Economic evaluations of radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres in liver metastases of colorectal cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90 TARE) microspheres therapy has demonstrated positive clinical benefits for the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (lmCRC). This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the available economic evaluations of Y-90 TARE for lmCRC. METHODS: English and Spanish publications were identified from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, MEDES health technology assessment agencies, and scientific congress databases published up to May 2021. The inclusion criteria considered only economic evaluations; thus, other types of studies were excluded. Purchasing-power-parity exchange rates for the year 2020 ($US PPP) were applied for cost harmonisation. RESULTS: From 423 records screened, seven economic evaluations (2 cost-analyses [CA] and 5 cost-utility-analyses [CUA]) were included (6 European and 1 USA). All included studies (n = 7) were evaluated from a payer and the social perspective (n = 1). Included studies evaluated patients with unresectable liver-predominant metastases of CRC, refractory to chemotherapy (n = 6), or chemotherapy-naïve (n = 1). Y-90 TARE was compared to best supportive care (BSC) (n = 4), an association of folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) (n = 1), and hepatic artery infusion (HAI) (n = 2). Y-90 TARE increased life-years gained (LYG) versus BSC (1.12 and 1.35 LYG) and versus HAI (0.37 LYG). Y-90 TARE increased the quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) versus BSC (0.81 and 0.83 QALY) and versus HAI (0.35 QALY). When considering a lifetime horizon, Y-90 TARE reported incremental cost compared to BSC (range 19,225 to 25,320 $US PPP) and versus HAI (14,307 $US PPP). Y-90 TARE reported incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) between 23,875 $US PPP/QALY to 31,185 $US PPP/QALY. The probability of Y-90 TARE being cost-effective at £ 30,000/QALY threshold was between 56% and 57%. CONCLUSIONS: Our review highlights that Y-90 TARE could be a cost-effective therapy either as a monotherapy or when combined with systemic therapy for treating ImCRC. However, despite the current clinical evidence on Y-90 TARE in the treatment of ImCRC, the global economic evaluation reported for Y-90 TARE in ImCRC is limited (n = 7), therefore, we recommend future economic evaluations on Y-90 TARE versus alternative options in treating ImCRC from the societal perspective.

Implementación del análisis modal de fallos y efectos en una Unidad de Radiofarmacia Hospitalaria / Implementation of the failure modes and effects analysis in a Hospital Radiopharmacy Unit

Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es la implementación en una Unidad de Radiofarmacia Hospitalaria de una metodología de análisis de riesgos para poder identificar de forma proactiva los posibles modos de fallo y priorizar medidas correctivas. Material y métodos Mediante el análisis modal de fallos y efectos (AMFE) se identificaron los posibles modos de fallo de cada una de las etapas de los procesos de prescripción, preparación y administración de los radiofármacos de diagnóstico y de terapia. A partir de las variables de severidad, probabilidad y detectabilidad se cuantificó el riesgo mediante el número de prioridad de riesgo (NPR) para cada modo de fallo, subproceso y tipo de radiofármaco. Se establecieron medidas de mejora y se calculó la reducción en el NPR. Resultados Se identificaron 96 modos de fallos (58 para los radiofármacos de diagnóstico y 38 para los de terapia). La identificación biunívoca del paciente con el radiofármaco es el modo de fallo con mayor NPR (60) y el subproceso de marcaje celular el que presenta mayor riesgo (NPR 286). Como resultado de las medidas de mejora se disminuyó el NPR global en un 22% para los radiofármacos de diagnóstico y 20% para los de terapia. Esta reducción sería del 46 y el 31%, respectivamente, si se implantara un software de radiofarmacia y tecnología de código de barras en la administración. Conclusiones La aplicación de la metodología AMFE como herramienta de análisis de riesgos permite identificar los puntos críticos de los procesos relacionados con los radiofármacos y priorizar medidas para disminuir el riesgo (AU)

