Krypton-81m imaging of the right ventricle.

We report the development of a method for obtaining right-ventricular radionuclide angiograms using continuous peripheral intravenous infusion of the ultra-short-lived nuclide krypton-81m. This tracer has a half-life of 13 sec, emits a single 190-keV photon, and is extremely insoluble. During infusion into a peripheral vein, Kr-81m achieves stable count rates over the right heart, and it is essentially completely cleared by the lungs during its initial pulmonary transit. Thus no interfering activity is present in the systemic circulation. Initial studies provide excellent data on right-heart anatomy and function.

Plantar compartmental infection in the diabetic foot. The role of computed tomography.

This review discusses the role of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of extent of plantar soft tissue infection in the diabetic foot. CT abnormalities are correlated with conventional radiography, results of preoperative aspiration cultures, intraoperative assessment, and bone, gallium, and 111In-leukocyte scan findings. Plantar soft tissue disease respects compartmental boundaries in general, with transcompartmental spread possible along musculotendinous units that normally transgress the intervening fascial septae. CT correlates well with the extent of infection as determined by other modalities, but cannot precisely predict its proximal boundary due to gradual transition between unequivocally abnormal and normal tissue. CT may be useful in establishing an appropriate level for contemplated amputation and can detect extension of superficial diabetic foot infections at an earlier stage than existing clinical methods, potentially resulting in less extensive surgical procedures.

Expanded 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scan.

Patients with prostatic cancer frequently require evaluation of bony metastases as well as renal function. 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate, a commonly used bone-imaging agent, is about 60 per cent localized in the bony skeleton and about 40 per cent excreted by the kidneys. Immediate imaging after intravenous injection of the isotope may yield high-quality radionuclide nephrourograms, which provide excellent visual and graphic displays of renal anatomy and excretory function. Our preliminary studies suggest that the immediate 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate scan may usefully expand the value of a routine bone scan to screen for ureteral obstruction. Patients with underlying malignancy who require simultaneous evaluation and follow-up of bony metastases and renal function might be conveniently served by the dual functions of the expanded bone scan to include immediate imaging of the kidneys.

Clinical estimation of infarct size by 201thallium perfusion scintigraphy and by creatine kinase-MB in early myocardial infarction.

201Thallium (201Tl) perfusion scintigraphy was performed in 22 patients with first acute transmural myocardial infarction within the initial 12 h after onset of symptoms. The size of the abnormally perfused area on 201Tl images was estimated by visual analysis and by a computer-assisted technique. 201Tl values for infarct size were compared to a biochemical estimate of infarct size using the cardiac specific esoenzyme creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and total creatine kinase (CK). Estimates of myocardial damage obtained from the visual and computer-assisted analysis of the 201Tl images showed a statistically significant correlation with the enzymatic estimates of infarct size. These results suggest that quantitative evaluation of 201Tl image defects may provide useful information regarding the degree of myocardial damage in the very early stages of acute infarction before biochemical estimates of infarct size are available, and that sequential imaging with 201Tl might provide an independent method of monitoring evolutionary changes in myocardial damage.

Calculation of relative glomerular filtration rate and correlation with delayed technetium-99m DMSA imaging.

The relative renal uptake of Tc-99m DMSA was compared with the relative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in ten patients with serum creatinines ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 mg/dl. Relative GFR was based on the renal uptake of Tc-99m DTPA determined by two methods: 1) integrating the counts from 1 to 3 minutes postinjection and correcting for background. 2) Totalizing the individual renal counts in a single 15-second frame from 2:45 minutes to 3:00 minutes postinjection and correcting for background. The two methods of determining relative DTPA uptake showed excellent correlation, r = 0.98. Relative DMSA uptake determined at 24 hours post-injection using computer-assisted regions of interest showed excellent correlation with the relative GFR determined by either the integral or single-frame method, r = 0.98. The addition of background subtraction for the DMSA images at 24 hours did not improve the correlation.

Visual determination of differential renal function.

