Radiolocalization of atypical lesions for intraoperative identification: technical factors, localization quality, success rates, patient safety, and spectrum of applications.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively analyze perilesional technetium Tc-99m MAA injection for intraoperative localization of atypical soft-tissue and bone lesions within a single tertiary referral center in order to determine technique, safety, and clinical utility of these procedures. METHODS: An IRB compliant, retrospective electronic chart review (2010-2017) exploring surgical excision of atypical (non-pulmonary, non-breast, non-sentinel node) lesions guided by Tc-99m MAA perilesional injection. Patient demographics, lesion location, lesion size, radiotracer injection technique, radiotracer injection complications, scintigraphy technique, scintigraphic quality, intraoperative time, lesion identification in surgery, and pathological diagnoses were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-two atypical radiolocalization exams were identified. Lesion sites included rib (7), lymph node (4), abdominal wall (3), mesenteric (3), gallbladder fossa (1), retroperitoneum (1), parietal pleura (1), anterior mediastinum (1), and iliac bone (1). Average lesion size was 14 mm (range 5-23 mm). Eighteen (82%) radiotracer injections used computed tomography guidance and 4 (18%) used ultrasound guidance. The mean activity of Tc-99m MAA administered was 11.8 MBq (0.32 mCi). A 22-gauge needle was most often used for perilesional injection. No injection complications were reported. The lesions were identified with a hand-held gamma probe during surgery in 100% of cases. Of the samples sent to pathology, 100% were identified and given a diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Radiolocalization of atypical lesions may be a valuable technique, guiding minimally invasive surgical removal of lesions that would otherwise be difficult to identify intraoperatively such as non-palpable rib, central mesenteric nodal, and abdominal wall lesions.

[Study of heart region of interest setting method in the hepatic functional reserve index of (99m)tc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic Acid-galactosyl human serum albumin].

In this study we analyzed the influence of region of interest (ROI) selection on the uptake ratio of the liver to the liver plus heart at 15 min (LHL15) during (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) scintigraphy and determined the optimal ROI by evaluating the individual effects of different ROIs in the heart on LHL15. Twenty patients were randomly selected from those who had undergone (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy GSA between April 2008 and June 2009. The liver body (L/B) ratio, liver uptake 15 min (LU15), and LHL15 were analyzed and compared among the following ROIs: entire heart, both ventricles, right ventricle, and left ventricle. There were significant differences in the L/B ratio and LU15 values among the different ROIs. However, LHL15 showed a tendency to shift toward a normal value when the size of the ROI was small (only the right or left ventricle), resulting in a lack of distinction between normal and abnormal LHL15 values. Furthermore, setting the entire heart as the ROI was difficult and reproducibility was low. Our results suggest that the use of both ventricles as the ROI provides optimal LHL15 values during (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy.

[Assessment of hepatic reserve function of cirrhosis liver using dynamic SPECT (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic SPECT (99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) scintigraphy on the assessment of reserve function of cirrhosis liver. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2011, 55 patients with cirrhosis liver were enrolled in this study. The case numbers of male and female were 43 and 12 respectively and the age was (51 ± 9) years (ranging from 35 to 69 years). After routine biochemistry test, CT scan and (99m)Tc-GSA dynamic SPECT scan were performed in turn using a juxtaposed SPECT/CT system. Then the morphologic volume of liver parenchyma (MLV), functional liver volume (FLV) and the hepatic cell absorption rate constant (GSA-K) were calculated. The correlations between GSA-K and routine biochemistry test, Child-Pugh score, indocyanine green clearance rate (ICG-K) were analyzed. The patients were further divided into 3 groups according to whether there was occlusion or stenosis in the main branch of left portal vein (group 1, n = 5), right portal vein (group 2, n = 13) or not (group 3, n = 37) and the regional hepatic functions index of the 3 groups were compared. RESULTS: The value of FLV of the whole, left and right liver was (594 ± 152) ml, (244 ± 119) ml and (356 ± 171) ml, respectively. There were correlations between GSA-K and total bilirubin, prothrombintime, Child-Pugh score and ICG-K (r = -0.730--0.298, P < 0.05). The FLV and MLV ratios of involved hemiliver to uninvolved hemiliver were 0.09 ± 0.06 and 0.30 ± 0.14 in group 1, 0.57 ± 0.43 and 1.08 ± 0.63 in group 2, 0.71 ± 0.30 and 0.71 ± 0.48 in group 3. The difference in MLV-FLV ratio was signifcant between group 1 and group 3, between group 2 and group 3 (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic SPCECT (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy can not only assess the whole liver function of cirrhosis liver effectively, but also evaluate the variation of regional liver function accurately.

