Exceptionally Rare Isolated Thyroidal Metastasis of Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma: A Tale of 18F-FDG-positive Thyroid Nodule.

Pulmonary carcinosarcomas (PCS) are uncommon and aggressive malignant tumors with epithelial and mesenchymal components and have a worse prognosis than other non-small-cell lung cancers. Metastases of non-thyroidal malignancies to the thyroid are rare. We reported a unique case of isolated thyroidal metastasis of PCS and discussed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positivity in incidentally found thyroid nodules on 18F-FDG positron emission tomography scan.

Sonographic Features of Atypical and Initially Missed Parathyroid Adenomas: Lessons Learned From a Single-Center Cohort.

CONTEXT: Awareness of typical and atypical ultrasonographic (US) features of parathyroid adenomas (PAs) is crucial since US is the most widely used first-line imaging modality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the atypical features of PAs on US and other possible factors leading to a false negative examination in a large single-center cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The US records of 457 PAs in 445 patients with biochemically proven primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) were evaluated in a prospectively maintained database. Atypical size, composition, shape, echogenicity, location, and vascular pattern on US were noted. For patients who previously had at least one negative US examination in referring centers, the main possible reason was defined accordingly. RESULTS: The study group included 359 female and 86 male patients with PHPT. Typical sonographic features were observed in 231 PAs (51%), whereas 226 (49%) had at least one atypical US feature. The most common atypical features were atypical size (29%), followed by atypical echogenicity (19%), shape (8%), location (7%), and composition (7%), respectively. There were 122 initially missed PAs in all groups. The most frequent main atypical US features leading to false negative examinations were atypical size (22.1%) and atypical location (18.8%). Inexperience was third most common reason (16.3%) for false negative US examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of PAs have at least one atypical feature on US. Awareness of the high prevalence of atypical US features could increase the accuracy of US examination and potentially decrease demand for more expensive second-line imaging modalities.

Early Dynamic Risk Stratification Decreases Rate of Ablative and Adjuvant Radioiodine Use in ATA Low and Intermediate Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients.

Objectives: In differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), radioiodine (RAI) therapy is most frequently employed for remnant ablation or as adjuvant therapy for the remaining disease. The application of RAI to patients classified as intermediate risk (InR) is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of early postoperative risk assessment on RAI use on papillary thyroid cancer patients who are classified as low risk (LoR) or InR. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective registry study. One-hundred-eighty-six patients operated between January 2012 and August 2021 and categorized as LoR or InR were included in this study. All patients had total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection by the same endocrine surgeon. An early dynamic risk assessment (EDRA) consisting of neck ultrasonography, serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and anti-Tg levels was performed 6 weeks after surgery. Most of the patients were either followed up without RAI or received ablative low activity (30-50 mCi) RAI based on predetermined criteria. Results: Median follow-up was 63 months. Sixty-six (61%) patients in the LoR group and 43 (56%) patients in the InR group did not receive RAI treatment. Thirty-eight (35%) and 22 (29%) patients in LoR and InR groups received ablative (30-50 mCi) RAI therapy, respectively. In LoR group 5 (4.6%) patients and in InR group 12 (16%) patients received 100 mCi or more RAI activity. Only one patient in the InR group recurred during follow-up. No statistically significant difference regarding local recurrence was found between patients who didn't receive RAI or were treated with RAI within both LoR (p=0.152) and InR (p=0.272) groups. Conclusion: There is consensus for LoR patients about omitting RAI therapy after surgery. Indications for RAI treatment in InR DTC are still under debate. RAI use based on EDRA seems to be a better option than decisions solely made on histopathological risk factors and decreases adjuvant high-activity RAI use without increasing recurrence risk.

Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules with ANFIS by Using Genetic Algorithm and Proposing a Novel CAD-Based Risk Stratification System of Thyroid Nodules.

The thyroid nodule risk stratification guidelines used in the literature are based on certain well-known sonographic features of nodules and are still subjective since the application of these characteristics strictly depends on the reading physician. These guidelines classify nodules according to the sub-features of limited sonographic signs. This study aims to overcome these limitations by examining the relationships of a wide range of ultrasound (US) signs in the differential diagnosis of nodules by using artificial intelligence methods. An innovative method based on training Adaptive-Network Based Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) by using Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to differentiate malignant from benign thyroid nodules. The comparison of the results from the proposed method to the results from the commonly used derivative-based algorithms and Deep Neural Network (DNN) methods yielded that the proposed method is more successful in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules. Furthermore, a novel computer aided diagnosis (CAD) based risk stratification system for the thyroid nodule's US classification that is not present in the literature is proposed.

