Upper Tract Imaging in Patients with Initial or Terminal Hematuria Suggestive of Bleeding from the Lower Urinary Tract: How Often is the Upper Urinary Tract Responsible for the Hematuria?

OBJECTIVES: Visible hematuria (VH) is a common urological complaint. A history of initial or terminal VH in men is indicative of a lower urinary tract (LUT) source. A careful clinical history could limit unnecessary extensive upper tract imaging in this group of patients with VH. We conducted a single-center prospective study to examine the usefulness of investigating the upper tract in patients with a history of VH likely from a LUT source (initial and/or terminal VH) with specific reference to the incidence of demonstrable significant upper tract abnormalities. METHODS: We conducted a single-center prospective study of consecutive male patients presenting with VH over eight months. All patients underwent standard investigations including physical examination, flexible cystoscopy (FC), and radiological imaging (ultrasound scan (USS) and/or computed tomography urogram (CTU)). Those with a clear history of initial or terminal VH were identified for further scrutiny with regards to detectable upper tracts abnormalities. RESULTS: In total, 57 patients (aged 23-95 years) with initial or terminal VH were identified. Of these, 56 had FC and nine patients were subsequently diagnosed with a LUT malignancy. With regards to upper urinary tract (UUT), 35 patients (61.4%) had an USS, 46 (80.7%) underwent a CTU, and 25 (43.9%) patients had both. In this group, no UUT malignancy was identified on upper tract imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Initial or terminal VH patients may not need extensive upper tract imaging. FC is recommended, but a non-invasive USS can be a safe initial investigation for the UUT, with a CTU subsequently considered in those with abnormalities on USS and those with ongoing bleeding. Further combined multicenter analysis will help corroborate these findings and could have several beneficial outcomes including a reduction in investigations cost, patient inconvenience, and ionizing radiation.

Tumor and infection localization in AIDS patients: Ga-67 and Tl-201 findings.

Examples of Ga-67 and Tl-201 scans in AIDS patients performed at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York are presented. Use of these methods is the adopted approach at this institution in AIDS patients for localizing sites of tumor or infection involvement. A Ga-67 scan is the most common nuclear medicine examination performed on AIDS patients. Sequential Tl-201 and Ga-67 scans have a role in differentiating Kaposi's sarcoma from malignant lymphoma and opportunistic infections. For intracranial lesions, Tc-99m MIBI or Tl-201-201-201-201 chloride can differentiate malignant from benign inflammatory lesions.

Acute cholecystitis in AIDS patients: correlation of Tc-99m hepatobiliary scintigraphy with histopathologic laboratory findings and CD4 counts.

BACKGROUND: AIDS patients are susceptible to opportunistic gastrointestinal infections including ascending cholangitis and cholecystitis, especially if CD4 count is < 200. Incidence of acalculous cholecystitis has not been reported previously. PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate the incidence of acalculous cholecystitis in AIDS patients and to identify causative organisms and mortality rate following cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the files of 46 patients in order to meet the objectives of this study. RESULTS: CD4 counts were < 200 in 31 patients and > 200 in 15 patients. HIDA imaging was performed in 31 patients; in 8, the CD4 count was > 200 and all had calculous cholecystitis. The gallbladder was visualized in 3 patients for a sensitivity of 63% and no organisms were found in the gallbladder specimens. In 23 patients, the CD4 count was < 200; the gallbladder was visualized in 5 patients for a HIDA sensitivity of 78%; 16 (52%) had acalculous cholecystitis; and 15 had calculous cholecystitis. In acalculous cholecystitis, Cryptosporidium was found in six cases, cytomegalovirus (CMV) in six cases, and fungus, yeast, tuberculosis, and mycobacterium avium intracellular each in one case. The thirty day mortality rate was 18%; 5 of 28 who underwent open cholecystectomy died within 30 days, 4 of them with a CD4 count < 200. There was no mortality in the 26 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Because of the high incidence of 52% of acalculous cholecystitis in AIDS patients with a CD4 count < 200, we recommend using intravenous cholecystokinin if the gallbladder is visualized on hepatobiliary scintigraphy in order to determine gallbladder ejection fraction and exclude acalculous cholecystitis. (2) Laparoscopic rather than open cholecystectomy should be the surgical procedure of choice in AIDS patients especially if the CD4 count is < 200.

