Aplicación clínica de la [18F]FDG PET/TC en el linfoma folicular / Clinical application of [18F]FDG PET/CT in follicular lymphoma

El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar el papel de la [18F]FDG PET/TC en el linfoma folicular (LF). Tras confirmarse que a pesar de su carácter indolente este tipo de linfoma habitualmente muestra avidez por el radiotrazador, la [18F]FDG PET/TC fue cobrando una importancia progresivamente mayor hasta ser considerada como la técnica de elección para su estadificación, re-estadificación y valoración de respuesta al tratamiento. Múltiples estudios han demostrado el impacto que supone en el manejo de estos pacientes (puede cambiar el estadio de la enfermedad en una proporción significativa de casos y condicionar modificaciones en el tratamiento), su superioridad respecto a la TC (principalmente por la capacidad para distinguir tejido tumoral viable de tejido fibrótico residual) y su valor pronóstico. Esto último se atribuyó inicialmente de forma exclusiva al grado de respuesta metabólica alcanzado tras el tratamiento, que ha probado ser un factor predictivo fuerte e independiente de supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) y supervivencia global (SG), de modo que una [18F]FDG PET/TC negativa podría considerarse una garantía para los pacientes con LF con elevada carga tumoral. No obstante, la obtención de parámetros metabólicos semicuantitativos como el volumen metabólico tumoral o la glucólisis total de la lesión podría también aportar información a este respecto y ayudarnos potencialmente a identificar a los pacientes de mal pronóstico antes del inicio del tratamiento, de forma que se pueda adecuar el manejo y seguimiento al riesgo del paciente (AU)

The objective of the present paper was to review the clinical application of [18F]FDG PET/CT in follicular lymphoma (FL). Once it was clear that, despite it's characterized as indolent, this type of lymphoma usually shows a high [18F]FDG avidity, PET/CT became more important and it's now considered the standard technique in staging, re-staging and response evaluation. Many studies have shown its impact on the management of patients (as it can change the stage in a significant proportion of cases and lead to treatment modifications), its superiority over CT (mainly because it's able to distinguish fibrosis in residual masses from viable tumor) and its prognostic value. The latter was initially associated only to the degree of metabolic response, which has proved to be a strong and independent predictive factor in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Thus, a negative PET/CT scan could be considered a guarantee in high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma patients. However, semiquantitative parameters such as metabolic tumor volume or total lesion glycolysis, may also provide useful information and help us to identify patients with poor prognosis, guiding a risk-adjusted management and follow-up (AU)

Clinical application of [18F]FDG PET/CT in follicular lymphoma.

The objective of the present paper was to review the clinical application of [18F]FDG PET/CT in follicular lymphoma (FL). Once it was clear that, despite it is characterized as indolent, this type of lymphoma usually shows a high [18F]FDG avidity, PET/CT became more important and it's now considered the standard technique in staging, re-staging and response evaluation. Many studies have shown its impact on the management of patients (as it can change the stage in a significant proportion of cases and lead to treatment modifications), its superiority over CT (mainly because it's able to distinguish fibrosis in residual masses from viable tumor) and its prognostic value. The latter was initially associated only to the degree of metabolic response, which has proved to be a strong and independent predictive factor in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Thus, a negative PET/CT scan could be considered a guarantee in high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma patients. However, semiquantitative parameters such as metabolic tumor volume or total lesion glycolysis, may also provide useful information and help us to identify patients with poor prognosis, guiding a risk-adjusted management and follow-up.

Utilidad de los radioligandos PSMA en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del carcinoma de próstata / The role of PSMA radioligands in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate carcinoma

El cáncer de próstata (CP) es el tumor más frecuente en varones en Occidente y la quinta causa de muerte relacionada con el cáncer. El uso de radioligandos antígeno prostático específico de membrana (PSMA) ha supuesto un importante avance tanto en su diagnóstico, a través de la imagen molecular de tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET), como en su tratamiento en fases avanzadas de la enfermedad. En este artículo, se hace una revisión de la aportación de los estudios PET con radioligandos PSMA en la estadificación inicial, en la detección tumoral en la recidiva bioquímica (elevación del antígeno prostático específico [PSA]) tras un tratamiento con intención curativa, y en los estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad (CP resistente a la castración o CPRC). Se analiza, además, la aportación de la terapia con radioligandos PSMA (PSMA-TRL) en pacientes con CPRC que progresan a la terapia estándar (AU)

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common tumor in men in the West and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death. The use of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligands has represented an important advance in both in the diagnosis by positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging and the treatment of advanced stages of the disease. This article reviews the contribution of PET studies with PSMA radioligands in the initial staging, tumor detection in biochemical recurrence (elevation of PSA) after treatment with curative intent, and in the more advanced stages of the disease (castration-resistant PC [CRPC]). The contribution of PSMA radioligand therapy in CRPC patients who progress to standard therapy is also analyzed (AU)

The role of PSMA radioligands in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate carcinoma.

