The impact of lung perfusion scintigraphy in the emergency management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is an emergency condition that requires immediate treatment. As the symptoms and the risk factors are nonspecific, PE differential diagnosis is often required. Even if angio-CT is considered the gold standard for PE diagnosis, the frequent allergic condition and/or chronic renal failure of patients make, in most cases, not possible the use of contrast enhancement in emergency with even more increasing use of Lung Perfusion Scintigraphy (LPS), as a simple and fast examination with no preparation/contraindication. The aim of our study is to highlight the role of LPS in the management of patients (pts) with suspected PE admitted to our hospital as an emergency in the "on-call" 24 hours (hrs) service.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

We retrospectively revised 2166 LPS performed for suspected PE from January 2012 to December 2016, of which 1730 were urgent. LPS was performed according to the EANM guidelines in the 4 standard projections. The relation between symptoms, risk factors, dosage of D-dimers, other imaging diagnostic tools and LPS results were evaluated by contingency tables and Odds Ratio (OR).

RESULTS

The origin unit of pts was: emergency (56.7%), pneumology (10.8%), neurology (4.8%), internal medicine (6.5%), surgery (5.2%), cardiology (3.3%) and other departments (11.2%). 59.3% of the examinations were performed during the on-call 24 hrs service. Symptoms were chest pain in 39%, dyspnea in 75%, cough in 22%. In 34% were present two symptoms, while 10% were asymptomatic. D-dimer dosage before LPS was increased in 97% (>500 ug/L). 55.5% had only one risk factor, 18.7% had two or more risk factors. 75.5% of pts had previously performed another diagnostic exam (Chest X-ray in 57%, chest CT in 8.4%, both in 10.1%) while 24.5% did not undergo previous diagnostic exam. The Chest X-ray and/or chest CT resulted negative in 25.4%, suspected for PE in 24.4%, non-specific with pleural effusion in 18.8% and non-specific with inflammatory interstitial diseases in 31.4%. LSP resulted positive for PE in 17% and then treated; LPS resulted negative in the remnant 83%. LPS results were associated with those of CT and Rx (χ²=17.5 P=0.001). LPS resulted positive in 13.8% with negative Chest X-ray and/or CT, in 23.4% with suspected PE, in 15.2% with pleural effusion and in 14.7% with inflammatory interstitial diseases. Furthermore LPS resulted positive in 17.32% without previous diagnostic exam. The increased value of D-Dimers (>500ng/ml) observed in 97% was not predictive of PE (OR=0.598 P=0.152). A similar result was observed for cough (OR=1.146 P=0.395) and chest pain (OR=0.927 P=0.601). Conversely, dyspnea appeared to be a significant symptom of PE (OR=1.596 P=0.003). The presence of risk factors is not predictor of PE detected by LPS (OR=1.297 P=0.089).

CONCLUSION

LPS has a key role in the early diagnosis but even more in the exclusion of PE, optimizing the management of pts who do not require admission to intensive care unit with high costs and limited availability. LPS confirms to be a simple, quick and inexpensive examination. It does not require preparation and has no side effect so it can be performed in all types of pts including pregnant women, politraumatized and complicated patients, with great impact on resource optimization for intensive care units. Our multi-year and large-scale experience related to a metropolitan area suggests that, to date, given the great demand and relevance of this examination, Nuclear Medicine Units must necessarily be organized in order to provide LPS as emergency in on-call 24 hrs service.

The emerging trend of non-operative treatment in paediatric type I open forearm fractures

PURPOSE

Open fractures are considered an orthopaedic emergency and are generally an indication for operative debridement. Recent studies have questioned this approach for the management of Gustilo-Anderson Type I open fractures in the paediatric population. This meta-analysis studies the non-operative management of Type I open paediatric forearm fractures.

METHODS

An Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed database literature search was performed for studies that involved a quantified number of Gustilo-Anderson Type I open forearm fractures in the paediatric population, which were treated without operative intervention. A fixed-effect meta-analysis, weighting each study based on the number of patients, and a pooled estimate of infection risk (with 95% confidence interval (CI)) was performed.

