Quantitative Analysis of Multimodal Skeletal SPECT/CT Reconstructions in Diagnosing Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

AIM: Our goal was to assess visual and quantitative aspects of multimodal skeletal SPECT/CT reconstructions (recon) in differentiating necrotic and healthy bone of patients with suspected MRONJ. METHODS: Prior to surgery, 20 patients with suspected MRONJ underwent SPECT/CT of the jaw 3-4 hours after injection of Tc-99m-DPD (622±112.4 MBq). SPECT/CT data were reconstructed using the multimodal xSPECT Bone and xSPECT Quant algorithms as well as the OSEM-algorithm FLASH 3D. For analysis, we divided the jaw into 12 separate regions. Both xSPECT Bone and FLASH 3D datasets were scored on a four-point scale (VIS xSPECT; VIS F3D), based on the intensity of localized tracer uptake. In F3D and xSPECT Quant datasets, local tracer uptake of each region was recorded as semi-quantitative uptake ratio (SQR F3D) or SUVs, respectively. ROC analysis was performed. Postoperative histologic results served as gold standard. RESULTS: VIS F3D, VIS xSPECT and SQR F3D did not differ significantly in diagnostic accuracy (VIS xSPECT sensitivity=0.64; specificity=0.89). Of the quantitative parameters, SUVpeak yielded the best interobserver reproducibility. SUVpeak was 9.9±7.1 (95%CI: 7.84-11.95) in MRONJ regions, as opposed 3.6±1.8 (95% CI:3.36-3.88) elsewhere, with a cutpoint of 4.5 (sensitivity=0.83; specificity=0.80). Absolute quantitation significantly surpassed VIS and SQR (p<0.05) in accuracy and interobserver agreement (SUVpeak: κ=0.92; VIS xSPECT: κ=0.61; SQR F3D κ=0.66). CONCLUSION: Absolute quantitation proved significantly more accurate than visual and semi-quantitative assessment in diagnosing MRONJ, with higher interobserver agreement.

Antiseptic negative pressure instillation therapy for the treatment of septic wound healing deficits in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Impaired wound healing, chronic wounds and extended soft tissue defects present a crucial problem in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck region, even more after radiation therapy. In such cases the standard is a prolonged open wound treatment. The negative pressure instillation therapy might present an alternative therapy option. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study the effects of negative pressure instillation therapy on the healing of chronic wounds in 15 patients diagnosed with impaired wound healing were investigated. These based upon infected osteoradionecrosis and osteomyelitis of the jaw. The parameters investigated as markers of the therapeutic success were serum inflammatory parameters i.e. white blood cell counts, wound smear results and wound surface reduction. RESULTS: The use of negative pressure instillation therapy lead to a reduction of the bacterial load and formation of a stabile granulation tissue in all but one case. The mean inpatient time of the patients was 13.33 ± 4.62 days. Between 2 and 8 dressing changes were needed to reach clinical sufficient wound healing results. Secondary intention wound healing could be obtained in 14 out of 15 cases. The crucial part for the successful application was a watertight enoral suturing as oro-cutaneous fistulae were present in most cases. CONCLUSION: The negative pressure instillation therapy poses a good treatment for wound healing problems and extended size soft tissue defects, even when oro-cutaneous fistulae were present. Especially in cases that contraindicate micro-vascular reconstruction, negative pressure instillation therapy could be a good alternative.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography versus positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study.

Diagnostic imaging of head and neck cancer has made enormous progress during recent years. Next to morphological imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), there are also hybrid imaging systems that combine functional and morphological information (positron emission tomography [PET]/CT and PET/MRI). The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of PET/MRI in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer with other imaging modalities (MRI, CT, PET/CT). Ten patients (nine male and one female) with histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma participated in an 18 F-FDG-PET/CT scan and an additional 18 F-FDG PET/MRI scan prior to surgery. The morphological and functional results were compared with the histological results. Inclusion criteria were histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma and no prior surgical intervention, medical therapy, or local external radiation. There was no significant correlation between tumor differentiation and maximum standard uptake values. Functional imaging showed a slightly better correlation with the measurement of the maximal tumor diameter, whereas pure morphological imaging showed a better correlation with the measurement of infiltration depth. Only with PET/MRI could correct lymph node staging be reached; the other imaging tools showed false-negative or false-positive results. In conclusion, we showed in our limited patient cohort that PET/MRI is superior to the morphological imaging modalities, especially for lymph node staging.