Screening tools for the detection of clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: clinically silent cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may be associated with adverse outcomes, hence the rationale for screening patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis. The optimal screening strategy has not been clearly defined. METHODS: patients with extra-cardiac sarcoidosis were prospectively included and underwent screening consisting of symptom history, electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiogram, Holter, and signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed in all patients. Clinically silent CS was defined as CMR demonstrating late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in a pattern compatible with CS according to a majority of independent and blinded CMR experts. Significant cardiac involvement was defined as the presence of LGE ≥6% and/or a positive fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. RESULTS: among the 129 patients included, clinically silent CS was diagnosed in 29/129 (22.5%), and 19/129 patients (14.7%) were classified as CS with significant cardiac involvement. There was a strong association between hypertension and CS (p < 0.05). Individual screening tools provided low diagnostic yield; however, combination of tests performed better, for example, a normal Holter and a normal SAECG had negative predictive values of 91.7%. We found consistently better diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CS with significant cardiac involvement. CONCLUSION: clinically silent CS and CS with significant cardiac involvement were found in 22.5% and 14.7% of patients with extra-cardiac sarcoidosis. The association with hypertension raises the possibility that some cases of hypertensive cardiomyopathy may be mistaken for CS. Screening with readily available tools, for example Holter and SAECG, may help identifying patients without CS where additional CMR is not needed.

Identifying left ventricular dysfunction using prospective electrocardiogram-triggered coronary computed tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an important non-invasive tool for the assessment of coronary artery disease and the delivery of information incremental to coronary anatomy. CCTA measured left ventricular (LV) mid-diastolic volume (LVMDV) and LV mass (LVMass) have important prognostic information but the utility of prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA to predict reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if indexed LVMDV (LVMDVi) and the LVMDV:LVMass ratio on CCTA can identify patients with reduced LVEF. MATERIALS/METHODS: 8179 patients with prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA between November 2014 and December 2019 were reviewed. A subset derivation cohort of 4352 healthy patients was used to define normal LVMDVi and LVMDV:LVMass. Sex-specific thresholds were tested in a validation cohort of 1783 patients, excluded from the derivation cohort, with cardiac disease and known LVEF. The operating characteristics for 1 SD above the mean were tested for the identification of abnormal LVEF, LVEF≤35 â€‹% and ≤30 â€‹%. RESULTS: The derivation cohort had a mean LVMDVi of 61.0 â€‹± â€‹13.7 â€‹mL/m2 and LVMDV:LVMass of 1.11 â€‹± â€‹0.24 â€‹mL/g. LVMDVi and LVMDV:LVMass were both higher in patients with reduced LVEF than those with normal LVEF (98.8 â€‹± â€‹40.8 â€‹mL/m2 vs. 63.3 â€‹± â€‹19.7 â€‹mL/m2, p â€‹< â€‹0.001, and 1.32 â€‹± â€‹0.44 â€‹mL/g vs. 1.05 â€‹± â€‹0.28 â€‹mL/g, p â€‹< â€‹0.001). Both mean LVMDVi and LVMDV:LVMass increased with the severity of LVEF reduction. Sex-specific LVMDVi thresholds were 79 â€‹% and 80 â€‹% specific for identifying abnormal LVEF in females (LVMDVi â€‹≥ â€‹69.9 â€‹mL/m2) and males (LVMDVi â€‹≥ â€‹78.8 â€‹mL/m2), respectively. LVMDV:LVMass thresholds had high specificity (87 â€‹%) in both females (LVMDVi:LVMass â€‹≥ â€‹1.39 â€‹mL/g) and males (LVMDVi:LVMass â€‹≥ â€‹1.30 â€‹mL/g). CONCLUSION: Our study provides reference thresholds for LVMDVi and LVMDV:LVMass on prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA, which may identify patients who require further LV function assessment.

Role of 18F-choline and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in combination with magnetic resonance imaging in brachytherapy planning for locally advanced cervical cancer: A pilot study.

