Trabecular Bone Score Improves Fracture Risk Discrimination in Postmenopausal Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Glucocorticoids.

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) might not be a sensitive tool for predicting osteoporotic fracture risk among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially when receiving glucocorticoids. Trabecular bone score (TBS), which has emerged as a new assessment technique representing bone microarchitecture and strength, may be considered an alternative approach. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, postmenopausal RA patients receiving glucocorticoids were identified from the postmenopause BMD database. The database included clinical data of postmenopausal outpatients who had at least one BMD measurement between January 2014 and December 2017. TBS was calculated from lumbar spine BMD with the microarchitecture assessment software. The presence of osteoporotic fractures, either vertebral or non-vertebral, was identified at the time of BMD measurement. Results: A total of 64 postmenopausal RA patients receiving glucocorticoids were included. The TBS values were inversely associated with osteoporotic fractures, with a TBS cut-off of less than 1.24, showing the best accuracy with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 84% in discriminating fractures. This newly proposed TBS threshold combined with a BMD T-score of -2.5 or less demonstrated a greater area under receiver operating characteristic curve in identifying patients with osteoporotic fractures than the BMD threshold alone (p value = 0.003). Conclusion: The reduction in TBS was associated with an osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal RA patients receiving glucocorticoids. Combining TBS and BMD in these patients incrementally improves fracture risk discrimination and may serve as a supplementary tool in identifying patients at greatest risk of osteoporotic fracture.

Reference Value of Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry-Derived Lumbar Spine Trabecular Bone Score in the Thai Population.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the normative values of trabecular bone score (TBS) in Thailand. We aimed to provide reference values of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived lumbar spine TBS in Thai community-dwelling adults of varying ages. METHODOLOGY: Bone density studies of participants aged 20-90 years who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) testing at Srinagarind Hospital, Kohn Kaen, Thailand were reviewed. DXA studies were performed using a narrow fan-beam bone densitometer. Lumbar spine TBS for each of the L1-L4 vertebra was obtained using the iNsight software. Mean TBS (L1-L4 TBS) was calculated. This study was approved by the institutional research ethics committee (HE581241). RESULTS: A total of 1372 participants were included. The mean ± SD age was 57.25 ± 17.35 years and 799 (58.2%) were female. There were 476 (34.7%) and 243 (17.7%) participants with osteopenia (T-score -1.0 to -2.5) and osteoporosis (T-score ≤-2.5) of the lumbar spine. Age and sex stratified analysis of L1-L4 TBS revealed peak TBS among females aged 30-49 years (mean ± SD: 1.42 ± 0.08) and males aged 30-59 years (mean ± SD: 1.42 ± 0.09). The rate of L1-L4 TBS reduction from ages 30 to 90 year is 13.4% (0.27%/year) for females and 5.6% (0.11%/year) for males. CONCLUSION: This is the first study reporting a normative database for DXA derived TBS in Thai community-dwelling population. We found that TBS decreased with age at the rate of approximately 0.27%/year for females and 0.11%/year for males.

Prevalence and clinical association of sarcopenia among Thai patients with systemic sclerosis.

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have some potential factors associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. There has been currently no study to examine such associations in SSc patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among SSc patients and examine its association with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 180 adult SSc patients at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, between July 2019 and April 2020. Clinical data, laboratory tests for inflammatory markers, serology, hormone, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength, functional lower extremity strength, and usual gait speed were collected and measured. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. One hundred and eighty patients were recruited. Ninety-four cases (52.2%) were the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. The respective mean age and duration of disease was 58.8 ± 9.4 and 6.2 ± 5.3 years. Sarcopenia was revealed in 41 SSc patients for a prevalence of 22.8% (95% CI 12.1-34.8), while the prevalence was higher in patients with the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) compared to the limited cutaneous SSc. BMI at the onset of SSc and C-reactive protein > 5 mg/dL were significantly associated with sarcopenia with a respective OR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.48-0.75) and 3.18 (1.06-9.54). Sarcopenia is common in patients with SSc, but the prevalence is more pronounced in the dcSSc. Inflammatory markers, particularly the CRP level, are strongly associated. BMI at the onset had a negative association with sarcopenia among SSc patients.

Brain laterality evaluated by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography in autism spectrum disorders.

