Gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados y SPECT/TC en el diagnóstico de infección de prótesis vasculares / 99mTC-white blood cell scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection

OBJETIVO: La infección de las prótesis vasculares es una complicación temible por su alta morbimortalidad, en la que el diagnóstico precoz es imprescindible. Evaluamos la utilidad de la gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO y SPECT/TC (GLM-SPECT/TC) en el diagnóstico de esta patología. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Analizamos retrospectivamente 30 GLM-SPECT/TC realizadas en pacientes con sospecha de infección de prótesis vasculares. Se consideró como resultado positivo la captación del radiofármaco en el área protésica con una intensidad superior a la del hígado o la médula ósea de raquis y pelvis. RESULTADOS: El diagnóstico final de infección, basado en los criterios de Fitzgerald, se estableció en 10pacientes, siendo la gammagrafía positiva en 11. No se obtuvieron falsos negativos. Los valores de sensibilidad y especificidad fueron 100% y 95%, respectivamente, con un VPP del 91% y un VPN del 100%. Veinticinco pacientes contaban también con un TC previo a la gammagrafía, que en 9 de los casos fue positivo (4FP). Los resultados de sensibilidad y especificidad del TC fueron del 62,5% y del 76%, con un VPP del 55,6% y un VPN del 81,3%. El diagnóstico de infección conllevó la exéresis del material protésico en 8 casos (todos ellos con confirmación microbiológica), mientras que los 2 restantes fueron tratados únicamente con antibioterapia debido a un alto riesgo quirúrgico. CONCLUSIONES: La GLM-SPECT/TC es una prueba de gran utilidad que presenta una alta precisión diagnóstica en la sospecha de infección de prótesis vasculares

AIM: Vascular graft infection is a rare complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to establish an adequate treatment. We assess the accuracy of 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed thirty 99mTc-WBC scintigraphies with SPECT/CT performed in thirty patients with suspicion of vascular prosthesis infection. Studies were considered positive for graft infection if the intensity of activity involving the graft was greater than the liver or bone marrow activity (spine and pelvis). RESULTS: Final diagnosis of infection was established in 10 patients, based on Fitzgerald criteria. Scintigraphy was positive in 11 patients. No false negatives were obtained. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 95%, respectively, with a PPV of 91% and a NPV of 100%. Twenty five patients had a CT performed prior to scintigraphy, in 9 cases the result was positive and in the remaining 16 was negative. CT sensitivity and specificity obtained in our study were 62.5% and 76% respectively, with a PPV of 55.6% and a NPV of 81.3%. Diagnosis of infection led to prosthesis exeresis in 8 cases (all of them had a positive microbiological study of the extracted material), while the remaining 2 patients were treated with antibiotic therapy alone due to high surgical risk. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a high accuracy for 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the assessment of clinically suspected arterial graft infection

99mTC-white blood cell scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection. / Gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados y SPECT/TC en el diagnóstico de infección de prótesis vasculares.

AIM: Vascular graft infection is a rare complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is essential to establish an adequate treatment. We assess the accuracy of 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed thirty 99mTc-WBC scintigraphies with SPECT/CT performed in thirty patients with suspicion of vascular prosthesis infection. Studies were considered positive for graft infection if the intensity of activity involving the graft was greater than the liver or bone marrow activity (spine and pelvis). RESULTS: Final diagnosis of infection was established in 10 patients, based on Fitzgerald criteria. Scintigraphy was positive in 11 patients. No false negatives were obtained. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 95%, respectively, with a PPV of 91% and a NPV of 100%. Twenty five patients had a CT performed prior to scintigraphy, in 9 cases the result was positive and in the remaining 16 was negative. CT sensitivity and specificity obtained in our study were 62.5% and 76% respectively, with a PPV of 55.6% and a NPV of 81.3%. Diagnosis of infection led to prosthesis exeresis in 8 cases (all of them had a positive microbiological study of the extracted material), while the remaining 2 patients were treated with antibiotic therapy alone due to high surgical risk. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a high accuracy for 99mTc-WBC scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the assessment of clinically suspected arterial graft infection.

