Functional and metabolic imaging in transthoracic biopsies guided by computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: CT-guided biopsy of indeterminate lung lesions sometimes provides insufficient histological results due to tumor necrosis. Functional and metabolic methods such as DWI-MR and PET-CT may help by directing sample collection to a lesion area of greater biological representativeness. The objective is to evaluate the histopathological results based on findings on ADC and SUV levels in lung lesions suspected for primary cancer. METHODS: Tissue samples were evaluated after undergoing biopsies guided by either DWI-MR or PET-CT findings. In each patient, sample collection from two lesion areas was guided by local ADC and SUV. Values were used to define areas of low vs. high suspicion for cancer. RESULTS: Patients who underwent DWI-MR had median lesion size of 78.0 mm. Areas of higher suspicion (HSA) had a median ADC of 1.1 × 10-3 mm2/s, while areas of lower suspicion (LSA) had median ADC of 1.8 × 10-3 mm2/s (p = 0.0001). All HSA samples and 71.43% of LSA samples were positive for cancer (p = 0.0184). Patients who performed PET-CT had median lesion size of 61.0 mm. Median SUV was 7.1 for HSA and 3.9 for LSA (p = 0.0002). Positivity for cancer was observed in 76.9% of samples for both HSA and LSA (p = 0.0522). CONCLUSION: Use of DWI-MR and PET-CT showed that tumors are functional and metabolically heterogeneous and that this heterogeneity has implications for histopathological diagnosis. KEY POINTS: • Lung cancer is heterogeneous regarding functional and metabolic imaging. • Tumor heterogeneity may have implications in histopathological diagnosis. • Intralesional lower levels of ADC target highly suspected areas with a significant improvement in lung cancer diagnosis.

Can positron emission mammography help to identify clinically significant breast cancer in women with suspicious calcifications on mammography?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission mammography (PEM) for identifying malignant lesions in patients with suspicious microcalcifications detected on mammography. METHODS: A prospective, single-centre study that evaluated 40 patients with suspicious calcifications at mammography and indication for percutaneous or surgical biopsy, with mean age of 56.4 years (range: 28-81 years). Patients who agreed to participate in the study underwent PEM with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose before the final histological evaluation. PEM findings were compared with mammography and histological findings. RESULTS: Most calcifications (n = 34; 85.0 %) were classified as BIRADS 4. On histology, there were 25 (62.5 %) benign and 15 (37.5 %) malignant lesions, including 11 (27.5 %) ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 4 (10 %) invasive carcinomas. On subjective analysis, PEM was positive in 15 cases (37.5 %) and most of these cases (n = 14; 93.3 %) were confirmed as malignant on histology. There was one false-positive result, which corresponded to a fibroadenoma, and one false negative, which corresponded to an intermediate-grade DCIS. PEM had a sensitivity of 93.3 %, specificity of 96.0 % and accuracy of 95 %. CONCLUSION: PEM was able to identify all invasive carcinomas and high-grade DCIS (nuclear grade 3) in the presented sample, suggesting that this method may be useful for further evaluation of patients with suspected microcalcifications. KEY POINTS: • Many patients with suspicious microcalcifications at mammography have benign results at biopsy. • PEM may help to identify invasive carcinomas and high-grade DCIS. • Management of patients with suspicious calcifications can be improved.

(18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and serum levels of different cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and associations with disease activity. METHODS: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were measured in 36 TA patients and 36 controls. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of (18)F-FDG in arterial walls was determined by PET-CT scans. TA patients were classified as active disease, inactive disease and possible active disease. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 and MMP-3 levels were higher in TA patients than in controls (p<0.001). Serum IL-6 was higher in patients with active disease and in patients with possible active disease than in inactive disease (p<0.0001). Patients with active disease had higher serum TNFα levels than patients with inactive disease (p=0.049) while patients with possible active disease presented higher IL-18 levels than patients with inactive disease (p=0.046). Patients with active disease had higher SUVmax values than those with inactive disease (p=0.042). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve SUVmax was predictive of active disease in TA and values ≥1.3 were associated with disease activity (p=0.039). Serum TNF-α levels were higher in patients with SUVmax≥1.3 than <1.3 (p=0.045) and controls (p=0.012). Serum IL-6 levels were higher in patients with SUVmax≥1.3 than in controls (p<0.001). No differences regarding other biomarkers were found between TA patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum IL-6 and TNFα levels as well as higher (18)F-FDG uptake in arterial wall are associated with active TA.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis / Tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com 18F-fluordesoxiglicose e citocinas séricas e metaloproteinases da matriz na avaliação da atividade da doença na arterite de Takayasu