RESULTS

The search results yielded five studies that were eligible for inclusion. No included patients had operative debridement and all were treated with antibiotics. The number of patients in each study ranged from 3 to 45, with a total of 127 paediatric patients in the meta-analysis. The infection rate was 0% for all patients included. The meta-analysis estimated a pooled infection risk of 0% (95% CI 0 to 2.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The five included studies had a total of 127 patients with no cases of infection after non-operative management of Type I open paediatric forearm fractures. The infection rate of Type I fractures among operatively managed patients is 1.9%. The trend in literature towards non-operative treatment of paediatric Type I open fractures holds true in this meta-analysis.

Bevacizumab-Based Chemotherapy Combined with Regional Deep Capacitive Hyperthermia in Metastatic Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

As an angiogenesis inhibitor, bevacizumab has been investigated in combination with different chemotherapeutic agents, achieving an established role for metastatic cancer treatment. However, potential synergic anti-angiogenic effects of hyperthermia have not tested to date in literature. The aim of our study was to analyze efficacy, safety, and survival of anti-angiogenic-based chemotherapy associated to regional deep capacitive hyperthermia (HT) in metastatic cancer patients. Twenty-three patients with metastatic colorectal (n = 16), ovarian (n = 5), and breast (n = 2) cancer were treated with HT in addition to a standard bevacizumab-based chemotherapy regimen. Treatment response assessment was performed, according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors (mRECIST), at 80 days (timepoint-1) and at 160 days (timepoint-2) after therapy. Disease Response Rate (DRR), considered as the proportion of patients who had the best response rating (complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD)), was assessed at timepoint-1 and timepoint-2. Chi-squared for linear trend test was performed to evaluated the association between response groups (R/NR) and the number of previous treatment (none, 1, 2, 3), number of chemotherapy cycles (<6, 6, 12, >12), number of hyperthermia sessions (<12, 12, 24, >24), and lines of chemotherapy (I, II). Survival curves were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. DRR was 85.7% and 72.2% at timepoint-1 and timepoint-2, respectively. HT was well tolerated without additional adverse effects on chemotherapy-related toxicity. Chi-squared for linear trend test demonstrated that the percentage of responders grew in relation to the number of chemotherapy cycles (p = 0.015) and to number of HT sessions (p < 0.001) performed. Both overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were influenced by the number of chemotherapy cycles (p < 0.001) and HT sessions (p < 0.001) performed. Our preliminary data, that need to be confirmed in larger studies, suggest that the combined treatment of bevacizumab-based chemotherapy with HT has a favorable tumor response, is feasible and well tolerated, and offers a potentially promising option for metastatic cancer patients.

Vascular Patterns in Cutaneous Ulcerated Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Blinded Study Including Dermoscopy

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the type and prevalence of vascular patterns in the ulcerated and non-ulcerated portions of histologically proven basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and correlate them with other dermoscopic and clinical features, including the clinically supposed diagnosis. Three authors retrospectively collected 156 clinical and 156 dermoscopic digital images of ulcerated BCCs (histologically confirmed); each image was blindly evaluated by 2 other authors, who did not know the histological diagnosis. Seventeen lesions were completely ulcerated, while 139 lesions presented ulcerated and non-ulcerated portions. Correct clinical diagnosis was associated with the type of lesion, in particular 90.6% of partially ulcerated lesions were correctly diagnosed with clinical-dermoscopic examination, compared with 11.8% of totally ulcerated lesions (χ2 = 64.00, p = 0.000). Presence of arborizing pattern in the ulcerated portion was associated with a correct diagnosis (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.015). Correct diagnosis was also associated with absence of dotted pattern in the non-ulcerated area (χ2 = 16.18, p = 0.000); the absence of hairpin (χ2 = 6.08, p = 0.000) and glomerular patterns were associated with correct diagnosis in the ulcerated areas (χ2 = 18.64, p = 0.000). In case of completely ulcerated BCC the clinician lacks the means to correctly identify the correct nature of the lesion, and is driven towards an incorrect diagnostic conclusion.

Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma: Predictive value of interim 18F-FDG PET/CT in therapy response assessment

We investigated the prognostic value of interim F-FDG PET/CT (PET-2) in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (pHL), evaluating both visual and semiquantitative analysis.Thirty pHL patients (age ≤16) underwent serial F-FDG PET/CT: at baseline (PET-0), after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (PET-2) and at the end of first-line chemotherapy (PET-T). PET response assessment was carried out visually according to the Deauville Score (DS), as well as semiquantitatively by using the semiquantitative parameters reduction from PET-0 to PET-2 (ΔΣSUVmax0-2, ΔΣSUVmean0-2). Final clinical response assessment (outcome) at the end of first-line chemotherapy was the criterion standard, considering patients as responders (R) or nonresponders (NR). Disease status was followed identifying patients with absence or relapsed/progression disease (mean follow-up: 24 months, range 3-78).Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of visual and semiquantitative assessment were calculated; furthermore, Fisher exact test was performed to evaluate the association between both visual and semiquantitative assessment and outcome at the end of the first-line chemotherapy. The prognostic capability of PET-2 semiquantitative parameters was calculated by ROC analysis and expressed as area under curve (AUC). Finally, progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed according to PET-2 results based on the 5-point scale and semiquantitative criteria, using the Kaplan-Meier method.Based on the outcome at the end of first-line chemotherapy, 5 of 30 patients were NR, the remnant 25 of 30 were R. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of visual analysis were 60%,72%,30%,90%,70%; conversely, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of semiquantitative assessment were 80%, 92%, 66.7%, 95.8%, 90%. The highest AUC resulted for ΔΣSUVmax0-2 (0.836; cut-off <12.5; sensitivity 80%; specificity 91%). The association between ΔΣSUVmax0-2 and outcome at the end of first-line chemotherapy resulted to have a strong statistical significance (P = 0.0026). Both methods demonstrated to influence PFS, even if the semiquantitative assessment allowed a more accurate identification of patients with a high risk of treatment failure (P = 0.005).Our preliminary results showed that PET-2 visual assessment, by using Deauville criteria, can be improved by using the semiquantitative analysis. The SUV max reduction (ΔΣSUVmax0-2) evaluation might provide a support for the interpretation of intermediate scores, predicting with good confidence those patients who will have a poor outcome and require alternative therapies.

A pilot study employing hepatic intra-arterial irinotecan injection of drug-eluting beads as salvage therapy in liver metastatic colorectal cancer patients without extrahepatic involvement: the first southern Italy experience

BACKGROUND

The main aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of drug-eluting beads with irinotecan (DEBIRI) for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Secondary aims were to evaluate survival and toxicity.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with metastases in <50% of the liver and without extrahepatic involvement were enrolled. Treatment response assessment was performed by multidetector contrast enhancement computed tomography (MDCT) with evaluation of the enhancement pattern of the target lesion and tumor response rates according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST, Version 1.1). All adverse events were recorded by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 3.0. Associations of tumor response and variables were calculated using the chi-squared test. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons were made using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

According to mRECIST, complete response (CR) was observed in 21.8% of patients, partial response (PR) in 13%, stable disease (SD) in 52.2% and progressive disease (PD) in 13% of patients. Response rate (RR = CR + PR) was 34.8%. No associations between treatment response and variables such as Dukes' classification, grading and Kras status were found (P>0.05). The median OS was 37 months (95% CI: 13.881 to 60.119). Cox regression model showed that neither site, Dukes' classification, grading, Kras status nor number of chemotherapy treatments pre-DEBIRI influenced the OS. The log-rank test showed no statistically significant difference in OS among patients who underwent 1, 2 or 3 DEBIRI treatments (χ²=2.831, P=0.09). In our study, the main toxicities included postembolization syndrome (PES), hypertransaminasemia and fever.

CONCLUSION

The favorable tumor response and the favorable toxicity profile make DEBIRI treatment a potential third-line therapy. Although further larger studies are needed to confirm these data, we can state that DEBIRI is an attractive emerging treatment in these patients.

Carbon monoxide contributes to the constipating effects of granisetron in rat colon

AIM

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the potential contribution of the heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) pathway in the constipating effects of granisetron.

METHODS

For in vivo studies, gastrointestinal motility was evaluated in male rats acutely treated with granisetron [25, 50, 75 μg/kg/subcutaneous (sc)], zinc protoporphyrin IX [ZnPPIX, 50 μg/kg/intraperitoneal (ip)] and hemin (50 μmol/L/kg/ip), alone or in combination. For in vitro studies, the contractile neurogenic response to electrical field stimulation (EFS, 3, 5, 10 Hz, 14 V, 1 ms, pulse trains lasting 10 s), as well as the contractile myogenic response to acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1-100 μmol/L) were evaluated on colon specimens incubated with granisetron (3 μmol/L, 15 min), ZnPPIX (10 μmol/L, 60 min) or CO-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3, 100, 200, 400 μmol/L) alone or in combination. These experiments were performed under co-treatment with or without atropine (3 μmol/L, a muscarinic receptor antagonist) or N^G-nitro-L-Arginine (L-NNA, 100 μmol/L, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor).