Aplasia del arco lateral del atlas como hallazgo incidental en un estudio 18F-FDG PET/TC / Incidental diagnosis of atlas aplasia in an 18F-FDG PET/CT study

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Respuesta hormonal y metabólica completa tras el tratamiento con yodo-131 metayodobencilguanidina en un caso de feocromocitoma maligno / Complete hormonal and metabolic response after iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine treatment in a patient diagnosed of malignant pheochromocytoma

La metayodobencilguanidina radiomarcada es un análogo de la norepinefrina que se utiliza en la localización de tumores que expresan transportadores de dicha neurohormona, especialmente los derivados de la cresta neural y de origen neuroendocrino, y en el tratamiento de sus metástasis cuando estas no son quirúrgicas. En la literatura revisada se encuentran mejorías sintomáticas, asociadas a un descenso de los niveles hormonales, en un porcentaje no despreciable de casos tras el tratamiento con 131I-MIBG. Sin embargo, la remisión tumoral completa se ha descrito en muy pocas ocasiones y casi nunca en presencia de metástasis óseas. Presentamos un caso de feocromocitoma maligno que tras el tratamiento con 131I-MIBG (600 mCi) alcanzó una respuesta hormonal y metabólica completa a pesar de la existencia de metástasis óseas (AU)

Radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine is an analogue of norepinephrine used to localize tumors that express the neurohormone transporters, specifically those derived from the neural crest having a neuroendocrine origin. It is also used to treat non-surgical metastases derived from them. A review of the literature revealed symptomatic improvements associated to a decrease in hormone levels in a significant percentage of patients after 131I-MIBG treatment. However, complete tumor remission has been described only in very few cases and hardly ever when bone metastases exist. We present a case of a patient diagnosed of malignant pheochromocytoma who achieved complete hormonal and metabolic response after 131I-MIBG treatment (600 mCi) in spite of the presence of bone metastases (AU)

[Complete hormonal and metabolic response after iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine treatment in a patient diagnosed of malignant pheochromocytoma]. / Respuesta hormonal y metabólica completa tras el tratamiento con yodo-131 metayodobencilguanidina en un caso de feocromocitoma maligno.

Radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine is an analogue of norepinephrine used to localize tumors that express the neurohormone transporters, specifically those derived from the neural crest having a neuroendocrine origin. It is also used to treat non-surgical metastases derived from them. A review of the literature revealed symptomatic improvements associated to a decrease in hormone levels in a significant percentage of patients after (131)I-MIBG treatment. However, complete tumor remission has been described only in very few cases and hardly ever when bone metastases exist. We present a case of a patient diagnosed of malignant pheochromocytoma who achieved complete hormonal and metabolic response after (131)I-MIBG treatment (600 mCi) in spite of the presence of bone metastases.

Papel de las técnicas de imagen en la nueva clasificación TNM del carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico / Role of imaging techniques in the TNM classification of non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma

La séptima edición de la clasificación TNM para los carcinomas broncogénicos no microcíticos incluye una serie de cambios en los descriptores T y M, particularmente una reclasificación de los derrames malignos pleurales y pericárdicos y de los nódulos tumorales separados, nuevos valores de corte de tamaño tumoral y subdivisiones de las categorías T1-T2 y M1. Revisamos estas correcciones, que generan cambios en el sistema de estadificación que afectan a los estadios II-III. Además, describimos e ilustramos el papel de las diferentes técnicas de imagen en la estadificación tumoral (TC, PET, PET-TC y RM), resaltando sus respectivas indicaciones, ventajas y desventajas, así como su función complementaria (AU)

The Seventh Edition of the TNM Classification for non-small cell bronchogenic carcinomas include a series of changes in the T and M descriptor, in particular a re-classification of malignant pleural and pericardial effusions and of separated tumour nodes, new tumour size cut-off values and sub-divisions of the T1-T2 and M1 categories. We review these corrections that led to the changes in the staging system that affects stages II-III. Furthermore, we describe and illustrate the role of the different imaging techniques in tumour staging (CT, PET, PET-CT and MRI), highlighting their respective indications, advantages and disadvantages, as well their complementary function (AU)

[Role of imaging techniques in the TNM classification of non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma]. / Papel de las técnicas de imagen en la nueva clasificación TNM del carcinoma broncogénico no microcítico.

