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)

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.

Hybrid-fusion SPECT/CT systems in parathyroid adenoma: Technological improvements and added clinical diagnostic value / Sistemas de imagen híbrida de fusión SPECT/TC en adenoma de paratiroides: avances tecnológicos y valor añadido en el diagnóstico clínico

Nuclear medicine traditionally employs planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging techniques to depict the biodistribution of radiotracers for the diagnostic investigation of a range of disorders of endocrine gland function. The usefulness of combining functional information with anatomy derived from computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and high resolution ultrasound (US), has long been appreciated, either using visual side-by-side correlation, or software-based co-registration. The emergence of hybrid SPECT/CT camera technology now allows the simultaneous acquisition of combined multi-modality imaging, with seamless fusion of 3D volume datasets. Thus, it is not surprising that there is growing literature describing the many advantages that contemporary SPECT/CT technology brings to radionuclide investigation of endocrine disorders, showing potential advantages for the pre-operative locating of the parathyroid adenoma using a minimally invasive surgical approach, especially in the presence of ectopic glands and in multiglandular disease. In conclusion, hybrid SPECT/CT imaging has become an essential tool to ensure the most accurate diagnostic in the management of patients with hyperparathyroidism (AU)

La medicina nuclear emplea tradicionalmente imágenes estáticas 2D, aunque en los últimos años se ha incrementado la imagen 3D tomográfica SPECT. Estas técnicas de imagen permiten la observación de la biodistribución de los radiotrazadores, destinados a la investigación diagnóstica de trastornos endocrinos que cursan con afectación glandular. La utilidad de combinar la información funcional con la anatómica tomando como referencia la tomografía computarizada (TC), la resonancia magnética (RM) y los ultrasonidos de alta resolución (US) ha sido estudiada mediante una correlación visual primero y posteriormente con el soporte de un software de co-registro de imágenes, sin obtener resultados satisfactorios. Los equipos híbridos SPECT/TC permiten la adquisición simultánea de diferentes modalidades de imagen, consiguiendo una fusión adecuada de ellas y su posterior reconstrucción volumétrica. Así pues, no es de extrañar que cada vez observemos mayor evidencia en la literatura que describe las múltiples ventajas de la tecnología SPECT/TC en la localización preoperatoria del adenoma de paratiroides con cirugía mínimamente invasiva, especialmente en presencia de patología multiglandular o de glándulas ectópicas. En resumen, la imagen híbrida se ha convertido en una herramienta esencial que garantiza la mayor exactitud diagnóstica en el manejo de pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo (AU)

Hybrid-fusion SPECT/CT systems in parathyroid adenoma: Technological improvements and added clinical diagnostic value.

Nuclear medicine traditionally employs planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging techniques to depict the biodistribution of radiotracers for the diagnostic investigation of a range of disorders of endocrine gland function. The usefulness of combining functional information with anatomy derived from computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and high resolution ultrasound (US), has long been appreciated, either using visual side-by-side correlation, or software-based co-registration. The emergence of hybrid SPECT/CT camera technology now allows the simultaneous acquisition of combined multi-modality imaging, with seamless fusion of 3D volume datasets. Thus, it is not surprising that there is growing literature describing the many advantages that contemporary SPECT/CT technology brings to radionuclide investigation of endocrine disorders, showing potential advantages for the pre-operative locating of the parathyroid adenoma using a minimally invasive surgical approach, especially in the presence of ectopic glands and in multiglandular disease. In conclusion, hybrid SPECT/CT imaging has become an essential tool to ensure the most accurate diagnostic in the management of patients with hyperparathyroidism.

Comparison of 111In-[DTPA0]Octreotide Versus Non Carrier Added 177Lu- [DOTA0,Tyr3]-Octreotate Efficacy in Patients With GEP-NET Treated Intra-arterially for Liver Metastases.