Background and purpose: This pilot study aims to describe the advantages of combining metabolic and anatomic imaging modalities in brachytherapy (BT) planning for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and to evaluate the supplementary value of Fluoro(F)-Choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in comparison to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in this setting. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort of six patients with LACC was included in this study. Each patient underwent BT planning CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and both FDG and F-Choline PET/CT scans on the same day, with BT applicators in place. Patients were treated according to the standard of care. Metabolic target volumes (TV) were generated retrospectively and compared with the anatomic volumes using Dice coefficients and absolute volume comparison. Results: The threshold at which the metabolic and anatomic volumes were the most concordant was found to be 35% maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) for both PET/CT scans. Amongst the six patients in this cohort, three in the FDG cohort and four in the F-Choline cohort were found to have more than ten percent ratio of excess (increase) in their MRI gross tumor volumes (GTV) when incorporating the metabolic information from the PET/CT scans. However, no significant changes were needed in the high risk-clinical target volumes (CTVHR) for both PET tracers. Conclusions: FDG and F-Choline PET/CT scans can substantially modify the BT GTV on MRI, without affecting the CTVHR. F-Choline is potentially more informative than FDG in assessing residual TV, particularly in cases with significant post-radiation inflammatory changes.

A Reliable Production System of Large Quantities of [13N]Ammonia for Multiple Human Injections.

[13N]Ammonia is one of the most commonly used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracers in humans to assess myocardial perfusion and measure myocardial blood flow. Here, we report a reliable semi-automated process to manufacture large quantities of [13N]ammonia in high purity by proton-irradiation of a 10 mM aqueous ethanol solution using an in-target process under aseptic conditions. Our simplified production system is based on two syringe driver units and an in-line anion-exchange purification for up to three consecutive productions of ~30 GBq (~800 mCi) (radiochemical yield = 69 ± 3% n.d.c) per day. The total manufacturing time, including purification, sterile filtration, reformulation, and quality control (QC) analyses performed before batch release, is approximately 11 min from the End of Bombardment (EOB). The drug product complies with FDA/USP specifications and is supplied in a multidose vial allowing for two doses per patient, two patients per batch (4 doses/batch) on two separate PET scanners simultaneously. After four years of use, this production system has proved to be easy to operate and maintain at low costs. Over the last four years, more than 1000 patients have been imaged using this simplified procedure, demonstrating its reliability for the routine production of large quantities of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)-compliant [13N]ammonia for human use.

[18 F]Fluoropyridine-losartan: A new approach toward human Positron Emission Tomography imaging of Angiotensin II Type 1 receptors.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1 R) blocker losartan is used in patients with renal and cardiovascular diseases. [18 F]fluoropyridine-losartan has shown favorable binding profile for quantitative renal PET imaging of AT1 R with selective binding in rats and pigs, low interference of radiometabolites and appropriate dosimetry for clinical translation. A new approach was developed to produce [18 F]fluoropyridine-losartan in very high molar activity. Automated radiosynthesis was performed in a three-step, two-pot, and two-HPLC-purification procedure within 2 h. Pure [18 F]FPyKYNE was obtained by radiofluorination of NO2 PyKYNE and silica-gel-HPLC purification (40 ± 9%), preventing the formation of nitropyridine-losartan in the second step. Conjugation with trityl-losartan azide via click chemistry, followed by acid hydrolysis, C18-HPLC purification and reformulation provided [18 F]fluoropyridine-losartan in 11 ± 2% (decay-corrected from [18 F]fluoride, EOB). Using tris[(1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]-amine (THPTA) as a Cu(I)-stabilizing agent for coupling [18 F]FPyKYNE to the unprotected losartan azide afforded [18 F]fluoropyridine-losartan in similar yields (11 ± 3%, decay-corrected from [18 F]fluoride, EOB). Reverse-phase HPLC was optimized by reducing the pH of the mobile phase to achieve complete purification and high molar activities (467 ± 60 GBq/µmol). The use of radioprotectants prevented tracer radiolysis for 10 h (RCP > 99%). The product passed the quality control testing. This reproducible automated radiosynthesis process will allow in vivo PET imaging of AT1 R expression in several diseases.