The Seventh Edition of the TNM Classification for non-small cell bronchogenic carcinomas include a series of changes in the T and M descriptor, in particular a re-classification of malignant pleural and pericardial effusions and of separated tumour nodes, new tumour size cut-off values and sub-divisions of the T1-T2 and M1 categories. We review these corrections that led to the changes in the staging system that affects stages II-III. Furthermore, we describe and illustrate the role of the different imaging techniques in tumour staging (CT, PET, PET-CT and MRI), highlighting their respective indications, advantages and disadvantages, as well their complementary function.

Diagnóstico no invasivo de la esplenosis torácica postraumática / Non-invasive diagnosis of posttraumatic thoracic splenosis

La esplenosis intratorácica es una entidad generalmente asintomática que se diagnostica de forma incidental tras la realización de una radiografía, TAC o RM por otro motivo. La realización de una gammagrafía con hematíes desnaturalizados marcados con 99mTc permite el diagnóstico no invasivo de esta entidad y evita técnicas de diagnóstico más agresivas. Dado que este tejido esplénico puede ser parcial o totalmente funcionante, y por tanto tener cierta función inmunológica beneficiosa para el paciente (suficiente para brindar protección frente a la sepsis postesplenectomía), el manejo de esta entidad debe ser conservador. La técnica radioisotópica de gammagrafía con hematíes desnaturalizados marcados con 99mTc es la que presenta mayor especificidad para la demostración de tejido esplénico. La presencia de nódulos pulmonares subpleurales, asociados o no a nódulos intraabdominales, junto con la existencia de antecedentes de esplenectomía parcial o total, traumática o no, deben hacer sospechar la presencia de una esplenosis intratorácica(AU)

Intrathoracic splenosis is a generally asymptomatic entity incidentally diagnosed after the completion of an Rx, CT scan or MRI for another reason. The performance of scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocytes allows the noninvasive diagnosis of this entity and avoids more aggressive diagnostic techniques such as FNAP or thoracotomy. Because this splenic tissue may be partially or fully functioning and therefore may have some beneficial immune function for the patient, the management of this entity should be conservative. Radioisotopic scintigraphy with 99mTc labelled heat-denatured erythrocytes is the technique with the greatest specificity in the demonstration of splenic tissue. The presence of subpleural pulmonary nodules, associated or not with intra-abdominal nodules, together with the existence of previous partial or total splenectomy, traumatic or not, with or without associated rupture of the diaphragm, should raise suspicion of the presence of intrathoracic splenosis(AU)

[Non-invasive diagnosis of posttraumatic thoracic splenosis]. / Diagnóstico no invasivo de la esplenosis torácica postraumática.

Intrathoracic splenosis is a generally asymptomatic entity incidentally diagnosed after the completion of an Rx, CT scan or MRI for another reason. The performance of scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocytes allows the noninvasive diagnosis of this entity and avoids more aggressive diagnostic techniques such as FNAP or thoracotomy. Because this splenic tissue may be partially or fully functioning and therefore may have some beneficial immune function for the patient, the management of this entity should be conservative. Radioisotopic scintigraphy with (99m)Tc labelled heat-denatured erythrocytes is the technique with the greatest specificity in the demonstration of splenic tissue. The presence of subpleural pulmonary nodules, associated or not with intra-abdominal nodules, together with the existence of previous partial or total splenectomy, traumatic or not, with or without associated rupture of the diaphragm, should raise suspicion of the presence of intrathoracic splenosis.