Usefulness and pitfalls of MAA SPECT/CT in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake when planning liver radioembolization.

PURPOSE: Identifying gastroduodenal uptake of (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA), which is associated with an increased risk of ulcer disease, is a crucial part of the therapeutic management of patients undergoing radioembolization for liver tumours. Given this context, the use of MAA single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT may be essential, but the procedure has still not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of MAA SPECT/CT in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake, while determining potential diagnostic pitfalls. METHODS: Overall, 139 MAA SPECT/CT scans were performed on 103 patients with different hepatic tumour types. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months according to standard requirements. RESULTS: Digestive, or digestive-like, uptake other than free pertechnetate was identified in 5.7% of cases using planar imaging and in 36.6% of cases using SPECT/CT. Uptake sites identified by SPECT/CT included the gastroduodenal region (3.6%), gall bladder (12.2%), portal vein thrombosis (6.5%), hepatic artery (6.5%), coil embolization site (2.1%) as well as falciform artery (5.0%). For 2.1% of explorations, a coregistration error between SPECT and CT imaging could have led to a false diagnosis by erroneously attributing an uptake site to the stomach or gall bladder, when the uptake actually occurred in the liver. CONCLUSION: SPECT/CT is more efficacious than planar imaging in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake sites, with extrahepatic uptake observed in one third of scans using the former procedure. However, more than half of the uptake sites in our study were vascular in nature, without therapeutic implications. The risk of coregistration errors must also be kept in mind.

Is prophylactic embolization of the hepatic falciform artery needed before radioembolization in patients with 99mTc-MAA accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall?

PURPOSE: While influx of chemoembolic agents into the hepatic falciform artery (HFA) from the hepatic artery can cause supraumbilical skin rash, epigastric pain and even skin necrosis, the significance of a patent HFA in patients undergoing radioembolization is not completely clear. Furthermore, the presence of tracer in the anterior abdominal wall seen in (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin ((99m)Tc-MAA) images, which is generally performed prior to radioembolization, has been described as a sign of a patent HFA. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence and consequences of (99m)Tc-MAA accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall, indicating a patent HFA, in patients undergoing radioembolization of liver tumours. METHODS: A total of 224 diagnostic hepatic angiograms combined with (99m)Tc-MAA SPECT/CT were acquired in 192 patients with different types of cancer, of whom 142 were treated with a total of 214 radioembolization procedures. All patients received a whole-body scan, and planar and SPECT/CT scans of the abdomen. Only patients with extrahepatic (99m)Tc-MAA accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall were included in this study. Posttreatment bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT and follow-up results for at least 3 months served as reference standards. RESULTS: Tracer accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall was present in pretreatment (99m)Tc-MAA SPECT/CT images of 18 patients (9.3%). The HFA was found and embolized by radiologists before treatment in one patient. In the remaining patients radioembolization was performed without any modification in the treatment plan despite the previously mentioned extrahepatic accumulation. Only one patient experienced abdominal muscle pain above the navel, which started 24 h after treatment and lasted for 48 h without any skin changes. The remaining patients did not experience any relevant side effects during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Side effects after radioembolization in patients with tracer accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall on (99m)Tc-MAA scans indicating a patent HFA are neither common nor severe. Thus, there is no absolute need for prophylactic embolization of the HFA or modification of the treatment plan if the HFA is not detectable on angiography.

99mTc-MAA/ 90Y-Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT after simultaneous Tc-MAA/90Y-microsphere injection for immediate treatment monitoring and further therapy planning for radioembolization.

