Desenmascarando la polimialgia reumática, papel de la Medicina Nuclear / Decoding polymyalgia rheumatica, the role of Nuclear Medicine Imaging

La polimialgia reumática (PMR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria de las articulaciones que se presenta en pacientes mayores de 50 años con dolor y rigidez matutina prolongada en las cinturas del hombro y la cadera y en el cuello. La falta de hallazgos clínicos específicos, signos de laboratorio, biomarcadores y métodos de imagen establecidos dificulta el diagnóstico de los pacientes con esta enfermedad. La 18F-FDG PET/TC es una técnica de imagen funcional que constituye una herramienta consolidada en Oncología y que también ha demostrado su utilidad en el campo de las enfermedades inflamatorias. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar evidencia bibliográfica sobre el uso de métodos de imagen molecular como la PET/TC para el diagnóstico precoz, la evaluación de la actividad de la enfermedad y la respuesta terapéutica en la PMR. Al mismo tiempo, se consideran las ventajas, las desventajas y las contraindicaciones de otros métodos (AU)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease that presents in patients older than 50 years with prolonged morning pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip joints and neck. The lack of specific clinical findings, laboratory signs, biomarkers and established imaging methods makes it difficult to diagnose patients with this disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT is a functional imaging technique that is an established tool in oncology and has also proven useful in the field of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this paper is to present literature evidence on the use of molecular imaging methods such as PET/CT for early diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in PMR. At the same time, the advantages, disadvantages and contraindications of other methods are considered (AU)

Decoding polymyalgia rheumatica, the role of Nuclear Medicine Imaging.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease that presents in patients older than 50 years with prolonged morning pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip joints and neck. The lack of specific clinical findings, laboratory signs, biomarkers and established imaging methods makes it difficult to diagnose patients with this disease. 18F-FDG PET/CT is a functional imaging technique that is an established tool in oncology and has also proven useful in the field of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this paper is to present literature evidence on the use of molecular imaging methods such as PET/CT for early diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in PMR. At the same time, the advantages, disadvantages and contraindications of other methods are considered.

Aportaciones de la medicina nuclear en la enfermedad musculoesquelética tumoral maligna en niños / Contributions of nuclear medicine to malignant musculoskeletal tumor disease in children

Un diagnóstico de cáncer es perturbador a cualquier edad, pero especialmente cuando el paciente es un niño. Solo se puede diagnosticar lo que se sospecha, solo se sospecha lo que se conoce o, al menos, se conoce su existencia, pero los tumores musculoesqueléticos son infrecuentes y, por tanto, muy difíciles de diagnosticar o tratar. Probablemente por su infrecuencia, por la complejidad de las imágenes radiológicas, por la apariencia histopatológica, así como por las serias consecuencias debido a biopsias y tratamientos inadecuados, la patología tumoral musculoesquelética necesita un manejo clínico que debe ser llevado a cabo por un grupo de especialistas con formación específica, que permita un adecuado diagnóstico, la introducción de terapias adyuvantes, así como un tratamiento quirúrgico, haciéndose hoy imprescindible un tratamiento multidisciplinar. Los estudios de imagen proporcionan información esencial sobre la naturaleza de cada lesión, su tamaño, su localización anatómica, el efecto sobre el hueso o los tejidos blandos circundantes y la afectación de las articulaciones adyacentes y las estructuras neurovasculares. En este artículo los autores analizan los avances de las técnicas de medicina nuclear (gammagrafías, PET/TC y SPECT/TC) y su utilidad en la estadificación de tumores musculoesqueléticos malignos pediátricos, así como en la valoración de la respuesta, el seguimiento y el diagnóstico de recidiva (AU)