The sonographer's and pathologist's perspective of echogenic microfoci in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: Punctate echogenic foci (PEF)/microcalcifications are thought to represent psammoma bodies (PB) in histopathology. However, there are few and contradictory data on this. Different types of sonographic echogenic microfoci (EMF) are seen in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and their histopathological equivalents are not clearly known. There is also conflicting data on the interobserver agreement between the sonographers on EMF. Methods: We prospectively collected US video records of PTC nodules with and without EMF in two large thyroid centers. All video recordings were independently interpreted by three blinded, experienced sonographers. EMF were classified as true microcalcifications (punctate echogenic foci (PEF) ≤1 mm long), linear microechogenities (>1 mm long, posterior acoustic enhancement of the back wall of a microcystic area), comet-tail artifacts/reverberations or linear microechogenities with comet-tail artifacts/reverberations, non-shadowing coarse echogenic foci (>1 mm nonlinear areas) and unclassifiable. Histopathological evaluation was performed by two blinded, qualified pathologists. Results: A total of 114 malignant nodules were included. The average Cohen's kappa (κ) of three sonographers for the EMF presence was 0.775, indicating substantial agreement. A substantial agreement for PEF with 0.658 κ, only fair agreement for other types of EMF with 0.052 to 0.296 κ were detected. EMF were significantly associated with PB and papillae. PEF had an evident relationship with PB in multivariate analysis. There was a strong positive correlation between the amount of PEF and PB (r = 0.634, P < 0.001). Conclusions: PEF in PTC mainly correspond to PB on histopathology. Although observation of EMF varies among sonographers, this inconsistency can be reduced by classifying EMF into subgroups and keeping the term 'PEF' only for true microcalcifications.

Sonographic measurement of diuretic-induced renal length changes: are they correlated with renal function?

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to prospectively identify diuretic-induced renal length changes and to determine whether the percentages of the renal length changes allow estimation of the differential renal function. METHODS: Twenty-three children (14 boys and 9 girls; mean age, 7.83 years) who were undergoing technetium Tc 99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid or technetium Tc 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renography were included in this study. Renal lengths were measured by sonography just before and 15 to 20 minutes after diuretic injection. The Spearman test was used to assess the correlation between renal length increases due to diuretic injection and the differential renal function. RESULTS: The mean renal lengths ± SD measured before and after diuretic administration were 91.52 ± 20.87 and 95.38 ± 21.46 mm, respectively. The increase in renal length after diuretic administration was statistically significant (P < .001). There was a positive correlation between the renal length change and functional status (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Renal length may change after diuretic injection according to the functional status, and the sonographic measurements of these changes may be used as an alternative to other imaging methods in estimation of renal function.

Diuretic-induced renal length changes in the estimation of renal function with MR urography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether administration of a diuretic agent in MR urography has an effect on renal length and to determine whether the increase in length can be used for the assessment of renal function. CONCLUSION: Renal length may change after diuretic injection, and these changes correlate with renal function.

Radioguided occult lesion localization for minimally-invasive parathyroidectomy without quick PTH monitoring and frozen section: impact of the learning curve.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally-invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) is a surgical procedure that reduces the duration of operation, hospital costs, and hypocalcemia, and shortens the length of hospital stay. This study addressed the important procedural details of the radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL)-MIP technique and evaluated the consequences of the learning curve from a series of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients who underwent ROLL-MIP for a single parathyroid adenoma were included into this retrospective study. In order to analyze the effect of the learning curve, these subjects were then divided into 2 groups per time period and the operative times were compared. Group A consisted of 22 previously reported patients who served as the control group. Group B consisted of 58 consecutive patients. RESULTS: Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were normalized in all of the patients within 2 days and remained normal during the follow-up period (31 ± 18.5 months). None of the patients who underwent ROLL-guided parathyroidectomy suffered temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Mean operation time (time from incision to excision of the adenoma) was 23 ± 6 min in Group A and 18 ± 7 min in Group B. Mean operative times were significantly shorter in group B. CONCLUSION: The success of MIP administered with the ROLL technique in a single adenomatous patient was quite high. This method seems especially valuable in patients with atypically located or small adenomas.