Captación torácica de 131I en el seguimiento del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides / Iodine uptake in the chest in the follow-up of well-differentiated thyroid cancer

El cáncer diferenciado de tiroides es una enfermedad con muy buen pronóstico si se trata adecuadamente. El tratamiento ablativo con 131I frecuentemente se asocia al tratamiento quirúrgico en estos pacientes ya que mejora la supervivencia, y el rastreo corporal total con 131I es una de las modalidades de diagnóstico de elección en el seguimiento de esta enfermedad. Tras tratamiento ablativo del tejido tiroideo, cualquier depósito del radiotrazador en una localización no fisiológica representa habitualmente la presencia de metástasis. Así pues, será fundamental el reconocimiento de cualquier posible falso positivo con el fin de evitar la radiación innecesaria debida a tratamientos inadecuados. Presentamos un caso clínico de captación torácica por bronquiectasias que puede malinterpretarse como metástasis pulmonar(AU)

Differentiated thyroid cancer is a disease having a very good prognosis when treated adequately. Ablation treatment with 131I is frequently adjunct to surgery in these patients since it improves survival. Radioiodine whole-body scan is one of the imaging modality of choice in the follow-up of patients with this kind of pathology. After ablation treatment of the thyroid gland, any radioiodine accumulation in a non-physiological location usually means the presence of functioning metastasis. Recognition of potential false-positives is essential to avoid unnecessary exposure to further radiation from repeated therapeutic doses of radioactive iodine. We report a case of uptake in the chest due to bronchiectasis, potentially masquerading as pulmonary metastasis(AU)

[Iodine uptake in the chest in the follow-up of well-differentiated thyroid cancer]. / Captación torácica de (131)I en el seguimiento del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides.

Differentiated thyroid cancer is a disease having a very good prognosis when treated adequately. Ablation treatment with (131)I is frequently adjunct to surgery in these patients since it improves survival. Radioiodine whole-body scan is one of the imaging modality of choice in the follow-up of patients with this kind of pathology. After ablation treatment of the thyroid gland, any radioiodine accumulation in a non-physiological location usually means the presence of functioning metastasis. Recognition of potential false-positives is essential to avoid unnecessary exposure to further radiation from repeated therapeutic doses of radioactive iodine. We report a case of uptake in the chest due to bronchiectasis, potentially masquerading as pulmonary metastasis.

Experiencia con 123I-Iodobenzamida en el diagnóstico diferencial de enfermedad de Parkinson frente a Parkinson plus / Experience with 123I-Iodobenzamide in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson-plus disease

ObjetivoRealizar un análisis descriptivo de la implicación clínico-diagnóstica de la exploración con 123I-Iodobenzamida (IBZM) en los pacientes estudiados en nuestro centro por trastornos del movimiento sugerentes de Parkinson plus (PP).Material y métodoSe realizó SPECT con 123I-IBZM a 46 pacientes, procedentes de la consulta de trastornos del movimiento, por sospecha de PP. Según la clínica se distribuyeron en 3 grupos: 35 pacientes presentaban clínica atípica (CA) para enfermedad de Parkinson, 2 mostraban falta de respuesta al tratamiento habitual (FR) y en 9 se presentaban ambos factores (CA y FR). El resultado del SPECT se valoró únicamente de forma cualitativa.ResultadosDe los 35 pacientes con CA el 123I-IBZM apoyó el diagnóstico de PP en 15(42,9%), de los 2 con FR el estudio fue patológico en 1 y, de los 9 que presentaban ambos factores (CA y FR), el 123I-IBZM fue patológico en 6 casos (66,7%).ResultadosEn el 95,7% de la muestra (44 pacientes) la CA, con o sin FR, era el principal factor de sospecha de PP, y sólo en el 47,7% (22 pacientes) el 123I-IBZM resultó alterado. De estos 22 casos, en 20 el diagnóstico definitivo fue de PP (elevado valor predictivo positivo).ConclusiónEl estudio con 123I-IBZM es de gran utilidad en la práctica clínica, al proporcionar una información diagnóstica objetiva con implicaciones en el tratamiento y pronóstico de los pacientes con sospecha de PP(AU)