PURPOSE: An angiographic evaluation combined with (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin (Tc-MAA) scanning should precede the treatment of any selected candidates for radioembolization (RE) of the liver. If the tumours in one liver lobe have not been targeted in the test angiogram, it should be repeated. However, in a few cases treatment of one liver lobe or at least some segments is safe and feasible and performing a repeated test angiogram with Tc-MAA (Re-MAA) in a separate session leads to more radiation exposure and could be time consuming. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of concurrent RE of a part of the liver and therapy planning for another region by simultaneous injection of the Tc-MAA and (90)Y-microspheres in two different locations in the therapy session. Tc-MAA and bremsstrahlung (BS) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT were performed separately in an effort to distinguish between the distributions of these two different radiopharmaceuticals. METHODS: RE was combined with a simultaneous second test angiogram of another lobe or segments in the same session in six patients [44-70 years; five women (83%)]. Five patients suffered from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and one from ovarian cancer. Tc-MAA and BS SPECT/CT were performed for all cases. RESULTS: Post-therapeutic Tc-MAA SPECT/CT showed in all patients only the distribution of Tc-MAA without any detectable BS. Evaluation of (90)Y-microsphere distribution was not always possible in the post-therapeutic BS scan performed 24 h later due to remaining Tc-MAA radiation. However, scans performed at 48 h post-intervention no longer showed any Tc-MAA "contamination". CONCLUSION: Combining RE and Re-MAA is feasible in appropriately selected patients.

Tc-99m-MAA lung shunt fraction before Y-90 radioembolization is low among patients with non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Lung shunt fraction studies using technetium-99 m macro aggregated albumin are routinely performed before yttrium-90 radioembolization regardless of underlying liver malignancy type. This study evaluates the role of lung shunt fraction studies in hepatocellular carcinoma compared to non-hepatocellular carcinoma liver tumors. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective analysis of all pre-yttrium-90 technetium-99 m macro aggregated albumin lung shunt fraction studies between November 2012 to March 2018 was performed. Patient variables including age, underlying malignancy, laboratory values, lung shunt fraction, and severity of liver disease were compared between hepatocellular carcinoma and non-hepatocellular carcinoma cases. RESULTS: A total of 734 technetium-99 m macro aggregated albumin studies were identified in 653 patients. Among these cases, the liver tumor was hepatocellular carcinoma in 368 (50.1%), colorectal cancer in 112 (15.3%), neuroendocrine tumor in 89 (12.1%), cholangiocarcinoma in 59 (8.0%), breast cancer in 27 (3.7%), and other metastatic malignancies in 79 (10.7%). The mean lung shunt fraction for non-hepatocellular carcinoma cases was 7.4%, which was significantly lower than the mean lung shunt fraction, 11.7%, for hepatocellular carcinoma cases (P = 0.0001). In only one non-hepatocellular carcinoma case was yttrium-90 radioembolization not pursued due to high lung shunt fraction (69.3%), wherein large scale shunting was grossly apparent on angiography in a patient with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor. In comparison, the lung shunt fraction was too high to pursue radioembolization in 37 hepatocellular carcinoma cases (mean lung shunt fraction 35.1%). CONCLUSION: Lung shunt fraction appears low among patients with non-hepatocellular carcinoma liver malignancies. Further analysis examining the necessity of pre-Y90 technetium-99 m macro aggregated albumin lung shunt fraction studies in patients with non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignancies is warranted, since a consolidated yttrium-90 radioembolization without prior lung shunt fraction evaluation could reduce resource consumption, improve workflows, and patient access.

Significance of the preoperative regional maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin in the future remnant liver: a sequential study of regional maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin in the whole liver.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between posthepatectomy complications and liver functional parameters was preliminary reported in a pilot study. The present study sequentially evaluated the clinical significance of maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSARmax) in the future remnant liver (rGSARmax) in patients to predict posthepatectomy complications. METHODS: Between 2010 and August 2017, GSARmax, rGSARmax, their difference (Dif), and the rGSARmax to GSARmax ratio were examined in 247 additional patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver and biliary diseases. Hepatectomy-related postoperative complications (i.e. long-term ascites, intra-abdominal infection, and hepatic failure) occurred in 73 (29.6%) patients. RESULTS: The median and mean preoperative GSARmax values were 0.477 and 0.498±0.166 mg/min, respectively; rGSARmax values were 0.341 and 0.366±0.145 mg/min, respectively; Dif values were 0.105 and 0.132±0.111 mg/min, respectively; and the rGSARmax to GSARmax ratio values were 0.774 and 0.746±0.177, respectively. Among these, the GSARmax and rGSARmax values were significantly correlated with the liver functional parameters ICGR15, LHL15, HH15, prothrombin activity, serum hyaluronic acid level, and platelet count (all P<0.01). The rGSARmax values were significantly lower in patients with long-term ascites (P<0.05), and the predictive cutoff values of rGSARmax were 0.290 mg/min; however, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rGSARmax was not independently related to long-term ascites. CONCLUSION: When accompanied by other functional liver reserve parameters, rGSARmax seemed to be an alternative liver functional parameter related to ascites.