PSMA-PET/CT-Guided Intensification of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (PSMAgRT): Findings of Detection Rate, Effect on Cancer Management, and Early Toxicity From a Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly integrated in prostate cancer management because of its diagnostic performance. We sought to evaluate the effect of PSMA-PET/computed tomography (CT)-guided intensification of radiation therapy (PSMAgRT) on patient outcomes. Here, we report secondary trial endpoints including the rate of new lesion detection, effect on prostate cancer management, and treatment-related toxicities. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this phase 2 cohort multiple randomized controlled trial across 2 institutions, men with prostate cancer planned for RT were randomly selected for PSMAgRT across 4 strata: oligometastatic, high risk (Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment ≥6 or cN1), salvage post-RT, and salvage postprostatectomy (RP). Primary endpoint was failure-free survival at 5 years, with analysis pending further follow-up. Secondary endpoints included new lesion detection yield of PSMA-PET/CT, acute and delayed toxicities, effect on prostate cancer management, and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03525288, companion to registry NCT03378856. RESULTS: Between May 2018 and February 2021, 262 patients were enrolled and randomized. Nine patients were later excluded (5 control, 4 PSMAgRT), leaving 253 patients for analysis (23 oligometastatic, 86 high risk, 16 salvage post-RT, and 128 salvage post-RP). New lesions were detected in 45.5% of oligometastatic, 39.5% of high risk, 14.3% of salvage post-RT, and 51.6% of salvage post-RP. Overall, PSMA-PET/CT led to intensification of RT in over half of patients (52.0%), with minimal intensification of systemic therapy (4.0%). With a median follow-up of 12.9 months, this intensification was associated with 3 attributable grade 3+ events (2.5% of patients undergoing PSMAgRT) but no difference in the rate of grade 2+ events attributable to RT compared with controls (43%, both arms). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized trial, PSMA-PET/CT led to intensification of RT in more than half of patients. Longer follow-up is required to determine whether this intensification translates to effect on cancer control and long-term toxicity and health-related quality-of-life outcomes.

Chest Pain Evaluation: Diagnostic Testing.

Chest pain/discomfort (CP) is a common symptom and can be a diagnostic dilemma for many clinicians. The misdiagnosis of an acute or progressive chronic cardiac etiology may carry a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes the different options and modalities for establishing the diagnosis and severity of coronary artery disease. An effective test selection algorithm should be individually tailored to each patient to maximize diagnostic accuracy in a timely fashion, determine short- and long-term prognosis, and permit implementation of evidence-based treatments in a cost-effective manner. Through collaboration, a decision algorithm was developed (www.chowmd.ca/cadtesting) that could be adopted widely into clinical practice.

La douleur ou la gêne thoracique sont des symptômes fréquents qui peuvent poser un dilemme diagnostique pour de nombreux médecins. Les erreurs de diagnostic d'une cause aiguë ou chronique progressive d'origine cardiaque peuvent d'ailleurs entraîner un risque considérable de morbidité et de mortalité. La présente synthèse porte sur les différentes options et modalités d'établissement du diagnostic et de la gravité d'une coronaropathie. Un algorithme efficace pour le choix des tests doit être adapté à chaque patient afin de maximiser l'exactitude diagnostique dans les plus brefs délais, de déterminer le pronostic à court et à long terme, et de permettre une mise en œuvre de traitements fondés sur des données probantes tout en tenant compte des coûts. Un algorithme décisionnel a donc été conjointement mis au point (www.chowmd.ca/cadtesting) et pourrait être largement adopté dans la pratique clinique.