ObjectiveTo perform a descriptive analysis of the clinical and diagnostic implications of 123I-IBZM SPECT in the patients studied in our center for movement disorders suggestive of Parkinson-Plus Disease (PP).Subjects and methods123I-IBZM SPECT was performed in 46 patients referred from the movement disorders consultation due to suspicion of PP. According to their symptoms, they were distributed into 3 groups: 35 patients had atypical symptoms (AS) for Parkinson's Disease, 2 showed no response to standard therapy (NR) and 9 presented both factors (AS, NR). The results of SPECT were only assessed qualitatively.ResultsThe 123I-IBZM supported the diagnosis of PP in 15(42.9%) out of the 35 patients with AS. The 123I-IBZM was pathological in one of the two NR patients. Regarding the third group of patients (AS+NR), the 123I-IBZM was pathological in 6 cases (66.7%).ResultsIn 95.7% of our sample (44 patients), AS with or without NR was the main factor leading to suspicion of PP and the 123I-IBZM was altered in only 47.7% (22 patients). Of these 22 cases, the final diagnosis was PP (with high positive predictive value) in 20(91%).ConclusionThe study with 123I-IBZM is useful in the clinical practice because it provides objective diagnostic information with implications for the treatment and prognosis of patients with suspicion of PP(AU)

[Experience with 123I-Iodobenzamide in the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson-plus disease]. / Experiencia con 123I-Iodobenzamida en el diagnóstico diferencial de enfermedad de Parkinson frente a Parkinson plus.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a descriptive analysis of the clinical and diagnostic implications of (123)I-IBZM SPECT in the patients studied in our center for movement disorders suggestive of Parkinson-Plus Disease (PP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: (123)I-IBZM SPECT was performed in 46 patients referred from the movement disorders consultation due to suspicion of PP. According to their symptoms, they were distributed into 3 groups: 35 patients had atypical symptoms (AS) for Parkinson's Disease, 2 showed no response to standard therapy (NR) and 9 presented both factors (AS, NR). The results of SPECT were only assessed qualitatively. RESULTS: The (123)I-IBZM supported the diagnosis of PP in 15(42.9%) out of the 35 patients with AS. The (123)I-IBZM was pathological in one of the two NR patients. Regarding the third group of patients (AS+NR), the (123)I-IBZM was pathological in 6 cases (66.7%). In 95.7% of our sample (44 patients), AS with or without NR was the main factor leading to suspicion of PP and the (123)I-IBZM was altered in only 47.7% (22 patients). Of these 22 cases, the final diagnosis was PP (with high positive predictive value) in 20(91%). CONCLUSION: The study with (123)I-IBZM is useful in the clinical practice because it provides objective diagnostic information with implications for the treatment and prognosis of patients with suspicion of PP.

[Brain perfusion study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neuropsychiatric symptoms]. / Estudio de perfusión cerebral en paciente con lupus eritematoso sistémico y clínica neuropsiquiátrica.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in 25% to 70% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), generally in young people. The variability in its clinical expression and lack of diagnostic methods have hindered the diagnosis of Central Nervous System Lupus. When the literature was reviewed on this subject, an important variability was found between the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) findings and the patient's clinical symptoms and disease course. The case we are presenting shows the usefulness of brain perfusion SPECT because it shows alterations in the central nervous system that are not detected with other imaging modalities.

Estudio de perfusión cerebral en paciente con lupus eritematoso sistémico y clínica neuropsiquiátrica / Brain perfusion study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neuropsychiatric symptoms

La clínica neuropsiquiátrica aparece entre un 25 y un 70% de los pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), fundamentalmente en jóvenes. La variedad en la expresión clínica y la falta de métodos diagnósticos ha dificultado el diagnóstico de la afectación neurológica del lupus. Revisada la literatura al respecto, se observa una importante variabilidad entre los hallazgos de la tomografía computarizada por emisión de fotón único (SPECT) con los síntomas clínicos de los pacientes y la evolución de la enfermedad. El caso que presentamos muestra la utilidad de la SPECT de perfusión cerebral, porque evidencia alteraciones en el sistema nervioso central que no se observan con otras técnicas de imagen(AU)

Neuropsychiatric manifestations in 25% to 70% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), generally in young people. The variability in its clinical expression and lack of diagnostic methods have hindered the diagnosis of Central Nervous System Lupus. When the literature was reviewed on this subject, an important variability was found between the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) findings and the patient's clinical symptoms and disease course. The case we are presenting shows the usefulness of brain perfusion SPECT because it shows alterations in the central nervous system that are not detected with other imaging modalities(AU)