Forty patients (43 studies) referred for determination of differential renal function were imaged 24 hours after intravenous administration of Tc-99m-2, 3 DMSA. Visual assessment of relative renal uptake was estimated independently by three observers at three different hospitals from analog images on standard x-ray film. The results were compared with the relative DMSA uptake obtained by summing counts in computer-assisted regions of interest placed over each kidney. There was excellent correlation between the visual estimates of each observer and the computer-generated values (r = 0.98, 0.96, and 0.98, respectively). If a computer is not available, good visual estimates of differential uptake still may be obtained when static imaging agents such as DMSA are administered.

Positive In-111 white cell scan in a patient with multiple metastases.

A case of increased uptake of In-111-labeled leukocytes in bony metastases from adenocarcinoma of the prostate is presented. Bone scintigraphy, subsequent to the white cell study, showed virtually identical abnormalities as the indium scan. Clinical course and laboratory data supported the diagnosis of widespread metastatic carcinoma. Although the exact cause(s) is unclear, possible mechanisms are discussed.

Radionuclide perfusion images before and after cardiac rehabilitation.

Improvement in cardiac perfusion has not been demonstrated in man to explain the increased functional capacity secondary to exercise training. Thallium imaging is a noninvasive method of evaluating myocardial perfusion and scaring. Therefore, using thallium exercise tests, we studied 17 patients with coronary heart disease before and after a mean of 6 months participation in cardiac rehabilitation program emphasizing exercise training. Interobserver variability in imaging interpretation was considered by reading images blinded both individually and in consensus. Agreement with defects called by consensus occurred at least 51% of the time individually and normal readings agreed at least 90% of the time. By consensus reading, seven patients showed improved perfusion, seven showed no change, and three worsened following training. Our study shows that thallium scans may be used to demonstrate central changes in myocardial perfusion after cardiac rehabilitation, but larger controlled studies considering redistribution and utilizing image enhancement are necessary to see if such changes are truly secondary to this intervention.

The flare phenomenon on radionuclide bone scan in metastatic prostate cancer.

The radionuclide bone scan 3 months after the initiation of treatment for advanced cancer of the prostate occasionally shows apparent progression of individual lesions despite clinical improvement. To determine the incidence and clinical significance of this so-called flare phenomenon, serial bone scans were reviewed in 33 patients with carcinoma of the prostate and bony metastases, who were receiving endocrine treatment for the first time. A flare reaction was seen in two (6%) of 33 bone scans obtained 3 months after initiation of treatment. A flare reaction on bone scan is an unusual phenomenon in prostatic cancer; in general, serial scans accurately depict the activity of bony metastases in these patients.

Limitations of indium-111 leukocyte scanning in febrile renal transplant patients.

Indium-111-labeled leukocyte scanning was evaluated as a technique for investigating possible abscess as the cause of fever in 10 renal allograft recipients under therapy for rejection, acute tubular necrosis, or urinary infection. The usefulness of the method in this setting was found to be limited by marked nonspecificity of renal, pulmonary, and other focal leukocyte accumulation. Although wound infections were correctly identified, false-positive scans resulted in multiple nonproductive consultations and radiologic procedures (some invasive) and contributed to the decision to perform one negative exploratory laparotomy. Such generalized nonspecificity in this patient population is in distinct contrast to the experience with this diagnostic test in nontransplant patients, and has not previously been reported. Possible explanations and implications of these findings are discussed. Consequently, great caution is recommended in the use of indium-111 leukocyte scans to diagnose infection in febrile renal transplant patients who present in a similar clinical setting.

Can areas of myocardial ischemia be localized by the exercise electrocardiogram? A correlative study with thallium-201 scintigraphy.

In order to determine whether areas of ischemia identified by thallium-201 scintigraphy could be localized by exercise ECG, we studied 54 patients with stable coronary heart disease. All 54 patients had exercise-induced thallium-201 scintigraphic defects. Their exercise ECG test results were compared to their thallium-201 images and also to 14 low-risk normal subjects. Exercise data were analyzed for spatial ST vector shifts, using a computer program in order to most accurately classify ST segment depression and elevation. Thallium-201 ischemic defects detected in our patients included areas in the septum and the inferior, lateral, and anterior walls. Twenty-six of these 54 patients also had coronary angiography for classification and comparison as having either localized or generalized disease. None of the scintigraphic ischemic sites or angiographic diseased areas could be specifically identified by exercise-induced ST vector shifts. Therefore, the surface exercise ECG has limitations in localizing ischemia to specific areas of the myocardium.