RESULTS

Administration of granisetron (50, 75 μg/kg) in vivo significantly increased the time to first defecation (P = 0.045 vs vehicle-treated rats), clearly suggesting a constipating effect of this drug. Although administration of ZnPPIX or hemin alone had no effect on this gastrointestinal motility parameter, ZnPPIX co-administered with granisetron abolished the granisetron-induced constipation. On the other hand, co-administration of hemin and granisetron did not modify the increased constipation observed under granisetron alone. When administered in vitro, granisetron alone (3 μmol/L) did not significantly modify the colon’s contractile response to either EFS or ACh. Incubation with ZnPPIX alone (10 μmol/L) significantly reduced the colon’s contractile response to EFS (P = 0.016) but had no effect on contractile response to ACh. Co-administration of ZnPPIX and atropine (3 μmol/L) abolished the ZnPPIX-mediated decrease in contractile response to EFS. Conversely, incubation with CORM-3 (400 μmol/L) alone increased both the contractile response to EFS at 10 Hz (10 Hz: 71.02 ± 19.16 vs 116.25 ± 53.70, P = 0.01) and the contractile response to ACh (100 μmol/L) (P = 0.012). Co-administration of atropine abolished the CORM-3-mediated effects on the EFS-mediated response. When granisetron was co-incubated in vitro with ZnPPIX, the ZnPPIX-mediated decrease in colon contractile response to EFS was lost. On the other hand, co-incubation of granisetron and CORM-3 (400 μmol/L) further increased the colon’s contractile response to EFS (at 5 Hz: P = 0.007; at 10 Hz: P = 0.001) and to ACh (ACh 10 μmol/L: P = 0.001; ACh 100 μmol/L: P = 0.001) elicited by CORM-3 alone. L-NNA co-administered with granisetron and CORM-3 abolished the potentiating effect of CORM-3 on granisetron on both the EFS-induced and ACh-induced contractile response.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, findings from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that the HO/CO pathway is involved in the constipating effects of granisetron.

Administration of a Multi-Strain Probiotic Product to Women in the Perinatal Period Differentially Affects the Breast Milk Cytokine Profile and May Have Beneficial Effects on Neonatal Gastrointestinal Functional Symptoms. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Probiotic supplementation to women during pregnancy and lactation can modulate breast milk composition, with immune benefits being transferred to their infants. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of high-dose probiotic supplementation to women during late pregnancy and lactation on cytokine profile and secretory IgA (sIgA) in breast milk and thus to study if differences in breast milk composition can affect lactoferrin and sIgA levels in stool samples of newborns. The safety of maternal probiotic administration on neonatal growth pattern and gastrointestinal symptoms were also evaluated. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 66 women took either the probiotic (n = 33) or a placebo (n = 33) daily. Levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-10 and IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and sIgA in breast milk; and the level of sIgA and lactoferrin in newborn stool samples were analyzed at birth and then again at one month of life. Antropometrical evaluation and analysis of gastrointestinal events in newborns was also performed. Results: Probiotic maternal consumption had a significant impact on IL6 mean values in colostrum and on IL10 and TGF-β1 mean values in mature breast milk. Fecal sIgA mean values were higher in newborns whose mothers took the probiotic product than in the control group. Probiotic maternal supplementation seems to decrease incidence of infantile colic and regurgitation in infants. Conclusion: High-dose multi-strain probiotic administration to women during pregnancy influences breast milk cytokines pattern and sIgA production in newborns, and seems to improve gastrointestinal functional symptoms in infants.

Risk Factors for Sensitization to Anisakis Simplex: A Multivariate Statistical Evaluation

Anisakis simplex is a nematode belonging to the Anisakidae family. The ingestion of third stage larvae in uncooked or undercooked seafood may cause human diseases known as anisakiasis and anisakidosis. A total of 400 (159 atopic and 241 non-atopic) subjects living in an area of southern Italy (Bari district) were consecutively evaluated to identify the association of some factors (sex, age, atopy, consumption of uncooked seafood and sensitization to dust mites) with the risk of Anisakis simplex sensitization. Patients were investigated on history of atopy and allergic diseases and were skin prick tested with commercial allergen extracts of Anisakis simplex, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Glycyphagus domesticus, Euroglyphus maynei, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides faunae. Our results suggest that atopic subjects have a lower risk of Anisakis allergy than non-atopic subjects and show the association of Anisakis simplex sensitization with the consumption of uncooked seafood (anchovies and squid), increasing age and sensitization to Glycyphagus domesticus.