AIM: In patients with progressive, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET), intra-arterial radionuclide infusions with high activities of In-[DTPA]-octreotide and more recently with non-carrier added (nca) Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate have been performed with encouraging results. However, the affinity profiles (IC50) of these radiopeptides for human sst2 receptors are markedly different (In-[DTPA]-octreotide, 22 ± 3.6 nM and nca Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate, 1.5 ± 4.0 nM). The total administered activity is determined by organ dose limits (kidneys and bone marrow), and our aim therefore was to compare and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of both radiopeptides in metastatic NETs. METHODS: Thirty patients with gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) somatostatin-positive NETs with liver metastases confirmed on biopsy and In-pentetreotide scan were included. They were treated with In-[DTPA]-octreotide (n = 17) or nca Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate (n = 13). Blood samples were collected 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours postadministration to calculate residence time in blood and in red marrow. The maximum percentage uptake in organs and tumors was estimated by region of interest analysis, and tumor dosimetry calculations were performed using OLINDA/EXM/ 1.0 software. RESULTS: ncaLu-[DOTA,Tyr3]-octreotate blood radioactivity, expressed as a percentage of the injected dose, was significantly lower than In-[DTPA]-octreotide (P < 0.05), as clearly depicted from the time-activity curves; the background-corrected tumor uptake was significantly higher than In-[DTPA]-octreotide but without any significant difference in other organs (spleen, kidneys, and liver). CONCLUSIONS: Using Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate, a 3-fold higher absorbed dose to tumor tissue was achieved compared with In-[DTPA] octreotide. Residence time of nca Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate results in a significantly higher absorbed dose to bone marrow compared with In-[DTPA]-octreotide. However, a drawback of In-[DTPA]-octreotide therapy is that the number of administrations would need to be almost doubled to achieve an equal therapeutic outcome as compared with Lu-[DOTA,Tyr]-octreotate.

Mild to moderate increase of serum calcitonin levels only in presence of large medullary thyroid cancer deposits / Niveles séricos moderadamente elevados de calcitonina en presencia de grandes lesiones de cáncer medular de tiroides

Many open questions remain to be elucidated about the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The most intriguing concerns the outcome of MTC patients after surgery. Great importance is usually given to serum calcitonin (Ct) and carcinoembryonic (CEA) levels. It is commonly believed that the higher are the levels of these tumor markers and their kinetics (double time and velocity of markers levels) the worst is the prognosis. However, this is not the rule, as there are huge MTC metastatic deposits characterized by low serum Ct and CEA levels, and this condition is not closely related to the outcome of the disease during post-surgical follow-up. A series is reported here of patients who have these characteristics, as well as a description of their prognosis and clinical outcome (AU)

Numerosas preguntas están pendientes de responder sobre el diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico del cáncer medular de tiroides (MTC). El problema más intrigante se refiere a la evolución de los pacientes después de la cirugía. Por lo general, una gran importancia se le da a la calcitonina sérica (Ct) y los niveles de antígeno carcinoembrionario (CEA). Está ampliamente aceptado que cuanto mayor sean los niveles de estos marcadores tumorales y su cinética (tiempo de duplicación de los niveles), peor será el pronóstico. Sin embargo esta no es una regla: pueden existir grandes depósitos metastásicos de MTC que se acompañan de niveles bajos de Ct y CEA, y esta condición no está estrechamente relacionada con la evolución de la enfermedad durante de seguimiento postoperatorio. Presentamos una serie de pacientes con estas características y describimos su pronóstico y evolución clínica (AU)

Mild to moderate increase of serum calcitonin levels only in presence of large medullary thyroid cancer deposits.

Many open questions remain to be elucidated about the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The most intriguing concerns the outcome of MTC patients after surgery. Great importance is usually given to serum calcitonin (Ct) and carcinoembryonic (CEA) levels. It is commonly believed that the higher are the levels of these tumor markers and their kinetics (double time and velocity of markers levels) the worst is the prognosis. However, this is not the rule, as there are huge MTC metastatic deposits characterized by low serum Ct and CEA levels, and this condition is not closely related to the outcome of the disease during post-surgical follow-up. A series is reported here of patients who have these characteristics, as well as a description of their prognosis and clinical outcome.

