardia farcinica infection in an immunocompromised patient on positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. A relatively infrequent cause of nocardiosis, N. farcinica is an opportunistic infection that may present with clinically aggressive disseminated disease. Whole-body F-18 FDG-PET/CT allows identifying the extent of disease, as well as monitoring response to therapy in patients with nocardiosis especially the disseminated form.

Hybrid Renal Cortical Imaging with Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography/Computed Tomography in a Pediatric Patient with Severe Caudal Regression Syndrome.

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) or sacral agenesis is a rarely seen malformation with a varying degree of structural abnormalities, including multiorgan system dysfunctions, reported with higher incidence among children of mothers with diabetes, as in this case. Spinal anomalies can range from coccyx hemiagenesis to the total absence of lower lumbar vertebrae and sacrum in most severe cases. Herein, we have presented a 9-year-old patient with CRS who had renal failure. Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy revealed bilaterally non-functioning kidneys with no renal cortical uptake. Renal anomalies in CRS with vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, trachea-esophageal, renal, and limb anomalies association include one-sided renal agenesis, multicystic dysplastic kidneys, and ureter duplications.

Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma With Widespread Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Involvement on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Nasal-type extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive rare type of lymphoma that mostly affects the nasal cavity and adjacent areas. However, some patients can present with distant nodal or extranodal involvement including the Waldeyer ring, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary organs, lung, thyroid, skin, or adrenal glands. Herein, we present a unique case of extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma with widespread cutaneous and subcutaneous involvement on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Isolated Scapular Lesion of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease that occurs mainly in pediatric patients and most adult LCH is considered a part of multisystem or multifocal disease. Only 7.3% of cases present as unifocal bone lesion. Herein, we present a case of an isolated scapular lesion of LCH in a 48-year-old man.

Azygos Vein Enlargement Secondary to Superior Vena Cava Syndrome on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Obstruction of the blood flow from the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right atrium causes the SVC syndrome. The azygos system is the most important way to overcome SVC obstruction. Azygos vein enlargement can be seen secondary to the SVC syndrome. Although a few cases showing 18 F-FDG uptake along the SVC in SVC syndrome were reported before, 18 F-FDG PET/CT findings of azygos vein enlargement have not been documented yet. Herein, we presented an intriguing case of azygos vein enlargement secondary to SVC syndrome on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

The value of parathyroid scintigraphy on lesion detection in patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is one of the most frequent endocrine diseases. Most of the patients with PHPT are asymptomatic, and only 20% of them become symptomatic with increasing levels of calcium. It has been reported that normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) may be the incipient period of PHPT where calcium (Ca) levels are in normal range, and it may advance to overt PHPT. Early diagnosis of PHPT is important in order to prevent its complications. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the role of 99mTc-MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy on lesion detection in patients with NPHPT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The parathyroid scintigraphy database was reviewed retrospectively in patients with PHPT. 117 patients who underwent 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy were recruited to the study. Serum calcium level above 10.5mg/dl was considered as hypercalcemia. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients (female/male:98/19) mean serum PTH levels (mean±SD) were 149±97pg/ml in normocalcemic group (Ca:9.6±0.6mg/dl, n:38) and 189±135pg/ml in hypercalcemic group (Ca:11.4±0.6mg/dl, n:79) (p:0.072). The sex and ages were not different between the scintigraphy positive and negative groups, but the lesion detection rates with parathyroid scintigraphy were 42% in normocalcemic group and 81% in hypercalcemic group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Several factors including serum Ca, the imaging protocol, existence of multiglandular disease, the size and MIBI biokinetics of the adenoma may influence lesion detectability in parathyroid scintigraphy. Although high serum Ca level is an important parameter in predicting its success, parathyroid scintigraphy remains a valuable diagnostic method even in patients with NPHPT.

Does Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Avidity of Vertebral Hemangioma Change?