[99mTc]Tilmanocept Lymphscintigraphy after inconclusive [99mTc]Nanocolloid Scan in Breast Cancer.

Lymphatic mapping for identification and subsequent removal of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an established procedure in breast cancer and cutaneous melanoma to minimize the extent of surgery (and thus, associated morbidity), simplify histopathological processing and subsequently provide prognostic information and help choose the optimal patient management. Established methods for SLN mapping include visual identification of nodal staining after peritumoral injection of a (blue) dye or the use of lymphoscintigraphy with technetium-labelled nanocolloid. In experienced hands, success rates for both methods exceed 95 %, nonetheless in some patients they fail despite correct application and imaging techniques. Potential reasons for false-negative SLN detection rates -beyond poor tracer injection technique or imaging of the wrong nodal basin- include inadequate pathologic examination of the SLN or complete replacement of the SLN with neoplastic disease, causing the injected tracer to completely bypass the infiltrated node 1.Beyond colloid particles, the more specific receptor-targeting small molecule [99mTc]Tilmanocept has recently been approved for scintigraphic SLN detection. Tilmanocept, or mannosyl diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (DTPA) dextran, has a small molecular size of approximately 7 nm and works via specific binding to the mannose receptor (CD206) 2. The mannose receptor is particularly overexpressed on macrophages and dendritic precursor cells within lymph nodes, thus uptake in lymph nodes is not dependent on particle size 2, 3. In pilot studies scintigraphic SLN detection with [99mTc]Tilmanocept was superior to dye staining 4. Given its beneficial properties, [99mTc]Tilmanocept might offer advantages over the alternatively used radiocolloids. We present four cases of [99mTc]Tilmanocept application after inconclusive or unsuccessful attempts of SLN detection using [99mTc]nanocolloid lymphoscintigraphy.

Protein losing gastroenteropathy due to Helicobacter pylori infection without giant rugal folds, erosion or polyposis.

An 85-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of progressive hypoproteinemia and generalised oedema. Technetium-99m human albumin scintigraphy revealed protein leakage in the gastrointestinal tract. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed small whitish nodules from the gastric body up to the duodenal bulb. The urease test for Helicobacter pylori infection was positive. We diagnosed her as having protein-losing gastroenteropathy (PLGE) caused by H. pylori infection. The patient's hypoproteinemia and clinical symptoms promptly resolved after H. pylori eradication. Our results suggest that a trial of H. pylori eradication is warranted in patients with PLGE, even if endoscopy reveals neither giant rugal folds, erosion of the mucosa, nor polyposis, which are previously reported characteristic endoscopic findings of PLGE.

Terbutaline lessens protein fluxes across the alveolo-capillary barrier during high-volume ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a beta2-adrenergic agonist may reduce acute alveolo-capillary barrier alterations during high-volume ventilation. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: A total of 48 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: A zone of alveolar flooding was produced by liquid instillation in a distal airway. Proteins in the instilled solution were traced with 99mTc-albumin. 111In, which binds to transferrin, was injected into the systemic circulation. Terbutaline was administered in the instilled solution or intra-peritoneally. Conventional ventilation was applied for 30 min followed by different ventilation strategies for 90 min: conventional ventilation, high-volume ventilation with or without 6 cmH2O PEEP. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Protein fluxes across the alveolar and microvascular barriers were evaluated by scintigraphy. High-volume ventilation resulted in immediate leakage of 99mTc-albumin from alveolar spaces and increased pulmonary uptake of systemic 111In-transferrin. Terbutaline in the instilled solution and PEEP lessened alveolar 99mTc-albumin leakage and pulmonary 111In-transferrin uptake due to high-volume ventilation, whereas terbutaline given intra-peritoneally only lessened 111In-transferrin uptake. Terbutaline in the instilled solution also lessened the increase in lung wet-to-dry weight ratio due to high-volume ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Terbutaline reduces protein fluxes across the alveolar epithelial and pulmonary microvascular barriers during high-volume ventilation in vivo. The route of administration may be important.