Aim The aim of this study is the implementation in a Hospital Radiopharmacy Unit of a risk analysis methodology in order to proactively identify possible failure modes and prioritize corrective measures. Materials and methods By means of the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), the possible failure modes of each of the stages of the processes of prescription, preparation, and administration of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapy were identified. From the variables of severity, probability and detectability, the risk was quantified using the Risk Priority Number (RPN) for each failure mode, sub-process, and type of radiopharmaceutical. Improvement measures were established and the reduction in the RPN value was calculated. Result A total of 96 failure modes were identified (58 for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and 38 for therapy). Biunivocal identification of the patient with the radiopharmaceutical is the failure mode with the highest RPN (60) and the radiolabeling cell sub-process the one that has the highest risk (RPN 286). As a result of the improvement measures, the overall RPN was reduced by 22% for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and 20% for therapy. This reduction would be 46% and 31% respectively if radiopharmacy software and a barcode technology in the administration were implemented. Conclusions The application of the FMEA methodology as a risk analysis tool allows to identify the critical points of the processes related to radiopharmaceuticals and prioritize measures to reduce the risk (AU)

Economic evaluations of radioembolization with Itrium-90 microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a clinically effective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the available economic evaluations of TARE for the treatment of HCC. METHODS: The Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was followed by applying a search strategy across six databases. All studies identified as economic evaluations with TARE for HCC treatment in English or Spanish language were considered. Costs were adjusted using the 2020 US dollars based on purchasing-power-parity ($US PPP). RESULTS: Among 423 records screened, 20 studies (6 cost-analyses, 3 budget-impact-analyses, 2 cost-effectiveness-analyses, 8 cost-utility-analyses, and 1 cost-minimization analysis) met the pre-defined criteria for inclusion. Thirteen studies were published from the European perspective, six from the United States, and one from the Canadian perspectives. The assessed populations included early- (n = 4), and intermediate-advanced-stages patients (n = 15). Included studies were evaluated from a payer perspective (n = 20) and included both payer and social perspective (n = 2). TARE was compared with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in nine studies or sorafenib (n = 11). The life-years gained (LYG) differed by comparator: TARE versus TACE (range: 1.3 to 3.1), and TARE versus sorafenib (range: 1.1 to 2.53). Of the 20 studies, TARE was associated with lower treatment costs in ten studies. The cost of TARE treatment varied widely according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system and ranged from 1311 $US PPP/month (BCLC-A) to 71,890 $US PPP/5-years time horizon (BCLC-C). The incremental cost-utility ratio for TARE versus TACE resulted in a 17,397 $US PPP/Quality-adjusted-Life-Years (QALY), and for TARE versus sorafenib ranged from dominant (more effectiveness and lower cost) to 3363 $US PPP/QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Economic evaluations of TARE for HCC treatment are heterogeneous. Overall, TARE is a cost-effective short- and long-term therapy for the treatment of intermediate-advanced HCC.

Implementation of the failure modes and effects analysis in a Hospital Radiopharmacy Unit.

AIM: The aim of this study is the implementation in a Hospital Radiopharmacy Unit of a risk analysis methodology in order to proactively identify possible failure modes and prioritize corrective measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By means of the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), the possible failure modes of each of the stages of the processes of prescription, preparation, and administration of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapy were identified. From the variables of severity, probability and detectability, the risk was quantified using the Risk Priority Number (RPN) for each failure mode, sub-process, and type of radiopharmaceutical. Improvement measures were established and the reduction in the RPN value was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 96 failure modes were identified (58 for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and 38 for therapy). Biunivocal identification of the patient with the radiopharmaceutical is the failure mode with the highest RPN (60) and the radiolabeling cell sub-process the one that has the highest risk (RPN 286). As a result of the improvement measures, the overall RPN was reduced by 22% for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and 20% for therapy. This reduction would be 46% and 31% respectively if radiopharmacy software and a barcode technology in the administration were implemented. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the FMEA methodology as a risk analysis tool allows to identify the critical points of the processes related to radiopharmaceuticals and prioritize measures to reduce the risk.