Role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of response to antibiotic therapy in patients affected by infectious spondylodiscitis

OBJECTIVE

Spondylodiscitis is characterized by infection involving the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae. It can occur anywhere in the vertebral column but more commonly involves lumbar spine. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT to detect the early response to antibiotic therapy in patients affected by infectious spondylodiscitis and to compare the role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in post-treatment evaluation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

15 patients (12M, 3F), with mean age 65±13 years old, with typical clinical symptoms of Infectious Spondylodiscitis (pain, fever and increase of inflammatory indexes) and confirmed by blood culture or vertebral biopsy underwent within three day-interval a (18)F-FDG PET/CT and Magnetic Resonance (MR) at "baseline" and after antibiotic therapy. Semiquantitative parameters at (18)F-FDG PET/CT "baseline" SUVmax1, MTV1 and TLG1 and after therapy SUVmax2, MTV2 and TLG2 of involved vertebrae were calculated. Follow-up period of at least three months was available for all patients. T-student test for paired groups was performed to compare baseline and after therapy (18)F-FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters.

RESULTS

According to (18)F-FDG PET/CT parameters all patients showed a response to antibiotic therapy. All patients were positive at "baseline" MRI of the spine, while at follow-up, 7/15 patients showed MR signs of infection and were considered "positive" and 8/15 showed resolution of infectious condition and, therefore they were considered "negative". A statistical significant difference between (18)F-FDG PET/CT "baseline" and after antibiotic therapy was found for all semiquantitative parameters: SUVmax (t=5.8, P=0.01); MTV (t=5.17, P=0.001); TLG (t=5,26, P=0,001). The comparison between the "baseline" and "after treatment" (18)F-FDG semiquantitative parameters showed a significant reduction of all parameters. This reduction was relevant also in patients with positive post-treatment MRI. This can be probably related to the tissue remodeling in the very immediate phase post-treatment, resulted positive at MRI and negative at (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Clinical follow-up of at least three months confirmed these results.

CONCLUSIONS

(18)F-FDG PET/CT is useful to detect the early response to antibiotic therapy in patients affected by infectious spondylodiscitis. (18)F-FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters provide critical diagnostic information of the infectious process. (18)F-FDG PET/CT should be considered as first-line exam in the early post-treatment evaluation of spondylodiscitis while MR should be preferred for delayed assessment.

Comparison of (18)F-FDG PET/CT methods of analysis for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the predictive value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters for locally advanced low rectal cancer (LARC) treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT).

METHODS

68 patients with LARC had (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans twice (baseline and 5-6 weeks post-nCRT). All patients underwent surgery with preservation of the sphincter 8 weeks later. (18)F-FDG PET/CT analysis was performed by visual response assessment (VRA) and semiquantitative parameters: SUVmax(baseline), SUVmean(baseline), MTV(baseline), TLG(baseline), SUVmax(post-nCRT), SUVmean(post-nCRT), MTV(post-nCRT), TLG(post-nCRT); ΔSUVmax and mean and Response indexes (RImax% and RImean%). Assessment of nCRT tumor response was performed according to the Mandard's Tumor Regression Grade (TRG) and (y)pTNM staging on the surgical specimens. Concordances of VRA with TRG, and with (y)pTNM criteria were evaluated by Cohen's K. Results were compared by t student test for unpaired groups. ROC curve analysis was performed.

RESULTS

VRA analysis of post-nCRT (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan for the (y)pTNM outcome showed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of 87.5%, 66.7%, 83.8%, 92.5%, and 53.3%, respectively. Concordances of VRA with TRG and with (y)pTNM were moderate. For the outcome variable TRG, the statistical difference between responders and non-responders was significant for SUVmax(post-nCRT) and RImean%; for the outcome variable (y)pTNM, there was a significant difference for MTV(baseline), SUVmax(post-nCRT), SUVmean(post-nCRT), MTV(post-nCRT), RImax%, and RImean%. ROC analysis showed better AUCs: for the outcome variable TRG for SUVmax(post-nCRT), SUVmean(post-nCRT), and RImean%; for the outcome variable (y)pTNM for MTVbaseline, SUVmax(post-nCRT), SUVmean(post-nCRT), MTV(post-nCRT), RImax%, and RImean%. No significant differences among parameters were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative and semiquantitative evaluations for (18)F-FDG PET/CT are the optimal approach; a valid parameter for response prediction has still to be established.

