Ameliorating effects of N-acetyl cysteine against early liver damage of radioiodine in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to explore the potential ameliorating effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against radioiodine (RAI)-induced early liver damage. METHODS: Thirty Wistar Albino male rats were arbitrarily allocated into three groups each containing 10 rats: the control group (group 1); the RAI group (group 2), oral 111 MBq/kg radioiodine was administered to rats; the RAI + NAC group (group 3), 150 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal NAC treatment was initiated 3 days prior to the RAI administration and continued for 10 days. Liver samples were obtained 24 h after the last dose of NAC therapy for biochemical and histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: In the RAI + NAC group, the histopathologic damage was found significantly less than in the RAI group for whole parameters except inflammatory cell infiltration (P < 0.05). Unlike the RAI group which had marked histopathologic damage, the RAI + NAC group had only mild histologic activity index scores with no granuloma formation observed. Oxidative stress parameters were demonstrated that the NAC treatment significantly decreased the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase levels and increased the total sulfhydryl (total sulfhydryl) levels when compared to the RAI group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of the study exhibited that the NAC treatment improved RAI-induced early liver damage. This improving effect considered to be caused by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and likely vasodilator properties of NAC. Having advantages such as inexpensive, easy access, and tolerability, the NAC can be used as a radioprotective agent, especially in patients with liver diseases and requiring RAI treatment.

Expression of ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 in the salivary gland of rats after radioiodine therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 in the salivary gland (SG) of rats after high-dose radioiodine therapy. METHODS: A total of 36 male Wistar albino rats were used for this study. Thirty-six male rats were divided randomly into six groups: control and five radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment groups of six rats each. All animals were killed. The evaluation of biodistribution and histopathological studies were carried out on the SGs removed. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analysis were carried out to determine mRNA and protein expression levels of ADAMTS genes. Differences between the groups were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: In RAI-treated groups, ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 gene expression was observed to increase, whereas there was no mRNA or protein expression in the control group. There were statistically significant increases in the mRNA expression of ADAMTS2 (all RAI-administered groups in parathyroid gland and at 4, 24, and 48 h in submandibular gland) and ADAMTS5 (all RAI-administered groups, except on the 30th day in the parathyroid gland and all RAI groups in submandibular gland). Through immunohistochemical analysis, the staining pattern in the extracellular source was also observed in the overexpressed ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 groups. Nuclear coarsening and partial focal subnuclei vacuolization were determined in all RAI-administered groups with histopathological examinations. CONCLUSION: An increase in the mRNA expression levels of ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 genes was detected in the RAI-administered groups. These results suggested that ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS5 genes might play a role in radiation exposure and radioiodine-induced SG changes.

Scintigraphic Evaluation of the Stump Region After Extremity Amputation and the Effect of Scintigraphy on Treatment.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the stump region with scintigraphy and compared the correlation of treatment modalities and scintigraphic results. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases with extremity amputation were included in the study. Amputation applied cases underwent four-phase Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate scintigraphy. Groups were performed according to the scanning time after amputation and amputation regions. After scintigraphic evaluation, results were recorded into five groups: osteomyelitis, soft-tissue infection, reactive changes secondary to surgery, chronic osteomyelitis, and normal. Post-surgical treatment modalities of the patients were determined and compared with scintigraphic results. RESULTS: In the scintigraphic evaluation of stump regions of the 68 amputated cases, 34 patients had acute osteomyelitis, one had chronic osteomyelitis, 16 had soft-tissue infection, and eight had changes secondary to the surgery. Nine of 68 cases had normal scintigraphic features. In the scintigraphic evaluation, 43 patients took antibiotic treatment and 16 had surgery. There was a strong correlation between scintigraphic results and treatment approach (P < 0.0001, r = 0.803) by means of preferred therapy and effectiveness of the therapy according to the scintigraphic results. Scintigraphy need increases with age after amputation and a negative correlation between patient age and scintigraphic need was found (P < 0.02, r = -0.339). There was no pathology in the follow-up in the cases that were scintigraphically normal. CONCLUSION: Bone scintigraphy is a cost-effective, non-invasive, and efficient method that directs treatment in the evaluation of the stump region after amputation.