Resultados del Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica SIFAC para el tratamiento de varices en miembros inferiores y la prevención de úlceras / Results of the SIFAC Pharmaceutical Indication Service for the treatment of varicose veins in lower limbs and ulcer prevention

PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: varón de 57 años trabajador de un horno de pan. Pasa muchas horas de pie a altas temperaturas durante su jornada laboral. Es usuario de medias de compresión.EVALUACIÓN: se aprecia inflamación, lesiones tipo úlcera en el tobillo y presencia de varices muy marcadas en ambas piernas, siendo ambos criterios de derivación al médico. Paciente no fumador, sin alergias conocidas. Ha estado en tratamiento con torasemida y hesperidina sin mejoría, pendiente de revisión médica. Ha vuelto a empeorar. Ahora usa una pomada con óxido de zinc en la herida ulcerosa sin lograr mejoría.INTERVENCIÓN: se sospecha de un Problema Relacionado con el Medicamento (PRM) de Problema de Salud Insuficientemente Tratado, dando lugar a un Resultado Negativo asociado a la Medicación (RNM) de Necesidad. Se registra con su consentimiento en SEFAC e_XPERT. Se toman fotografías de sus piernas para su inclusión en el programa INDICA+PRO, con el fin de optimizar el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica-SIFAC y entregarle un informe de derivación para hacerlo llegar a su médico. Se indica lavar los pies con antiséptico de clorhexidina y usar una pomada de neomicina y centella asiática para el tratamiento de la herida ubicada en el tobillo dos veces al día.Se indica diosmina-hesperidina 500 mg dos veces al día y aplicar pentosano polisulfato sódico 5 mg/g para el alivio local sintomático de los trastornos venosos superficiales. Se indica continuar con las medias compresivas, evitar fuentes de calor, aplicar baños de agua fría, realizar ejercicios que estimulen la circulación y elevar las piernas al final del día. (AU)

Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica - SIFAC ante dermatitis, derivación al médico de atención primaria y continuidad asistencial / Pharmaceutical Indication Service - SIFAC for dermatitis, referral to the primary care physician and continuity of care

ANTECEDENTES: mujer inglesa de 75 años que acude a la farmacia demandando algún remedio para el picor en la piel. Manifiesta erupción que se extiende por todo el cuerpo, con prurito y eritema. Se le indica Cetirizina 10mg durante una semana. Tras siete días regresa con una reacción dermatológica más extensa, peor sintomatología y demandando nueva medicación.EVALUACIÓN: se evalúa al paciente en zona ZAP. Presenta los síntomas principales que cursan con la dermatitis atópica: sequedad, prurito, inflamación y eccema, extendido por manos, brazos, escote y cuello. Se toman fotos y se confirman los criterios de derivación al médico de atención primaria (MAP).INTERVENCIÓN: se sospecha de un Problema Relacionado con el Medicamento (PRM) de Problema de Salud Insuficientemente Tratado, dando lugar a un Resultado Negativo asociado a la Medicación (RNM) de necesidad. También se evalúan síntomas de COVID persistente y cansancio. Llegado este punto se le solicita la firma del consentimiento informado al paciente para el registro en SEFAC e_XPERT INDICA+PRO, así como la toma de fotografías de las zonas lesionadas, con el fin de optimizar la actuación farmacéutica en el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica. Se indica cetirizina 10mg, crema calmante y se elabora un informe de derivación para que lo pueda hacer llegar a su médico donde se detallan los criterios de derivación: extensión de las lesiones y/o afectación a zonas como cara u ojos, asociado a cronicidad. (AU)

Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica - SIFAC para dermatitis y sequedad de manos en farmacia comunitaria / Pharmaceutical Indication Service - SIFAC for dermatitis and dry hands in community pharmacies

ANTECEDENTES: varón sueco de 61 años que se encuentra afincado en España. Trabaja como representante de una inmobiliaria y pasa muchas horas en la calle, expuesto al frío y las condiciones climáticas. Acude a la farmacia comunitaria (FC) preguntando por alguna crema que le ayude a tratar la sequedad en las manos. Presenta piel quebradiza que le forma pequeñas heridas. Se aprecia sequedad y descamación.EVALUACIÓN: se traslada al paciente a la ZAP para poder evaluar las lesiones adecuadamente para realizar la anamnesis. Se aprecia sequedad, piel quebradiza y ligeramente abierta con presencia de cortes inferiores a 1 centímetro. El paciente refiere no fumar y no tener alergias conocidas. Refiere también que la piel quebradiza en las manos es algo que le pasa con frecuencia pero que ahora mismo está atravesando un episodio muy malo y le preocupa. Todo encaja con un episodio de dermatitis y heridas cutáneas. Se sospecha de un Problema Relacionado con el Medicamento (PRM) de Problema de Salud Insuficientemente Tratado, dando lugar a un Resultado Negativo asociado a la Medicación (RNM) de necesidad. Llegado este punto se le solicita la firma del consentimiento informado al paciente para el registro de la intervención en la plataforma SEFAC e_XPERT, así como la toma de unas fotografías de sus manos para su inclusión en el programa INDICA+PRO, con el fin de optimizar la actuación farmacéutica en el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica y poder hacer un seguimiento de la intervención en farmacia comunitaria.INTERVENCIÓN: se lleva a cabo el Servicio de Indicación Farmacéutica, se registra en SEFAC e_XPERT INDICA+PRO y se dan recomendaciones para prevenir y tratar los problemas asociados a las piel quebradiza en las manos y dermatitis. Se indica la aplicación de una crema de manos hidratante para la sequedad, la dermatitis y la piel quebradiza, dos veces al día. (AU)