Characterization of apolipoprotein A-IV in brain areas involved in energy homeostasis.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV) is a satiation protein synthesized in the small intestine and hypothalamus. To further understand its anorectic mechanisms, we used immunohistochemical techniques to characterize the distribution of apo A-IV in brain areas involved in energy homeostasis. Dense apo A-IV staining was detected in the arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei with less staining in cells in the paraventricular and dorsomedial nuclei. In the brainstem, apo A-IV staining was found in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Double-staining immunohistochemistry revealed co-existence of apo A-IV with neuronal nuclei (a neuronal marker), but less with glial fibrillary acidic protein (a glial marker), in ARC, suggesting that apo A-IV is largely present in neurons. In the ARC, apo A-IV was co-localized with pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and apo A-IV administration stimulated hypothalamic POMC gene expression, suggesting that the brain apo A-IV system suppresses food intake by stimulating the ARC POMC system. To ascertain whether the apo A-IV detected in the brain is derived from the circulation, (125)I-labeled recombinant rat apo A-IV was intravenously injected into mice. No increase of radioactive apo A-IV was found in the brain, consistent with a lack of uptake of co-injected (99m)Tc-labeled albumin, indicating that circulating apo A-IV is unable to cross the blood brain barrier. These data collectively support the hypothesis that apo A-IV, produced by neuronal cells, may exert its anorectic action by interacting with catabolic regulatory neuropeptides.

Hepatic Falciform Artery Demonstrating MAA Uptake in the Anterior Abdomen Prior to Embolization.

A 58-year-old man was referred for selective internal radiation therapy for locally advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Intra-arterial particle perfusion scintigraphy was performed with SPECT/CT following intra-arterial injection of Tc macroaggregated albumin. Angiography demonstrated a hepatic falciform artery, a feeding artery of the ligamentum teres, whereas scintigraphy demonstrated tracer uptake in the mid-anterior abdominal wall. The hepatic falciform artery was subsequently embolized and the repeat angiogram confirmed successful occlusion. Subsequent post-selective internal radiation therapy PET/CT images did not reveal any tracer uptake in the mid-anterior abdominal wall.

Preoperative maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl-human serum albumin of the remnant liver is associated with postoperative tumor relapse in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not only influenced by tumor-related factors but also by the background liver functions. The maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA-Rmax) of the remnant liver (rGSA-Rmax) is a useful candidate for predicting the liver function and clarifying the relationship between the remnant liver functional reserve and tumor-free survival in patients who have undergone hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy were divided into three groups of hepatitis B virus (B-HCC; n=42), hepatitis C virus (C-HCC, n=58), and non-B, non-C (NBNC-HCC, n=65). The relationship between rGSA-Rmax and survival was examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In the C-HCC group, the albumin, or LHL15, level was significantly lower, and alanine aminotransferase, ICGR15, and the prevalence of grade B liver damage were significantly higher than other two groups (P<0.05). GSA-Rmax or rGSA-Rmax was not different between the three groups. Lower GSA-Rmax and rGSA-Rmax were only significantly associated with lower tumor-free survival in the C-HCC group by the univariate analysis (P<0.05) but not significantly by the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: GSA-Rmax and rGSA-Rmax reflect the severity of liver dysfunction and furthermore, the lower rGSA-Rmax is useful as a complementary factor to predict the early HCC recurrence after hepatectomy.

90Y radioembolization dosimetry using a simple semi-quantitative method in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Glass versus resin microspheres.

