[Level of S-100 and neuron-specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with neurological pathologies]. / Niveles de S-100 y enolasa neuroespecífica en líquido cefalorraquídeo de enfermos con patología neurológica.

AIM: To evaluate S-100 and neuro specific enolase (NSE) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with differents neurological disorders in order to study possible differences in their protein concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed samples of CSF taked by spinal puncture in subjects either from of the Casualty Department or from the Department of Neurology. Patients displaying neurological symptoms capable of being diagnostically tested. The total number of patients-samples examined was 43 (23 males and 20 females; mean age 43 y, range 1-78 y). Five patients groups were studied: a control group, meningitis, dementia, polyneuropathy-motorneuron disease, and acute cerebral infarction group (ACV). S-100 and NSE concentrations were measured by immunoradiometric procedures. RESULTS: Highest S-100 median levels in CSF were found in dementia and ACV group, with elevate concentrations in meningitis groups. The increased S-100 levels in these groups was significant compared with control group (Mann-Withney U test). For NSE concentrations, there is a significant differences between dementia group and control group. No other significant differences were found between groups. There were positive correlation between S-100 levels and total protein. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that S-100 and NSE can be a sensitive marker of brain damage in different neurological disorders. However, levels must be considered individually, since these concentrations depend on several factors, such as age, severity of brain damage or interval between the onset of brain damage and the taking of the sample.

Niveles de S-100 y enolasa neuroespecífica en líquido cefalorraquídeo de enfermos con patología neurológica / Level of S-100 and neuro specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with neurological pathologies

Objetivo: Determinar la proteína S-100 y la enolasa neuroespecífica (NSE) en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) de pacientes con diferentes patologías neurológicas, con el objeto de valorar posibles diferencias en sus concentraciones. Material y métodos: Se analizaron muestras de LCR, obtenidas tras punción lumbar, procedentes de sujetos estudiados en el Área de Urgencias o el Servicio de Neurología por presentar clínica compatible con patología neurológica. El número total de pacientes fue de 43 (23 hombres y 20 mujeres, media de edad 43 años, rango 1-78 años). Se consideraron cinco grupos de pacientes: grupo control, meningitis, demencia, polineuropatía-enfermedad de la motoneurona y accidente cerebrovascular (ACV). Los niveles de S-100 y NSE se determinaron mediante métodos inmunorradiométricos. Resultados: Se han encontrado las medianas más altas de S-100 en el grupo demencia y ACV, así como concentraciones elevadas de esta proteína en el grupo meningitis. Los niveles en estos grupos eran significativamente diferentes a los hallados en el grupo control (Mann-Whitney U test). Se han encontrado diferencias al comparar las concentraciones de NSE entre el grupo demencia y el grupo control. Se demostró una correlación significativa entre los niveles de S-100 y las proteínas totales en LCR. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados sugieren que la proteína S-100 y la NSE pueden ser un marcador sensible de daño cerebral en diferentes patologías neurológicas. Sin embargo, los valores deben ser considerados individualmente, ya que sus concentraciones dependen de diversos factores, como la edad, la severidad del daño cerebral o el intervalo entre el comienzo del daño y la toma de la muestra de LCR (AU)

Cerebrospinal fluid S-100 protein levels in neurological pathologies.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate S-100 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with different neurological disorders, and in subjects with no proven neurological pathology, in order to study possible differences in their protein concentrations. The total number of patient-samples examined was 119 (58 males and 61 females; mean age 35 yrs, 1-79 yrs). Based on the final diagnoses, nine patient groups were studied: a control group, meningitis, acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), dementia, hydrocephalia, polyneuropathy-motor neuron disease, acute cerebral infarction (ACI), and patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. S-100 protein concentrations were measured by the Sangtec 100 two-site immunoradiometric assay. The highest S-100 levels in CSF were found in the dementia group, ACI group, bacterial-fungal and lymphocytic meningitis groups (Kruskal-Wallis test). The S-100 concentrations in these groups were significantly higher compared with the control group (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05, p<0.01) and the multiple sclerosis group (p<0.05, p<0.01). No other significant differences were found between groups. Our results suggest that the high protein levels in CSF found in these pathologies may reflect the presence of brain damage. However, the levels need to be considered individually, as they depend on several factors, such as age, severity of brain damage or interval between the onset of brain damage and the taking of the sample.

[Pulmonary activity in sarcoidosis: 67Ga uptake quantification and plasma determination of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D)]. / Actividad pulmonar en sarcoidosis: cuantificación de la captación de 67Ga y determinación plasmática de 1,25-dihidroxivitamina D.