A diagnosis of cancer is frightening at any age, but especially when the patient is a child. Only what is suspected can be diagnosed, only what is known or at least known to exist is suspected, but musculoskeletal tumors are infrequent and therefore very difficult to diagnose or treat. Probably due to their infrequency, the complexity of the radiological images, histopathological appearance, as well as the serious consequences due to inadequate biopsies and treatments, musculoskeletal tumor pathology requires clinical management that must be carried out by a group of specialists with specific training, allowing an adequate diagnosis, introduction of adjuvant therapies, as well as surgical treatment, making multidisciplinary treatment essential today. Imaging studies provide essential information on the nature of each lesion, its size, its anatomical location, the effect on the surrounding bone or soft tissues and the involvement of adjacent joints and neurovascular structures. In this article the authors will discuss the advances in nuclear medicine techniques (scintigraphy, SPECT/CT and PET/CT) and their usefulness in the staging of pediatric malignant musculoskeletal tumors, as well as in the assessment of response, follow-up, and diagnosis of recurrence (AU)

Contributions of nuclear medicine to malignant musculoskeletal tumor disease in children.

A diagnosis of cancer is frightening at any age, but especially when the patient is a child. Only what is suspected can be diagnosed, only what is known or at least known to exist is suspected, but musculoskeletal tumors are infrequent and therefore very difficult to diagnose or treat. Probably due to their infrequency, the complexity of the radiological images, histopathological appearance, as well as the serious consequences due to inadequate biopsies and treatments, musculoskeletal tumor pathology requires clinical management that must be carried out by a group of specialists with specific training, allowing an adequate diagnosis, introduction of adjuvant therapies, as well as surgical treatment, making multidisciplinary treatment essential today. Imaging studies provide essential information on the nature of each lesion, its size, its anatomical location, the effect on the surrounding bone or soft tissues and the involvement of adjacent joints and neurovascular structures. In this article the authors will discuss the advances in nuclear medicine techniques (scintigraphy, SPECT/CT and PET/CT) and their usefulness in the staging of pediatric malignant musculoskeletal tumors, as well as in the assessment of response, follow-up, and diagnosis of recurrence.

18F-FDG-PET/CT in SARS-CoV-2 infection and its sequelae.

In recent months, much of the scientific efforts have focused on research on SARSCoV-2 infection and its consequences in humans. Still, many aspects remain unknown. It is known that the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 is multifactorial and that its extension goes beyond lung inflammation and the acute phase, with the appearance of numerous complications and sequelae. To date, knowledge about the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the acute phase has been limited to the incidental detection of SARS-CoV-2 unsuspected pneumonia. Recent studies have been appearing collecting the findings of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in long COVID-19 or persistent COVID-19 state as well as the alterations caused after mass vaccination of the population in the metabolic studies. This work aims to review the existing literature focusing on these three issues and to briefly present our own preliminary experience.

[18F-FDG-PET/CT in SARS-CoV-2 infection and its sequelae]. / 18F-FDG-PET/TC ante la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y sus secuelas.

In recent months, much of the scientific efforts have focused on research on SARSCoV-2 infection and its consequences in humans. Still, many aspects remain unknown. It is known that the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 is multifactorial and that its extension goes beyond lung inflammation and the acute phase, with the appearance of numerous complications and sequelae. To date, knowledge about the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the acute phase has been limited to the incidental detection of SARS-CoV-2 unsuspected pneumonia. Recent studies have been appearing collecting the findings of 18F-FDG- PET/CT in long COVID-19 or persistent COVID-19 state as well as the alterations caused after mass vaccination of the population in the metabolic studies. This work aims to review the existing literature focusing on these three issues and to briefly present our own preliminary experience.