18F-FDG PET/CT role in staging of gastric carcinomas: comparison with conventional contrast enhancement computed tomography

The purpose of the report was to evaluate the role of fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) in staging gastric cancer comparing it with contrast enhancement computed tomography (CECT).This retrospective study included 45 patients who underwent performed whole body CECT and F-FDG PET/CT before any treatment. We calculated CECT and F-FDG PET/CT sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for gastric, lymphnode, and distant localizations; furthermore, we compared the 2 techniques by McNemar test. The role of F-FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters in relation to histotype, grading, and site of gastric lesions were evaluated by ANOVA test.Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of CECT, and F-FDG PET/CT for gastric lesion were, respectively, 92.11%, 57.14%, 86.66%, 92.11%, 57.14% and 81.58%, 85.71%, 82.22%, 96.88%, 46.15%. No differences were identified between the 2 techniques about sensitivity and specificity. No statistical differences were observed between PET parameters and histotype, grading, and site of gastric lesion. The results of CECT and F-FDG PET/CT about lymphnode involvement were 70.83%, 61.90%, 66.66%, 68%, 65% and 58.33%, 95.24%, 75.55%, 93.33%, 66.67%. The results of CECT and F-FDG PET/CT about distant metastases were 80%, 62.86%, 66.66%, 38.10%, 91.67% and 60%, 88.57%, 82.22%, 60%, 88.57%. FDG PET/CT specificity was significantly higher both for lymphnode and distant metastases.The F-FDG PET/CT is a useful tool for the evaluation of gastric carcinoma to detect primary lesion, lymphnode, and distant metastases using 1 single image whole-body technique. Integration of CECT with F-FDG PET/CT permits a more valid staging in these patients.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in comparison with morphological imaging in primary adrenal gland malignancies - a multicenter experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in comparison to morphological imaging such as computed tomography in primary adrenal malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicenter retrospective study, 68 patients with adrenal malignancy were included. All patients had histologically proven diagnosis of primary adrenal malignancy (adrenocortical carcinoma, malignant pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma and lymphoma), one whole body (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan and one whole-body contrast enhancement computed tomography (CECT) scan acquired within one month and were followed clinically and by performing morphological tests for at least 12 months.

RESULTS

Overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values for CECT and (18)F-FDG PET/CT were respectively, 59%, 100%, 65%, 100%, 27% and 75%, 100%, 82%, 100% and 63%. For adrenocortical carcinomas, (18)F-FDG PET/CT showed a better accuracy (93.4%) than CECT (75%). For neuroblastomas (18)F-FDG PET/CT also showed better accuracy (70.4%) than CECT (66.7%). For malignant pheochromocytomas (18)F-FDG PET/CT and CECT showed the same accuracy (90%). For primary adrenal lymphomas, (18)F-FDG PET/CT showed better accuracy (100%) than CECT (74.41%). Kaplan-Mayer curves showed that "histotypes" and "metastases at the last follow-up" were similarly detected for both disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), while "global 18F-FDG PET/CT" and "presence of metastases at diagnosis" were significant for DFS. Stratifying the sample by the presence or absence of metastases at diagnosis, standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was a significant prognostic factor for DFS when metastases were absent (Wald test=7.035, P=0.008).

CONCLUSION

Our multicenter study demonstrated that (18)F-FDG PET/CT better than CECT diagnosed adrenal malignancies achieving also a good prognostic performance. Therefore management algorithms should include (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

[Aseptic, simultaneous and bilateral mobilisation due to an acetabular shell fracture in a 43 year-old patient]

The acetabular shell mobilization is the main long-term complication in total hip replacement. Metal-back fracture has also to be considered among the possible causes of shell mobilization. A case is presented of bilateral acetabular shell mobilization due to the trabecular covering de-soldering from the metal-back in a 43 year-old patient, 13-14 years after the first surgery.