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in School and Pre-School Aged Children with C-14 Urea Breath Test and the Association with Familial and Environmental Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in pre-school and school age children with C-14 urea breath test, and to explore its association with age and socioeconomic factors in Turkey. METHODS: Hp infection status was determined by using Urea Breath Test (UBT). Patients who had previous gastric surgery, Hp eradication treatment or equivocal UBT results were excluded. A questionnaire was administered to elicit information on gender, age, ABO/Rh blood group type, presence of gastric disease in the family, domestic animal in the household, and treatment for idiopathic Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). RESULTS: This retrospective study included 500 pediatric patients (179 boys, 321 girls, mean age 10.7±4.3 years) of whom 62 (12.4%) were aged ≤6 years and 438 (87.6%) were aged 7 to 16 years. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) was positive in 245 (49%) cases. In the pre-school age group, 21/62 cases (34%) had positive UBT while in the school age group 224/438 children (51%) had positive UBT. A family history of dyspepsia and pet ownership were not associated with Hp positivity. Hp positive 76 (29.8%) children were on IDA treatment but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The Hp infection positivity rate was 49% in the pediatric age study group. The positivity rate was significantly lower at preschool age than school age, and it increased with age. There was no association with gender, ABO/Rh blood groups, presence of domestic pets, IDA, or history of gastric disease in the family.

Evaluation of Tl-201 SPECT imaging findings in prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare with histopathological findings the findings of prostate cancer imaging by SPECT method using Tl-201 as a tumor seeking agent. METHODS: The study comprised 59 patients (age range 51-79 years, mean age 65.3 ± 6.8 years) who were planned to have transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsies due to suspicion of prostate cancer between April 2011 and September 2011. Early planar, late planar and SPECT images were obtained for all patients. Scintigraphic evaluation was made in relation to uptake presence and patterns in the visual assessment and to Tumor/Background (T/Bg) ratios for both planar and SPECT images in the quantitative assessment. Histopathological findings were compatible with benign etiology in 36 (61%) patients and malign etiology in 23 (39%) patients. Additionally, comparisons were made to evaluate the relationships between uptake patterns,total PSA values and Gleason scores. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the benign and malignant groups in terms of uptake in planar and SPECT images and T/Bg ratios and PSA values. No statistically significant difference was found between uptake patterns of planar and SPECT images and Gleason scores in the malignant group. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT images were superior to planar images in the comparative assessment. Tl-201 SPECT imaging can provide an additional contribution to clinical practice in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and it can be used in selected patients.

Scintigraphic and histopathologic evaluation of combined bone grafts.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess various bone grafts on bone formation using bone scintigraphy and histology, especially the first study that evaluated the demineralized bone matrix (DBM) + tricalcium phosphate (TCP) + hyaluronic acid (HA) combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 pieces in groups of autogenous bone graft, TCP, DBM, DBM + TCP combination, and DBM + TCP + HA combination were applied to parietal bones of 24 New Zealand rabbits. Bone scintigraphies of the rabbits were performed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The uptake ratios were compared for the different types of grafts. In addition, in 2, 6, and 12 weeks, the graft areas were taken from the sacrificed rabbits and examined histologically. RESULTS: In the 2-week evaluation, DBM + TCP combination and DBM + TCP + HA combination had more osteoblastic activity accumulation than the TCP and DBM groups. These findings supported that the DBM + TCP combination group showed new bone formation earlier in the histopathological evaluation. The DBM + TCP + HA combination had more uptake than the TCP and DBM groups on bone scintigraphy at 2 weeks, and this uptake ratio decreased in the following weeks. It was thought that the increased uptake in DBM + TCP + HA combination at 2 weeks was due to severe inflammation seen in the histopathological evaluation. CONCLUSION: The DBM + TCP + HA combination should not be used for graft repair, although it was thought to be a good combination in the early weeks.