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common tumor in men in the West and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death. The use of PSMA radioligands has represented an important advance both in its diagnosis, through PET molecular imaging, and in its treatment in advanced stages of the disease. This article reviews the contribution of PET studies with PSMA radioligands in initial staging, in tumor detection in biochemical recurrence (elevation of PSA) after treatment with curative intent, and in the more advanced stages of the disease (castration resistant PC or CRPC). The contribution of PSMA radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT) in CRPC patients who progress to standard therapy is also analyzed.

Diagnosis and radio-guided surgery of lung nodules. / Diagnóstico y cirugía radioguiada de nódulos pulmonares.

The detection of pulmonary nodules has increased in recent decades due to the introduction of lung cancer screening programs and the massively use of routine chest computed tomography in patients with malignant neoplasms. Percutaneous biopsy of these nodules does not always characterize them, so sometimes a surgical biopsy is necessary, which often requires a presurgical localization. The radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) described for breast lesions was first applied in the resection of pulmonary nodules in 2000, becoming an alternative to other presurgical localization techniques such as hook-wire. The technique provides high detection rate with minimal morbidity, enhancing multidisciplinary work with specialists in Radiology and Chest Surgery. The present paper describes the different pre-surgical localization techniques currently available, the methodological procedure of the ROLL technique and the collected results in 20 years of experience.

Interdisciplinarity: An essential requirement for translation of radiomics research into clinical practice -a systematic review focused on thoracic oncology. / Interdisciplinaridad: un requerimiento esencial para la traslación de investigación en radiómica a la práctica clínica.

BACKGROUND: Recently, evidence has accumulated that demonstrates the potential for future applications of radiomics in many clinical settings, including thoracic oncology. Methodological reasons for the immaturity of image mining (radiomics and artificial intelligence-based) studies have been identified. However, data on the influence of the composition of the research team on the quality of investigations in radiomics are lacking. AIM: This review aims to evaluate the interdisciplinarity within studies on radiomics in thoracic oncology in order to assess its influence on the quality of research (QUADAS-2 score) in the image mining field. METHODS: We considered for inclusion radiomics investigations with objectives relating to clinical practice in thoracic oncology. Subsequently, we interviewed the corresponding authors. The field of expertise and/or educational degree was then used to assess interdisciplinarity. Subsequently, all studies were evaluated applying the QUADAS-2 score and assigned to a research phase from 0 to IV. RESULTS: Overall, 27 studies were included. The study quality according to the QUADAS-2 score was low (score ≤5) in 8, moderate (=6) in 12, and high (≥7) in 7 papers. An interdisciplinary team (at least 3 different expertise categories) was involved in half of the papers without any type of validation and in all papers with independent validation. Clinicians were not involved in phase 0 studies while they contributed to all papers classified as phase I and to 4/5 papers classified as phase II with independent validation. CONCLUSIONS: The composition of the research team influences the quality of investigations in radiomics. Also, growth in interdisciplinarity appears to reflect research development from the early phase to a more mature, clinically oriented stage of investigation.

Multidisciplinary consensus statement on the clinical management of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a very heterogeneous disease that encompasses patients with resected, potentially resectable and unresectable tumours. To improve the prognostic capacity of the TNM classification, it has been agreed to divide stage III into sub-stages IIIA, IIIB and IIIC that have very different 5-year survival rates (36, 26 and 13%, respectively). Currently, it is considered that both staging and optimal treatment of stage III NSCLC requires the joint work of a multidisciplinary team of expert physicians within the tumour committee. To improve the care of patients with stage III NSCLC, different scientific societies involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease have agreed to issue a series of recommendations that can contribute to homogenise the management of this disease, and ultimately to improve patient care.

FDG PET/CT in colorectal cancer. / FDG PET/TC en el cáncer colorrectal.

