Scintigraphic depiction of non-ossifying fibromas and the role of SPECT/CT.

Non-ossifying fibromas (NOF) are a benign entity of the developing bone, relatively common in children and young adults. Their location is most frequently metaphyseal. They are usually asymptomatic (unless associated to a fracture) and have a self-limited behavior, with spontaneous regression through a sclerotic consolidation. Plain X-ray is the main imaging tool for its diagnosis. However, an unclear X-ray may lead to further imaging studies. We present the case of a 17-year-old male with back pain and lower limb dysmetria referred for a bone scintigraphy to complete the diagnostic and assess disease extension and the subsequent MRI evaluation.

[Selective biopsy of the sentinel lymph node in patients with breast cancer and previous excisional biopsy: is there a change in the reliability of the technique according to time from surgery?]. / Biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela en pacientes con cáncer de mama y biopsia escisional previa: ¿cambia la fiabilidad de la técnica según el tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía?

AIM: To assess the influence of time on the reliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer patients with previous excisional biopsy (EB), analyzing both the sentinel lymph node detection and the lymph node recurrence rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with cT1/T2 N0 breast cancer and previous EB of the lesion underwent a lymphoscintigraphy after subdermal periareolar administration of radiocolloid, the day before SLNB. Patients were classified into two groups, one including 12 patients with up to 29 days elapsed between EB and SLNB (group A), and another with the remaining 24 in which time between both procedures was of 30 days or more (group B). Scintigraphic and surgical detection of the sentinel lymph node, histological status of the sentinel lymph node and of the axillary lymph node dissection, if performed, and lymphatic recurrences during follow-up, were analyzed. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node visualization at the lymphoscintigraphy and surgical detection were 100% in both groups. Histologically, three patients showed macrometastasis in the sentinel lymph node, one from group A and two from group B. None of the patients, not even those with malignancy of the sentinel lymph node, relapsed after a medium follow-up of 49.5 months (24-75). CONCLUSION: Time elapsed between EB and SLNB does not influence the reliability of this latter technique as long as a superficial injection of the radiopharmaceutical is performed, proving a very high detection rate of the sentinel lymph node without evidence of lymphatic relapse during follow-up.

[Measurement of 75Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention in the initial diagnosis of Bile Acid Absorption (BAM)]. / Medición de la absorción de los ácidos biliares en el diagnóstico inicial de la diarrea crónica.

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of the (75)SeHCAT abdominal retention (AR) measurement in the early diagnosis of diarrhea syndrome (DS). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with diarrhea syndrome within the first month of evolution were prospectively evaluated. The (75)Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention was measured 4 and 7 days post-administration of 0.01 mCi of (75)SeHCAT. The test was performed prior to treatment and at 3 months when the baseline study was positive. The test was considered positive if the RA was <25% at 4(th) and <10% on the 7th day. The patients were visited at 3 months. Depending on the response, 3 groups were established: a) complete response: normalization of stool frequency, b) partial response, decrease of frequency or c) no response. RESULTS: Group A: The AR of (75)Se-SEHCAT was normal in 21 patients. Six were diagnosed of colonic diverticulosis, 8 of irritable bowel syndrome, 1 of lymphocytic colitis, 1 of post-gastroenteritis syndrome, 1 of celiac disease and 1 of stenosis of the cardia. Four are still under study. Group B: The AR of (75)Se-SEHCAT decreased in 16 patients. All showed abnormal AR at day 7 and all but 1 at day 4. Following administration of cholestyramine resin, 8 (50%) presented partial response and 8 (50%) complete response. At 3 months, AR had increased at day 4 and 9 at day 7. CONCLUSION: The measurement of (75)SEHCAT abdominal retention allows the early diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption in 43% of the patients with DS. Measurement at 7 days seems more accurate than that at 4 days.