The value of oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy in the management of aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree in neurological patients / El valor de la gammagrafía orofaringeoesofágica en el manejo de la aspiración en el árbol traqueobronquial en pacientes neurológicos

Aim. Dysphagia and bolus aspiration are two of the most frequent and invalidating symptoms of various neurological diseases. Swallowing disorders often lead to tracheobronchial aspiration with consequent pneumonia episodes. Aspiration pneumonia per se constitutes the most frequent cause of death in these patients, with mortality rate ranging from 20% to 62%. Oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy (OPES) permits functional quantitative assessment of the different stages of swallowing, together with the detection and quantitative measurement of bolus aspiration. In this work, we analyzed the role of OPES in patients with different neurological conditions to evaluate swallowing and to detect and quantify bolus aspiration. Material and methods. We enrolled 43 neurological patients (25 women and 18 men, mean age 67.3 ± 12.4 yr) complaining of dysphagia with suspected inhalation. All patients underwent OPES with 99mTc-nanocolloid using a liquid bolus first, followed by a semi-solid bolus. We evaluated the following parameters: Oral, Pharyngeal and Esophageal Transit Time, Oro-Pharyngeal Retention Index, Esophageal Emptying Rate, and Aspiration Rate (% AR). Results. OPES detected some airway aspiration in 26/43 patients. 19 patients had tracheal aspiration (with a mean 18.1% AR) and the remaining 7 patients had bilateral broncho-pulmonary aspiration (mean 44.9% AR). Conclusions. OPES is a feasible, repeatable and noninvasive method that allows quantitative assessment of bolus aspiration into the tracheobronchial tract, thus representing a useful and accurate tool to guide the most appropriate treatment and to monitor response to therapy in neurological patients with dysphagia (AU)

Objetivo. La disfagia y la broncoaspiración de comida son 2 de los síntomas más frecuentes e invalidantes de diversas enfermedades neurológicas. Los trastornos de deglución producen una aspiración traqueobronquial y episodios de neumonía. La neumonía por aspiración constituye en sí misma la causa más frecuente de muerte en estos pacientes, con tasas de mortalidad entre 20–62%. La gammagrafía orofaringeoesofágica (OPES) permite la evaluación funcional cuantitativa de los diferentes estadios de la deglución, junto con la detección y la cuantificación de la broncoaspiración. En este trabajo analizamos el papel de la OPES para evaluar la deglución y para detectar y cuantificar la broncoaspiración de comida en pacientes con variadas situaciones neurológicas. Material y métodos. Se estudiaron 43 pacientes neurológicos (25 mujeres y 18 hombres, edad media 67,3 + 12,4 años) que presentaban disfagia y sospecha de inhalación. A todos los pacientes se les realizó OPES con 99mTc-nanocoloide usando primero un bolo líquido y después un bolo semisólido. Se evaluaron los siguientes parámetros: tiempos de tránsito oral, faríngeo y esofágico, índice de retención orofaríngea, tasa de vaciamiento esofágico, índice de retención orofaríngea, tasa de vaciamiento esofágico y tasa de aspiración (%AR). Resultados. La OPES detectó broncoaspiración en 26/43 pacientes. Diecinueve pacientes tuvieron aspiración traqueal (media AR 18,1%) y los restantes 7 pacientes aspiración broncopulmonar bilateral (media AR 44,9%). Conclusiones. La OPES es un método no invasivo, factible y repetible que permite la evaluación cuantitativa de la aspiración de comida en el tracto traqueobronquial. Por ello, representa un procedimiento útil y exacto para guiar el tratamiento más apropiado y para monitorizar la respuesta terapéutica en pacientes neurológicos con disfagia (AU)

68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT detection of multiple extracranial localizations in a patient with anaplastic meningioma / Uso de 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC en la detección de localizaciones extracraneales múltiples en un paciente con meningioma anaplásico

We report herein a case of a 65-year-old male with intracranial recurrence of atypical meningioma initially treated with a combination of surgical resection and gamma knife radiotherapy. Afterwards, he underwent a 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan in order to evaluate the feasibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The scan identified multiple pulmonary, pleural and lymph node localizations. Histological diagnosis was consistent with intracranial atypical meningioma with diffuse metastatic spread. In our case, we have shown that meningioma with extracranial locations may present high uptake of somatostatin receptor analogues. Among other radionuclides, we believe that 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT may be particularly useful for staging, detection of recurrence, evaluation of disease extension and alternative therapeutic approaches (AU)

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 65 años de edad, con recurrencia intracraneal de meningioma atípico tratada inicialmente con una combinación de resección quirúrgica y radioterapia bisturí de rayos gamma. Después se sometió a una exploración 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC con el fin de evaluar la viabilidad de la terapia metabólica con el receptor del péptido (PRRT). Se identificaron múltiples localizaciones en pulmón, pleura y ganglios linfáticos. El diagnóstico histológico fue compatible con meningioma atípico intracraneal y diseminación metastásica difusa. Se ha demostrado con nuestro caso que meningioma con localizaciones extracraneales puede presentar alta captación de análogos de los receptores de somatostatina. Entre otros radiotrazadores creemos que 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/TC puede ser particularmente útil en la estadificación, detección de la recurrencia, la evaluación de la extensión de la enfermedad y los enfoques terapéuticos alternativos (AU)

The value of oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy in the management of aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree in neurological patients.

