Correlación entre la captación de 18F-FDG del tumor primario con los factores pronósticos y subtipo molecular del cáncer ductal de mama / Relationships of 18F-FDG uptake by primary tumors with prognostic factors and molecular subtype in ductal breast cancer

Objetivos: En este estudio nos propusimos investigar la correlación entre el SUVmáx del tumor primario y los factores de pronóstico/subtipo molecular en pacientes con cáncer de mama ductal.Materiales y métodos: Revisamos retrospectivamente a 150 pacientes mujeres con cáncer de mama ductal invasivo patológicamente comprobado desde enero de 2015 hasta octubre de 2019 que se sometieron a una PET/TC con 18F-FDG para la estadificación inicial. Las características pronósticas histopatológicas del tumor primario (grado histológico, estado de los receptores hormonales, índice Ki-67) se obtuvieron del informe de la biopsia tru-cut. En los estudios PET/TC con 18F-FDG se calculó el valor máximo de captación estandarizada (SUVmáx) del tumor primario de mama y se comparó con la presencia de linfadenopatía axilar y/o metástasis a distancia, factores pronósticos histopatológicos y subtipo molecular.Resultados: El alto SUVmáx de los tumores de mama primarios está significativamente correlacionado con los factores clínico-patológicos: gran tamaño del tumor, alto grado histológico, alto índice Ki-67, positividad de los ganglios linfáticos axilares y metástasis a distancia. El valor SUVmáx fue significativamente más alto en los pacientes con subtipo basal que en los pacientes con subtipo luminal A (8,14 ± 3,71 y 4,64 ± 2,45, p = 0,002). El análisis de correlación reveló una baja correlación entre el índice Ki-67 y el SUVmáx (r = 0,276, p = 0,001) y una correlación moderada entre el tamaño del tumor y el SUVmáx (r = 0,470, p = 0,001). En el análisis de regresión multivariante de líneas el índice Ki-67 y el tamaño del tumor tuvieron un efecto estadísticamente significativo en los valores del SUVmáx. A medida que estos parámetros aumentan se observa un incremento de los valores SUVmáx (p = 0,004, Std Beta: 0,228, IC 95%: 0,010-0,055 y p = 0,001, Std Beta: 0,374, IC 95%: 0,55-0,136, respectivamente).Conclusión: El alto valor SUVmáx se asocia con factores pronósticosmal

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between SUVmax of primary tumor and prognostic factors/molecular subtype in ductal breast cancer patients.Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 150 female patients with pathologically proven invasive ductal breast cancer from January 2015 to October 2019 who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging. Histopathological prognostic features of the primary tumor (histological grade, hormone receptor status, Ki-67 index, vb.) were obtained from the tru-cut biopsy report. In 18F-FDG PET/CT studies, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary breast tumor was calculated and compared with the presence of axillary lymphadenopathy and/or distant metastases, histopathological prognostic factors and molecular subtype.Results: The high SUVmax of primary breast tumors is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological factors: high tumor size, high histologic grade, high Ki-67 index, axillary lymph node positivity and distant metastasis. SUVmax value was significantly higher in patients with basal subtype than patients with Luminal A subtype (8.14 ± 3.71 and 4.64 ± 2.45, p = 0.002). Correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between Ki-67 index and SUVmax (r = 0.276, p = 0.001) and moderate correlation between tumor size and SUVmax (r = 0.470, p = 0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, Ki-67 index and tumor size had a statistically significant effect on SUVmax values. As these parameters increase, it is seen that it increases SUVmax values (p = 0.004, Std Beta: 0.228, 95% CI: 0.010–0.055 and p = 0.001, Std Beta: 0.374, 95% CI: 0.55–0.136, respectively).Conclusión: High SUVmax value is associated with prognotic factors suggesting poor prognosis. Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT can be used as a tool to predict prognosis in breast cancer (AU)