AIM: The aim of our study was to produce a quantitative determination of Ga-67 pulmonary intake and correlate it with plasma levels of calcitriol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, and included 65 patients (29 female, 36 male) referred to our section due to suspected sarcoidosis or fibrosis of the lungs. Gammagraphic images were obtained after injecting Ga-67 citrate, and vitamin D was determined by IRMA method. The final diagnosis led to 4 groups of patients: 26 with active sarcoidosis; 5 with inactive sarcoidosis (4 with a previous gammagraphic study, included in the previous group); 8 with fibrosis of the lungs; and 30 patients with no demonstrable pathology following medical/instrumental examination. For the quantitative analysis, areas of interest were drawn around each lung, together with another region in soft tissue of the right shoulder (background). The geometric mean for each region was calculated, as well as the Ga intake rate (InGa = [lung activity-background]/background). RESULTS: Significant differences were found (p<0.01) when comparing each group's InGa, with the highest values occurring in the active sarcoidosis group. No significant differences were found when comparing plasma levels of calcitriol. No significant correlation was demonstrated between hormone and InGa rates. CONCLUSIONS: InGa would seem to be a useful parameter for assessing inflammatory activity in the parenchyma of the lungs. Perhaps as a result of their variability, plasma concentrations of the active vitamin D metabolite have a limited role in this assessment.

Actividad pulmonar en sarcoidosis: cuantificación de la captación de 67Ga y determinación plasmática de 1,25-dihidroxivitamina D / Pulmonary activity in sarcoidosis: 67Ga uptake quantification and plasma determination of 1,25-dihidroxivitamin D

Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio ha sido determinar cuantitativamente la captación pulmonar del 67Ga y correlacionar dicha captación con los niveles plasmáticos de calcitriol. Material y Métodos: Se planteó un estudio prospectivo que incluyó 65 pacientes (29 mujeres, 36 hombres) remitidos a nuestro servicio por sospecha de sarcoidosis o fibrosis pulmonar. Las imágenes gammagráficas se obtuvieron tras la inyección de citrato de 67Ga, mientras que el calcitriol se determinó por un método IRMA. El diagnóstico final permitió considerar 4 grupos de enfermos: 26 con sarcoidosis activa, 5 con sarcoidosis inactiva (4 de ellos con estudio previo, incluidos en el grupo anterior), 8 con fibrosis pulmonar y 30 pacientes sin patología demostrable tras examen médico-instrumental. Para el análisis cuantitativo, se dibujaron áreas de interés alrededor de cada pulmón y en tejido blando de hombro derecho (fondo). Se calculó la media geométrica para cada región, así como el Índice de captación de Ga (InGa = [Actividad pulmonar - fondo]/fondo).Resultados: Se demuestran diferencias significativas (p < 0,01) al comparar el InGa de los grupos en estudio, con los valores más altos en el grupo con sarcoidosis activa. No se han hallado diferencias significativas al comparar los niveles plasmáticos de calcitriol, ni correlaciones significativas entre las tasas de la hormona y el InGa. Conclusión: El InGa parece ser un parámetro útil para la evaluación de la actividad inflamatoria en el parénquima pulmonar. Las concentraciones plasmáticas del metabolito activo de la vitamina D, debido quizá a su variabilidad, tienen un papel limitado en dicha evaluación (AU)

[Effect of different observers on the interpretation of pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy]. / Influencia de diferentes observadores sobre la interpretación de la gammagrafía de perfusión pulmonar.

AIM: The agreement in the interpretation of the scintigraphic images of pulmonary perfusion in the diagnosis of pulmonary tromboembolism (TEP) is not always the most adequate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement by eight observers in the interpretation of these studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 180 studies with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism referred to our department for scintigraphic perfusion imaging from April 98 to September 99. The patients received an intravenous injection of 111-148 MBq (3-4 mCi) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin whereas the images were obtained in the six routine projections. The observers consisted of five nuclear medicine physicians and three residents who independently reviewed the scintigrams (low, intermediate and high probability). In a second step, the physicians performed consensus interpretations. The Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the degree of agreement between individual observer interpretations beyond that expected by chance alone. RESULTS: The mean value SEM for Kappa index was 0.58 0.02, with maximum and minimum values of 0.76 and 0.27 respectively. The interobserver variability was greater than expected. Except in two observers scans in the interpretation of images in the low and high categories showed minor discrepancies, whereas scans in intermediate probability showed the most important interobserver variations. CONCLUSION: The study manifests the importance of a uniform criteria in lung scintigraphic interpretation.