AIM: Dysphagia and bolus aspiration are two of the most frequent and invalidating symptoms of various neurological diseases. Swallowing disorders often lead to tracheobronchial aspiration with consequent pneumonia episodes. Aspiration pneumonia per se constitutes the most frequent cause of death in these patients, with mortality rate ranging from 20% to 62%. Oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy (OPES) permits functional quantitative assessment of the different stages of swallowing, together with the detection and quantitative measurement of bolus aspiration. In this work, we analyzed the role of OPES in patients with different neurological conditions to evaluate swallowing and to detect and quantify bolus aspiration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 43 neurological patients (25 women and 18 men, mean age 67.3±12.4 yr) complaining of dysphagia with suspected inhalation. All patients underwent OPES with (99m)Tc-nanocolloid using a liquid bolus first, followed by a semi-solid bolus. We evaluated the following parameters: Oral, Pharyngeal and Esophageal Transit Time, Oro-Pharyngeal Retention Index, Esophageal Emptying Rate, and Aspiration Rate (% AR). RESULTS: OPES detected some airway aspiration in 26/43 patients. 19 patients had tracheal aspiration (with a mean 18.1% AR) and the remaining 7 patients had bilateral broncho-pulmonary aspiration (mean 44.9% AR). CONCLUSIONS: OPES is a feasible, repeatable and noninvasive method that allows quantitative assessment of bolus aspiration into the tracheobronchial tract, thus representing a useful and accurate tool to guide the most appropriate treatment and to monitor response to therapy in neurological patients with dysphagia.

(68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT detection of multiple extracranial localizations in a patient with anaplastic meningioma.

We report herein a case of a 65-year-old male with intracranial recurrence of atypical meningioma initially treated with a combination of surgical resection and gamma knife radiotherapy. Afterwards, he underwent a (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan in order to evaluate the feasibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The scan identified multiple pulmonary, pleural and lymph node localizations. Histological diagnosis was consistent with intracranial atypical meningioma with diffuse metastatic spread. In our case, we have shown that meningioma with extracranial locations may present high uptake of somatostatin receptor analogues. Among other radionuclides, we believe that (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT may be particularly useful for staging, detection of recurrence, evaluation of disease extension and alternative therapeutic approaches.

Early prediction of response by ¹8F-FDG PET/CT during preoperative therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review.

AIM: To assess the predictive value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in early assessing response during neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed by search of MEDLINE Library for the following terms: "rectal carcinoma OR rectal cancer", "predictive OR prediction OR response assessment OR response OR assessment", "early OR ad interim", "therapy", "FDG OR (18)F-FDG", "PET OR PET/CT". Articles performed by the use of stand-alone PET scanners were excluded. RESULTS: 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 302 patients. PET/CT demonstrated a good early predictive value in the global cohort (mean sensitivity = 79%; mean specificity = 78%). SUV and its percentage decrease (response index = RI) were calculated in all studies. A higher accuracy was demonstrated for RI (mean sensitivity = 82%; pooled specificity = 85%) with a mean cut-off of 42%. The mean time point to perform PET scan during CRT resulted to be at 1.85 weeks. Some PET parameters resulted to be both predictive and not statistical predictive of response, maybe due to the small population and few studies bias. CONCLUSION: PET showed high accuracy in early prediction response during preoperative CRT, increased with the use of RI as parameter. In the era of tailored treatment, the precocious assessment of non-responder patients allows modification of the subsequent strategy especially the timing and the type of surgical approach.