Relationships of 18F-FDG uptake by primary tumors with prognostic factors and molecular subtype in ductal breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between SUVmax of primary tumor and prognostic factors/molecular subtype in ductal breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 150 female patients with pathologically proven invasive ductal breast cancer from January 2015 to October 2019 who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging. Histopathological prognostic features of the primary tumor (histological grade, hormone receptor status, Ki-67 index, vb.) were obtained from the tru-cut biopsy report. In 18F-FDG PET/CT studies, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary breast tumor was calculated and compared with the presence of axillary lymphadenopathy and/or distant metastases, histopathological prognostic factors and molecular subtype. RESULTS: The high SUVmax of primary breast tumors is significantly correlated with the clinicopathological factors: high tumor size, high histologic grade, high Ki-67 index, axillary lymph node positivity and distant metastasis. SUVmax value was significantly higher in patients with basal subtype than patients with Luminal A subtype (8.14±3.71 and 4.64±2.45, p=0.002). Correlation analysis revealed a low correlation between Ki-67 index and SUVmax (r=0.276, p=0.001) and moderate correlation between tumor size and SUVmax (r=0.470, p=0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, Ki-67 index and tumor size had a statistically significant effect on SUVmax values. As these parameters increase, it is seen that it increases SUVmax values (p=0.004, Std Beta: 0.228, 95% CI: 0.010-0.055 and p=0.001, Std Beta: 0.374, 95% CI: 0.55-0.136, respectively). CONCLUSION: High SUVmax value is associated with prognotic factors suggesting poor prognosis. Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT can be used as a tool to predict prognosis in breast cancer.

Aportación clínica de la SPECT/TC en la gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO en infección de prótesis de cadera y rodilla / The clinical contribution of SPECT/CT with 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in hip and knee prosthetic infections

OBJETIVO: La gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO ha resultado un método de estudio específico y altamente sensible en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de pacientes con sospecha de infección protésica. El objetivo de este estudio retrospectivo fue evaluar la utilidad de la SPECT/TC en infección protésica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO a 37 pacientes con prótesis articular (11 hombres y 26 mujeres; rango de edades de 38 a 84 años; edad media+/-DE, 65,7+/-5,6 años). Se obtuvieron imágenes planares 2, 4 y 24horas después de la inyección. A las 4horas se realizó SPECT/TC usando una gammacámara híbrida de doble detector con TC de baja energía. En todos los pacientes se compararon los resultados de la gammagrafía con los resultados de la intervención quirúrgica, el cultivo y el seguimiento clínico. RESULTADOS: De 37 pacientes estudiados con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO, con gammagrafía y SPECT/TC, 17 (45,9%) tenían infección protésica y 20 (54,1%) tenían afecciones protésicas no infecciosas. La gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO fue verdadero positivo para infección en 16 de 37 pacientes y verdadero negativo en 20 de 37 pacientes. La SPECT/TC proporciona una localización anatómica precisa de todos los posibles focos. Considerando el diagnóstico final, la SPECT/TC aportó una contribución clínica significativa en 22 de 37 pacientes (59,4%). La sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo negativo y valor predictivo positivo fueron del 100%, 59,1%, 100%, 62,5% en las imágenes planares y de 100%, 90,1%, 100%, 88,2% en la imagen planar más SPECT/TC respectivamente. DISCUSIÓN: Nuestros resultados indican que la realización de la SPECT/TC puede mejorar el estudio con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO en pacientes con sospecha de osteomielitis, y proporcionar una localización anatómica y una definición precisa del alcance de la infección

OBJECTIVES: White blood cell scanning with 99mTc-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) has proven a sensitive and specific imaging method in the diagnosis of suspected prosthesis infection. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of SPECT/CT performed simultaneously using a hybrid imaging device of prosthesis infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy was performed on 37 patients (11 men and 26 women; age range 38-84 years; mean age+/-SD, 65.7+/-5.6 years). Planar scans were acquired 2.4 and 24hour after injection. SPECT/CT was obtained 4 h after injection, using a dual-head hybrid gama camera coupled with a low-power x-ray tube. In all patients, scintigraphic results were matched with the results of surgery, cultures and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Seventeen (45,9%) out of 37 patients had prosthesis infection and 20 (54,1%) out of 37 patients had non-infectious prosthesis pathologies with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy and SPECT/CT. The 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy was true-positive for infection in 16 of 37 patients and true-negative in 20 of 37 patients. SPECT/CT provided an accurate anatomic localization of all positive foci. With regard to the final diagnosis, SPECT/CT added a significant clinical contribution in 22 of 37 patients (59,4%). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive values were 100%,59.1%,100%,62.5% in planar images with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy and 100%,90.1%,100%,88.2% in the planar+SPECT/CT imaging, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that SPECT/CT performed using a hybrid device can improve imaging with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy in patients with suspected osteomyelitis by providing accurate anatomic localization and precise definition of the extent of infection

The clinical contribution of SPECT/CT with 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in hip and knee prosthetic infections. / Aportación clínica de la SPECT/TC en la gammagrafía con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO en infección de prótesis de cadera y rodilla.