Colorectal cancer is the third most frequent cancer worldwide. Although its incidence is increasing, mainly in those aged under50, mortality has decreased by 50% in the more developed countries, principally due to the adoption of new practices in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. In particular, the various diagnostic imaging modalities allow improved therapeutic decision-making, evaluation of the response and early detection of recurrence. The aim of this paper is to review the available scientific evidence on the value of positron emission tomography with 18F-FDG (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the colorectal cancer, with special emphasis on the indications of the guidelines and recommendations of the main international scientific associations regarding this imaging technique.

18F-FDG PET/CT in locally advanced cervical cancer: A review. / PET/TC con 18F-FDG en cáncer de cérvix localmente avanzado.

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer worldwide. In locally advanced cervical cancer, 18F-FDG PET/CT has become important in the initial staging, particularly in the detection of nodal and distant metastasis, aspects with treatment implications and prognostic value. The aims of this study were to review the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in uterine cervical cancer, according to the guidelines of the main scientific institutions (FIGO, NCCN, SEGO, SEOM, ESGO, and ESMO) and its diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional radiological techniques, as well as to review the acquisition protocol and its utility in radiotherapy planning, response assessment and detection of recurrence.

SEOM-SERAM-SEMNIM guidelines on the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. / Guía SEOM-SERAM-SEMNIM sobre el empleo de las técnicas de imagen funcional y molecular en el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico avanzado.

Imaging in oncology is an essential tool for patient management but its potential is being profoundly underutilized. Each of the techniques used in the diagnostic process also conveys functional information that can be relevant in treatment decision making. New imaging algorithms and techniques enhance our knowledge about the phenotype of the tumor and its potential response to different therapies. Functional imaging can be defined as the one that provides information beyond the purely morphological data, and include all the techniques that make it possible to measure specific physiological functions of the tumor, whereas molecular imaging would include techniques that allow us to measure metabolic changes. Functional and molecular techniques included in this document are based on multi-detector computed tomography (CT), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and hybrid equipments, integrating PET with CT (PET/CT) or MRI (PET-MRI). Lung cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly tumors although survival is increasing thanks to advances in diagnostic methods and new treatments. This increased survival poises challenges in terms of proper follow-up and definitions of response and progression, as exemplified by immune therapy-related pseudoprogression. In this consensus document, the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques will be addressed to exploit their current potential and explore future applications in the diagnosis, evaluation of response and detection of recurrence of advanced NSCLC.

Radium-223 in the treatment of bone metastasis in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Review and procedure. / Radio-223 en el tratamiento de metástasis óseas en pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración. Revisión de la literatura y procedimiento.

Bone metastatic disease is the main cause of morbidity / mortality in patients with prostate cancer, presenting frequently as bone pain, pathological fractures or spinal cord compression, which requires early and timely therapy. Although, for the moment, the therapeutic window for its use has not been definitively established, radium-223 (223Ra), an alpha particle emitter, has proved to be an effective therapeutic tool, pre or post-chemotherapy, in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer with symptomatic bone metastases and absence of visceral metastases, significantly modifying the prognosis of the disease. It is therefore imperative to define the ideal scenarios and the correct protocol for the use of this therapy and thus offer the greatest possible clinical benefit to the patient.

La PET/TC con 68Ga-PSMA en el cáncer de próstata / 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in prostate cancer

La tomografía por emisión de positrones/tomografía computarizada (PET/TC) con 68Ga-PSMA es una técnica de imagen no invasiva para el estudio del cáncer de próstata con incremento de la expresión del antígeno prostático específico de membrana (prostate-specific membrane antigen, PSMA). El PSMA es una proteína transmembrana presente en todos los tejidos prostáticos. El incremento de la expresión de PSMA está presente en varios tumores, aunque su concentración es más elevada en el cáncer de próstata. Casi todos los adenocarcinomas de próstata muestran expresión de PSMA en la mayoría de las lesiones, tanto primarias como metastásicas. Estudios inmunohistoquímicos han demostrado que la expresión de PSMA está incrementada en pacientes con tumores desdiferenciados, metastásicos u hormonorrefractarios. Más aún, el nivel de expresión del PSMA tiene un valor pronóstico para la evolución de la enfermedad. La tomografía por emisión de positrones proporciona una medida de la distribución tridimensional del 68Ga-PSMA, obteniendo imágenes semicuantitativas que permiten valorar de forma no invasiva la expresión de PSMA (AU)