Influencia de diferentes observadores sobre la interpretación de la gammagrafía de perfusión pulmonar / Effect of different observers over lung scintigraphic interpretation

Objetivo: El acuerdo en la interpretación de las imágenes gammagráficas de perfusión pulmonar en el diagnóstico del tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) en ocasiones no es el más adecuado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el grado de concordancia de ocho médicos en la interpretación de estos estudios. Material y Métodos: Se consideraron 180 estudios remitidos a nuestro servicio entre abril de 1998 y septiembre de 1999 para la realización de una gammagrafía de perfusión pulmonar por sospecha de TEP. Tras la inyección intravenosa de entre 111 y 148 MBq de 99mTc-macroagregados de albúmina, se obtuvieron las seis proyecciones rutinarias. El grupo de médicos incluía cinco especialistas en Medicina Nuclear y tres residentes de la especialidad que independientemente interpretaron las imágenes gammagráficas como de alta, intermedia o baja probabilidad de TEP. Posteriormente se realizó una interpretación de consenso. Se utilizó el índice estadístico Kappa para evaluar el grado de concordancia entre las interpretaciones individuales. Resultados: El valor medio ñ error estándar de los diferentes índices Kappa hallados fue de 0,58 ñ 0,02, con un valor máximo y mínimo de 0,76 y 0,27, respectivamente. La variabilidad interobservador en la interpretación de las imágenes fue mayor de la esperada. Excepto en dos médicos, los estudios catalogados como de probabilidad baja y alta mostraron pocas discrepancias, mientras que aquellos considerados como de probabilidad intermedia presentaron las mayores variaciones interobservador. Conclusión: El estudio pone de manifiesto la importancia de aplicar criterios lo más uniformes posibles en la valoración de la gammagrafía de perfusión pulmonar (AU)

Catecholamine levels in practitioners of the transcendental meditation technique.

With the aim of evaluating the sympathetic-adrenal medulla system in subjects practicing transcendental meditation (TM), their plasma catecholamine levels were determined at two different times of day. The study group consisted of 19 subjects who regularly practice either TM or Sidhi-TM technique, with a control group made up of 16 healthy subjects who had not previously used any relaxation technique. Catecholamine plasma levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, at 0900 and 2000 h. Morning and evening norepinephrine (NE) levels and morning epinephrine (E) levels were significantly lower in the TM group than in the control subjects (morning NE levels, pg/ml, mean+/-S.E.: TM group 136.6+/-13.0, control 236.8+/-21.0, P=.0001; evening NE levels: TM group 119.7+/-10.8, control 175.6+/-17.4, P=.009; morning E levels, pg/ml: TM group 140.2+/-10.6, control 196.7+/-23.8, P=.019). No differences were recorded for evening E levels and dopamine (DA) levels. No significant differences were found for catecholamine levels measured at different times of day in the TM group, demonstrating a lack of daily hormonal rhythm. Anxiety levels were similar in both groups. Based on the results obtained, it can be considered that the regular practice of TM has a significant effect on the sympathetic-adrenal medulla system. A low hormonal response to daily stress caused by sympathetic tone regulation through regular TM could explain our results, as well as the physiological and other effects related to the field of health described in those who practice meditation.

[Alteration in the biodistribution of 99mTc-albumin microspheres after its administration through a canalized umbilical vein]. / Alteración en la biodistribución de 99mTc-microesferas de albúmina por su administración a través de una vena umbilical canalizada.

We present the case of a newborn female patient with a suspected right hypoplastic lung who was referred to our Service to perform a perfusion lung scintigraphy. The tracer (99mTc-albumin microspheres) was injected with a central catheter through the umbilical vein. The lung scan showed abnormal extrapulmonary activity that was attributed to an erroneous canalization (catheter in Arantius duct). A new study, with injection through the peripheral vein, showed the lung perfusion, with a global decrease of activity in the right lung. This case demonstrates a cause of abnormal extrapulmonary perfusion tracer uptake, verifying that using the correct access route is mandatory.

Alteración en la biodistribución de 99mTc-microesferas de albúmina por su administración a través de una vena umbilical canalizada / Alteration in the biodistribution of 99mTc-albumin microspheres by administration through a canalized umbilical vein

Presentamos el caso de una paciente neonato con sospecha de hipoplasia pulmonar derecha que es remitida a nuestro Servicio para la realización de una gammagrafía de perfusión pulmonar. El radiofármaco (microesferas de albúmina marcadas con 99mTc) se inyectó a través de un catéter introducido por la vena umbilical. Las imágenes realizadas mostraron captación extrapulmonar del trazador debido a que el catéter estaba detenido a nivel del conducto venoso (conducto de Arancio). La repetición del estudio tras canalización de vía venosa periférica (antecubital) mostró la perfusión pulmonar, notablemente disminuida en pulmón derecho (hipoplasia pulmonar derecha).El caso muestra una causa de visualización extrapulmonar de un radiofármaco utilizado para evaluar la perfusión pulmonar, y traduce la obligación de comprobar la correcta vía de acceso de ciertas exploraciones (AU)

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[Scintigraphic pattern in a case of Tarlov cyst]. / Patrón gammagráfico en un caso de quiste de Tarlov.