OBJECTIVES: White blood cell scanning with 99mTc-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) has proven a sensitive and specific imaging method in the diagnosis of suspected prosthesis infection. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of SPECT/CT performed simultaneously using a hybrid imaging device of prosthesis infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy was performed on 37 patients (11 men and 26 women; age range 38-84 years; mean age±SD, 65.7±5.6 years). Planar scans were acquired 2.4 and 24hour after injection. SPECT/CT was obtained 4 h after injection, using a dual-head hybrid gama camera coupled with a low-power x-ray tube. In all patients, scintigraphic results were matched with the results of surgery, cultures and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Seventeen (45,9%) out of 37 patients had prosthesis infection and 20 (54,1%) out of 37 patients had non-infectious prosthesis pathologies with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy and SPECT/CT. The 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy was true-positive for infection in 16 of 37 patients and true-negative in 20 of 37 patients. SPECT/CT provided an accurate anatomic localization of all positive foci. With regard to the final diagnosis, SPECT/CT added a significant clinical contribution in 22 of 37 patients (59,4%). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive values were 100%,59.1%,100%,62.5% in planar images with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy and 100%,90.1%,100%,88.2% in the planar+SPECT/CT imaging, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that SPECT/CT performed using a hybrid device can improve imaging with 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy in patients with suspected osteomyelitis by providing accurate anatomic localization and precise definition of the extent of infection.

Optimal Timing for Removal of the Double-J Stent After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Urologic complications (UC) have gradually decreased in recent years after advanced surgical experience. The incidence of urologic complications varies between 0.22% and 30% in different medical studies. There is no routine usage of double-J stenting (DJS) during renal transplantation (RT) in the literature. It is a necessity, and optimal timing for stent removal is an important question for many transplantation centers. METHODS: This study includes 818 renal transplant patients whose ureteroneocystostomy anastomoses were completed by use of the Lich-Gregorie procedure during a 2-year period at a transplantation center. We performed 926 renal transplantations at Antalya Medical Park Hospital Renal Transplantation Center between January 2014 and January 2016. The patients were divided into four groups according to the timing of DJS removal. RESULTS: For group 1, removal time for DJS was between 5 and 7 days; group 2, Removal time for DJS was between 8 and 14 days; group 3, removal time for DJS was between 15 and 21 days; and group 4, removal time for DJS was later than 22 days. The patients were divided into two groups according to removal time of stent as 5 to 14 days and >15 days. DJS was performed again in the patients whose urine output was reduced during the first 5 days after removal of the DJS, whose creatine level increased, and whose graft ureter and collecting tubules were extended as an ultrasonographic finding. CONCLUSIONS: There is no declared optimal time for the removal of DJS. The removal time was reported between postoperative first week and 3 months in some of the reports of RT centers, according to their protocols. We emphasize that the optimal time for the removal of DJS is 14 to 21 days after RT, based on the findings of our large case report study.

Pregnancy and Delivery in the Sequel of Kidney Transplantation: Single-Center Study of 8 Years' Experience.

BACKGROUND: Depending on hyphothalamic, hyphophyseal, and gonadal axis dysfunction, anovulatory irregular cycles occur and the probability of pregnancy decreases in the patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Maternal mortality and morbidity rates are increased in CKD patients; the risk of premature delivery is 70% and the risk of preeclampsia is 40% more than normal among those with a creatine level of >2.5 mg/dL. METHODS: If a pregnancy is expected in the sequel of kidney transplantation (KT), a multidisciplinary team approach should be adopted and both the gynecologist and the nephrologist should follow the patient simultaneously. Among 3883 patients who underwent KT at Antalya Medical Park Hospital Transplantion Department between November 2009 and October 2016, the records of 550 female patients between the ages of 18 and 40 years were examined retrospectively; 31 patients who complied with these criteria were included in the study group. In 6 of these patients who had an unplanned pregnancy, medical abortion was performed after the families were informed about the possible fetal anomalies caused by the use of everolimus in the first trimester, and they were excluded from the study (pregnant group). The control group consisted of 43 patients who had a KT and became pregnant, and of those who had recently undergone KT and shared similarities regarding age, CKD etiology, duration of dialysis, and number of transplants. RESULTS: In both groups, the ages of the patients, their follow-up span and dialysis duration, tissue compatibility, age of the donor, and time elapsed until the pregnancy was analyzed, whereas in the control group, creatinine levels in the first, second, third, and fourth years after the KT were reviewed. Additionally, in the pregnant group, creatinine levels of the first, second, and third trimesters; delivery week; birth weight of the baby; APGAR scores of the first minute; postnatal creatinine levels of first, second, and third years; and prenatal, maternal, and postnatal acute rejections were reviewed. We measured the creatine clearance by use of the Cockcroft-Gault formula in the pregnancy group before pregnancy and during delivery [Cockcroft-Gault formula: (140 - age) × body weight (kg)/72 × plasma creatine level (mg/dL) × 0.85]. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy after KT is risky both for the mother and the baby; however, if planned and followed in coordination within an experienced center, both the pregnancy period and the birth process can occur without distress.