Abnormal 99mTc-PIPIDA scans mistaken for common duct obstruction.

99mTc-PIPIDA scans were obtained in three patients with acute abdominal pain. The appearance of the scans suggested partial common duct obstruction. Two patients underwent surgery. One had acute appendicitis and the second had infarction of the distal ileum. In both cases, the gallbladder and biliary tract were normal. The third patient had been treated with morphine, which is known to increase biliary tract pressure and may cause contraction of the sphincter of Oddi. An ultrasound study of the gallbladder was normal and all symptoms resolved within 24 hours. Subsequently, three additional patients without biliary disease have been seen who had similar hepatobiliary scans. All three had received meperidine prior to the study. It is concluded that acute abdominal disease or the administration of morphine sulfate or meperidine can result in a scan pattern suggesting partial distal common duct obstruction in the absence of gallbladder or biliary tract disease.

Computer-assisted versus visual lung gallium-67 index in normal subjects and in patients with interstitial lung disorders.

The pulmonary uptake of 87Ga citrate has been proposed as an index that assists clinical decision-making in patients with certain interstitial lung diseases. Such use, however, requires definition of the range of normal values, the range of values in patients with various interstitial diseases, and interobserver and intraobserver variability. We studied 9 normal subjects and 15 patients with interstitial lung diseases. The 87Ga indexes were determined by visual analysis and by a computer-assisted method. We found that the variation among experienced observers in visual index values was substantial in both normal subjects and patients, and that the computer-assisted indexes were less variable. These data suggest that if this approach is to be used in clinical decision-making: (1) the variability of visual indexes, and of normal values, should be recognized; (2) consideration should be given to a less subjective, computer-assisted method of index calculation; (3) each institution should establish standardized methodology and consider determination of its range of variability and normal index values.

Noninvasive assessment of changes in myocardial perfusion and ventricular performance following exercise training.

Seventeen coronary patients (CAD) underwent thallium (TI-201) treadmill and radionuclide (RNV) ejection fraction supine bicycle testing before and after 5.6 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- SD) months of an exercise program. Thallium data were assessed both using analog images and a computerized circumferential profile technique. Patients exercised on the treadmill to a higher workload after the exercise program, but achieved a similar pressure-rate product. When interpreting the analog thallium images, only 50% agreement was obtained for the assessment of changes in myocardial perfusion (pre/post-training). The computer technique, however, had low inter-intraobserver variability (6%) and better agreement (90.5%). Using the circumferential profile method, five patients improved (a total of 11 regions) and one patient worsened (with two regions). Before the exercise program, the ejection fraction (EF) response to supine bike exercise was normal (an increase greater than 11%) in four, flat in seven, and severely abnormal (a decrease of more than 4%) in six patients. After the exercise program, even though achieving similar or higher pressure-rate products, six patients improved their EF response, nine did not change, and two worsened. Of the five patients who improved their thallium images, one improved his EF response, two remained normal, and two did not change. One patient worsened both his thallium study and the EF response after the exercise program. Changes in thallium exercise images and the EF response to supine exercise occurred in our patients after an exercise program, but were not always concordant. Indeed, of five patients with exercise-induced ischemic ST changes before and after training, the EF response improved in three whereas myocardial perfusion was unchanged. Reasons for this lack of agreement are discussed, and have been considered in the planning of a randomized trial of the effects of an exercise program on myocardial perfusion and function.

A noncomputerized count-based technique for the determination of resting left ventricular ejection fraction.