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose dual-head gamma camera coincidence imaging of recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

We report our experience with coincidence detection imaging of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) using a dual-head gamma camera. Scanning of the pelvis and abdomen of a patient with recurrent colorectal carcinoma showed recurrent disease in the pelvic floor and the base of the urinary bladder and metastatic disease in the retroperitoneal space of the pelvis. Although the tumor involving the bladder and pelvic floor was detected by CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), metastatic spread to the retroperitoneal nodes on the left side was detected only by 18F-FDG imaging. Based on the ultrasound, CT, MRI and cystoscopy, a local recurrence of cancer was presumed in our patient. An exploratory laparotomy was performed to resect the tumor in its entirety. At the time of surgery, the retroperitoneal metastasis in the pelvis was confirmed. Had the findings of the coincidence detection imaging study been considered, the patient would have been spared the surgical procedure.

Comparison between 201Tl-chloride and 99Tc(m)-sestamibi SPET brain imaging for differentiating intracranial lymphoma from non-malignant lesions in AIDS patients.

The aim of this study was to compare 201Tl-chloride and 99Tc(m)-sestamibi (MIBI) SPET brain imaging for differentiating brain lymphoma from other intracranial lesions in AIDS patients. Both studies were performed on the same day in 17 AIDS patients with intracranial enhancing lesions on either CT or MRI. Eleven patients underwent brain biopsy and six patients were followed clinically. We calculated the radiopharmaceutical uptake ratio of the lesion to that on the contralateral side with the guidance of CT or MRI findings. Ratios of 1.5 or more were considered to represent malignant lesions and ratios < 1.5 were considered to represent benign lesions. Biopsy revealed four cases of lymphoma, four cases of toxoplasmosis and two cases of progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy; one biopsy yielded necrosis. Both the MIBI and 201Tl studies yielded no false-negative cases of lymphoma (sensitivity 100%). Of the 13 non-lymphoma cases, the 201Tl studies showed seven true-negative cases (specificity 54%) and the MIBI studies showed nine true-negative cases (specificity 69%). The biopsies of the false-positive cases (toxoplasmosis) showed a pattern of healing after medical treatment. We conclude that MIBI is more helpful than 201Tl because of higher specificity and equal sensitivity. The medical treatment of toxoplasmosis is a cause of false-positive 201Tl and MIBI studies.

Delayed positive thallium uptake in large B-cell non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma.

We report an unusual finding in an AIDS patient who presented with a large mediastinal mass and multiple lymphadenopathy. A sequential thallium and gallium scan to specify the nature of the mediastinal mass was requested. The early thallium images, acquired 15 min after the intravenous injection, showed no uptake in the mass. The delayed images 2 hr later showed intense thallium uptake. A gallium scan performed 48 hr later also showed intense gallium uptake in the mediastinal mass. Biopsy from the inguinal lymph node confirmed the presence of large-cell diffuse noncleaved malignant lymphoma. This case raises questions about the optimum time of imaging for thallium in high-grade lymphoma, whether delayed imaging is essential, about previous reports of low sensitivity of thallium in undifferentiated lymphoma and about the mechanism of thallium uptake in this type of tumor.

Role of thallium-201 chloride and Tc-99m methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrite (sestaMIBI) in evaluation of breast masses: correlation with the immunohistochemical characteristic parameters (Ki-67, PCNA, Bcl, and angiogenesis) in malignant lesions.

The aim of this project was to study the kinetics of both Tl and Tc-99m MIBI in PBM by evaluating tumor to normal tissue ratio in early (E) images acquired within 1/2 hour and delayed (D) images acquired three hours following the i.v. injection of 3 mCi (111 MBq) of Tl and 20 mCi (740 MBq) of MIBI on 2 separate days in 49 patients. The washout index was calculated from E ratio minus D ratio divided by E ratio. A negative ratio indicating build up of activity in D images and a positive ratio indicated washout of activity from the E images. In addition, the findings were correlated with the following immunohistochemical parameters: pathological grading, number of cells in mitotic division (PCNA- Ki-67), angiogenesis (well formed and ill formed blood vessels) and presence or absence of Bcl 2 Oncogene (release antiapoptotic signals). Results showed that in all benign and malignant lesions, MIBI showed consistent washout varying from 19-27% while with Tl, there was persistent washout in all benign lesions and mixed washout or buildup varying from +16% to minus 17% in malignant lesions, (E) ratios showed a reasonable correlation between Tl and MIBI (r = 0.5). There was more significant correlation between the D ratios (r = 0.8). Due to high (E) MIBI uptake ratios and their higher percentage of washout than Tl, delayed ratios came close to each other. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed benign lesions presented with low mitotic rate: Ki-67 (71.4%), PCNA (14.2%), low amount of ill formed blood vessels (42.8%) and high amount well formed blood vessels (100%). While malignant lesions presented with high mitotic rate Ki-67 was (96.7%), PCNA (100%), high amount of ill formed blood vessels (73.3% in GII and 100% in Grade III) and less amount of well formed blood vessels of 90% and 83.4% in Grade II and III respectively. Bcl-2 was variable in both benign and malignant lesions with 71.4% in benign, 73.4% in GII and 16.7 in GIII malignancy. In conclusion, early uptake ratio in both benign and malignant tumors is related to the degree of angiogenesis, percentage of ill formed blood vessels, high mitotic activity reflected by high grade of tumor and high percentage of PCNA and Ki-67.