A low recurrence rate is possible with a combination of surgery and radiosynovectomy for diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVNS) is an uncommon proliferative disease. After only surgery, recurrence rates are high. This study presents the efficacy of combined surgical and adjuvant radiosynovectomy (RS) in the treatment of DPVNS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2006 and September 2012, 15 knee joints of 15 patients (10 female and 5 male) with histopathological DPVNS diagnosis with mean age 27 ± 12 years underwent surgery. At mean 14.4 ± 18 weeks postoperatively, RS was applied using 5 mCi (90)Y citrate colloid. Three-phase bone scintigraphy and contrast-enhanced MRI were used to evaluate residual and recurrent tumorous tissues in the joint. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 48 ± 22 months. Blood flow and blood pool images showed that 2 patients had marked, 4 had moderate, 6 had mild, and 3 had no uptake. Late static images showed 5 had marked, 10 had moderate (99m)Tc-HDP uptake in the related joint. MRI examination indicated that there was no progression in any of the patients. The disease was determined to be stable in 2, regressed in 9, and totally cured in 4 cases. Bremsstrahlung imaging indicated an even distribution of radionuclide in all the knee joints. There was no evidence of leakage of radioactivity in the total body scans. There was significant improvement in Lysholm knee scores after treatment. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant yttrium-90 radiosynovectomy after surgical excision in the treatment of DPVNS is a reliable and efficient treatment method with successful clinical results. RS treatment can be considered for cases with DPVNS.

The efficacy of montelukast as a protective agent against 131I-induced salivary gland damage in rats: scintigraphic and histopathological findings.

AIM: This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of montelukast as a novel radioprotective agent against sodium [131I]iodide or potassium [131I]iodide (131I)-induced salivary gland damage in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The function and structure of salivary glands in 50 albino Wistar rats were evaluated with technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphies and histopathological examination. The animals were classified into five groups as follows: the control group (sham operated); group 1 (n=10; only 131I administration), group 2 (n=10; administration with 131I and montelukast); group 3 (n=10; 131I administration after total thyroidectomy); and group 4 (n=10; administration with 131I and montelukast after total thyroidectomy). All rats were killed at the end of the third month and three pairs of salivary glands were removed surgically. RESULTS: The scintigraphic evaluation revealed better results for groups administered montelukast than it did for other groups. Statistically significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.001) were found between the control group and the other groups as well as between groups 1 and 3 (n=20) and groups 2 and 4 (n=20). However, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between groups 1 and 2 (n=20) and groups 3 and 4 (n=20). Histopathological examinations showed that pathological changes were significantly high in the groups treated with 131I without montelukast when compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on rats to assess the protective effect of montelukast on salivary glands after 131I therapy. According to our results, montelukast was found to be a potential protective agent against 131I-induced damage on salivary glands.

Changes in conjunctival cytology and tear function tests with radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: Radioiodine (RAI) is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and differentiated thyroid cancer. Radioiodine therapy is associated with dry eyes and some side effects are seen especially due to beta rays. In this study, the functional and cytological status of lacrimal glands after RAI therapy was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 55.16 years with planned low-dose RAI therapy were evaluated. Just before and 6 months after the treatment, the lacrimal glands were evaluated with tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer's test, impression cytology and "Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)" questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean value of Schirmer's test was 16.20 ± 3.61 pre-treatment and 11.28 ± 4.39 post-treatment for the right eye, and 15.76 ± 3.27 and 10.60 ± 4.42 for the left eye, respectively. The mean value of Schirmer's test decreased significantly post-treatment in both eyes (p = 0.0001). The BUT score also decreased significantly post-treatment (p = 0.001). The mean value of OSDI score was 27.5 ± 8.02 pre-treatment and 46.36 ± 10.27 post-treatment. The mean value of OSDI score increased post-treatment (p = 0.0001). The impression scores also increased post-treatment in both eyes (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Even low-dose (≤30 mci) RAI treatment affects lacrimal gland functions. Low-dose RAI causes a decrease in the value of Schirmer's test and the BUT test, and an increase in the value of OSDI score and impression scores.

Diffuse Myocardial Uptake of (99m)Tc-HDP in Multiple Myeloma.

Soft tissue uptake is a rare finding in bone scintigraphy, with an incidence of 2%. Although the mechanism has not yet been fully clarified, several causes have been reported for this unusual uptake pattern. This paper presents a case of diffuse myocardial accumulation of technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-HDP) without either solid/visceral organ or soft tissue with multiple myeloma (MM) in skeletal scintigraphy. A 93-year-old man with hypertension and chronic heart failure for 14 years underwent bone scanning due to a 2-month history of back pain within a 1-year period of MM. Three hours later, (99m)Tc-HDP late static images showed diffuse myocardial radiotracer accumulation and there were no other sites of abnormal soft tissue or visceral uptake. Myocardial accumulation had disappeared on 24-h delayed static images. This accumulation was thought to be related with AL-type amyloidosis associated with MM.