Performance of acidified 14C-urea capsule breath test during pantoprazole and ranitidine treatment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Urea breath test (UBT) results could be false negative in patients taking antisecretory drugs. This effect would be prevented by citric acid administration during UBT. We prospectively investigated whether acidified 14C-urea capsule prevents false negative UBT results in patients taking antisecretory drugs and show interference with the duration of medications. METHODS: Sixty Helicobacter pylori positive patients were included. Pantoprazole (40 mg/day) was given to 27 patients for 28 days and ranitidine (300 mg. o.d.) to 33 patients for 60 days. Urea breath tests were repeated on days 14 and 28 in both groups and on day 60 in the ranitidine group. RESULTS: The baseline mean breath counts of two groups did not show any significant difference. Pantoprazole led to a significant decrease in mean breath counts on day 14 (P < 0.005). Six of 27 and 3 of 25 patients taking pantoprazole developed negative or equivocal UBT results on days 14 and 28, respectively. Two of 32, 2 of 32 and 3 of 21 patients taking ranitidine developed negative or equivocal UBT results on days 14, 28 and 60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of acidified 14C-urea capsule did not prevent false negative UBT results in patients taking pantoprazole and ranitidine, and the duration of medication does not affect the test results.

Comparison of sequential and standard triple-drug regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a 14-day, open-label, randomized, prospective, parallel-arm study in adult patients with nonulcer dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: The eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori with standard treatments are decreasing worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to compare the eradication success of a 14-day sequential regimen with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple treatment. The secondary objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of gastritis score and smoking on eradication rates as well as evaluation of compliance and tolerability of both regimens. METHODS: Consecutive H pylori-positive patients with nonulcer dyspepsia were randomized into 1 of 2 groups in this 14-day, open-label, randomized, prospective, parallel-arm study. An upper endoscopy with biopsy and (14)C-urea breath test ((14)C-UBT) were performed before enrollment. The first group was administered a sequential regimen consisting of pantoprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g for 7 days, followed by pantoprazole 40 mg, tetracycline 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg for the next 7 days. The second group was administered pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg (PAC group) for 14 days. All drugs were administered BID, with the exception of tetracycline, which was administered QID. Eradication was confirmed by (14)C-UBT 6 weeks after the end of the treatment. Histologic examination and (14)C-UBT were conducted by investigators blinded to the protocols. Patients were asked to report any adverse events (AEs) during the treatment period. RESULTS: Three hundred white patients were enrolled in the study and evenly randomized into the sequential treatment group (98 males and 52 females; mean age, 40.2 years) and the PAC group (86 males and 64 females; mean age, 41.2 years). A total of 274 patients completed the study per protocol (PP). Twenty-six patients discontinued: lost to follow-up (16), withdrawn due to AEs (9); and noncompliance (1). The intent-to-treat (ITT) and PP H pylori eradication rates were 72.6% and 80.1% in the sequential group, and 58% and 63% in the PAC group, respectively. The eradication rate was significantly higher in the sequential group compared with the PAC group in both the ITT and PP populations (P=0.01 and P=0.002, respectively). The eradication rates were higher in nonsmoking patients compared with smoking patients both in the sequential group (85.8% vs 70.5%) and the PAC group (67.7% vs 53.3%), but the results were not statistically significant when the groups were analyzed separately. Overall, 32 patients (10.7%) reported an AE. Treatment was discontinued in 9 patients because of serious AEs (sequential group--abdominal pain [2 patients], diarrhea [1], chest pain [1], and vaginal pruritus [1]; PAC group--nausea/vomiting [2], chest pain [1], and numbness [1]). There were no significant between-group differences in regard to compliance or AEs. Univariate analyses found no significant effect of sex, age, alcohol consumption, antacid usage, or gastritis score on the eradication rates. CONCLUSIONS: A 14-day sequential treatment regimen achieved a significantly higher eradication rate of H pylori compared with standard PPI-based triple regimen in this small selected population. Large, double-blind, controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.

Massive inguinoscrotal herniation of the bladder with ureter: incidental demonstration on bone scan.

Inguinoscrotal herniation of the bladder is a rare clinical entity. The condition is often diagnosed incidentally or during the course of surgical repair of inguinal hernias. In a smaller number of cases, bladder hernia can be seen during nuclear medicine studies. We report a rare case of massive inguinoscrotal bladder herniation with ureter, causing urinary stasis on bone scintigraphy.