Background and rationale: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that has no curative treatment. Little is known about the brain laterality in patients with ASD. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) is a neuroimaging technique that is suitable for ASD owing to its ability to detect whole brain functional abnormalities in a short time and is feasible in ASD patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain laterality using F-18 FDG PET/CT in patients with high-functioning ASD. Materials and methods: This case-control study recruited eight ASD patients who met the DSM-5 criteria, the recorded data of eight controls matched for age, sex, and handedness were also enrolled. The resting state of brain glucose metabolism in the regions of interest (ROIs) was analyzed using the Q.Brain software. Brain glucose metabolism and laterality index in each ROI of ASD patients were compared with those of the controls. The pattern of brain metabolism was analyzed using visual analysis and is reported in the data description. Results: The ASD group's overall brain glucose metabolism was lower than that of the control group in both the left and right hemispheres, with mean differences of 1.54 and 1.21, respectively. We found statistically lower mean glucose metabolism for ASD patients than controls in the left prefrontal lateral (Z = 1.96, p = 0.049). The left laterality index was found in nine ROIs for ASD and 11 ROIs for the control. The left laterality index in the ASD group was significantly lower than that in the control group in the prefrontal lateral (Z = 2.52, p = 0.012), precuneus (Z = 2.10, p = 0.036), and parietal inferior (Z = 1.96, p = 0.049) regions. Conclusion: Individuals with ASD have lower brain glucose metabolism than control. In addition, the number of ROIs for left laterality index in the ASD group was lower than control. Left laterality defects may be one of the causes of ASD. This knowledge can be useful in the treatment of ASD by increasing the left-brain metabolism. This trial was registered in the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20210705005).

Comparison between Tc-99 m DTPA and Tc-99 m MAG3 Renal Scintigraphy for Prediction of Early Adverse Outcome After Kidney Transplantation.

PURPOSE: Renal scintigraphy (RS) with either technetium-99 m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (Tc-99 m DTPA) or technetium-99 m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (Tc-99 m MAG3) has both been used to evaluate early allograft function after kidney transplantation (KT). This study was done to compare the predictive performance of RS using these two radiopharmaceuticals for prediction of outcomes during first 3 months of KT. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who received KT then underwent both Tc-99 m DTPA and Tc-99 m MAG3 RS, successively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictiveness of RS parameters on early clinical adverse outcomes of either (1) graft-related death, (2) need for graft resection, (3) delayed graft function requiring temporary dialysis, or (4) a serum creatinine level of ≥ 2.0 mg/dL at three months post-KT, as well as to predict biopsy-confirmed acute tubular necrosis and acute rejection. RESULTS: Of 187 patients included, 77 (41.2%) had at least one early adverse clinical outcome. Tc-99 m MAG3 RS was more predictive than Tc-99 m DTPA RS, in terms of AUCROC, in three parameters including time to peak (0.754 vs. 0.516, p-value 0.0001), 20-min to peak ratio (0.762 vs. 0.651, p-value 0.006), and 20-min to 3-min ratio (0.823 vs. 0.699, p-value 0.0005). Acute tubular necrosis was better predicted by Tc-99 m MAG3 RS while both were at best only modest in predicting acute rejection. CONCLUSION: Three parameters which, when obtained from Tc-99 m MAG3 RS, had superior predictiveness compared with Tc-99 m DTPA RS, including time to peak, 20-min to peak ratio, and 20-min to 3-min ratio.

FRAX score with and without bone mineral density: a comparison and factors affecting the discordance in osteoporosis treatment in Thais.