Coronary bioresorbable stents: Non-invasive quantitative evaluation of intra- and juxta-stent plaque composition-A computed tomography longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Coronary bioresorbable stents (BRS) do not produce blooming artifacts on computed tomography (CT), in contrast to metallic stents, as they are made of a bioresorbable polymer and are radiolucent. They allow to evaluate the coronary plaque beneath. The low-attenuation plaque (LAP) suggests plaque vulnerability and is CT assessable. The aim of our study was to show the possibility of a non-invasive CT evaluation of the volume and the LAP composition of the intra- and juxta-stent plaque. METHODOLOGY: In our prospective longitudinal study, we recruited 27 consecutive patients (35 BRS stents total; mean age 60 +/- 9 years) with bioresorbable stents for a 256-slice ECG-synchronized CT evaluation at 1- and 12-months post stent implantation. Total plaque volume (mm3), absolute and relative (%) LAP volume per block in the pre- intra- and post-stent zones were analyzed; comparison 1- and 12-months post-implantation of BRS. Changes in the previously mentioned variables were assessed by the mixed effects models with and without spline, which also accounted for the correlation between repeated measurements. RESULTS: Our block or spline model analysis has shown no significant difference in plaque or absolute LAP volumes in pre- intra- and post-stent zones between 1 and 12 months. Interestingly, % LAP volume increases near-significantly in the distal block of the intrastent at 12-mo follow-up (from 23.38 ± 1.80% to 26.90 ± 2.22% (increase of 15%), p = 0.052). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of the repeated non-invasive quantitative analysis of the intrastent coronary plaque and of the in-stent lumen by CT scan.

Negative Association of Smoking History With Clinically Manifest Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Case-Control Study.

Background: The etiology of sarcoidosis is still unknown and is likely related to a genetic susceptibility to unidentified environmental trigger(s). Our group and others have extensively described a specific phenotype of primarily Caucasian patients who have clinically manifest cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). In this study, we sought to explore whether smoking is associated with this specific phenotype of sarcoidosis. Methods: We performed a case-control study. Cases with clinically manifest CS were prospectively enrolled in the Cardiac Sarcoidosis Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Study (CHASM-CS registry; NCT01477359) and answered a standardized smoking history questionnaire. Cases were matched 10:1 with controls from the Ontario Health Study. Pretreatment positron emission tomography scans with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose were compared for smokers vs nonsmokers. Results: Eighty-seven cases met the inclusion criteria. A total of 82 of 87 (94.3%) answered the questionnaire and were matched with 820 controls. A clear negative association of sarcoidosis and smoking was found, with 23 of 82 CS cases (28.0%) being current or ex-smokers, vs 392 of 820 controls (47.8%; P = 0.0006). CS patients with a smoking history had significantly less lifetime consumption (8.31 ± 9.20 pack-years) than the controls (15.34 ± 10.84 pack-years; P < 0.003). On 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scan, the mean standardized uptake value of the left ventricle was 4.2 ± 8.98 in lifetime nonsmokers vs 2.89 ± 2.07 in patients with a smoking history (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: We describe a strong negative association between smoking history and clinically manifest CS. Nonsmokers had more severe myocardial inflammation (greater mean standardized uptake value of the left ventricle) than did patients with a smoking history. Further research is needed to understand these associations and whether they have therapeutic potential.