Evaluation of focal thyroid lesions incidentally detected in fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography images.

Background and Purpose: Increased uptake in the thyroid gland (TG) is often identified as an incidental finding on the whole body fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) in non-thyroid cancer patients. Currently, there is no consensus on the appropriate approach for the management of these cases. Thyroid ultrasound, scintigraphy and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) are suggested to exclude malignant thyroid lesions. Our aim is to determine the importance of increased F-18-FDG uptake in the TG on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in patients who are being screened for various forms of non-thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 2000 cases undergoing whole body PET/CT scanning between April 2011 and October 2012. The age, sex, type of primary cancer, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ), size of the thyroid nodules and cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) on 18 F-FDG PET/CT images and if available, the biopsy results were evaluated. Results: In total, 57 patients (23 men, 34 women, mean age ± standard deviation (SD), 60.89 ± 14 years) showed an increased fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) uptake by the TG (average SUV max : 4.07 ± 3.7). The CLNs were detected in 19/57 patients (33%). Only 20 cases (35%) received FNAB. The final histopathological diagnosis was papillary thyroid carcinoma in seven patients (mean SUV max ± SD: 6.0 ± 5.43) and benign thyroid disease in seven patients (mean SUV max ± SD: 2.36 ± 0.63). The FNAB results were undetermined for six patients. Conclusion: Focal high 18 F-FDG uptake in the TG may be associated with an increased risk of malignancy, but the clinical significance is unclear. More data are needed to elucidate the role of the SUV in the differentiation of benign and malign thyroid lesions. If a focal increase in 18 F-FDG uptake in the TG on PET/CT is present, a prompt histopathological evaluation should be suggested to clinicians for definitive diagnosis.

[Validation of patients' knowledge after informed consent prior to coronary angiography]. / Überprüfung des Patientenwissens nach Aufklärung vor invasiver Koronarangiographie.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The informed consent of the patient is required before any medical intervention can be done. The impact of the provided information on the subsequent knowledge of the patient is regularly questioned. In the present investigation we aimed to determine the knowledge of the patients about invasive coronary angiography (CA) after they had been optimally vs. standard vs. not at all informed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 300 consecutive patients who were admitted for planned CA were included. Of these, 150 in-patients were informed by especially trained physicians one day before CA and 50 out-patients were informed by their general practitioner or cardiologist several days before admission. 100 in-patients were included before they were informed. In a standardized interview the predefined knowledge of the patients was assessed by an independent physician before CA in previously informed patients and after hospital admission in non-informed patients. RESULTS: The differences in knowledge between informed in- and out-patients were low. Especially their knowledge about potential complications was not different. Generally, patients could remember less serious complications better than life-threatening ones. Two previously informed patients (1 %) affirmed that they were not informed. The knowledge of non-informed patients was much lower than the knowledge of patients who had been informed. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and remembrance of patients after having detailed information about medical interventions is limited. Optimization of the informative interview did not really improve this knowledge. In contrast to non-informed patients the provided information did, however, increase the knowledge.

Clinical and demographic evaluation of Behçet disease among different paediatric age groups.

AIM: The aim of the study is to describe the demographic and clinical features of Behçet disease (BD) in paediatric patients. METHODS: The study included 62 patients who presented to the Department of Ophthalmology at Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey and diagnosed as having BD. These patients were placed into three age groups based on the age at the time of BD presentation: group 1, birth to 10 years old; group 2, 11-15 years old; group 3, 16-20 years old. Among these three age groups, the objective was to identify the ocular and extraocular clinical findings and complications of BD, and to uncover the role of gender, if exists, in the aetiology of the disease. RESULTS: The findings indicated that gender played no significant role in the aetiology of BD. In group 1, a family history of BD was more prevalent, and the most common ocular finding was bilateral anterior uveitis. The most frequent form of ocular involvement in groups 2 and 3 was bilateral panuveitis with retinal vasculitis and retinitis. The majority of disease complications were glaucoma, maculopathy and cataract formation. CONCLUSION: Patient age appeared to define the type of ocular involvement in BD. While anterior uveitis was the most frequent ocular finding in BD patients younger than 10 years, panuveitis was the most frequent in patients older than 10 years. As a family history of BD was more frequent among patients younger than 10 years, family screening for BD is considered critical for early and accurate diagnosis of BD, as well as for the control of its complications.