We investigate the rate of concordance between treatment recommendations of osteoporosis with 10-year probability of hip fracture calculated using FRAX scores with and without BMD. We found that predictions were concordant in 83.8% of patients. However, older age, lower BMD, and FRAX without BMD around the intervention threshold were associated with discordant results. In the discordant group, FRAX with BMD suggested treatment in more participants with lower age, higher BMI, and lower BMD when compared with FRAX without BMD. INTRODUCTION: The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is used to calculate the 10-year probability of fracture using important clinical factors, with bone mineral density (BMD) as an optional input variable. We aimed to determine the rate of concordance between treatment recommendations of osteoporosis with 10-year probability of hip fracture calculated using FRAX scores with and without BMD and to identify relevant clinical risk factors associated with discordance. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in patients between 40 and 90 years of age who were screened for osteoporosis by BMD measurement using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) from 2010 to 2018 at a university hospital in Thailand. A FRAX questionnaire was administered to determine demographic data and osteoporotic risk factors. FRAX scores with and without BMD were calculated for each participant using the Thai reference, and patients were categorized into either the treatment or non-treatment group based on a cut-off of 3% 10-year probability of hip fracture. When FRAX scores with and without BMD results were consistent, they were considered concordant. Otherwise, they were deemed discordant. Clinical risk factors were compared between the concordant and discordant groups. RESULTS: A total of 3545 participants were included in the study. The majority (83.8%) were in the concordant group. However, older age, lower BMD, and FRAX without BMD around the intervention threshold were significantly associated with discordant results. In the discordant group, FRAX with BMD suggested treatment in more participants with lower age, higher BMI, and lower BMD when compared with FRAX without BMD. CONCLUSION: FRAX scores with and without BMD yielded concordant predictions regarding the 10-year probability of hip fracture suggesting pharmacological treatment. However, this concordance declined in elderly and osteoporotic participants and in those with FRAX without BMD around intervention threshold. BMD data may be required in these populations in order to facilitate accurate risk assessment.

An impact of microscopic positive margin on incomplete response after I-131 treatment in differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To find an impact of microscopic positive margin on incomplete response after initial I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroidectomy and received the first dose of radioiodine during January 2014-February 2018. Patients with grossly incomplete tumor resection or distant metastasis at the time of radioiodine therapy were excluded. Thyroid specimens were re-evaluated by one pathologist who was blinded to clinical information to determine microscopic margin status. Treatment response was evaluated at 6-12 months after therapy and was categorized according to the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to find an association between microscopic positive margin and incomplete response. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients (78 females; mean age 50.3 years) were enrolled. Ninety-four patients (93.1%) had papillary thyroid carcinoma. Microscopic positive margin was found in 27 patients (26.7%). After the median follow-up time of 10.3 months, incomplete response was observed in 13 patients (48.5%) and 17 patients (23.0%) with positive and negative margins, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed a significant association between microscopic positive margin and incomplete response after adjusting for tumor size, ETE, and cervical lymph node metastasis with adjusted odds ratio of 3.04 (95% CI 1.05-8.75, p value = 0.04). Moreover, after adding pre-ablative Tg as a covariate in 69 patients with negative TgAb, positive margin had a trend toward being associated with incomplete response with adjusted odds ratio of 3.43 (95% CI 0.73-16.07, p value = 0.118). CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic positive margin was found to be significantly associated with incomplete response after I-131 therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after adjusting for tumor size, ETE, and cervical lymph node metastasis and also had a trend toward being associated with incomplete response after adjusting for pre-ablative Tg.

The impact of skeletal muscle mass on survival outcome in biliary tract cancer patients.

Low skeletal muscle mass is frequently observed in cancer patients and is known to be a poor prognostic factor for survival outcomes. The purposes of our study were to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its relation to mortality in biliary tract cancer. Body composition measurements (skeletal muscle index, total fat mass, bone mineral content) were evaluated by using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 75 biliary tract cancer patients before chemotherapy. Muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength and gait speed. Overall survival and its associated factors were determined. The mean appendicular muscle mass was 17.8±2.7 kg in men and 14.0±2.1 kg in women (p < 0.05). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 46 patients (61.3%) and higher proportion of men was classified as sarcopenia than women (69.0% vs 35.3%, p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis adjusted for chemotherapy regimen and age revealed that high appendicular muscle mass independently predicted better survival outcomes (HR 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.88; p = 0.023). Sarcopenia is common in biliary tract cancer patients and low appendicular muscle mass was associated with poor survival outcome.