Abstract P4-12-26: A phase II randomized study of lapatinib in combination with capecitabine, vinorelbine or gemcitabine as first or second line-therapy in patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer progressing after taxane (LACOG 0801)

Background:

Lapatinib-Capecitabine (LC) is approved for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose tumors overexpress HER2 and who have received prior therapy including an anthracycline, a taxane (T), and trastuzumab (H). LACOG 0801 evaluated different L-based chemotherapies as first and second-line treatments in MBC.

Methods:

This is a randomized, open label, multicenter, phase II trial of L 1250 mg BID given continuously in combination with C 2000 mg/m2 d1-14 (LC), or Vinorelbine (V) 25mg/m2 d1 and 8 (LV) or Gemcitabine (G) 1000 mg/m2 d1 and 8 (LG), in 21 days cycles. Primary endpoint was ORR (RECIST). Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), overall survival, tolerability and safety. Patients with HER2 positive MBC who had failed a T-based treatment and who had ≤1 chemotherapy regimen in the metastatic setting were included. Prior therapy with H was not mandatory. Patients were stratified by the presence of liver metastasis, previous use of H, and T administered in the neo/adjuvant or the metastatic setting. With an expected ORR of 23% in the control arm (LC), we hypothesized an absolute increase of 12% in the experimental arms using Simon's design.

Results:

A total of 142 pts from Argentina, Brazil and Peru were included from 2009-2012. Patient baseline characteristics were well balanced between the three arms. Median age was 51y, 58% postmenopausal, 65% ECOG 1, 49% had visceral disease (32% liver metastasis), 57% hormone receptor negative and only 47% had received prior H. Median number of administered cycles was 6 (LC = 5; LV = 7; LG = 6). ORR was 47.1% (95%CI 38.5; 67.1), 55.6% (95%CI 29.6; 60.0) and 41.3% (95%CI 43.2; 73.0) in LC, LV and LG, respectively. Median PFS was 9.1m (95%CI 6.1; 14.7), 7.0m (95%CI 5.0; 9.9) and 6.8m (95%CI 5.8; 9.9) in LC, LV and LG arms respectively. Survival data will be updated. The proportion of patients with at least one adverse event (AE) was 96% in all arms. Most common all grade AE were diarrhea (76%), hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (45%) and vomiting (39%) in LC; diarrhea (71%), neutropenia (68%) and nausea (43%) in LV; diarrhea (64%), neutropenia (60%), anemia and increased ALT both 44% in LG. The most frequent grade 3 and 4 AEs were HFS (18%), diarrhea (6%) and increased ALT/AST (4%) in LC; neutropenia (36%), diarrhea (9%) and febrile neutropenia (6%) in LV; and neutropenia (47%), ALT/AST elevation (13%) and rash (4%) in LG. Discontinuation due to toxicity occurred in 16%, 7% and 20% of patients in arms LC, LV and LG respectively.

Conclusion:

LV and LG seems to be active combinations in patients with HER2 positive MBC after T failure. The high ORR observed in this study might be explained, among other factors, by the inclusion of patients with less prior treatment exposure. No new safety signals where reported with these two novel Lapatinib/chemotherapy combinations. The different side effect profile may help in selecting the most appropriate regimen for a particular patient.

Sponsor: Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) with support from GlaxoSmithKline.

ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01050322.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-12-26.

Current clinical use of 18FDG-PET/CT in patients with thoracic and systemic sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

This study assessed the role of whole-body (18)fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)FDG PET/CT) in the restaging and follow-up of patients with sarcoidosis previously studied by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 21 patients to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of (18)FDG-PET/CT and MDCT. The results of the two techniques were compared with the Mc Nemar test. Cohen's K was used to compare concordance at the different lesion sites.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of (18)FDG-PET/CT were 80, 66.67, and 76.19 %, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MDCT were 93.33, 33.33, and 76.19 %, respectively. In 16 patients who underwent whole-body MDCT, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values were 91.67, 81.25, and 50 % (MDCT) and 100, 50, and 87.5 % ((18)FDG-PET/CT).

CONCLUSIONS

(18)FDG-PET/CT is useful in evaluating the extent of sarcoidosis and recognising lesions at different sites, including lymph nodes, lungs, liver, spleen and bone. It also improves the interpretation of the morphological lesions seen on MDCT and depicts a larger number of lesions. Therefore, (18)FDG-PET/CT could be used to complement other more traditional techniques for the restaging and follow-up in patients with sarcoidosis.