Mechanisms Underlying Calcium Nephrolithiasis.

Nephrolithiasis is a worldwide problem with increasing prevalence, enormous costs, and significant morbidity. Calcium-containing kidney stones are by far the most common kidney stones encountered in clinical practice, and thus, hypercalciuria is the greatest risk factor for kidney stone formation. Hypercalciuria can result from enhanced intestinal absorption, increased bone resorption, or altered renal tubular transport. Kidney stone formation is complex and driven by high concentrations of calcium-oxalate or calcium-phosphate in the urine. After discussing the mechanism mediating renal calcium salt precipitation, we review recent discoveries in renal tubular calcium transport from the proximal tubule, thick ascending limb, and distal convolution. Furthermore, we address how calcium is absorbed from the intestine and mobilized from bone. The effect of acidosis on bone calcium resorption and urinary calcium excretion is also considered. Although recent discoveries provide insight into these processes, much remains to be understood in order to provide improved therapies for hypercalciuria and prevent kidney stone formation.

Cell-free DNA concentration and fragment size fraction correlate with FDG PET/CT-derived parameters in NSCLC patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between cfDNA concentration and fragment size fraction with FDG PET/CT- and CT-derived parameters in untreated NSCLC patient. METHODS: Fifty-three patients diagnosed of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who had undergone FDG PET/CT, CT and cfDNA analysis prior to any treatment were included in this retrospective study. CfDNA concentration was measured by fluorometry and fragment size fractions were determined by microchip electrophoresis. [18F]F-FDG PET/CT was performed and standardised uptake values (SUV), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated for primary, extrapulmonary and total disease. CT scans were evaluated according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. RESULTS: CfDNA concentration showed a positive correlation with extrapulmonary MTV (r2 = 0.36, P = 0.009), and extrapulmonary TLG (r2 = 0.35, P = 0.009) and their whole-body (wb) ratios. Higher concentrations of total cfDNA were found in patients with liver lesions. Short fragments of cfDNA (100-250 bp) showed a positive correlation with extrapulmonary MTV (r2 = 0.49, P = 0.0005) and extrapulmonary TLG (r2 = 0.39, P = 0.006) and their respective wb ratios, and a negative correlation with SUVmean (r2 = -0.31, P = 0.03) and SUVmean/SUVmax ratio (r2 = -0.34, P = 0.02). A higher fraction of short cfDNA fragments was found in patients with liver and pleural lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the hypothesis that cfDNA concentration and short cfDNA fragment size fraction reflect the tumour burden as well as metabolic activity in advanced NSCLC patients. This suggests their suitability as complementary tests for a more accurate diagnosis of tumour metabolic behaviour and to allow personalised therapies.

Utilidad diagnóstica e impacto terapéutico de la PET/TC con [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata / Diagnostic utility and therapeutic impact of PET/CT [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine-Choline in the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer

OBJETIVO: Valorar la capacidad diagnóstica de la PET/TC con [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata (CP) y su impacto terapéutico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron 108 pacientes, diagnosticados de CP con criterios bioquímicos de recurrencia. Se realizó una PET/TC Colina mediante estudio dinámico de pelvis y estudio de cuerpo entero a los 60min postinyección del trazador. Se ha analizado la relación entre los estudios positivos y el valor del PSA clasificando a los pacientes en tres grupos (<1,2/1,2-2/>2ng/ml); se ha valorado la capacidad diagnóstica respecto a la RM pelviana y el impacto en la decisión terapéutica. RESULTADOS: Se identificó la localización de la recurrencia en 85 de 108 pacientes (78,7%): 34 local, 47 ganglionar pelviana y 58 lesiones a distancia, incluyendo ganglios retroperitoneales, mediastínicos y lesiones en órganos a distancia (hueso y pulmón). Se diagnosticaron segundos tumores en 4 pacientes. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de estudios positivos dependiendo del tratamiento primario. Los pacientes con PSA>2ng/ml mostraron un porcentaje de detección de enfermedad más alto que los pacientes con un nivel de PSA inferior, con diferencias significativas (p < 0,0001). La PET/TC [18F]F-Colina fue capaz de detectar enfermedad local, no conocida previamente por la RM, en el 29,41% de los pacientes. La PET/TC Colina tuvo impacto en el manejo terapéutico en 67 de 108 pacientes (62%). CONCLUSIONES: La PET/TC [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina es una herramienta útil en la detección de enfermedad locorregional y diseminada del CP tratado con sospecha de recurrencia, proporcionando un cambio de manejo terapéutico en un 62% de los pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic capability of PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine in prostate cancer (PC) with biochemical recurrence and its therapeutic impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 108 patients, diagnosed with PC with biochemical criteria for recurrence. A PET/CT Choline scan was performed by dynamic pelvic and whole body study at 60min post-tracer injection. The relationship between the positive studies and the PSA value was analysed by classifying patients into three groups (<1.2/1.2-2/>2ng/ml), and the diagnostic capacity was assessed with respect to pelvic MRI and the impact on the therapeutic decision. RESULTS: The location of recurrence was identified in 85 of 108 patients (78.7%): 34 local, 47 pelvic lymph nodes and 58 distant lesions, including retroperitoneal, mediastinal lymph nodes and distant organ lesions (bone and lung). Second tumors were diagnosed in 4 patients. No significant differences were found in the percentage of positive studies depending on primary treatment. Patients with PSA>2ng/ml showed a higher percentage of disease detection than patients with a lower PSA level, with significant differences (p < 0.0001). PET/CT [18F]F-Choline was able to detect local disease, not previously known from MRI, in 29.41% of patients. PET/CT Choline had an impact on therapeutic management in 67 of 108 patients (62%). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine is a useful tool in the detection of locoregional and disseminated disease of PC treated with suspicion of recurrence, providing a change in therapeutic management in 62% of patients

Diagnostic utility and therapeutic impact of PET/CT [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine -Choline in the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. / Utilidad diagnóstica e impacto terapéutico de la PET/TC con [18F]F-Fluormetilcolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic capability of PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine in prostate cancer (PC) with biochemical recurrence and its therapeutic impact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 108 patients, diagnosed with PC with biochemical criteria for recurrence. A PET/CT Choline scan was performed by dynamic pelvic and whole body study at 60min post-tracer injection. The relationship between the positive studies and the PSA value was analysed by classifying patients into three groups (<1.2/1.2-2/>2ng/ml), and the diagnostic capacity was assessed with respect to pelvic MRI and the impact on the therapeutic decision. RESULTS: The location of recurrence was identified in 85 of 108 patients (78.7%): 34 local, 47 pelvic lymph nodes and 58 distant lesions, including retroperitoneal, mediastinal lymph nodes and distant organ lesions (bone and lung). Second tumors were diagnosed in 4 patients. No significant differences were found in the percentage of positive studies depending on primary treatment. Patients with PSA>2ng/ml showed a higher percentage of disease detection than patients with a lower PSA level, with significant differences (p<0.0001). PET/CT [18F]F-Choline was able to detect local disease, not previously known from MRI, in 29.41% of patients. PET/CT Choline had an impact on therapeutic management in 67 of 108 patients (62%). CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT with [18F]F-Fluoromethylcholine is a useful tool in the detection of locoregional and disseminated disease of PC treated with suspicion of recurrence, providing a change in therapeutic management in 62% of patients.