Value of SPECT/CT in Diagnostic I-131 MIBG Scintigraphy in Patients with Neuroblastoma.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic I-131 MIBG scintigraphy is an important imaging modality for evaluation of patients with neuroblastoma (NB) especially in centers where I-123 MIBG is not available. Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) could potentially improve lesion detection over planar scintigraphy, but studies regarding its usefulness as an add-on to diagnostic I-131 MIBG scintigraphy are limited. This study aimed to determine the usefulness and factors related to usefulness of SPECT/CT in diagnostic I-131 MIBG scintigraphy in NB patients. METHODS: Usefulness of SPECT/CT for lesion detection, lesion localization, resolving suspicious findings, and clarifying the nature of lesions on anatomical imaging were retrospectively reviewed in 86 diagnostic planar I-131 MIBG scintigrams with add-on SPECT/CT. RESULTS: SPECT/CT detected additional lesions in 23.2%(20/86), helped localize lesions in 21.1%(8/38), resolved suspicious findings in 85.7%(6/7), determined functional status of lesions on anatomical imaging in 94.4%(17/18), and changed diagnosis from a negative to a positive study in 19.5%(8/41). Independent predictors of SPECT/CT being useful included presence of suspicious findings on planar imaging (OR 99.08; 95% C.I. 6.99-1404.41; p = 0.001), positive findings on planar imaging (OR 4.61; 95% C.I. 1.05, 20.28; p < 0.001), and presence of structural lesions on anatomical imaging (OR 32.54; 95% C.I. 5.37-196.96; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SPECT/CT is a useful add-on to diagnostic planar I-131 MIBG scintigraphy. Predictors of usefulness of SPECT/CT include suspicious or positive findings on planar scintigraphy and the presence of structural lesions on anatomical imaging.

Detection of Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis: Comparison between Radionuclide Venography and Venous Ultrasonography.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition that needs prompt diagnosis and treatment. The invasive gold standard contrast venography has largely been replaced by venous ultrasonography which is currently the imaging modality of choice for DVT diagnosis. Radionuclide venography (RNV) is an alternative test for DVT, but a few studies have directly compared RNV with venous ultrasonography. This study aims to determine the agreement between RNV and venous ultrasonography for diagnosis of DVT and to determine the predictive value of different RNV findings for the prediction of DVT as detected by venous ultrasonography. Imaging results from patients who underwent both RNV and venous ultrasonography for suspected DVT no more than 1 week apart were reviewed. Results from both modalities were compared to determine inter-modality agreement. A total of 121 venous segments from 102 lower limbs of 75 patients could be compared. The prevalence of DVT as detected by venous ultrasonography was 39%. RNV and venous ultrasonography had moderate agreement (73.6% agreement, κ =0.48, P < 0.0001). The absence of radiotracer activity from a deep venous segment had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% for DVT. Other findings such as isolated great saphenous vein activity had a lower PPV. The negative predictive value of RNV is 97.5% with only one patient out of forty with normal RNV found to have DVT by venous ultrasonography, which suggests that DVT can virtually be excluded in patients with normal RNV.

Multiple Regression Analysis of Predictors of Bone Scintigraphy Positivity in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers.

PURPOSE: The value of bone scintigraphy (BS) in patients with head and neck cancers (HNCs) has been questioned, with conflicting findings regarding positivity yield with some reports recommending BS be omitted from work-up of HNC patients since it rarely yields positive results. This study aims to determine the positivity yield of BS in HNCs and to determine predictors for BS positivity to help tailor appropriate BS utilization. METHODS: BS studies of HNC patients were reviewed, the positivity yield was determined. Clinical predictors for BS positivity including age, sex, site of cancer, staging, histological grading were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 259 BS studies included, 35 (13.5%), 194 (74.9%), and 30 (11.6%) were positive, negative, and equivocal for bone metastasis, respectively. After exclusion of equivocal cases, 229 were analyzed in the regression models. Independent predictors of BS positivity include site of tumor at the nasopharynx (OR 4.37, 95% C.I. 1.04-18.41, p = 0.044), age less than 45 years (OR 3.01, 95% C.I. 1.24-7.33, p = 0.015), and presence of distant metastasis to other organs (OR 3.84, 95% C.I. 1.19-12.43, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to several studies, bone metastasis as detected by BS was found in a relatively high proportion of patients with HNCs. Independent predictors of BS positivity include the age of less than 45 years, tumor site at the nasopharynx, and the presence of extraskeletal distant metastasis. BS could be useful in patients with these characteristics which enhance the pretest probability of bone metastasis.