Imagen funcional en sarcomas de partes blandas: actualización de las indicaciones de la 18F-FDG-PET/TC / Functional image in soft tissue sarcomas: An update of the indications of 18F-FDG-PET/CT

Los sarcomas de partes blandas (SPB) son un grupo heterogéneo y poco frecuente de tumores. Suponen el 1% de los tumores malignos sólidos en adultos y el 7% en niños, y son responsables del 2% de la mortalidad por cáncer. Requieren un abordaje multidisciplinar en centros con experiencia. Esta colaboración pretende actualizar la evidencia científica para fortalecer, junto con la experiencia clínica, las bases del uso y las limitaciones de la 18F-FDG-PET/TC en los SPB. Las recomendaciones generales del uso de la PET/TC en SPB en la actualidad se resumen en la valoración inicial de lesiones de partes blandas cuando la imagen convencional no establece con certeza benignidad y ello condiciona el abordaje; en la guía de biopsia en casos seleccionados; en la estadificación inicial, como prueba adicional, del rabdomiosarcoma y SPB de extremidades o superficiales del tronco y cabeza y cuello; en la sospecha de recurrencia local cuando la TC o la RM no son concluyentes y ante la presencia de material de osteosíntesis o protésico, y en la valoración de respuesta a la terapia local/sistémica en SPB estadios ii/iii. Además, la PET/TC tiene el valor añadido de ser un marcador subrogado de la respuesta histopatológica en la pieza quirúrgica y de aportar información pronóstica tanto en el estudio basal como postratamiento

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors. They account for 1% of solid malignant tumors in adults and 7% in children and are responsible for 2% of cancer mortality. They require a multidisciplinary approach in centers with experience. This collaboration aims to update the scientific evidence to strengthen, together with clinical experience, the bases for the use and limitations of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in STSs. The general recommendations for the use of PET/CT in STS at present are summarized as the initial evaluation of soft tissue tumours when conventional image does not establish benignity with certainty and this determines the approach; in biopsy guiding in selected cases; in the initial staging, as additional tool, for rhabdomyosarcoma and STS of extremities or superficial trunk and head and neck tumours; in the suspicion of local recurrence when the CT or MRI are inconclusive and in the presence of osteosynthesis or prosthetic material and in assessment of therapy response to local/systemic therapy in stages ii/iii. In addition, PET/CT has the added value of being a surrogate marker of the histopathological response and it provides prognostic information, both in the baseline study and after treatment

Functional image in soft tissue sarcomas: An update of the indications of 18F-FDG-PET/CT. / Imagen funcional en sarcomas de partes blandas: actualización de las indicaciones de la 18F-FDG-PET/TC.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors. They account for 1% of solid malignant tumors in adults and 7% in children and are responsible for 2% of cancer mortality. They require a multidisciplinary approach in centers with experience. This collaboration aims to update the scientific evidence to strengthen, together with clinical experience, the bases for the use and limitations of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in STSs. The general recommendations for the use of PET/CT in STS at present are summarized as the initial evaluation of soft tissue tumours when conventional image does not establish benignity with certainty and this determines the approach; in biopsy guiding in selected cases; in the initial staging, as additional tool, for rhabdomyosarcoma and STS of extremities or superficial trunk and head and neck tumours; in the suspicion of local recurrence when the CT or MRI are inconclusive and in the presence of osteosynthesis or prosthetic material and in assessment of therapy response to local/systemic therapy in stages ii/iii. In addition, PET/CT has the added value of being a surrogate marker of the histopathological response and it provides prognostic information, both in the baseline study and after treatment.

La PET/TC con 18F-Colina en la estadificación y recidiva bioquímica de pacientes con cáncer de próstata: cambios en la clasificación y planificación de radioterapia / 18F-Choline PET/CT scan in staging and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients: Changes in classification and radiotherapy planning