Introduction: L'étiologie de la sarcoïdose est encore inconnue et est possiblement liée à une susceptibilité génétique à un ou des déclencheurs environnementaux inconnus. Notre groupe et d'autres groupes ont exposé sous tous ses aspects un phénotype particulier chez des patients principalement blancs qui ont une sarcoïdose cardiaque (SC) manifeste sur le plan clinique. Dans la présente étude, nous avons cherché à explorer si le tabagisme est associé à ce phénotype particulier de la sarcoïdose. Méthodes: Nous avons réalisé une étude cas témoins. Les cas qui avaient une SC manifeste sur le plan clinique ont été inscrits de façon prospective à l'étude CHASM-CS (Cardiac Sarcoidosis Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Study, registre CHASM-CS; NCT01477359) et ont répondu à un questionnaire standardisé sur les antécédents de tabagisme. Les cas ont été appariés 10:1 aux témoins de l'Étude sur la santé Ontario. Nous avons comparé avant le traitement la tomographie par émission de positons au 18F-fluorodéoxyglucose des fumeurs vs des non-fumeurs. Résultats: Quatre-vingt-sept cas répondaient aux critères d'inclusion. Un total de 82 sur 87 (94,3 %) cas ont rempli le questionnaire et ont été appariés à 820 témoins. Nous avons observé une association négative claire entre la sarcoïdose et le tabagisme, soit 23 sur 82 cas de SC (28,0 %) qui fumaient actuellement ou étaient des ex-fumeurs vs 392 sur 820 témoins (47,8 % ; P = 0,0006). Les patients atteints de SC qui avaient des antécédents de tabagisme avaient une consommation significativement moindre durant leur vie (8,31 ± 9,20 paquets-années) que les témoins (15,34 ± 10,84 paquets-années ; P < 0,003). À la tomographie par émission de positons au 18F-fluorodéoxyglucose, la valeur moyenne de fixation normalisée du ventricule gauche était de 4,2 ± 8,98 chez les non-fumeurs de toujours vs 2,89 ± 2,07 chez les patients qui avaient des antécédents de tabagisme (P < 0,0001). Conclusions: Nous démontrons une forte association négative entre les antécédents de tabagisme et la SC manifeste sur le plan clinique. Les non-fumeurs avaient plus d'inflammation myocardique grave (une plus grande valeur moyenne de fixation normalisée du ventricule gauche) que les patients qui avaient des antécédents de tabagisme. D'autres recherches sont nécessaires pour comprendre ces associations et savoir s'ils ont un potentiel thérapeutique.

Diabetic foot infections: how to investigate more efficiently? A retrospective study in a quaternary university center.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot infections are frequent and associated with substantial morbidity and substantial cost to the healthcare system. Up to 34% of diabetic patients will develop an ulcer potentially leading to osteomyelitis. Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process. Imaging modalities to investigate the diabetic foot infection are many and imaging prescription habits remain heterogeneous across physicians. We aimed to improve the appropriateness of imaging examination requested, and performed, for diabetic foot osteomyelitis and we aimed to reduce the overall imaging-related cost. METHODS: Local committee was created to develop an algorithm for suspected diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Best practices were defined by the local algorithm. The algorithm was shared with our physicians. Pre- and post-intervention analysis was conducted retrospectively. All adult diabetic patients with suspected foot osteomyelitis were included. Adherence to best practices was measured. Statistical analysis with Chi-Square and two tailed unpaired t-test was performed. RESULTS: Pre-intervention cohort had 223 patients (mean age: 63; 168 men). Adherence to best practice was 43%. Scintigraphy (48%) preferred over MRI (44%) and performed simultaneously in 15 patients. Post-intervention cohort had 73 patients (mean age: 66; 62 men). Adherence to best practice was 78%, improved by 35% (p < 0.001). MRI (51%) preferred over scintigraphy (23%) and performed simultaneously in three patients. Scintigraphy examinations decreased by 25% (p < 0.001). MRI examinations increased by 7% (p = 0.32). Hospital imaging related fees decreased by 22% per patient (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Interval improvement in adequate adherence while reducing unnecessary examinations for patients and decreasing costs for the healthcare system was observed.

FDG PET/CT for Evaluation of Immunotherapy Response in Lung Cancer Patients.