Diagnostic accuracy of planar, SPECT, and SPECT/CT parathyroid scintigraphy protocols in patients with hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Several parathyroid scintigraphy protocols have been used for preoperative localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in patients with hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy of various parathyroid scintigraphy protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective diagnostic accuracy study with histopathology as the reference standard was done. Five imaging protocols were investigated including planar dual tracer Tc-99m pertechnetate/Tc-99m sestamibi (DT), planar dual phase Tc-99m sestamibi (DP), and combined dual tracer dual phase (DTDP) protocols, as well as add-on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). RESULTS: A total of 63 patients underwent parathyroid scintigraphy and subsequent parathyroid surgery with a total of 106 excised lesions with histopathological diagnosis. On a lesion-based analysis, sensitivity and specificity (with 95% confidence interval) of protocols were as follows. DT protocol: 69.4% (53.1-82.0%) and 80.0% (49.0-94.3%); DP protocol: 78.6% (52.4-92.4%) and 33.3% (9.7-70.0%); DTDP protocol: 64.7% (47.9-78.5%) and 50.0% (18.8-81.2%); SPECT: 92.3% (66.7-98.6%) and 75.0% (30.1-95.4%); SPECT/CT: 80.0% (49.0-94.3%) and 75.0% (30.1-95.4%). All protocols had perfect sensitivity for detection of parathyroid adenoma whereas SPECT was the most sensitive method for detection of hyperplastic parathyroid glands. CONCLUSION: Planar parathyroid scintigraphy using the DT protocol has a trend towards being more accurate than DP and DTDP protocols. Additional imaging with SPECT and SPECT/CT had a trend towards being more accurate than planar imaging.

Sarcopenia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A study of prevalence and associated factors in the Southeast Asian population.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been described as a systemic disease. Sarcopenia is one of the systemic effects that is related to several adverse outcomes. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and to determine the factors associated with sarcopenia in COPD patients in Southeast Asia. This was a cross-sectional study of COPD patients who attended a COPD clinic from May 2015 to December 2016. Baseline characteristics were collected and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure skeletal muscle mass. Handgrip strength was used to assess muscle strength, and as a measurement of physical performance, the 6-min walk distance was used. One hundred and twenty-one participants were recruited. Most of them were men (92.6%). Prevalence of sarcopenia was 24% (29 cases). Independent factors associated with sarcopenia were age ≥ 75 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 13.3, severity of COPD (AOR 19.2 and 13.4 for moderate and severe COPD), Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale (AOD 1.9), and obesity (AOR 0.04). Sarcopenia affects about one-quarter of COPD patients. Age, severity of COPD, MMRC scale, and BMI status were the factors associated with sarcopenia.

Frailty syndrome in ambulatory patients with COPD.

Frailty is a state of increased risk of unfavorable outcomes when exposed to stressors, and COPD is one of the several chronic illnesses associated with the condition. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the prevalence of COPD and its related factors in Southeast Asia. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of frailty in COPD patients and to identify the associated factors in these populations. A cross-sectional study of COPD patients who attended a COPD clinic was conducted from May 2015 to December 2016. Baseline characteristics were collected, and the diagnosis of frailty was based on the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze baseline data. Factors associated with frailty were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The results showed that the prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty were 6.6% (eight out of 121 cases) and 41.3% (50 out of 121 cases), respectively, among COPD patients. Fatigue was the most common component of the FRAIL scale that was found more frequently in frail patients than in non-frail patients (odds ratio [OR] 91.9). Factors associated with frailty according to multivariate analyses were comorbid cancer (adjusted OR [AOR] 45.8), at least two instances of nonelective admission over the past 12 months (AOR 112.5), high waist circumference (WC) (AOR 1.3), and presence of sarcopenia (AOR 29.5). In conclusion, frailty affected 6.6% of stable COPD patients. Cancer, two or more instances of nonelective hospitalization over the past 12 months, high WC, and presence of sarcopenia were associated with frailty. Early identification and intervention in high-risk patients is recommended to prevent or delay the adverse outcomes of frailty.

Correlation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Between Renal Scan and Estimation Equation for Patients With Scleroderma.