Scintigraphic and tomographic evaluation of biological activities of prefabricated free and vascularized bone allografts.

BACKGROUND: We performed an experimental study on rabbits to compare the biologic activities of free and vascularized cortical and corticocancellous solvent-dehydrated bone allografts by scintigraphy and three-dimensional computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits (2500-3000 g) were divided into 2 groups each consisting 10 animals. In group 1, solvent-dehydrated human cadaveric cranium allografts (corticocancellous bone) were used. The grafts were divided into 20 pieces, approximately 10 × 10 × 5 mm. On the right ears, grafts were placed on dissected vascular bundles. On their left ears, allografts were implanted into subcutaneous pockets without dissecting any vascular bundle. The same procedure was performed in group 2 with solvent-dehydrated human cadaveric fibula bone allografts (cortical bone). No infection or any animal death occurred during 12 months of observation. At the end of the 12th month, implanted bone allografts were evaluated by 3-phase bone scintigraphy to observe the circulation and viability of the grafts and three-dimensional CT scans to measure their dimensions. RESULTS: Radioactive uptake by scintigraphy of grafts placed on vascular bundle was higher than grafts placed in pockets. t-Test was calculated for region of interest of right ear (vascularized) to left ear rate (nonvascularized) according to graft type. Rate for corticocancellous bone graft was 1.187 ± 0.179 (P = 0.038) and cortical bone graft was 1.055 ± 0.052 (P = 0.038). There was correlation between region of interest generated from arm and neck regions and graft regions (P = 0.001). Regarding the dimension measurement made by three-dimensional CT, all the grafts grew whether they were on vascular bundle or not. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine whether differences between preoperative and postoperative volumes of grafts and growth of all grafts were significant (P = 0.007 for vascularized cortical bone and P = 0.005 for others). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to evaluate the distribution of growth rate. Vascularized medullar-cortical and nonvascularized medullar bone grafts expanded more than nonvascularized cortical bone (P = 0.001, P = 0.005, P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized bone allograft combines the advantages of autogenous and allogenous grafts. Both scintigraphic and tomographic results overlapped that corticocancellous and cortical bones developed more on vascular bundle. Even though radioactive uptake was statistically higher in vascularized bone allografts, we determined that this small difference did not affect the overall late vascularity of the bone allografts. In conclusion, regardless their types or placement on vascular bundle, prefabricated bone allografts had similar metabolic function after 1 year of integration.

A comparison of radionuclide thyroid angiography, (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy and power Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of solitary cold thyroid nodules.

We prospectively studied 43 patients with solitary cold thyroid nodules greater than 1.5 cm in diameter to determine the comparative diagnostic value of radionuclide thyroid angiography (RTA), technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) scintigraphy and power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Perfusion of the nodules in RTA was compared with the perfusion in the surrounding normal thyroid tissue and classified as follows: 0, avascular; 1, hypovascular; 2, isovascular; 3, hypervascular. (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake in the nodules compared with that in surrounding thyroid tissue was scored for both early and delayed images as follows: 0, cold; 1, decreased; 2, equal; 3, increased. PDUS patterns were classified as nodule vascularisation patterns. The malignancy criteria were set as follows: hypervascular nodule with rapid washout in RTA; complex ring sign with anarchic structure or delta sign in PDUS, and positive retention and increased uptake in the nodule in the early and delayed (99m)Tc-MIBI images. These data were compared with the histopathological results. Histology revealed thyroid carcinoma in nine patients (five cases of papillary carcinoma, three of follicular carcinoma and one of medullary carcinoma) and benign conditions in 34 patients (30 cases of nodular goitre, three of lymphocytic thyroiditis and one of follicular adenoma). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were, respectively, 0.89, 1.00 and 0.97 for RTA, 1.00, 0.76 and 0.81 for PDUS, and 0.67, 0.91 and 0.86 for (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy (when nodules with increased uptake in both the early and the delayed images and a positive retention index were considered as malignant). RTA, (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy and PDUS could be helpful in the preoperative assessment of solitary cold thyroid nodules. In this study, RTA was found to be the most accurate and specific method for differentiation of malignant from benign thyroid nodules.