Over the last decade, several strategies have revolutionized the clinical management of patients with lung cancer, including immunotherapy. Indeed, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) monotherapy or in combination represent the standard-of-care for patients with advanced disease with no actionable mutation. Due to the unique action of ICI to potentiate the immune system, conventional response assessment criteria in medical imaging, such as RECIST 1.1, have limitations. Unlike chemotherapy, patients treated with ICI can present atypical response patterns including pseudoprogression, hyper-progression, and dissociated response. Therefore, the creation and implementation of novel standardized response criteria that consider these distinct response patterns is of critical importance. In parallel, FDG PET/CT is now part of the routine staging for patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. Moreover, there is an increasing interest in using FDG PET/CT metrics for predicting response to ICI therapy. While standardized uptake values are limited in predicting outcomes, new metrics including tumor metabolic volume, total lesion glycolysis, metabolic activity of the gut microbiome, and radiomics show promise as potential nuclear-medicine ICI biomarkers. Moreover, PET tracers that specifically target immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 also showed promising results in predicting ICI response. Finally, despite achieving higher response rates, ICI therapy leads to the development of immune-related adverse events such as pneumonitis or colitis. Therefore, it is of upmost importance for the imaging specialist to recognize the metabolic patterns associated with these new toxicity profiles. In this paper, we will review how the FDG PET/CT can potentially become a useful marker for the evaluation of ICI response.

A single-center, multidisciplinary experience with radium-223 dichloride in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate several clinical and biochemical parameters, including palliative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to predict survival in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with radium-223 (223Ra). METHODS: We tested known and possible prognostic parameters, including palliative EBRT, both prior and concurrent to 223Ra. Logrank test (Kaplan-Meier method) and Cox regression analysis were used to predict overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were treated with 223Ra; median age was 72 years. Median OS was 9.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.4-10.6) months. By univariate analysis (log-rank test), baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1 (p=0.001), ≥5 cycles of 223Ra (p<0.001), baseline hemoglobin (Hb) ≥120 g/L (p <0.001), baseline total alkaline phosphatase (tALP) <110 U/L (p=0.001), and any prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline at week 12 (p=0.013) were associated with increased OS. EBRT prior and/or concurrent to 223Ra showed a trend (p=0.051) towards inferior OS by univariate analysis only. By multivariate analysis, significant factors were PS 0-1 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.94, 95% CI 1.3-2.9, p=0.001), Hb ≥120 g/L (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9, p=0.011), and absence of docetaxel use prior to 223Ra (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.08-3.22, p=0.026). With baseline Hb, tALP, and ECOG PS, we were able to divide patients into three groups with different median OS (months): 23.0 (95% CI 12.8-33.2), 8.0 (95% CI 6.7-9.3), and 5.0 (95% CI 3.1-6.9) for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that 223Ra therapy can result in an OS of close to two years in carefully selected patients. Earlier administration of 223Ra therapy to fitter patients with mCRPC should be tested.

Performance of an integrated multimodality image guidance and dose-planning system supporting tumor-targeted HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Advances in high-dose-rate brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer hinge on improved accuracy in navigation and targeting while optimizing a streamlined workflow. Multimodal image registration and electromagnetic (EM) tracking are two technologies integrated into a prototype system in the early phase of clinical evaluation. We aim to report on the system's accuracy and workflow performance in support of tumor-targeted procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, we evaluated the system in 43 consecutive procedures after clinical deployment. We measured workflow efficiency and EM catheter reconstruction accuracy. We also evaluated the system's MRI-TRUS registration accuracy with/without deformation, and with/without y-axis rotation for urethral alignment at initialization. RESULTS: The cohort included 32 focal brachytherapy and 11 integrated boost whole-gland implants. Mean procedure time excluding dose delivery was 38 min (range: 21-83) for focal, and 56 min (range: 38-89) for whole-gland implants; stable over time. EM catheter reconstructions achieved a mean difference between computed and measured free-length of 0.8 mm (SD 0.8, no corrections performed), and mean axial manual corrections 1.3 mm (SD 0.7). EM also enabled the clinical use of a non or partially visible catheter in 21% of procedures. Registration accuracy improved with y-axis rotation for urethral alignment at initialization and with the elastic registration (mTRE 3.42 mm, SD 1.49). CONCLUSION: The system supported tumor-targeting and was implemented with no demonstrable learning curve. EM reconstruction errors were small, correctable, and improved with calibration and control of external distortion sources; increasing confidence in the use of partially visible catheters. Image registration errors remained despite rotational alignment and deformation, and should be carefully considered.