A noncomputerized, count-based technique for the determination of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which does not use geometric assumptions of left ventricular shape, was developed. The noncomputerized technique and computerized multigated ventriculography using both fixed and variable region-of-interest (ROI) methods were performed on 16 patients. The LVEFs obtained with the noncomputerized technique correlated well with both the fixed ROI computerized technique (r = .87) and the variable ROI computerized technique (r = .86). It is concluded that when a computer is not available, the noncomputerized technique is a valid alternative for the determination of LVEF in resting patients in stable sinus rhythm.

Agreement in human interpretation of analog thallium myocardial perfusion images.

To assess the agreement of human interpretation of analog thallium myocardial perfusion images, four experienced interpreters evaluated 100 images on two occasions using a form designed to limit reader variability. A high intraobserver agreement (agreement by same observer at separate times) of 89--93% was found when films were interpreted as normal or abnormal (a dichotomous decision). Interobserver agreement for a majority grouping of observers (three or four) was 75% for an abnormal and 68% for a normal interpretation. However, agreement ranged from 11--79% when interpreters were asked to read the anatomic location of defects. Posterior and lateral wall defects were interpreted with the least amount of agreement. These results indicate that caution must be taken when interpreting defect location. Using a scale of 1--10 to grade the severity of a defect, correlations of 0.82--0.86 were found when reading defects in the lateral and anterior projections. Higher correlations, from 0.86--0.94, were found in left anterior oblique views. Use of reporting forms with specific criteria, multiple observers at one occasion, and/or computer processing may improve agreement. A brief review of the agreement of cardiology testing procedures is also presented.

Function of the pericardium and pericardioperitoneal canal in elasmobranch fishes.

Previous studies of cardiac function in elasmobranch fishes have not included the influence of the pericardioperitoneal canal on pericardial pressure and volume and thus on cardiac function. Accordingly, we studied the function of the pericardium and pericardioperitoneal canal in sharks and rays. We found negative pericardial pressure that rose to a plateau of approximately 0 mmHg when fluid was infused into the pericardium with the canal undisturbed. However, this pericardial pressure elevation caused severe cardiac tamponade. After the canal was occluded, the pressure plateau was substituted with an exponential rise. We injected radioisotopes into the pericardial cavity and obtained scintigrams several hours later. The scans and counts of body fluids and tissues indicated absorption, disputing the suggestion that the primary function of the canal may be inadequate absorption of pericardial fluid. We conclude that the pericardioperitoneal canal maintains negative pericardial pressure, which is a prerequisite in elasmobranch fishes and may serve to regulate pericardial pressure level to optimize cardiac function in relation to changes in cardiac size.

In-111-leukocyte scintigraphy for detection of infection associated with peritoneal dialysis catheters.

In-111-labeled leukocytes were administered to 13 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in order to locate catheter-associated infections. Using a marker to indicate the catheter exit site, infections of the catheter tunnel were correctly identified prior to surgery in 4 patients with relapsing peritonitis and infections of the exit site were diagnosed in 5 out of 7 patients. There were no false positives or negatives as documented by surgery or follow-up. The authors conclude that In-111-leukocyte scintigraphy appears to be accurate in diagnosing peritoneal infections of the dialysis catheter tunnel.

Single photon emission computed tomograms of the liver: normal vascular intrahepatic structures.

Because of the high target-to-background contrast obtained with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), normal intrahepatic vessels approximately 2 cm in diameter may appear as distinct focal defects in tomographic sections throughout the liver even though normal vessels rarely cause such defects on planar images. To assess this problem, five subjects without evidence of liver disease underwent tomography of the liver with Tc-99m sulfur colloid (TSC) and on a separate occasion tomography of the intrahepatic blood pool with Tc-99m autologous red blood cells (RBC). In each case, well demarcated defects were obvious in contiguous TSC liver tomograms in various planes. Direct comparison with RBC tomograms showed that all of these defects corresponded to intrahepatic veins, typically the right portal vein, its posterior branch, and the left portal vein. Knowledge of the intrahepatic vascular anatomy in a variety of tomographic planes, with examination of each defect in multiple orthogonal planes is necessary to avoid false positive interpretations. In some instances a study with RBC may also be required for more conclusive evaluation of defects seen on TSC liver tomograms.