Local imaging to interpret tumor size in F18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT in lung cancers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the thoracic and extra-thoracic extension of the disease in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and who had whole-body F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT imaging and to investigate whether there is a relationship between tumor size and extrathoracic spread. METHODS: A total of 308 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were included in this study. These 308 patients were first classified as group 1 (SPN 30 mm>longest lesion diameter ≥10 mm) and group 2 (lung mass (longest lesion diameter ≥30 mm), and then the same patients were classified as group 3 (nodular diameter of ≤20 mm) and group 4 (nodular size of >20 mm). Group 1 was compared with group 2 in terms of extrathoracic metastases. Similarly, group 3 was compared with group 4 in terms of frequency of extrathoracic metastases. F18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT examination was used to detect liver, adrenal, bone, and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, besides extrathoracic metastasis. RESULTS: Liver, bone, and extrathoracic metastasis in group 1 was statistically lower than in group 2 (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p=0.03, respectively). Liver, extrathoracic, adrenal, and bone metastasis in group 3 was statistically lower than that in group 4 (p<0.001, p=0.01, and p=0.04, p<0.01, respectively). The extrathoracic extension was observed in only one patient in group 3. In addition, liver, adrenal, and bone metastases were not observed in group 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Positron emission tomography/CT may be more appropriate for cases with a nodule diameter of ≤20 mm. Performing local imaging in patients with a nodule diameter of ≤20 mm could reduce radiation exposure and save radiopharmaceuticals used in positron emission tomography/CT imaging.

Low Bone Density and High Sclerostin in Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma.

PURPOSE: Sclerostin reduces bone formation by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway in bone tissue. This study evaluated the serum sclerostin level in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) patients and analyzed its relationship with bone metabolism. METHOD: The data of the patients who applied to the Dicle University Endocrinology, diagnosed with non-functioning pituitary adenoma, and the control group consisting of healthy individuals were included in the study. Serum sclerostin levels and DXA analysis parameters were evaluated and compared with healthy control groups. RESULTS: The study consisted of 39 patients (F / M: 27/12) with NFPA (patient group) and 43 control groups (F / M: 26/17). There was no difference in terms of gender, age, height, weight and serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, 25-OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels. Serum sclerostin levels (32.31 ± 1.53 ng / ml) in the patient group was found to be significantly higher than the control group (22.45 ± 8.9 ng / ml) (p < 0.001). BMD (Patients groups vs control group); total lumbar BMD (0.951-1.56 gr / cm2) (p < 0.001), femoral neck BMD (0.752-1.15 g / cm2) (p < 0.001), femoral total BMD (0.995- 1.63 gr / cm2) (p < 0.001), were found to be statistically significantly lower. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that serum sclerostin levels were increased in non-functioning pituitary adenomas, which showed that bone parameters were negatively affected.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome (MEN2A) and usefulness of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in this syndrome.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new imaging method 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT as an alternative method to diagnose evidence of neuroendocrine tumors or their metastasis (if any) in patient with MEN 2A. METHODS: Three patients( 2F, 1M; age 28,46 and 50 years) with MEN 2A syndrome who underwent 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan were prospectively evaluated. PET/CT images were analyzed with measurement of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). RESULTS: All patients had adrenal masses with increased uptake of 68Ga-DOTATATE (first case adrenal mass SUVmax: 9,1, second case adrenal mass SUVmax: 32,4(right), 30,3(left) and third case SUVmax:12,4). All of the patients had medullary thyroid carcinoma with increased uptake of 68Ga-DOTATATE (first case SUVmax: 3,3 second case SUVmax:7,7 and third case SUVmax: left thyroid nodule: 19,4, right thyroid nodule: 21,2). Third case has a parathyroid adenoma with SUVmax: 2,8. CONCLUSIONS: New imaging method 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT may be an alternative method to diagnose MEN 2A patients. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT can give a great opportunity to detecting the multiple neoplasia like MEN 2A with only one session. KEY WORDS: MEN 2A syndrome, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, Neuroendocrine tumors.

68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT Can Be an Alternative Imaging Method in Insulinoma Patients.

Insulinomas are the most common cause of hypoglycemia, resulting from endogenous hyperinsulinism. The diagnosis of insulinoma is established by demonstrating inappropriately high serum insulin concentrations during a spontaneous or induced episode of hypoglycemia. Most insulinomas are islet-cell tumors. They are often small (<2 cm), benign, and difficult to localize with current imaging techniques. Insulinomas can be detected using either noninvasive procedures (e.g., transabdominal ultrasonography, spiral CT, MRI, 111In-pentetreotide imaging, and 18F-l-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET) or invasive procedures (e.g., endoscopic ultrasonography) or a selective arterial calcium stimulation test with hepatic venous sampling. Methods: We performed 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT on 3 patients with insulinoma. Results: All patients' insulinomas were shown clearly with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. Conclusion:68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging may be a useful noninvasive imaging technique to localize insulinomas preoperatively.