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) and serum levels of different cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and associations with disease activity. Methods: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were measured in 36 TA patients and 36 controls. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-FDG in arterial walls was determined by PET–CT scans. TA patients were classified as active disease, inactive disease and possible active disease. Results: Serum IL-6 and MMP-3 levels were higher in TA patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 was higher in patients with active disease and in patients with possible active disease than in inactive disease (p < 0.0001). Patients with active disease had higher serum TNFα levels than patients with inactive disease (p = 0.049) while patients with possible active disease presented higher IL-18 levels than patients with inactive disease (p = 0.046). Patients with active disease had higher SUVmax values than those with inactive disease (p = 0.042). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve SUVmax was predictive of active disease in TA and values ≥1.3 were associated with disease activity (p = 0.039). Serum TNF-α levels were higher in patients with SUVmax ≥ 1.3 than <1.3 (p = 0.045) and controls (p = 0.012). Serum IL-6 levels were higher in patients with SUVmax ≥ 1.3 than in controls (p < 0.001). No differences regarding other biomarkers were found between TA patients and controls. Conclusions: Higher serum IL-6 and TNFα levels as well as higher 18F-FDG uptake in arterial wall are associated with active TA.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a captação de 18F-fluordesoxiglicose (FDG) na tomografia por emissão de pósitrons – tomografia computadorizada (PET-CT) – e os níveis séricos de diferentes citocinas e da metaloproteinases da matriz (MMP) em pacientes com arterite de Takayasu (AT) e associações com a atividade da doença. Métodos: Foram mensurados os níveis séricos do fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α), interleucina (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 e MMP-9 em 36 pacientes com AT e 36 controles. O valor padronizado de captação máximo (SUVmax) de 18F-FDG nas paredes arteriais foi determinado por exames de PET-CT. Os pacientes com AT foram classificados como doença ativa, doença inativa e possível doença ativa. Resultados: Os níveis séricos de IL-6 e MMP-3 foram mais altos em pacientes com AT do que nos controles (p < 0,001). Os níveis séricos de IL-6 foram mais elevados em pacientes com doença ativa e em pacientes com possível doença ativa do que naqueles com doença inativa (p < 0,0001). Os pacientes com doença ativa apresentaram níveis séricos mais elevados de TNF-α do que os pacientes com doença inativa (p = 0,049), enquanto os indivíduos com possível doença ativa apresentaram maiores níveis séricos de IL-18 do que os pacientes com doença inativa (p = 0,046). Aqueles com doença ativa apresentaram maiores valores de SUVmax do que aqueles com doença inativa (p = 0,042). De acordo com a curva ROC, o SUVmax foi capaz de predizer a doença ativa na AT e valores ≥ 1,3 estavam associados à atividade da doença (p = 0,039). Os níveis séricos de TNF-α foram maiores em pacientes com SUVmax ≥ 1,3 do que naqueles com valor < 1,3 (p = 0,045) e controles (p = 0,012). Os níveis séricos de IL-6 foram mais elevados em pacientes com SUVmax ≥ 1,3 do que nos controles (p < 0,001). Não foram encontradas diferenças em relação a outros biomarcadores entre pacientes com AT e controles. Conclusões: Níveis séricos elevados de IL-6 e TNF-α, bem como uma maior captação arterial de 18F-FDG, estão associados à AT ativa.