PET/TC 11C-colina detecta múltiples pequeñas metástasis peritoneales en un paciente con cáncer de próstata / 11C-Choline PET/CT detects multiple small peritoneal metastasis in a prostate cancer patient

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Abordaje multimodal en la cirugía radioguiada de un caso de paraganglioma múltiple / Multimodal approach in radioguided surgery in a case of multiple paraganglioma

Mujer de 34 años intervenida quirúrgicamente de un paraganglioma retroperitoneal adyacente al polo inferior del riñón izquierdo, visualizado por TC y RM. La gammagrafía con 123I-MIBG fue positiva y además se evidenció otra captación de menor intensidad, prevertebral-L5, no subsidiaria de extirpación debido a la ausencia de traducción radiológica. Una semana después de la cirugía, la paciente presentó HTA de difícil control. Se realizó un segundo estudio con 123I-MIBG. La imagen sin traducción radiológica previa mostró mayor captación gammagráfica y fue localizada en las imágenes morfológicas, por lo que se reintervino la paciente. Se utilizó una combinación de técnicas, incluyendo freehand-SPECT y una gammacámara portátil-híbrida (con cámara óptica) para identificar la localización de la lesión, consiguiendo una buena planificación preoperatoria. La combinación de sonda gamma laparoscópica y gammacámara portátil-híbrida permitió la localización intraoperatoria del tumor y la evaluación de su completa extirpación. El análisis anatomopatológico confirmó un segundo paraganglioma (AU)

The case involves a 34-year-old woman who underwent surgical removal of a retroperitoneal paraganglioma adjacent to the left kidney's lower pole, previously visualized by CT and MRI. The 123I-MIBG scan was positive for this lesion and, in addition, another uptake was observed located caudally at the level of L5 and of smaller size and less intensity. The second lesion was not considered for surgical removal, due to its lack of morphological definition. One week after surgical intervention, the patient presented difficult-to-control high blood pressure. A second 123I-MIBG scan was performed. The previously described second image was more intense in this study, and surgery was planned to remove it. A combination of techniques including freehand-SPECT and a portable hybrid gamma camera (with optical camera) were used pre-operatively to identify the location of the lesion. The combination of intra-operative laparoscopic gamma probe and portable hybrid gamma camera enabled the tumor to be located, excised, and its complete removal to be monitored. The histopathology analysis confirmed a second paraganglioma (AU)

Multimodal approach in radioguided surgery in a case of multiple paraganglioma. / Abordaje multimodal en la cirugía radioguiada de un caso de paraganglioma múltiple.

The case involves a 34-year-old woman who underwent surgical removal of a retroperitoneal paraganglioma adjacent to the left kidney's lower pole, previously visualized by CT and MRI. The 123I-MIBG scan was positive for this lesion and, in addition, another uptake was observed located caudally at the level of L5 and of smaller size and less intensity. The second lesion was not considered for surgical removal, due to its lack of morphological definition. One week after surgical intervention, the patient presented difficult-to-control high blood pressure. A second 123I-MIBG scan was performed. The previously described second image was more intense in this study, and surgery was planned to remove it. A combination of techniques including freehand-SPECT and a portable hybrid gamma camera (with optical camera) were used pre-operatively to identify the location of the lesion. The combination of intra-operative laparoscopic gamma probe and portable hybrid gamma camera enabled the tumor to be located, excised, and its complete removal to be monitored. The histopathology analysis confirmed a second paraganglioma.

Additional value of hybrid SPECT/CT systems in neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal tumors, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas / Valor adicional de la imagen híbrida con SPECT/TC en tumores neuroendocrinos, tumores adrenales, feocromocitomas y paragangliomas

The aim of this review was to evaluate the potential advantages of SPECT/CT hybrid imaging in the management of neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal tumors, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. From the collected data, the superiority of fused images was observed as providing both functional/molecular and morphological imaging compared to planar imaging. This provided an improvement in diagnostic imaging, with significant advantages as regards: (1) precise locating of the lesions; (2) an improvement in characterization of the findings, resulting higher specificity, improved sensitivity, and overall greater accuracy, (3) additional anatomical information derived from the CT component; (4) CT-based attenuation correction and potential for volumetric dosimetry calculations, and (5) improvement on the impact on patient management (e.g. in better defining treatment plans, in shortening surgical operating times). It can be concluded that SPECT/CT hybrid imaging provides the nuclear medicine physician with a powerful imaging modality in comparison to planar imaging, providing essential information about the location of lesions, and high quality homogeneous images (AU)