Objetivo: Valorar la utilidad de la 18F-Colina PET/TC en la detección de enfermedad a distancia en la estadificación inicial de pacientes con cáncer de próstata de alto riesgo y en pacientes con recidiva bioquímica, con intención de planificación con radioterapia, así como valorar los cambios en el manejo terapéutico influenciados por los resultados de la misma. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron de manera retrospectiva los estudios 18F-Colina PET/TC de pacientes con diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de próstata, con indicación de estadificación inicial en pacientes de alto riesgo (o con sospecha de afectación a distancia) y/o planificación de radioterapia y en pacientes con recidiva bioquímica con intención de rescate con radioterapia con un seguimiento adecuado durante al menos 9 meses. Se seleccionaron un total de 56 estudios, 33 (58,93%) de estadificación y 23 (41,07%) de planificación de radioterapia. Para el estudio PET/TC se empleó un equipo multimodal PET/TC, la dosis empleada fue de 296-370MBq de 18F-Colina, con un protocolo de adquisición en 2 fases. Resultados: Del total de los 56 estudios, 43 (76,8%) fueron considerados positivos (para enfermedad local, a distancia o ambas) y 13 (23,2%) negativos. En 13 estudios (23,2%) los hallazgos de la 18F-Colina PET/TC modificaron la clasificación NM. En 4 de los 13 estudios (30,7%) bajó la clasificación (descartando afectación a distancia sospechada por otras técnicas) y en 9 (69,3%) detectó enfermedad a distancia no conocida. Conclusiones: La 18F-Colina PET/TC es una técnica útil en la estadificación, recurrencia bioquímica y planificación de radioterapia en el cáncer de próstata para localizar enfermedad a distancia no detectada con pruebas de imagen convencionales, por lo que deberían ampliarse sus indicaciones en las guías de manejo del mismo (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the role of the 18F-Choline PET/CT in prostate cancer management when detecting distant disease in planning radiotherapy and staging and to evaluate the therapy changes guided by PET/TC results. Material and methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 18F-Choline PET/CT scans of patients with prostate cancer. Staging and planning radiotherapy scans were selected in patients with at least 9 months follow up. There was a total of 56 studies, 33 (58.93%) for staging, and 23 (41.07%) for planning radiotherapy. All scans were obtained using a hybrid PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT acquisition protocol consisted of a dual-phase procedure after the administration of an intravenous injection of 296-370MBq of 18F-Choline. Results: There were 43 out of 56 (76.8%) scans considered as positive, and 13 (23.2%) were negative. The TNM staging was changed in 13 (23.2%) scans. The PET/CT findings ruled out distant disease in 4 out of 13 scans, and unknown distant disease was detected in 9 (69.3%) scans. Conclusions: 18F-Choline PET/CT is a useful technique for detecting unknown distant disease in prostate cancer when staging and planning radiotherapy. The inclusion of 18F-choline PET/CT should be considered in prostate cancer management protocols (AU)

18F-Choline PET/CT scan in staging and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients: Changes in classification and radiotherapy planning. / La PET/TC con 18F-Colina en la estadificación y recidiva bioquímica de pacientes con cáncer de próstata: cambios en la clasificación y planificación de radioterapia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the 18F-Choline PET/CT in prostate cancer management when detecting distant disease in planning radiotherapy and staging and to evaluate the therapy changes guided by PET/TC results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 18F-Choline PET/CT scans of patients with prostate cancer. Staging and planning radiotherapy scans were selected in patients with at least 9 months follow up. There was a total of 56 studies, 33 (58.93%) for staging, and 23 (41.07%) for planning radiotherapy. All scans were obtained using a hybrid PET/CT scanner. The PET/CT acquisition protocol consisted of a dual-phase procedure after the administration of an intravenous injection of 296-370MBq of 18F-Choline. RESULTS: There were 43 out of 56 (76.8%) scans considered as positive, and 13 (23.2%) were negative. The TNM staging was changed in 13 (23.2%) scans. The PET/CT findings ruled out distant disease in 4 out of 13 scans, and unknown distant disease was detected in 9 (69.3%) scans. CONCLUSIONS: 18F-Choline PET/CT is a useful technique for detecting unknown distant disease in prostate cancer when staging and planning radiotherapy. The inclusion of 18F-choline PET/CT should be considered in prostate cancer management protocols.

Dual-time-point 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging of a paravalvular pseudoaneurysm after infective endocarditis / Imagen PET/TC de doble fase con 18F-FDG de un seudoaneurisma paravalvular tras endocarditis infecciosa

No disponible

18F-FDG-PET-TC en sarcomas de partes blandas: ¿cuándo? / 18F-FDG-PET-CT in soft tissue sarcomas: when to image?