We report the case of a 40-year-old man remitted to our department with a history of lower back pain and sciatica with no history of trauma. The laboratory analyses showed normal values whereas plain radiographs showed a sacrum rarefaction area. A 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed to evaluate the lumbosacral area. Planar images did not show any abnormality. SPECT images revealed photopenic abnormality in the second sacral vertebral right hemibody, with no peripherally increased radiotracer accumulation. Subsequent MRI and CT myelography demonstrated the nature of the photopenic area as secondary to vertebral erosion by sacral perineurial cyst (Tarlov cyst).

Patrón gammagráfico en un caso de quiste de Tarlov / Scintigraphic pattern in a case of Tarlov cyst

Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 40 años enviado a nuestro departamento con clínica de dolor lumbar bajo y ciática, sin historia de traumatismo previo. Las pruebas de laboratorio presentaron valores normales, mientras que las radiografías simples mostraron una zona de rarefacción en sacro. Se realizó una gammagrafía ósea con 99mTc-MDP para el estudio de la zona lumbosacra. Las imágenes planares no mostraron signos patológicos. Las imágenes de SPECT revelaron un defecto de captación en el hemicuerpo derecho de la segunda vértebra sacra, sin que existiera incremento periférico de captación del trazador. En las posteriores RMN y mielografía realizadas se evidenció la presencia de un quiste perineural (quiste de Tarlov) como causa de la erosión vertebral (AU)

We report the case of a 40-year-old man remitted to our department with a history of lower back pain and sciatica with no history of trauma. The laboratory analyses showed normal values whereas plain radiographs showed a sacrum rarefaction area. A 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed to evaluate the lumbosacral area. Planar images did not show any abnormality. SPECT images revealed photopenic abnormality in the second sacral vertebral right hemibody, with no peripherally increased radiotracer accumulation. Subsequent MRI and CT myelography demonstrated the nature of the photopenic area as secondary to vertebral erosion by sacral perineurial cyst (Tarlov cyst) (AU)

Evaluation of tumor marker S-100 in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with nonischemic brain pathologies.

In order to evaluate the S-100 concentration in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with nonischemic brain damage, a total of 33 samples were analyzed: 11 from subjects in whom no organic disease could be found; 14 from patients with a diagnosis of lymphocytic or bacterial-fungal meningitis, and 8 from patients with acute lymphatic leukemia but no demonstrable signs of meningeal involvement. In all cases, the subjects considered had no previous history of melanoma or ischemic brain damage. The mean levels +/- SEM found for each study group were 1.00 +/- 0.11, 1.67 +/- 0.23 and 1.17 +/- 0.14 microg/l, respectively. Significant differences appeared between the groups when applying the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (p = 0.035). The highest levels were found in the meningitis group and were significantly different from those of the control group (p = 0.015). No significant differences were found with regard to age or sex. Based on the pathophysiology of meningitis and on previous studies, the results suggest the existence of brain damage caused by an infection as a possible cause of increased S-100 levels.

[CEA, CA 19.9 and CA 195 in patients with colorectal carcinoma. ROC analysis]. / CEA, CA 19.9 y CA 195 en pacientes con carcinoma colorrectal. Análisis ROC.

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of determining serum levels of the CEA, CA 19.9 and CA 195 tumor markers in 906 patients with colorectal carcinoma for a 5-year follow-up period. In addition to calculating sensitivity and specificity for the common normal limits, the results were analyzed with RO curves. Sensitivity values for 90% and 95% specificity were also obtained. The results of the areas under the curve (CEA: 0.887; CA 19.9: 0.802; CA 195: 0.971) and sensitivities and specificities at different normality limits showed better behavior for CEA with respect to CA 19.9 and CA 195, the last two presenting similar results. CEA continues to be the best tumor marker to monitor patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Evaluation of palpable breast masses with 201Tl scintigraphy.

39 female patients (age range: 31-84 years) with palpable breast masses detected by physical examination, underwent 201Tl scintigraphy in order to assess its value in the detection of breast carcinomas and to differentiate them from benign breast masses. Planar images were carried out at 20-30 min and 2-3 h after intravenous administration of 111-185 MBq (3-5 mCi) of 201Tl chloride. In 12 patients single photon emission tomography (SPET) studies were also performed. In 18 patients the scintigraphic studies were positive and in 17 of these cases, breast carcinomas were confirmed. Tumour sizes ranged from 1.3 to 6 cm in diameter. In the remaining patient a false positive result was obtained where there was benign breast change. In three of seven cases, malignant axillary nodes were also detected. All 21 patients with negative scintigraphy had benign breast lesions. There were no differences between images obtained at 20-30 min and 2-3 h or between planar images and SPET studies. In 10 patients there was disagreement between mammography and 201Tl scans. 201Tl scans confirmed the presence of carcinoma in three cases and discarded malignancy in the other six cases. In the remaining case, 201Tl scan was false positive. 201Tl scintigraphy is useful in distinguishing malignant from benign breast masses, even when compared with mammography.