The effect of the baby-friendly hospital initiative on long-term breast feeding.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 'baby-friendly hospital initiative' (BFHI) on breast feeding. In the four consecutive months after BFHI in Gazi University Hospital (November 2002-February 2003), breast feeding status until the second year of life in 297 babies, born in the same hospital was compared with the values of 258 babies born before BFHI (November 2001-February 2002). The exclusive breast feeding rate in the first 6 months was higher in the babies born after BFHI. Cox regression analysis revealed that BFHI increases the duration of breast feeding 1.5 times. At the end of the second year, cumulative rate of breast feeding was higher in the group after-BFHI (p=0.0036). The rate of breast feeding was increased by BFHI implementation.

Comparison of two endoscopically assisted procedures in primary surgical treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children older than 3 years: balloon dilatation and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the success of two transnasally endoscopic assisted procedures as balloon dilatation and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation for the primary surgical treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children older than 3 years. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. METHODS: An interventional case series of consecutive primary endoscopic assisted balloon dilatation (BD) and bicanalicular silicone tube intubation (STI) for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children older than 3 years was reviewed. BD was performed in 20 eyes of 17 patients and STI was performed 24 eyes of 20 patients. Clinical success was defined as a complete remission of epiphora at the end of follow-up period of 12 months and a continuation of the remission at least for 4 months. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 20 eyes (90%) nasolacrimal ducts responded to BD whereas the rate was 15 out of 24 eyes (62.5%) in STI group. No significant complications occured in BD group while the complication rate in STI group was 8 out of 24 eyes (33.3%). chi(2)-Statistical analysis showed significantly better results for BD in clinical success and complication rates than those of STI. CONCLUSIONS: BD should be the first choice therapy instead of invasive approaches with high rate of complications and lower success rates such as silicone intubation, in patients who are older than 3 years.

Quantification of cells expressing the thyrotropin receptor in extraocular muscles in thyroid associated orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO) and Graves' disease (GD) have an autoimmune pathogenesis, possibly related to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). The aim of this study was to determine whether TSHR immunoreactivity is correlated with disease severity or serum TSHR antibody (TRAB) levels. METHODS: Orbital tissues from 30 patients with TAO were compared with those of 20 patients with strabismus and four with non-thyroid orbital inflammation. TSHR was detected by immunohistochemistry and TRAB were measured by radioreceptor assay. RESULTS: No TSHR immunoreactivity was detected in the 24 control orbital tissues, whereas in all TAO biopsies elongated fibroblast-like cells, expressing TSHR, were present. These cells were located between the muscle cells, which were separated by oedema in the acute phase but fibrous tissue in the chronic phase of disease. Semi-thin sections showed numerous mast cells present in the chronic phase and in close contact with adipocytes. The number of TSHR immunostained cells was high in early disease, decreased with disease duration, and was positively correlated with TRAB levels at the onset of TAO. CONCLUSION: TSHR immunoreactivity was demonstrated specifically in TAO orbits which highlights the importance of TRAB early in the pathogenesis.

Balloon dilatation for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of balloon dacryocystoplasty in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions. METHODS: Balloon dacryocystoplasty was attempted in 25 eyes of 21 patients. The procedure was performed successfully in 24 eyes of 20 patients, age range 21-72 months. Nineteen eyes had no previous procedure. The mean age of this group was 43.9 months (range 36-72 months). Five eyes had failed probing of lacrimal system. The mean age of this group was 22.2 months (range 21-24 months). The authors performed balloon dacryocystoplasty under endoscopic guidance. Clinical success was defined as complete remission of epiphora within follow-up period of 7-34 months (mean 25.2 months). RESULTS: The authors performed balloon dacryocystoplasty in 24 eyes. The first procedure was successful in 20 of them and the clinic success rate was 83.3%. The technique was repeated in the one eye that recurred and as it ended successfully, the clinic success rate increased to 87.5%. In 17 of the 19 eyes (89.4%) in which balloon dacryocystoplasty was performed primarily, and in 4 of 5 eyes (80%) in which balloon dacryocystoplasty was performed secondarily after unsuccessful probing, the procedure was clinically successful. There was intermittent epiphora in 3 eyes (15%) and these were considered as recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This experience shows that balloon dilatation is a safe and effective treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction as a primary procedure in children over 36 months of age and as a secondary procedure after failure of lacrimal system probing. As a result, balloon dacryocystoplasty can be an alternative treatment in older children and can be preferred to silicone intubation and dacryocystorhinostomy performed after unsuccessful probing.