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 68Ga-PSMA is a non-invasive diagnostic technique to image prostate cancer with increased prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression. PSMA is a transmembrane protein present in all prostatic tissues. Increased PSMA expression is seen in several malignancies, although prostate cancer is the tumour where it presents higher concentrations. Almost all prostate adenocarcinomas show PSMA expression in most of lesions, primary and metastatic. Immunohistochemistry has demonstrated that the expression of PSMA increases in patients with de-differentiated, metastatic or hormone-refractory tumours. Moreover, the expression level of PSMA has a prognostic value for disease outcome. PET measures the three-dimensional distribution of 68Ga-PSMA, producing semi-quantitative images that allow for non-invasive assessment of PSMA expression (AU)

68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in prostate cancer. / La PET/TC con 68Ga-PSMA en el cáncer de próstata.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 68Ga-PSMA is a non-invasive diagnostic technique to image prostate cancer with increased prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression. PSMA is a transmembrane protein present in all prostatic tissues. Increased PSMA expression is seen in several malignancies, although prostate cancer is the tumour where it presents higher concentrations. Almost all prostate adenocarcinomas show PSMA expression in most of lesions, primary and metastatic. Immunohistochemistry has demonstrated that the expression of PSMA increases in patients with de-differentiated, metastatic or hormone-refractory tumours. Moreover, the expression level of PSMA has a prognostic value for disease outcome. PET measures the three-dimensional distribution of 68Ga-PSMA, producing semi-quantitative images that allow for non-invasive assessment of PSMA expression.

SEOM-SERAM-SEMNIM guidelines on the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Imaging in oncology is an essential tool for patient management but its potential is being profoundly underutilized. Each of the techniques used in the diagnostic process also conveys functional information that can be relevant in treatment decision-making. New imaging algorithms and techniques enhance our knowledge about the phenotype of the tumor and its potential response to different therapies. Functional imaging can be defined as the one that provides information beyond the purely morphological data, and include all the techniques that make it possible to measure specific physiological functions of the tumor, whereas molecular imaging would include techniques that allow us to measure metabolic changes. Functional and molecular techniques included in this document are based on multi-detector computed tomography (CT), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and hybrid equipments, integrating PET with CT (PET/CT) or MRI (PET-MRI). Lung cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly tumors although survival is increasing thanks to advances in diagnostic methods and new treatments. This increased survival poises challenges in terms of proper follow-up and definitions of response and progression, as exemplified by immune therapy-related pseudoprogression. In this consensus document, the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques will be addressed to exploit their current potential and explore future applications in the diagnosis, evaluation of response and detection of recurrence of advanced NSCLC.

La PET-TC en la estadificación ganglionar prequirúrgica del carcinoma de pulmón de células no pequeñas: implicación de los falsos negativos y falsos positivos / PET-CT in presurgical lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer: the importance of false-negative and false-positive findings

Objetivo. Valorar las implicaciones de los falsos negativos (FN) y de los falsos positivos (FP) de la tomografía computarizada (TC) y la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) con fluorodesoxiglucosa (18F-FDG) en nuestro medio en la estadificación ganglionar mediastínica de pacientes operados de carcinoma de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP). Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 113 pacientes consecutivos con 120 CPCNP operados; 22 pacientes recibieron tratamiento neoadyuvante. Se compararon los resultados obtenidos en la 18F-FDG PET-TC prequirúrgica con los patológicos. Se analizaron el tamaño ganglionar y del tumor primario en la TC, y su valoración cualitativa y semicuantitativa (SUVmáx) en la PET. Resultados. Se encontraron ganglios metastásicos en el 21,7% de los 120 tumores y en el 7,7% de las 528 estaciones ganglionares analizadas. La 18F-FDG PET-TC en el estudio por tumor mostró una sensibilidad del 53,8%, una especificidad del 76,6%, un valor predictivo positivo del 38,9%, un valor predictivo negativo del 85,7% y una precisión diagnóstica del 71,7%. La tasa de FN fue del 14,2%. El análisis multivariable mostró que un grado de diferenciación moderado del tumor primario (p = 0,005) y una SUVmáx del tumor primario >4 (p = 0,027) eran los factores asociados con los FN. La tasa de FP fue del 61,1% y el tamaño ganglionar >1cm era el factor asociado con los FP (p <0,001). Conclusiones. La 18F-FDG PET-TC en la estadificación ganglionar mediastínica de pacientes con CPCNP mejora la especificidad y el valor predictivo negativo, y ayuda al clínico a seleccionar los pacientes que se beneficiarán de la cirugía. Dada la elevada tasa de FP, es recomendable que, antes de excluir a pacientes de la cirugía, se confirmen histológicamente los casos positivos (AU)