Poor efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate-based triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have tended to decrease recently possibly related with increasing antibiotic resistance. The present study investigated the efficacy of three different ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) based triple regimens in a population with high prevalence of H. pylori. METHODS: 300 consecutive H. pylori positive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia were randomized into three regimens: (1) RBC 400 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and tetracycline 500 mg [RBC-AT], (2) RBC 400 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg [RBC-AC], (3) RBC 400 mg, metronidazole 500 mg and tetracycline 500 mg [RBC-MT]. Tetracycline was given q.i.d, all other drugs were given b.i.d. for 14 days. Gastroscopy and (14)C-Urea breath test (UBT) were performed before enrollment and UBT only was repeated 6 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: 274 patients completed the protocols. The overall 'intention to treat' and 'per protocol' H. pylori eradication rates in all subjects were 57.6% (95% CI: 52-63) and 63.1% (95% CI: 57-68), respectively. The eradication rates achieved in the groups (RBC-AT, RBC-AC and RBC-MT) were 64.4% (95% CI: 54-74), 66.2% (95% CI: 56-76), and 58.9% (95% CI: 49-68) on 'per protocol' analyses, respectively. There was no difference in eradication rates, compliance and major side effects between the groups. CONCLUSION: The current RBC-based H. pylori eradication therapy is not adequately effective.

Disseminated metastatic disease of osteosarcoma of the femur in the abdomen: unusual metastatic pattern on Tc-99m MDP bone scan.

A 25-year-old patient with osteosarcoma of the right distal femur underwent a bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP). Whole-body bone scan revealed extensive metastatic disease in the abdominal region. Abdominal computerized tomography confirmed the presence of ascites and calcified masses on the greater omentum and peritoneal surfaces. Here we describe a case of unusual metastatic pattern of an osteosarcoma showing extensive intraabdominal metastases without prominent lung involvement after intensive chemotherapy.

A physiologic approach to decreasing upward creep of the heart during myocardial perfusion imaging.

UNLABELLED: When body position changes from erect to supine, the effect of gravity on the organs also changes and is a possible underlying mechanism for upward creep of the heart during SPECT acquisitions. We hypothesized that if we provide enough time for the organs to settle after a positional change, the range of this vertical motion causing reconstruction artifacts can be decreased. Our aim was to evaluate the effect that a 5-min bed rest on the imaging table before both rest and stress SPECT acquisitions would have on upward creep of the heart. METHODS: Before both stress and rest SPECT acquisitions, the first 101 consecutive patients (group A) had a 5-min bed rest and the remaining 99 patients (group B) did not have any bed rest after they were positioned on the imaging table. Upward creep was detected by comparing the distance between the lower edge of the image and the lowest part of the heart silhouette on the last projection image of detector 2 and the first projection image of detector 1. RESULTS: Upward creep was found in 53% (54/101) and 55% (56/101) of patients in group A and in 89% (88/99) and 86% (85/99) of patients in group B in stress and rest SPECT studies, respectively. Upward creep of the heart was decreased prominently in group A, and this decrease was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that before SPECT acquisition, at least a 5-min bed rest on the imaging table significantly decreases vertical motion of the heart.

The effects of tangential radiotherapy on lung clearance in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tangential radiotherapy (RT) on lung clearance in the patients with breast cancer by using (99m)Tc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three female patients [non-smoker: 20, ex-smoker: 13] performed surgery and systemic chemotherapy for breast carcinoma [47+/-13 years] were included in the study. All patients underwent (99m)Tc-DTPA aerosol scintigraphy prior to RT (pre RT), midway through RT (mid RT) and after RT (post RT). Total dose was 50 Gy in modified radical mastectomy and 60 Gy in lumpectomy (2 Gy/fraction). Posterior dynamic images of lungs were obtained immediately after the inhalation of (99m)Tc-DTPA aerosol. RESULTS: Pulmonary function tests were normal in three measurements for all cases. In the ex-smokers, there was no significant difference among pre RT, mid RT and post RT clearance values in both lungs. Pre RT lung clearance in non-smoker group did not differ from that in ex-smokers. However, the lung clearance for non-smoker group showed significantly increase following RT. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that tangential radiotherapy caused an increase in the lung clearance in the cases of non-smokers even in non-irradiated lung, and that the effect of RT on lung clearance was closely depended on smoking habit before RT.