Role of FDG PET/CT in investigating the mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic plaque formation and evolution

Este artículo se centra en el papel de la FDG PET/TC en la identificación de la aterosclerosis y en la relevancia de las células inflamatorias como los macrófagos y los linfocitos T en la formación de la placa aterosclerótica. Se discute también sobre la vulnerabilidad de la placa inflamatoria y el riesgo asociado a determinar incidentes cardio y cerebro-vasculares independientemente de la presencia de vasos estenóticos, así como sobre la evolución hacia la placa calcificada. El importante papel de la FDG PET/TC en el diagnóstico precoz de la placa inflamatoria se discute tanto en estudios con animales como a nivel clínico. Se discute, finalmente, la posibilidad de curar la placa inflamatoria, el tipo de fármacos utilizados y la posibilidad de controlar el tratamiento anti-inflamatorio a través de FDG PET/TC(AU)

This review article is focused on the role of FDG-PET/CT in visualizing atherosclerosis and on the relevance of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and T-lymphocytes in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. The vulnerability of the inflammatory plaque and the risk derived from the provocation of cardio- and cerebrovascular incidents independently from the presence of stenotic vessels are discussed as well as the evolution toward calcified plaque. The important role of FDG-PET/CT in early diagnosis of inflammatory plaque is discussed in both animal studies and in clinical setting. The possibility of curing inflammatory plaques, type of drugs, and the possibility of monitoring the anti-inflammatory treatment by FDG-PET/CT are also discussed(AU)

Aliskiren improves blood pressure control and prevents cardiac damage in high-risk hypertensive subjects.

AIM: Longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy, safety and the effect on cardiac damage of Aliskiren, administered to a group of high-risk hypertensive patients with mild impairment of renal function and uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) despite a two-drug antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: One hundred and six patients (56 men and 50 females) aged 61.9±12.7 years, were assigned to receive Aliskiren 150-300 mg once-daily for 12 months. Clinic BP measurements were taken at every follow-up visit (1st, 6th and 12th month), while biochemical tests, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hours ambulatory BP measurements (ABMP) and echocardiography were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Analysis of variance for repeated measures compared BP, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and eGFR values changes. RESULTS: A significant reduction (all P<0.0001) of clinic systolic (-28.6 mmHg) and diastolic (-12.8 mmHg) BP values, mean 24h-systolic (-12.3 mmHg) and 24h-diastolic (-6.5 mmHg), day-time systolic (-11.5 mmHg) and diastolic (-6.4 mmHg), night-time systolic (-11.9 mmHg) and diastolic (-7 mmHg) ABPM values and in the use of antihypertensive drugs was observed (3.0±0.9 vs. 2.0±0.7, p=0.01). LVMI was significantly reduced (130.2±36.1 vs. 115.9±33.4 g/m2, P<0.0001); eGFR was steady (75.3±17.3 vs. 73.1±21.5 ml/min/1.73m2, P>0.05). Putative adverse events caused withdrawal of 7 subjects (6 for gastrointestinal disturbances, 1 for alopecia). CONCLUSION: Aliskiren was effective in decreasing both clinical and ABPM values and in reducing LVMI in both genders without any influence on eGFR. The treatment resulted safe, even in combination with ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. A significant reduction in the use of concomitant antihypertensive drugs was observed.

Role of FDG PET/CT in investigating the mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic plaque formation and evolution.

This review article is focused on the role of FDG-PET/CT in visualizing atherosclerosis and on the relevance of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and T-lymphocytes in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. The vulnerability of the inflammatory plaque and the risk derived from the provocation of cardio- and cerebrovascular incidents independently from the presence of stenotic vessels are discussed as well as the evolution toward calcified plaque. The important role of FDG-PET/CT in early diagnosis of inflammatory plaque is discussed in both animal studies and in clinical setting. The possibility of curing inflammatory plaques, type of drugs, and the possibility of monitoring the anti-inflammatory treatment by FDG-PET/CT are also discussed.

Diagnóstico de sarcoidosis desconocida asociada a eritema nodoso, mediante 18F-FDG PET/TAC / Diagnosis of unknown sarcoidosis associated to erythema nodosum with 18F-FDG PET/CT

Una mujer de 76 años fue remitida a nuestro Centro de Medicina Nuclear para someterse a 18F-FDG PET/TAC con sospecha clínica de vasculitis. La PET de cuerpo entero resultó negativa para vasculitis pero mostró hipermetabolismo moderado en varios ganglios linfáticos del mediastino y una captación intensa en las glándulas parótidas. Dado que la paciente refirió en anamnesis lesiones eritematosas de la piel en ambas piernas, realizamos una adquisición de PET de las extremidades inferiores que mostró una captación difusa en la región perimaleolar en ambas piernas. Sobre la base de los hallazgos de la PET/TAC que sugirieron sarcoidosis la paciente fue sometida a un lavado broncoalveolar (BAL) y a una biopsia de un ganglio linfático mediastínico que confirmó la sospecha de sarcoidosis(AU)