El objetivo de esta revisión es evaluar las ventajas que puede ofrecer la imagen híbrida mediante SPECT/TC en el manejo de los tumores neuroendocrinos, tumores adrenales, feocromocitomas y paragangliomas. A partir de los datos recogidos de la literatura se pone de manifiesto la superioridad de las imágenes de fusión que proporcionan información morfológica y funcional/molecular con respecto a la imagen planar, permitiendo una mejora diagnóstica con importantes ventajas: 1) localización precisa de las lesiones; 2) mejora en la caracterización de los hallazgos, lo que supone una mayor especificidad y sensibilidad y por lo tanto una mayor exactitud diagnóstica; 3) información anatómica adicional obtenida con la TC; 4) corrección de la atenuación que permite realizar cálculos dosimétricos volumétricos basados en la TC; 5) mejora en el impacto del manejo del paciente como afinar el tipo de tratamiento o la reducción del tiempo quirúrgico. En resumen, la SPECT/TC es una herramienta importante para el manejo de este tipo de tumores ya que en comparación con la imagen planar da información esencial sobre la localización y la caracterización de las lesiones (AU)

Primary hyperparathyroidism regression associated to cinacalcet therapy proved by 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy / Seguimiento mediante gammagrafía con 99mTc-MIBI en un caso de hiperparatiroidismo primario tratado con cinacalcet

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Early in vitro development of daptomycin non-susceptibility in high-level aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus faecalis predicts the efficacy of the combination of high-dose daptomycin plus ampicillin in an in vivo model of experimental endocarditis.

Background: Previous studies showed development of daptomycin non-susceptibility (DNS: MIC >4 mg/L) in Enterococcus faecalis infections. However, no studies have assessed the efficacy of the combination of daptomycin/ampicillin against E. faecalis strains developing DNS in the experimental endocarditis (EE) model. Objectives: To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of daptomycin at 10 mg/kg/day, daptomycin/ampicillin and ampicillin/ceftriaxone against two high-level aminoglycoside-resistant E. faecalis strains, one developing DNS after in vitro exposure to daptomycin and another that did not (DS). Methods: Subculture of 82 E. faecalis strains from patients with endocarditis with daptomycin MICs, time-kill and in vivo experiments using the EE model. Results: 33% of the strains (27 of 82) displayed DNS after subculture with daptomycin. Daptomycin MIC rose from 0.5-2 to 8-16 mg/L. In time-kill experiments, when using a high inoculum (10 8 cfu/mL), daptomycin/ampicillin was synergistic for one-third of DS strains and none of DNS strains, while ampicillin/ceftriaxone retained synergy in all cases. In the EE model, daptomycin did not significantly reduce cfu/g from vegetations compared with control against either strain, while daptomycin/ampicillin reduced significantly more cfu/g than daptomycin against the DS strain, but not against the DNS strain [2.9 (2.0-4.1) versus 6.1 (4.5-8.0); P = 0.002]. Ampicillin/ceftriaxone was synergistic and bactericidal against both strains, displaying the same activity as daptomycin/ampicillin against the DS strain. Conclusions: Performance of an Etest for daptomycin MIC after subculture with daptomycin inhibitory doses on strains of high-level aminoglycoside-resistant E. faecalis endocarditis may be an easy test to predict the in vivo efficacy of daptomycin/ampicillin.

Additional value of hybrid SPECT/CT systems in neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal tumors, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

The aim of this review was to evaluate the potential advantages of SPECT/CT hybrid imaging in the management of neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal tumors, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. From the collected data, the superiority of fused images was observed as providing both functional/molecular and morphological imaging compared to planar imaging. This provided an improvement in diagnostic imaging, with significant advantages as regards: (1) precise locating of the lesions; (2) an improvement in characterization of the findings, resulting higher specificity, improved sensitivity, and overall greater accuracy, (3) additional anatomical information derived from the CT component; (4) CT-based attenuation correction and potential for volumetric dosimetry calculations, and (5) improvement on the impact on patient management (e.g. in better defining treatment plans, in shortening surgical operating times). It can be concluded that SPECT/CT hybrid imaging provides the nuclear medicine physician with a powerful imaging modality in comparison to planar imaging, providing essential information about the location of lesions, and high quality homogeneous images.