INTRODUCTION: There are two different types of 90Y Microspheres, glass and resin, in the market for 90Y radioembolization (90Y-RE). This study aimed to investigate the dose of radiation delivered through glass vs. resin-based 90Y-RE to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 10 patients with ICC underwent 90Y-RE, five underwent glass (Glass group) and other 5 resin (Resin group) microspheres. Technetium-99m macro-aggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) shunt study was performed two weeks before 90Y-RE. Within 2 h from 90Y-RE, Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT was obtained. Regions of interest (ROIs) were segmented around the targeted tumor and the liver. Tumor and liver volumes, corresponding radioactive counts, and tumor to liver count ratio were calculated using MIM software and compared between Glass and Resin groups. RESULTS: Mean hepatopulmonary shunt fraction was 7.1 vs. 6.2% for the Glass and Resin groups (p = 0.83), with no extrahepatic activity. There was no difference in the activity and tumor uptake of administered Tc-99m MAA between both groups (p = 0.71 and p = 0.63). Mean administered activity of 90Y in the Glass group was higher than the Resin group (73.2 ±â€¯24.3 vs. 44.5 ±â€¯18.2 mCi, p < 0.001). The tumor 90Y uptake was significantly higher in the Glass group compared to the Resin group (41.3% vs. 33.5%, p < 0.001), corresponding to the mean tumor dose of 205.7 ±â€¯19.7 vs. 128.9 ±â€¯10.6 Gy, respectively (p < 0.001). The tumor to normal liver parenchyma 90Y dose ratio was significantly higher in the Glass group compared to the Resin group, 4.9 ±â€¯0.7 versus 2.4 ±â€¯0.3 respectably (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both 90Y glass and resin-based microsphere 90Y-RE are feasible and safe in patients with ICC, while 90Y glass microsphere delivers higher dose of 90Y to the targeted tumors. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: While both 90Y glass and resin-based microsphere yttrium-90 radioembolization are feasible and safe treatment options for in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 90Y glass microsphere delivers higher dose of 90Y to the targeted tumors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: Both of 90Y glass and resin-based microsphere can be safely and feasibly used for treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, difference in dose of 90Y delivered to the targeted tumors should be clinically considered while choosing the microsphere type.

Relationship between quantitative and descriptive methods of studying blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise.

Several methods exist to study intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVA) in humans. Transthoracic saline contrast echocardiography (TTSCE), i.e., bubble scores, is minimally-invasive, but cannot be used to quantify the magnitude of blood flow through IPAVA (QIPAVA). Radiolabeled macroaggregates of albumin (99mTc-MAA) have been used to quantify QIPAVA in humans, but this requires injection of radioactive particles. Previous work has shown agreement between 99mTc-MAA and TTSCE, but this has not been tested simultaneously in the same group of subjects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between QIPAVA quantified with 99mTc-MAA and bubble scores obtained with TTSCE. To test this, we used 99mTc-MAA and TTSCE to quantify and detect QIPAVA at rest and during exercise in humans. QIPAVA significantly increased from rest to exercise using 99mTc-MAA and TTSCE and there was a moderately-strong, but significant relationship between methods. Our data suggest that high bubble scores generally correspond with large QIPAVA quantified with 99mTc-MAA during exercise.

Preoperative regional maximal removal rate of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin is correlated with liver functional parameters, but did not predict postoperative morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Recently, posthepatectomy complications have been predicted by advances of new liver functional parameters, and the technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) liver scintigraphy has been applied widely for this purpose. We evaluated the clinical significance of the regional maximal removal rate (GSA-Rmax) in patients with various liver diseases as predictors of posthepatectomy complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2012 and March 2016, we examined 200 patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver and biliary diseases. The patients' background liver conditions included chronic viral liver diseases in 147 patients, normal liver in 44 patients, and others in nine patients. Hepatectomy-related postoperative complications (i.e. long-term ascites, intra-abdominal infection, and hepatic failure) occurred in 69 (35%) patients. A multivariate logistic analysis was carried out to detect the predictive parameters for complications. RESULTS: The median and mean preoperative GSA-Rmax was 0.420 and 0.448±0.148 mg/min, respectively. The GSA-Rmax was significantly correlated with liver functional parameters of ICGR15, LHL15, HH15, platelet count, prothrombin activity, and serum hyaluronic acid level (P<0.01), and was significantly correlated with postoperative total bilirubin level and C-reactive protein level (P<0.05). With respect to patient outcomes, GSA-Rmax was significantly lower in patients with long-term ascites (P<0.05). The predictive cutoff value for posthepatectomy long-term ascites for GSA-Rmax was 0.421 mg/min. However, the multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that a higher serum hyaluronic acid level and a lower platelet count were significant, independent factors, but not lower GSA-Rmax. CONCLUSION: GSA-Rmax is one of the liver functional parameters and is a complementary parameter to predict postoperative hyperbilirubinemia, inflammatory responses, and ascites when Tc-GSA scintigraphy is performed.