No disponible

Clinical-scintigraphy discordance in a case of malignant external otitis.

We report the case of an immunocompromised female patient with external otitis, who developed a picture of external otitis with poor response to conventional treatment and subsequent isolation of Pseudomona Aeruginosa in the ear secretion culture. The final diagnosis was malignant external otitis. Our objective is to describe the scintigraphic findings as well as to analyze their correlation with the clinical pattern and to evaluate the possible causes of the discordance found.

Discordancia clínica-gammagráfica en un caso de otitis externa maligna / Clinical-scintigraphy discordance in a case of malignant external otitis

Presentamos el caso de una paciente inmmunodeprimida, que desarrolló un cuadro de otitis externa con pobre respuesta al tratamiento convencional y posterior aislamiento de Pseudomona Aeruginosa en el cultivo de secreción ótica. El diagnóstico definitivo fue de otitis externa maligna. Nuestro objetivo es describir los hallazgos gammagráficos y analizar su correlación con los hallazgos clínico-quirúrgicos y valorar las posibles causas de la discordancia encontrada(AU)

We report the case of an immunocompromised female patient with external otitis, who developed a picture of external otitis with poor response to conventional treatment and subsequent isolation of Pseudomona Aeruginosa in the ear secretion culture. The final diagnosis was malignant external otitis. Our objective is to describe the scintigraphic findings as well as to analyze their correlation with the clinical pattern and to evaluate the possible causes of the discordance found(AU)

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

La sarcoidosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa de etiología desconocida. Puede simular malignidad y puede afectar a múltiples órganos, con una evolución clínica variable. La afectación del páncreas es excepcional. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 78 años con sarcoidosis sistémica en la que la PET-TAC con 18F-FDG mostró una lesión pancreática y múltiples lesiones hipermetabólicas ganglionares (torácicas y extratorácicas) y viscerales. La captación patológica de 18F-FDG en páncreas se limitaba a la cola. Un segundo estudio PET-TAC con 18F-FDG realizado 4 meses y tres semanas después del primer estudio, tras haber aplicado terapia corticoidea durante 3,5 meses, evidenció una regresión parcial de la enfermedad, con una captación patológica persistente de 18F-FDG en la lesión pancreática(AU)

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 18F-FDG PET/CT scan showed a pancreatic lesion and multiple lymphatic (thoracic and non-thoracic) and visceral lesions. The abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in the pancreas was limited to the tail. A second 18F-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 18F-FDG pathological uptake in the pancreatic lesion(AU)

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.

[Usefulness of ventricular function values obtained using post-stress gated-SPECT in a diabetic population with clinical suspicion of ischaemic heart disease]. / Utilidad de los valores de función ventricular obtenidos mediante gated-SPECT post-estrés en población diabética con sospecha clínica de cardiopatía isquémica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical usefulness of left ventricular function values obtained using post-stress myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT in diabetic patients with suspected ischaemic heart disease (IHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), with clinical suspicion of IHD and no previous history of heart disease were studied. Ergometric or pharmacological post-stress myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT was performed on all patients. The relationship between the ejection fraction values and ventricular volumes, and the perfusion study results, final diagnosis, severity of the perfusion defects and the clinical evolution was studied. The mean follow-up time was 14 months. RESULTS; All the ventricular function values independently showed significant differences between the groups with a normal and pathological perfusion study, and between groups with a final diagnosis of IHD and non-IHD. After multivariate logistic regression, the end-diastolic volume (EDV) was the only value which showed a statistical association with the pathological perfusion study, its severity and the final diagnosis of IHD. No statistical association was observed between the ventricular function values and the occurrence of cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: All the ventricular function values obtained by gated-SPECT added diagnostic information to the post-stress myocardial perfusion study in the diabetic population with suspected IHD; however, only EDV showed a statistical association with the pathological perfusion study, severity of defects and the final diagnosis of IHD.