ABSTRACT: Vertebral hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the spine and mostly occur in the thoracic spine. Mostly they are detected incidentally during imaging studies for other reasons. We present the case of vertebral hemangioma that showed prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake in the second 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT, whereas no uptake was observed in the initial study.

The Role of a Bone SPECT/CT Scan in the Follow-up of a Solitary Bone Lesion in a Patient with Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease observed in childhood characterized by the proliferation of Langerhans' cells resulting in focal or systemic manifestations (including the bones). Here, we present a pediatric case with a localized biopsy-proven LCH, who underwent progression from solitary to multifocal form detected on bone scintigraphy and single photon emission computerized tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) performed within four months. Emphasizing on localized bone pain (predictive of osseous LCH) and local tenderness and swelling usually guides the nuclear physician to perform additional SPECT/CT with presumably an improvement of the diagnostic accuracy as demonstrated in our case.

FDG-Avid Erythema Nodosum Lesions of Behçet Disease Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Behçet disease is a rare multisystemic vasculitis that can affect all sizes and types of blood vessels. Recurrent painful erythematous nodular lesions called erythema nodosum are the most common skin lesions of Behçet disease. Herein, we present 18F-FDG PET/CT images of erythema nodosum lesions in a patient with Behçet disease.

Central Nervous System Complications of Erdheim-Chester Disease: FDG PET/CT Findings.

ABSTRACT: Erdheim-Chester disease is an uncommon non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The diagnosis depends on imaging and histological criteria. The most common presentation is the multiple bone lesions with involvement of at least 1 more organ. We present the FDG PET/CT findings of a 19-year-old man who presented with central nervous system symptoms such as progressive polyuria, polydipsia, gait disturbances, and eye pain and was later diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester disease.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: evaluation of V/Q SPECT/CT and V/Q Quotient SPECT findings with postoperative results of pulmonary endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to perform a comparison between V/Q single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and V/Q Quotient single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in the detection of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and in depicting the extent of the disease on per-segment basis in patients with CTEPH. METHODS: Between January 2015 and November 2019, a total of 412 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to CTEPH at the preoperative assessment underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), of whom 92 consecutive patients with their V/Q SPECT/CT scans have been performed in our institution prior to PEA were included in this study. Histopathological findings and post-PEA fully resected surgical specimens were used as the reference standard. RESULTS: On a per-patient basis analysis, V/Q SPECT/CT and V/Q Quotient SPECT both revealed CTEPH in the same 85 of the 92 patients (κ = 1) with a detection rate of 92.4%. In six of these patients, chronic thromboembolic disease could not be reported on both of these two methods due to extensive 'matched' V/Q defects. On a per-segment basis analysis, V/Q SPECT/CT and V/Q Quotient SPECT showed a sensitivity of 75.8 and 73.1%, respectively. Correlation analysis results showed a significant correlation (κ = 0.933) between these two methods on a per-segment basis analysis. CONCLUSION: In the light of histopathological findings and post-PEA surgical specimen examinations, the results of the present study indicated that both V/Q SPECT/CT and V/Q Quotient SPECT showed relatively high efficacy for the detection of CTEPH on per-patient and per-segment bases with an excellent agreement.

Physiological Biodistribution of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE in Normal Subjects

Objectives: Somatostatin is an endocrine peptide hormone that regulates neurotransmission and cell proliferation by interacting with G protein-coupled somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). SSTRs are specific molecular targets of several radiotracers for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) imaging. Gallium-68 (68Ga)-DOTA-TATE is widely used for positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of SSTRs and has shown a higher affinity for SSTR2, the most common SSTR subtype found in NETs. We aimed to analyze the distribution pattern of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE in normal subjects. Methods: A total of 617 consecutive 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT whole-body scans performed in our department from May 2015 through April 2020 with known or suspected neuroendocrine malignancies, mostly to evaluate adrenal adenomas, were retrospectively analyzed by 2 nuclear medicine physicians. One hundred eighteen subjects without a diagnosis of NET, with no tracer avid lesion of NET on 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT, and followed up for at least 6 months (average 2-3 years) without any biochemical, clinical, or imaging findings suggestive of NET were included in this study. Results: The highest uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE was noted in the spleen followed by the kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, stomach, small intestine, prostate gland, pancreas head, pancreas body, thyroid gland, and uterus, in descending order. Minimal to mild uptake was detected in the submandibular glands, parotid glands, thymus, muscles, bones, breast, lungs, and mediastinum. Conclusion: Our study shows the biodistribution pattern of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE in normal subjects and the ranges of the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) and SUVmean values of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE obtained in several tissues for reliably identifying malignancy in 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT studies.