[18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis]. / Tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com 18F-fluordesoxiglicose e citocinas séricas e metaloproteinases da matriz na avaliação da atividade da doença na arterite de Takayasu.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)-and serum levels of different cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA) and associations with disease activity. METHODS: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were measured in 36 TA patients and 36 controls. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-FDG in arterial walls was determined by PET-CT scans. TA patients were classified as active disease, inactive disease and possible active disease. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 and MMP-3 levels were higher in TA patients than in controls (p<0.001). Serum IL-6 was higher in patients with active disease and in patients with possible active disease than in inactive disease (p<0.0001). Patients with active disease had higher serum TNFα levels than patients with inactive disease (p=0.049) while patients with possible active disease presented higher IL-18 levels than patients with inactive disease (p=0.046). Patients with active disease had higher SUVmax values than those with inactive disease (p=0.042). By ROC curve SUVmax was predictive of active disease in TA and values ≥1.3 were associated with disease activity (p=0.039). Serum TNF-α levels were higher in patients with SUVmax ≥1.3 than<1.3 (p=0.045) and controls (p=0.012). Serum IL-6 levels were higher in patients with SUVmax ≥1.3 than in controls (p<0.001). No differences regarding other biomarkers were found between TA patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum IL-6 and TNFα levels as well as higher arterial 18F-FDG uptake are associated with active TA.

Computed tomographically guided injection of cyanoacrylate in association with preoperative radioguided occult lesion localization of ground-glass opacities.

Intraoperative localization of a ground-glass opacity (GGO) is difficult because it is not easy to palpate and may be invisible at radioscopy. Therefore various techniques have been developed to improve intraoperative localization of these lesions, allowing adequate surgical resection. We report 2 cases of preoperative localization of GGOs through computed tomographically guided injection of cyanoacrylate in association with radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL).

Multiparametric evaluation of breast lesions using PET-MRI: initial results and future perspectives.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric evaluation of breast lesions combining information of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and F-fluoro-deoxi-glucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT). After approval of the institutional research ethics committee, 31 patients with suspicious breast lesions on MRI performed F-FDG PET-CT with a specific protocol for breast evaluation. Patients' mean age was 47.8 years (range, 29-77 years). Positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) images were fused. A lesion was considered positive on multiparametric evaluation if at least 1 of the following was present: washout/type 3 kinetic curve on DCE-MRI, restricted diffusion on DWI with minimum apparent diffusion coefficient value <1.00 × 10 mm/s, and abnormal metabolism on F-FDG PET-CT (higher than the physiologic uptake of the normal breast parenchyma). Thirty-eight lesions with histologic correlation were evaluated on the 31 included patients, being 32 mass lesions (84.2%), and 6 nonmass lesions (15.8%). Lesions' mean diameter was 31.1 mm (range, 8-94 mm). Multiparametric evaluation provided 100% sensitivity, 55.5% specificity, 87.9% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 89.5% accuracy, with 29 true-positives results, 5 true-negatives, 4 false-positives, and no false-negative results. Multiparametric evaluation with PET-MRI functional data showed good diagnostic accuracy to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions, reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies, without missing any diagnosis of cancer in our case series.

Can 18F-FDG PET improve the evaluation of suspicious breast lesions on MRI?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of adding 18F-fluorine-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the evaluation of suspicious breast lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Sixty patients with suspicious breast lesions on MRI were selected to perform a PET-CT in prone position, dedicated to the evaluation of the breasts. The areas with increased 18F-FDG concentration relative to normal parenchyma were considered positive on PET-CT. Fusion of PET and MRI images (PET-MRI) was performed on a dedicated workstation to better locate corresponding lesions, and its findings were compared with histological results. RESULTS: 76 lesions were evaluated, including 64 mass lesions (84.2%) and 12 non-mass lesions (15.8%). Lesions' mean diameter on MRI was 29.6 ± 19.2 mm (range 6-94 mm). PET-CT showed increased metabolically activity on 57 lesions (75.0%), with mean maximum SUV of 5.7 ± 5.0 (range 0.8-23.1). On histopathology, there were 17 (22.4%) benign and 59 (79.7%) malignant lesions. Considering all lesions, PET-MRI fusion provided 89.8% sensitivity, 76.5% specificity and 86.8% accuracy. Considering only mass lesions higher than 10mm, PET-MRI fusion provided 95.8% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity and 93.3% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of 18F-FDG PET on the evaluation of suspicious breast lesions on MRI helped to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions, especially for mass lesions with a diameter higher than 10 mm.