Imaging of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Bivalent (99m)Tc-Hydroxamamide Complexes.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates in the walls of cerebral vasculature, is a major factor in intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular cognitive impairment and is also associated closely with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously reported (99m)Tc-hydroxamamide ((99m)Tc-Ham) complexes with a bivalent amyloid ligand showing high binding affinity for ß-amyloid peptide (Aß(1-42)) aggregates present frequently in the form in AD. In this article, we applied them to CAA-specific imaging probes, and evaluated their utility for CAA-specific imaging. In vitro inhibition assay using Aß(1-40) aggregates deposited mainly in CAA and a brain uptake study were performed for (99m)Tc-Ham complexes, and all (99m)Tc-Ham complexes with an amyloid ligand showed binding affinity for Aß(1-40) aggregates and very low brain uptake. In vitro autoradiography of human CAA brain sections and ex vivo autoradiography of Tg2576 mice were carried out for bivalent (99m)Tc-Ham complexes ([(99m)Tc]SB2A and [(99m)Tc]BT2B), and they displayed excellent labeling of Aß depositions in human CAA brain sections and high affinity and selectivity to CAA in transgenic mice. These results may offer new possibilities for the development of clinically useful CAA-specific imaging probes based on the (99m)Tc-Ham complex.

Predictors of sentinel lymph node metastases in breast cancer-radioactivity and Ki-67.

OBJECTIVES: Since the introduction of the sentinel node technique for breast cancer in the 1990s patient's morbidity was reduced. Tracer uptake is known to be dependent from lymph node integrity and activity of macrophages. The aim of this study was to assess whether radioactivity of the tracer can predict sentinel lymph node metastases. Furthermore, a potential association with Ki-67 index was examined. Non-invasive prediction of lymph node metastases could lead to a further decrease of morbidity. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University Hospital of Cologne between 2012 and 2013. Injection of radioactive tracer was done a day before surgery in the department of Nuclear Medicine. Clinical data and radioactivity of the sentinel node measured the day before and intraoperatively were abstracted from patient's files. RESULTS: Of 246 patients, 64 patients had at least one, five patients had two and one patient had three positive sentinel lymph nodes. Occurrence of sentinel lymph node metastases was not associated with preoperative tracer activity (p = 0,319), intraoperative tracer activity of first sentinel node (p = 0,086) or with loss of tracer activity until operation (p = 0,909). There was no correlation between preoperative Ki-67 index and occurrence of lymph node metastases (p = 0,403). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, there was no correlation between radioactivity and sentinel node metastases. Tracer uptake might not only be influenced by lymph node metastases and does not predict metastatic lymph node involvement.

Comparison of Real-Time Fluorescent Indocyanine Green and (99m)Tc-Nanocolloid Radiotracer Navigation in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy of Penile Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare lymphatic drainage patterns detected with fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) with the lymphatic drainage patterns detected with radiotracer (99m)Tc-nanocolloid in dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB) procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with penile cancer and no palpable lymph nodes were included prospectively for DSNB. First, on the day of surgery (99m)Tc-nanocolloid was injected at the lesion site. Then, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lymphoscintigraphy was performed. ICG was injected in the same manner as the radiotracer just before the surgery. In all cases partial penectomy and DSNB were performed. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were localized intraoperatively using the gamma-ray detection probe for radiocolloid and near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) camera for ICG. RESULTS: Transcutaneously, lymphatic nodes were identified in all 14 patients using the gamma probe and in 10 patients using the NIRF camera. After skin incision, fluorescent nodes were observed using the NIRF camera in the remaining 4 patients. The examination led to identification of 32 SLNs in total using technetium and ICG and additionally 3 more nodes visible only using ICG. All SLNs found using SPECT were also fluorescent. In 3 patients ICG enabled only approximate localization of the SLNs. Of 35 SLNs, 30 were negative and 4 were positive for metastasis. CONCLUSION: Our analysis of the effectiveness of ICG compared with radiocolloid in the DSNB for penile cancer indicates that they are comparable with some specific advantages and disadvantages. These findings must be studied further in a larger group of patients.