Sites of tuberculous involvement in patients with AIDS. Autopsy findings and evaluation of gallium imaging.

The purpose of this study was to review autopsy and gallium scan findings in two different acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient populations who had a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) to identify organs involved and accuracy of clinical diagnosis. The first group was comprised of 29 autopsies between January 1982 and December 1994, including only 18 patients who were diagnosed before death. Organs most commonly involved were the lymph nodes (59%), lungs (56%), spleen (53%), liver (45%), and kidneys (37%). Other opportunistic infections were present in 18 (59%) of autopsies, with more than one opportunistic infection present in 11 (37%) of the autopsies. Lungs were involved in 79% of all autopsies. The second population group included 94 patients with AIDS with a proven diagnosis of TB, only 24 of whom had gallium scans in the period between January 1992 and December 1994. Chest x-ray results were negative in 4 patients (17%); gallium scan results were positive in 16 patients (66%). The reasons for false-negative gallium scan results were due to anti-tuberculous treatment for periods varying from 2-21 months in 7 patients or the presence of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The sites of TB involvement in the chest were: lung parenchyma in 5 patients (19%, 4 in mid and lower lung, and 1 in upper fields). There was lymph node involvement in all 16 patients (24 locations with mediastinal involvement in 23%, supraclavicular 23%, axillary 11%, retroperitoneal 11%, and inguinal region in 4%. We conclude that (1) tuberculosis in patients with AIDS behaves similar to primary tuberculosis; (2) the combination of chest x-ray and gallium imaging is sensitive for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with AIDS; (3) the involvement of mediastinal lymph nodes in gallium scans in the presence or absence of chest x-ray abnormalities should raise the possibility of TB involvement in patients with human immunodeficiency virus; (4) anti-TB treatment decreases the sensitivity of gallium scan.

Lung-heart ratio in stress thallium myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with a history of a previous pneumonectomy.

Increased TI-201 lung-heart ratio after treadmill exercise or pharmacologic stress is an indicator of left ventricular dysfunction. After pneumonectomy, it is not reliable because of increased pulmonary circulation in the remaining lung. The authors present an example of normal stress TI-201 myocardial perfusion imaging with an increased lung-heart ratio of TI-201 uptake.

Disseminated mycobacterium avium complex. Review of Ga-67 and TI-201 scans and autopsy findings.

A retrospective analysis of the files and Ga-67 scan findings of 32 AIDS patients with established diagnosis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was conducted in order to determine the sensitivity of Ga-67 scans for the diagnosis of this disease and the sites of MAC organ involvement. Fourteen of the 32 patients had early and delayed TI-201 scans that were also reviewed. Autopsy findings of AIDS patients in the 5 years (January 1990 to December 1994) were reviewed to determine the incidence and sites of involvement of disseminated MAC in AIDS autopsies. Chest x-ray was positive in only 41% of patients. Ga-67 scans were positive in 84% with multi-lymph node sites of involvement in 78% (hilar lymph nodes in 37.5%, supraclavicular 28.1% [all were on the left side], para-aortic 31.2%, paratracheal 18.2%, mediastinal nodes 6.2%, and axillary 3.1%), lung parenchymal in 18.7% and pleural in 9.3%). Increased uptake in the spleen in 16%, colitis 53.1% and enteritis 18.7%. Kaposi sarcoma in 9.3% and malignant lymphoma in 3.1%. TI-201 scans were only positive in 6 of 14 patients (42.8%). The autopsy data found the incidence of disseminated MAC in 23.7% (54 patients) out of a total of 228 autopsies. Approximately half of these cases (52%) were diagnosed antemortem. Other opportunistic infections were identified in 74%. The most common sites of MAC involvement were lymph nodes (74%), spleen (74%), liver (52%), lungs (22%), colon (13%), small bowel (11%), and bone marrow (9%). Associated Kaposi sarcoma was detected in 22% and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 13%. Problems in antemortem diagnosis were due to nonspecific presentations, involvement of intrathoracic and extrathoracic lymph nodes, liver, spleen and colon; and the higher incidence of opportunistic infections and negative chest x-ray in the majority of the patients.