Percutaneous biopsy based on PET/CT findings in cancer patients: technique, indications, and results.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for CT-guided biopsy based on PET/CT findings and to evaluate the indications and results of the technique in cancer patients. METHODS: We evaluated all patients receiving CT-guided percutaneous biopsies whose indication was based on PET/CT findings at an oncology reference center from October 2009 to December 2010. The PET/CT images were evaluated side by side with noncontrast CT images to identify the lesion or area of interest to be biopsied. Biopsies were guided by CT with the needle directed at the area of metabolic activity identified in the PET/CT examination performed before the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 64 cases were included in this study. The most common lesion location was pulmonary (n = 28; 43.8%). The median of the lesions' greatest diameter and maximum SUV were 44.1 ± 31.6 mm (10-186 mm) and 8.4 ± 5.9 (2.1-34.0), respectively. The histologic results of the biopsies were negative for malignancy in 15 cases (23.4%), positive in 46 cases (71.9%), and inconclusive in 3 cases (4.7%). Lesions with an SUV ≥ 4.0 were more likely to be malignant (85.4% vs. 46.2%; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided biopsies should be used routinely for lesions identified or better characterized by PET/CT. The results of this study demonstrate that this method is reliable, secure, and very accurate diagnostically, revealing a high percentage of malignant lesions.

Ileal loop interposition: an alternative biliary bypass technique.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice is a common condition in advanced digestive cancer. Palliative procedures can improve quality of life and allow patients to attempt a systemic treatment. Bilioenteric anastomosis is still the procedure of choice for patients in many centers. When a surgical bypass is not possible, biliary drainage can be done by placing endoscopic or transparietal stents, which are less durable methods even when an expandable stent is employed. METHODS: A 47-year-old male with an excellent clinical status and a previous cholecystectomy and an exploratory laparotomy for advanced gastric cancer was referred with obstructive jaundice. A preoperative CT scan showed a dilated bile duct and a small mass at the distal hepatic hilum. No other signs of metastasis were found. A surgical bilioenteric anastomosis was indicated. At surgery, a distal choledochal obstruction and a mesenteric retraction by a lymph node mass prevented the jejunum to ascend for a bilioenteric anastomosis. Surgically, an alternative bilioenteric bypass was performed by means of an ileal loop interposition between the bile duct and the jejunum. RESULT: The recovery of the patient was uneventful and his bilirubin levels normalized after one week. The patient was then referred for systemic chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This alternative biliary bypass can be safely and easily performed, and may be a good alternative for patients already referred for surgery because of a better life expectancy and when the jejunum is not an alternative.

Evaluation of therapeutic response with 18-FDG PET-CT for non-small cell lung cancer case report and literature review

Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography (PET-CT) is increasingly being used as to complement conventional imaging methods and improve the management of patients with non-small cells lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this work is to report on a case in which PET-CT was used as a complementary method to evaluate the therapeutic response in a patient with NSCLC, and to carry out a literature review of the theme. Female patient, 65 years-old, with NSCLC, stage IIIA (T2N2M0), was submitted to exclusive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and presented good response to the treatment, classified by the morphological criteria of the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) as a partial response (reduction equal to or greater than 30 percent in the sum of the widest diameter of all the target lesions in the computed tomography). The metabolic evaluation by PET-CT showed a complete response (reduction equal to or higher than 80 percent at maximum SUV of the lesions), which was confirmed in the histopathological analysis of the surgical samples. In the case presented, and through the literature review, we show that the evaluation of response with metabolic criteria, associated with morphological criteria, may be more accurate than the use of morphological criteria alone.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma: analysis of 240 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate practical rules for sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma and discuss the indications and outcomes of 240 patients. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized analysis was performed on 240 patients in a referral cancer center. The median patient age was 51 years, and the median Breslow thickness was 1.60 mm. Ulceration was found in 30.4 percent of the cases. The median follow-up was 27.81 months. The sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 240 patients with cutaneous melanoma thicker or equal to 1 mm. The operation was performed with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and postoperative immunohistochemistry. A statistical analysis was performed comparing the need for a gamma probe in each location, the value of the experience, the need for immunohistochemistry, positivity compared with Breslow thickness, reasons for the success of the lymph node localization, and evolution. RESULTS: A total of 263 lymph node basins were identified (160 in the axilla, 86 in the inguinal region, and 17 in less common locations, including the popliteal, epitrochlear, and cervical regions). In every lymph node basin, the success of localization was directly related to use of the probe. The success rate for finding the sentinel lymph node increased year by year. Lymph node analysis disclosed positivity of 12.5 percent with hematoxylin and eosin staining and 17.5 percent with immunohistochemistry (excluding the sentinel lymph node not found disclosed 13.2 percent with hematoxylin and eosin and 18.5 percent with HMB45). Immunohistochemistry increased positivity by 40 percent. Positivity was directly related to Breslow thickness (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the importance of the gamma probe in all lymph node basins but mainly in the axilla and unusual basins, as well as the importance of experience and immunohistochemistry. As a new procedure, it was possible to recognize the pattern of recurrence in the follow-up.