Standardizing SPECT/CT dosimetry following radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres.

BACKGROUND: Multiple post-treatment dosimetry methods are currently under investigation for Yttrium-90 ([Formula: see text]) radioembolization. Within each methodology, a variety of dosimetric inputs exists that affect the final dose estimates. Understanding their effects is essential to facilitating proper dose analysis and crucial in the eventual standardization of radioembolization dosimetry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dose differences due to different self-calibrations and mass density assignments in the non-compartmental and local deposition methods. A practical mean correction method was introduced that permits dosimetry in images where the quality is compromised by patient motion and partial volume effects. METHODS: Twenty-one patients underwent [Formula: see text] radioembolization and were imaged with SPECT/CT. Five different self-calibrations (FOV, Body, OAR, Liverlung, and Liver) were implemented and dosimetrically compared. The non-compartmental and local deposition method were used to perform dosimetry based on either nominal- or CT calibration-based mass densities. A mean correction method was derived assuming homogeneous densities. Cumulative dose volume histograms, linear regressions, boxplots, and Bland Altman plots were utilized for analysis. RESULTS: Up to 270% weighted dose difference was found between self-calibrations with mean dose differences up to 50 Gy in the liver and 23 Gy in the lungs. Between the local deposition and non-compartmental methods, the liver and lung had dose differences within 0.71 Gy and 20 Gy, respectively. The local deposition method's nominal and CT calibration-based mass density implementations dosimetric metrics were within 1.4% in the liver and 24% in the lungs. The mean lung doses calculated with the CT method were shown to be inflated. The mean correction method demonstrated that the corrected mean doses were greater by up to [Formula: see text] Gy in the liver and lower by up to [Formula: see text] Gy in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: The OAR calibration may be utilized as a potentially more accurate and precise self-calibration. The non-compartmental method was found more comparable to the local deposition method in organs that were more homogeneous in mass densities. Due to the potential for inflated lung mean doses, the non-compartmental and local deposition method implemented with nominal mass densities is recommended for more consistent dosimetric results. If patient motion and partial volume effects are present in the liver, our practical correction method will calculate more representative doses in images suboptimal for dosimetry.

Quantification of epicardial fat using non contrast cardiac CT in an HIV population: Reproducibility and association with other body fat indices.

PURPOSE: To assess the reproducibility of different epicardial fat measurement and their association with other adiposity measurements in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this cross-sectional study, 167 HIV-infected and 58 non-HIV-infected consecutive participants (200 males; mean age 56 years) with low/intermediate cardiovascular risk were recruited between 2012 and 2017 from a large prospective cohort and underwent non-contrast cardiac CT. Two independent observers measured epicardial fat volume, area and thickness in all participants. For intra-observer agreement, one observer did a second assessment in a subset of 40 patients. Agreement was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Pearson's correlation was estimated to assess the association between epicardial fat, body-mass index (BMI) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) derived percentage of body fat. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement was excellent for epicardial fat volume (ICC 0.75) and area (ICC 0.95) and good for epicardial fat thickness (ICC near the left anterior descending artery (LAD) 0.64, ICC near right coronary artery (RCA) 0.64). Intra-observer agreement was excellent for epicardial fat volume (ICC 0.97), area (ICC 0.99), thickness at LAD (ICC 0.71) and good for epicardial fat thickness at RCA (ICC 0.68). Epicardial fat volume had a better correlation to total body fat (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) and trunk fat (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), in comparison to other epicardial fat indices. CONCLUSION: Assessment of epicardial fat volume is highly reproducible in both HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients and shows a superior correlation with DEXA-based body and trunk fat measurements. Epicardial fat volume should be considered over other CT assessment methods when quantifying epicardial fat in HIV patients.