Fused pelvic kidneys: "hourglass sign" on Tc-99m DTPA diuresis renography.

A 13-year-old girl with fused pelvic kidneys detected on ultrasonographic examination was referred to our department for a diuresis renography to assess urine drainage dynamics and exclude the possibility of urinary tract obstruction. Renal scan demonstrated fused pelvic kidneys functioning normally without obstruction. The authors present this case to demonstrate the diuresis renography findings of the combined position, fusion and rotation anomalies of the kidneys that is a rare congenital anomaly of the urinary tract.

Unilateral temporary functional stasis in the upper urinary tract caused by "a filled bladder" on Tc-99m DTPA diuresis renography: a teaching case.

A 2-year-old girl with recurrent urinary tract infection having slight left pelvicaliceal dilatation on her renal ultrasound underwent a Tc-99m DTPA diuresis renography. During the excretion phase, a prominent and persisting left pelvicaliceal stasis was noticed even after the diuretic injection. However, it disappeared simultaneously with an uncontrolled micturition. This patient is presented to show the effect of filled bladder on the physiological drainage of urine. Since urine flow in the urinary system is more complicated than simple drainage, a thorough understanding of the physiological basis for diuresis renography and the pitfalls of the technique is required for its appropriate use in the management of patients suspected of urinary tract obstruction.

Varices of inferior epigastric veins caused by chronic inferior vena cava obstruction: mimicking normal venous flow pattern on radionuclide venography.

A 21-year-old patient with long-standing inferior vena cava obstruction secondary to idiopathic thrombosis extending from the external iliac veins underwent a radionuclide venography with Tc-99m pertechnetate labeled erythrocytes. The blood pool phase of the study revealed bilaterally distorted inferior epigastric veins mimicking normal venous flow pattern. The authors present this case to discuss the possible alternative routes and the underlying physiopathologic mechanism of this unusual flow pattern in chronic inferior vena cava obstruction.

Diagnostic approach to prostate cancer using total prostate specific antigen-based parameters together.

This prospective study investigated the value of serum total prostate specific antigen (tPSA)-based parameters in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). Serum tPSA, free to tPSA ratio (f/tPSA), PSA density (PSAD), and PSA transition zone (PSAT) were evaluated in 110 patients with histologically confirmed benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 98 patients with PCa. Once the serum tPSA was elevated (greater than 4 ng/ml) or digital rectal examination (DRE) was suspicious, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies were recommended. The tPSA, f/tPSA, PSAD, and PSAT levels were significantly different between the BPH and PCa groups. In patients with a tPSA level of 4.1-9.9 ng/ml or an abnormal DRE finding, only PSAT was found to have discriminating power. The cut-off values were 0.15 for f/tPSA, 0.30 for PSAT, and 0.15 for PSAD. The diagnostic sensitivity of a positive result for one of these parameters in the whole group was 84%, but 75% in patients with a tPSA of 4.1-9.9 ng/ml or an abnormal DRE finding. The diagnostic specificity of positive results for 3 parameters was 92% in the whole group and 93% in patients with a tPSA of 4.1-9.9 ng/ml or an abnormal DRE finding. All parameters were influenced by the histological grades. Histological grades showed a negative correlation (r = -0.56) with f/t PSA and a positive correlation (r = 0.44) with PSAT. No diagnostic marker investigated heretofore was able to rule out or detect early PCa in patients with a PSA level of 4.1-9.9 ng/ml. Using the PSA-based parameters together can be helpful in management of these patients. If all of the PSA-based parameters are negative, biopsy might be postponed; patients who have three positive PSA-based parameters should be biopsied. In case of one or two of the parameters, the patient's age and race should be considered in clinical decision-making.

Uterine doughnut in early proliferating phase: potential pitfall in gastrointestinal bleeding studies.

A 41-year-old woman with rectal bleeding was referred to our department for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding study. She was in early post-menstrual period and had stable vital signs. A GI bleeding study with Tc-99m SC revealed uterine blush in the pelvis. The shape of activity and quick fading excluded a GI bleeding. To rule out an intermittent bleeding, patient underwent a second bleeding study with Tc-99m RBC. Serial images showed uterine "doughnut" in the pelvis. The activity neither changed in shape nor showed distal movement with time excluding a GI hemorrhage. Uterus in early proliferating phase could be a potential pitfall in GI bleeding studies.