Objective. To assess the importance of false-negative and false-positive findings in computed tomography (CT) and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal lymph node staging in patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Material and methods. This retrospective study included 113 consecutive patients and 120 resected NSCLCs; 22 patients received neoadjuvant treatment. We compared the findings on preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT studies with the postoperative pathology findings. Lymph node size and primary tumor size were measured with CT, and lymph nodes and primary tumors were evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively (using standardized uptake values (SUVmax)) with PET. Results. Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 26 (21.7%) of the 120 tumors and in 41 (7.7%) of the 528 lymph node stations analyzed. 18F-FDG PET-CT yielded 53.8% sensitivity, 76.6% specificity, 38.9% positive predictive value, 85.7% negative predictive value, and 71.7% diagnostic accuracy. The false-negative rate was 14.2%. Multivariable analysis found that the factors associated with false-negative findings were a moderate degree of differentiation in the primary tumor (p = 0.005) and an SUVmax of the primary tumor >4 (p = 0.027). The false-positive rate was 61.1%, and the multivariable analysis found that lymph node size >1cm was associated with false-positive findings (p < 0.001). Conclusions. In mediastinal lymph node staging in patients with NSCLC, 18F-FDG PET-CT improves the specificity and negative predictive value and helps clinicians to select the patients that will benefit from surgery. Given the high rate of false positives, histological confirmation of positive cases is recommendable (AU)

PET-CT in presurgical lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer: the importance of false-negative and false-positive findings. / La PET-TC en la estadificación ganglionar prequirúrgica del carcinoma de pulmón de células no pequeñas: implicación de los falsos negativos y falsos positivos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the importance of false-negative and false-positive findings in computed tomography (CT) and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal lymph node staging in patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 113 consecutive patients and 120 resected NSCLCs; 22 patients received neoadjuvant treatment. We compared the findings on preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT studies with the postoperative pathology findings. Lymph node size and primary tumor size were measured with CT, and lymph nodes and primary tumors were evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively (using standardized uptake values (SUVmax)) with PET. RESULTS: Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 26 (21.7%) of the 120 tumors and in 41 (7.7%) of the 528 lymph node stations analyzed. 18F-FDG PET-CT yielded 53.8% sensitivity, 76.6% specificity, 38.9% positive predictive value, 85.7% negative predictive value, and 71.7% diagnostic accuracy. The false-negative rate was 14.2%. Multivariable analysis found that the factors associated with false-negative findings were a moderate degree of differentiation in the primary tumor (p = 0.005) and an SUVmax of the primary tumor >4 (p = 0.027). The false-positive rate was 61.1%, and the multivariable analysis found that lymph node size >1cm was associated with false-positive findings (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In mediastinal lymph node staging in patients with NSCLC, 18F-FDG PET-CT improves the specificity and negative predictive value and helps clinicians to select the patients that will benefit from surgery. Given the high rate of false positives, histological confirmation of positive cases is recommendable.

The EANM practice guidelines for bone scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: The radionuclide bone scan is the cornerstone of skeletal nuclear medicine imaging. Bone scintigraphy is a highly sensitive diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses a radiotracer to evaluate the distribution of active bone formation in the skeleton related to malignant and benign disease, as well as physiological processes. METHODS: The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has written and approved these guidelines to promote the use of nuclear medicine procedures of high quality. CONCLUSION: The present guidelines offer assistance to nuclear medicine practitioners in optimizing the diagnostic procedure and interpreting bone scintigraphy. These guidelines describe the protocols that are currently accepted and used routinely, but do not include all existing procedures. They should therefore not be taken as exclusive of other nuclear medicine modalities that can be used to obtain comparable results. It is important to remember that the resources and facilities available for patient care may vary.

Pancreatic involvement detected with (18)F-FDG PET/CT in disseminated sarcoidosis.

La sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. It may mimic malignancy and may affect multiple organs, with a variable clinical course. Pancreatic involvement is very rare. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman with systemic sarcoidosis whose (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan showed a pancreatic lesion and multiple lymphatic (thoracic and non-thoracic) and visceral lesions. The abnormal (18)F-FDG uptake in the pancreas was limited to the tail. A second (18)F-FDG PET/CT study performed 4 months and 3 weeks after the first PET/CT, following corticosteroid therapy during three and a half months, evidenced partial regression of the disease, with persistent (18)F-FDG pathological uptake in the pancreatic lesion.

[SPECT-CT in sentinel node detection in patients with melanoma]. / SPECT-TAC en la localización del ganglio centinela en pacientes con melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma is greatly influenced by the presence of lymph node metastases. One of the most innovative and fascinating concepts to emerge in the field of oncology in recent years is the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). AIM: The aim of this study was to determine what SPECT-CT images contribute to the search for sentinel nodes in patients with melanoma. METHODS: From March 2007 to October 2008, 18 patients were examined for sentinel nodes using dynamic scintigraphy, planar images, and SPECT-CT in the Nuclear Medicine Department of San Carlos University Hospital. The group contained 10 women and 8 men, age range 14-83 years, mean age 57 years (57+/-20.1). RESULTS: The sentinel node was located by conventional imaging techniques (dynamic scintigraphy and planar images) in 16 of 18 patients (88.88%). SPECT-CT identified the sentinel node in 18 of 18 patients (100%) and detected clinically relevant findings in 6 of 18 patients (33.33%) CONCLUSIONS: SPECT-CT imaging contributed clinically relevant information on sentinel nodes of melanoma, which is particularly important in patients with melanoma of the trunk or head and neck.

SPECT-TAC en la localización del ganglio centinela en pacientes con melanoma / SPECT-CT in sentinel node detection in patients with melanoma

IntroducciónEl pronóstico de los pacientes con melanoma está fuertemente influenciado por la presencia de afectación tumoral ganglionar. Uno de los conceptos más innovadores y fascinantes que ha emergido en el campo de la oncología en los últimos años es la biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela.ObjetivoValorar la aportación que las imágenes de SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography ‘tomografía computarizada por emisión de fotón simple’) y tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) (SPECT-TAC) han realizado a la localización del ganglio centinela en pacientes con melanoma.Material y métodosEntre marzo de 2007 y octubre de 2008, 18 pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma fueron estudiados mediante gammagrafía dinámica, estudio planar y SPECT-TAC en el Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Se trataba de 10 mujeres y 8 varones con una edad comprendida entre los 14 y los 83 años, con una edad media de 57 años (57±20,1).ResultadosEl ganglio centinela fue localizado mediante las técnicas convencionales (estudio dinámico e imágenes planares) en 16 de los 18 pacientes incluidos en el estudio, alcanzando una tasa de detección del 88,8%. El estudio SPECT-TAC logró localizar el ganglio centinela en los 18 pacientes alcanzando una tasa de detección del 100%. Además, aportó información relevante en 6 de los 18 pacientes (33%).ConclusionesLa SPECT-TAC aporta información clínicamente relevante en la localización del ganglio centinela en pacientes con melanoma. Esta aportación resulta de mayor trascendencia en pacientes con melanoma de cabeza y cuello, y en pacientes con melanoma localizado en el tronco(AU)

IntroductionThe prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma is greatly influenced by the presence of lymph node metastases. One of the most innovative and fascinating concepts to emerge in the field of oncology in recent years is the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).AimThe aim of this study was to determine what SPECT-CT images contribute to the search for sentinel nodes in patients with melanoma.MethodsFrom March 2007 to October 2008, 18 patients were examined for sentinel nodes using dynamic scintigraphy, planar images, and SPECT-CT in the Nuclear Medicine Department of San Carlos University Hospital. The group contained 10 women and 8 men, age range 14–83 years, mean age 57 years (57±20.1).ResultsThe sentinel node was located by conventional imaging techniques (dynamic scintigraphy and planar images) in 16 of 18 patients (88.88%). SPECT-CT identified the sentinel node in 18 of 18 patients (100%) and detected clinically relevant findings in 6 of 18 patients (33.33%)ConclusionsSPECT-CT imaging contributed clinically relevant information on sentinel nodes of melanoma, which is particularly important in patients with melanoma of the trunk or head and neck(AU)