Computed tomography and lymphoscintigraphy to identify lymph node metastases and lymphatic drainage pathways in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Clinical examination alone is not enough to establish the true extent of local involvement and regional metastases. It has been suggested that computed tomography (CT) may provide valuable information for pretreatment staging. The role of lymphoscintigraphic analysis has not been investigated extensively in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma. Information about the age, gender, site, size of the tumor, lymph node status and the tomographic and lymphoscintigraphic data were analyzed in 48 patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The sensitivity of the homolateral clinical examination and CT were 77% and 55%, respectively, and the contralateral results were 66% and 16%, respectively. The specificity of the homolateral exams was 71% and 76% for the clinical examination and CT, respectively, whereas that of the contralateral exams was 100% and 90%, respectively. Lymphoscintigraphy showed the drainage pathway of the (99m )Tc-Dextran 500 in 64.6% of the cases. Homolateral drainage was favored by the tumors staged T1 and T2 that were clinically negative for nodal metastases. Bilateral drainage was associated with tumors close to or involving the midline. Non-drainage was related to tumors larger than 3.5 cm, stages T3 and T4, and the clinical presence of cervical metastases. Clinical examination was more efficient than CT to identify lymph node metastases. Lymphatic drainage of the head and neck regions is complex, and lymphoscintigraphy can be useful in oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas in clinical stages I and II, but further studies are necessary to standardize the methodology.

Melanoma intra-ocular metastático: comprometimento incomum mamário: relato de um caso / Metastatic ocular melanoma to the breast: a rare presentation of tumor dissemination

Os autores relatam um caso de melanoma intra-ocular metastático para múltiplos para múltiplos órgäos, com comprometimento incomum em paciente do sexo feminino. É feita breve revisäo da literatura, discutida a patologia e relacionado o papel dos vários métodos de diagnóstico por imagem

Papel da tomografia computadorizada de tórax e de abdome superior no estadiamento de pacientes com câncer de pulmäo: avaliaçäo prospectiva / The role of CT and of thorax and upper abdomen on the staging evaluation of patients with lung cancer: a prospective evaluation

A extensäo da avaliaçäo pré-operatória de câncer de pulmäo mäo-pequenas células (CPNPC), em pacientes assintomáticos com doenças ressecável, é ainda controversa. O presente estudo avalia o papel da tomografia computadorizada (CT) de tórax e de abdome superior, na detecçäo de doença tumoral incurável por cirurgia. Métodos: 278 pacientes foram incluídos em estudo prospectivo, e submetidos rotineiramente a CT de tórax e abdome superior. Resultados: CT de tórax e abdome superior identificou 87 pacientes (31,3 por cento) com extensäo tumoral que contra-indica a cirurgia. Incluindo esta modalidade radiológica em todos os pacientes, ofereceu uma economia projetada de 857.900,00 dólares. Concluímos que a inclusäo de CT de tórax e de abdome superior deva ser rotineira em todos os pacientes com câncer de pulmäo candidatos a ressecçäo cirúrgica