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our centre to perform 18F-FDG PET/CT with the clinical suspicion of vasculitis. Whole body PET was negative for vasculitis but it depicted moderate hypermetabolism in several lymph nodes of the mediastinum and intense uptake of the tracer in the parotid glands. Since the patient referred skin lesion on both legs a particular acquisition of the lower extremities was performed which showed diffuse uptake on the perimalleolar region of both legs. On the basis of the PET/CT findings that were suggestive for sarcoidosis the patient performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsy of a mediastinal lymph node which confirmed the suspicion of sarcoidosis(AU)

Gestational diastolic hypertension with gene mutation-related pheochromocytoma positive at 18F-DOPA PET/CT: Diagnostic and therapeutic implications / Hipertensión diastólica gestacional con feocromocitoma relacionado a mutación genética y PET/TC con 18F-DOPA positiva: implicaciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas

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Diagnosis of unknown sarcoidosis associated to erythema nodosum with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our centre to perform (18)F-FDG PET/CT with the clinical suspicion of vasculitis. Whole body PET was negative for vasculitis but it depicted moderate hypermetabolism in several lymph nodes of the mediastinum and intense uptake of the tracer in the parotid glands. Since the patient referred skin lesion on both legs a particular acquisition of the lower extremities was performed which showed diffuse uptake on the perimalleolar region of both legs. On the basis of the PET/CT findings that were suggestive for sarcoidosis the patient performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsy of a mediastinal lymph node which confirmed the suspicion of sarcoidosis.

Aliskiren improves blood pressure control and prevents cardiac damage in high-risk hypertensive subjects.

Aim: Longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy, safety and the effect on cardiac damage of Aliskiren, administered to a group of high-risk hypertensive patients with mild impairment of renal function and uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) despite a two-drug antihypertensive treatment. Methods: One hundred and six patients (56 men and 50 females) aged 61.9±12.7 years, were assigned to receive Aliskiren 150-300 mg once-daily for 12 months. Clinic BP measurements were taken at every follow-up visit (1st, 6th and 12th month), while biochemical tests, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24-hours ambulatory BP measurements (ABMP) and echocardiography were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Analysis of variance for repeated measures compared BP, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and eGFR values changes. Results: A significant reduction (all P<0.0001) of clinic systolic (-28.6 mmHg) and diastolic (-12.8 mmHg) BP values, mean 24h-systolic (-12.3 mmHg) and 24h-diastolic (-6.5 mmHg), day-time systolic (-11.5 mmHg) and diastolic (-6.4 mmHg), night-time systolic (-11.9 mmHg) and diastolic (-7 mmHg) ABPM values and in the use of antihypertensive drugs was observed (3.0±0.9 vs. 2.0±0.7, p=0.01). LVMI was significantly reduced (130.2±36.1 vs. 115.9±33.4 g/m2, P<0.0001); eGFR was steady (75.3±17.3 vs. 73.1±21.5 ml/min/1.73m2, P>0.05). Putative adverse events caused withdrawal of 7 subjects (6 for gastrointestinal disturbances, 1 for alopecia). Conclusion: Aliskiren was effective in decreasing both clinical and ABPM values and in reducing LVMI in both genders without any influence on eGFR. The treatment resulted safe, even in combination with ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. A significant reduction in the use of concomitant antihypertensive drugs was observed.

Retrostyloid parapharyngeal space tumors: a clinician and imaging perspective.

Although tumors of the parapharyngeal space are rare, they represent a formidable diagnostic and treatment challenge. The differentiation of a retrostyloid lesion from a prestyloid lesion is critical for guiding the differential diagnosis. The majority of lesions involving the retrostyloid parapharyngeal space are either peripheral nerve sheath tumors, head & neck paragangliomas or metastatic lymph node metastases. This article provides insights into the many currently available radiological and radionuclide imaging procedures and guides clinicians toward their appropriate use. In the near future, many patients might also benefit from new diagnostic approaches such as high resolution integrated PET/MRI and new tracers that enable "in vivo" assessment of these tumors at molecular level.