Correlation Between Perfusion Abnormalities Extent in Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT/CT with Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a type of pulmonary hypertension with persistent pulmonary vascular obstruction and exercise intolerance, which may benefit from pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan is the preferred screening test of CTEPH, which can be used to assess the anatomical extent of the disease. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the extent of mismatched Q defects in V/Q single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) with preoperative clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with CTEPH. Methods: A total of 102 patients with CTEPH prior to PEA having V/Q SPECT/CT scans were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, New York Heart Association classification, intraoperative right-sided heart catheterization (mPAP and PVR), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) findings were obtained from clinical records of patients. Results: Linear regression analysis showed a significant but weak correlation between the preoperative mPAP and PVR with the extent of mismatched Q defects in V/Q SPECT/CT (rs=0.09474 with p=0.0016 and rs=0.045 with p=0.045, respectively). No significant correlation was found between 6MWT and extent of mismatched Q defects in V/Q SPECT/CT (p>0.05). Conclusion: A quantitative assessment of Q defects on V/Q SPECT/CT might provide information about hemodynamic parameters in patients with CTEPH.

68Ga-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET-Positive Paget Bone Disease With Metastatic Prostatic Carcinoma.

Paget bone disease is a chronic benign bone disease characterized by excessive and abnormal bone remodeling. The scintigraphic and bone SPECT/CT hybrid imaging appearances of the affected bone(s) depend on the stage of the disease. We report the case of a patient newly diagnosed with prostate cancer who was found to have multiple osseous metastases, with coexisting Paget disease in the left hemipelvis diagnosed because of typical scintigraphic and SPECT/CT appearance. Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT was also performed for initial staging. Pagetoid bones showed increased prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake like skeletal metastases.

Mickey Mouse Sign on Bone Scan in the Monostotic Form of Paget's Disease Mimicking Osseous Metastasis

Paget's disease is a chronic benign bone disease characterized by excessive and abnormal bone remodeling. Monostotic Paget's disease accounts for only 20% of the cases, and the monostotic form involving the vertebra with the Mickey Mouse sign is very rare. Herein, we report a case of suspected bony metastasis in the second lumbar vertebra that was diagnosed as Paget's disease because of the Mickey Mouse sign on bone scintigraphy, and the diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Therefore, bone scintigraphy may provide a positive contribution to the diagnosis, and may help to avoid unnecessary biopsy in cases with specific signs and patterns.

99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy in Gaucher Disease.

In this case report, we present the bone scintigraphic findings of a 9-year-old boy with Gaucher disease who has a history of fractures to evaluate the extent of his osseous lesions. Gaucher disease is a genetic deficiency of lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which results in the accumulation of glucocerebroside in the macrophages in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Most patients with type 1 Gaucher disease present a clinical or radiographic evidence of infiltrative bone disease. Lipid-filled macrophages called Gaucher cells infiltrate the bone marrow, leading to medullary expansion, diffuse osteoporosis, ischemic necrosis, and fractures.

An Uncommon Initial Presentation of T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma: Acute Renal Failure.

T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and involvement of the kidneys comprises a mere 1% of the total primary extranodal lymphomas. We present a case of T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma who had acute renal failure at initial presentation with bilateral lymphomatous infiltration depicted on FDG PET/CT scan. Four months after the treatment, a repeat FDG PET/CT scan revealed complete resolution of the renal lesions, indicative of the complete remission for kidneys.