Comparison of In-111 octreotide and Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy in the detection of medullary thyroid tumor foci in patients with elevated levels of tumor markers after surgery.

PURPOSE: In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated the utility of In-111 octreotide (OctreoScan) and Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy for the localization of recurrent metastatic tumor foci in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and compared the findings with those of conventional radiologic imaging methods. METHODS: The scintigraphic images were compared with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) in 14 patients (8 men, 6 women; age range, 22 to 74 years) with elevated calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels after total thyroidectomy. All scintigraphic image findings were evaluated qualitatively as mild uptake (+) and moderate to marked uptake (++). RESULTS: In-111 octreotide may be superior to Tc-99m (V) DMSA for the detection of tumor foci of patients with MTC on a patient basis (78.5% versus 57.1%) and on a lesion basis (44.1% versus 30.2%). The sensitivity rate for In-111 octreotide (78.5%) was also similar to that of CT and MRI on a patient basis. Conversely, the combined use of Tc-99m (V) DMSA and In-111 octreotide revealed the best sensitivity rate (85.7%) on a patient basis, whereas the combined use of CT and MRI showed the best sensitivity rate (81.3%) on a lesion basis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that In-111 octreotide is superior to Tc-99m (V) DMSA and has a similar sensitivity rate to CT and MRI for the diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic MTC. Although the combined use of In-111 octreotide and Tc-99m (V) DMSA was most sensitive, the combined use of CT and MRI with radionuclide imaging methods may better detect more metastatic tumor foci.

Influence of inhaled steroids on pulmonary epithelial permeability to Tc99m-dTPA in atopic asthmatic children.

The lung permeability of asthmatic children has been reported to be similar, lower, or higher than that of healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to clarify these discrepancies and also assess the effect of inhaled steroids on lung permeability. Tc99m-diethylenetriaminepentaaceticacid (Tc99m-DTPA) clearance in children with mild unstable asthma (n = 13; mean age 9.3 +/- 0.7 years) was compared with that of a group of healthy subjects (n = 11; mean age 8.9 +/- 0.8 years). Symptom scores, forced-expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate variability (PEFR-v) of asthmatics were recorded and an inhaled steroid (budesonid) was recommended after first scintigraphic evaluation for 8 weeks. Two consecutive scintigraphic studies were performed before and after treatment. Symptoms, FEV1, and PEFR-v significantly improved throughout the study. Baseline DTPA clearance rate in the asthmatics was significantly higher from that of control group (1.3 +/- 0.2 and 0.7 +/- 0.1%/min, respectively) (p < 0.05). DTPA clearance rate of asthmatics significantly increased to 1.7 +/- 0.3%/min at end of inhaled therapy (p < 0.05). Our data show that DTPA clearance in unstable asthmatic children is significantly higher than that found in healthy subjects, and that a higher rate was obtained following inhaled steroid therapy. Thus, the clinical significance of these observations needs further studies to test whether DTPA clearance index is a valid tool for monitoring asthmatic children and to explore the mechanisms involved in radioaerosol clearance rates in pediatric asthma.

The role of Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy in the evaluation of superscan on bone scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the biodistribution of Tc-99m (V) DMSA in patients with superscans on bone imaging and defined its role in differentiating the underlying cause. METHODS: Nine patients (five with metastatic and four with metabolic bone disease) with classical superscans were entered into the study. All patients had the necessary radiologic and biochemical studies and a final diagnosis was reached accordingly. Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy was performed 1 week after Tc-99m MDP whole-body bone imaging. RESULTS: In four of five patients with widespread skeletal metastases, Tc-99m (V) DMSA scan showed diffusely increased bone uptake. In the remaining patient, the Tc-99m (V) DMSA scan showed a normal distribution pattern. All patients with metabolic bone disease had increased bone uptake on Tc-99m (V) DMSA scans. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m (V) DMSA shows increased bone uptake in patients having a superscan appearance in metastatic or metabolic bone disease. Tc-99m (V) DMSA imaging may play a role in the evaluation of patients with equivocal bone scan findings for a superscan.