BACKGROUND: Renal involvement in scleroderma is life-threatening. Early detection of a deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is needed to preserve kidney function. OBJECTIVES: To (A) determine the correlation between (1) estimated GFR (eGFR) using 4 different formulae and (2) measured GFR (mGFR) using isotopic renal scan in Thai patients with scleroderma with normal serum creatinine and (B) to define the factors influencing eGFR. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed in adult Thai patients with scleroderma at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, between December 2013 and April 2015. GFR was measured using the gold standard Tc-99m DTPA (Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) renal scan. We compared the latter with the eGFR, calculated using the Cockroft-Gault formula, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and creatinine clearance equation. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with scleroderma (50 women and 26 men) with median age 54.8 years (interquartile range: 47.4 to 58.9) were enrolled. Mean disease duration was 5.6 ± 4.5 years. Median value of mGFR was 100.1 ± 27.6mL/minute/1.73m². There was a correlation between mGFR from the Tc-99m DTPA renal scan and the eGFR using the Cockroft-Gault formula, MDRD and CKD-EPI equation (P = 0.01, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively), but no correlation with eGFR using the creatinine clearance equation (P = 0.27). Body weight, prednisolone use and systolic blood pressure (SBP) had a negative association with mGFR (P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.007, respectively). After multivariate analysis, SBP was the only clinical parameter that influenced mGFR (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The Cockroft-Gault formula, MDRD study equation and CKD-EPI were useful formulae for assessing GFR in Thai patients with scleroderma. Higher SBP was associated with a lower GFR.

Comparison Between Postprocessing Software and Repeated Scanning to Eliminate Subdiaphragmatic Activity in Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy.

Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a powerful test of evaluation for coronary artery disease, but subdiaphragmatic radiotracer activity often interferes with the interpretation of inferior wall findings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using software elimination of the subdiaphragmatic activity for the assessment of its efficacy in the correctness of image interpretation and the overall image quality of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). MPS studies from January 2010 to October 2012 at our institution were reviewed. Thirty-two SPECT studies were included, all of which had significant subdiaphragmatic activity in the first scan and needed to be delayed to let the activity clear. Each scan was interpreted by using semiquantitative scoring in 17 segments according to the degree of radiotracer uptake. The first scan, which had interfering activity, was manipulated by masking out the unwanted activity with software native to our image processing software suite. The manipulated images were then compared with delayed images of the same patient, of which the subdiaphragmatic activity was spontaneously cleared with time. The first scan masked by software correlated with the delayed scan for myocardial regions supplied by the left circumflex (LCx) and right coronary artery (RCA), but not the left anterior descending (LAD). However, the quality of the masked scans was perceived by the observer to be better in terms of quality and ease of interpretation. Using software to mask out unwanted subdiaphragmatic activity has no detrimental effect on the interpretation of MPS images when compared with delayed scanning, but it can improve subjective scan quality and ease of interpretation.

Inferior vena cava thrombosis with hot quadrate lobe sign demonstrated by Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin radionuclide venogram and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography.

In this article, a case of a young woman who presented with extensive deep venous thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and lower extremities with pulmonary embolism is described. Findings of various imaging modalities highlighting an interesting finding of a "hot quadrate lobe" sign demonstrated by planar radionuclide venography and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography are illustrated.

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography without and with Hybrid Computed Tomography in Mandibular Condylar Hyperplasia.

Objective: Bone scintigraphy (BS) has been the mainstay in evaluating patients with mandibular condylar hyperplasia (CH). Both planar BS and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been used to determine cessation of condylar hyperactivity before corrective surgery. The present study aimed to examine the utility of the relatively new single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) technique for evaluation of CH. Material and Method: Sixty-one mandibular Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate bone SPECT/CT studies were reviewed. Images were analyzed without and with fusion with anatomical CT. Condylar uptake were quantified and differences in uptake between the right and left condyles were determined by both maximum uptake and average uptake in the region of interes (ROI). Differences exceeding 10 percentage points indicated condylar hyperactivity. Results: SPECT and SPECT/CT showed positivity in 34 and 31 examinations, respectively. Agreement between the two modalities was high, but was not perfect. SPECT was found to be more reproducible than SPECT/CT. Quantification using maximum ROI counts was more reproducible than using average ROI counts. Conclusion: No evidence was found to indicate superiority of SPECT/CT over simple SPECT for evaluation of condylar hyperactivity in CH, as demonstrated by the lower intra-modality reproducibility and a trend towards lower sensitivity for detection of hyperactive condyles. Utilization of SPECT alone would further benefit in terms of reduction of patient radiation exposure which is a concern, especially in younger patients such as those with CH. When using quantification, maximum ROI counts should be used over average ROI counts.