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Le Pennec R, Schaefer W, Tulchinsky M, Lamoureux F, Roach P, Rischpler C, Zukotynski K, O'Brien C, Murphy D, Pascal P, Le Gal G, Salaun PY, Le Roux PY. Performance and Interpretation of Lung Scintigraphy: An Evaluation of Current Practices in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and United States. Clin Nucl Med 2024:00003072-990000000-01231. [PMID: 39086050 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000005396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy is a widely used imaging test, different options are possible for the acquisition and interpretation of the scan. The aim of this study was to assess current practices regarding the use and interpretation of lung scintigraphy in various clinical indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS An online survey comprising 25 questions was sent to nuclear medicine departments in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and United States between 2022 and 2023. A single response per department was consolidated. RESULTS Four hundred nineteen responses were collected (Australia: 32, Canada: 58, France: 149, Germany: 92, and United States: 88). For acute pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis, 82.8% of centers reported using SPECT acquisitions (Australia: 93.3%, Canada: 91.8%, France: 99.2%, Germany: 96.2%, and United States: 32.1%). Among them, SPECT images were combined with a CT scan in 70.5% of centers. A total of 10.6% of centers reported not using ventilation for acute PE diagnosis. SPECT acquisition was used in 97.8% of centers using 99mTc carbon particles, 97.1% 81mKr gas, 58.7% 99mTc-DTPA, and 19.4% 133Xe gas, respectively. For V/Q SPECT interpretation, the EANM criteria were used in 65.0% of departments. A very wide variety of practices were observed in pregnant women and in COVID-19 patients. SPECT acquisition was widely used in the follow-up of PE and for the screening of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (>90% of centers), with inconsistency regarding the interpretation of matched perfusion defects in this setting. CONCLUSIONS This survey shows the strong adoption of SPECT in the various clinical indications of lung scintigraphy, except in the United States, where planar imaging is still mostly used. The survey also shows variability in interpretation criteria both for PE diagnosis and screening for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, highlighting the need for further standardizations of practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Le Pennec
- From the Univ Brest, CHU Brest, Médecine Nucléaire, GETBO, UMR1304, Brest, France
| | - Wolfgang Schaefer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Maria Hilf Hospital, Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | - Mark Tulchinsky
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Penn State University, Hershey, PA
| | | | - Paul Roach
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christoph Rischpler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katherine Zukotynski
- Departments of Radiology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Grégoire Le Gal
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- From the Univ Brest, CHU Brest, Médecine Nucléaire, GETBO, UMR1304, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- From the Univ Brest, CHU Brest, Médecine Nucléaire, GETBO, UMR1304, Brest, France
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Le Roux PY, Le Pennec R, Salaun PY, Zuckier LS. Scintigraphic Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: From Basics to Best Practices. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:743-751. [PMID: 37142520 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article the technique, interpretation, and diagnostic performance of scintigraphy for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are reviewed. Lung scintigraphy has stood the test of time as a reliable and validated examination for the determination of PE. Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) lung scintigraphy assesses the functional consequences of the clot on its downstream vascular bed in conjunction with the underlying ventilatory status of the affected lung region, in contrast to CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), which visualizes presence of the clot within affected vessels. Most-commonly used ventilation radiopharmaceuticals are Technetium-99m labeled aerosols (such as 99mTechnetium-DTPA), or ultrafine particle suspensions (99mTc-Technegas) which reach the distal lung in proportion to regional distribution of ventilation. Perfusion images are obtained after intravenous administration 99mTc-labeled macro-aggregated albumin particles which lodge in the distal pulmonary capillaries. Both planar and tomographic methods of imaging, each favored in different geographical regions, will be described. Guidelines for interpretation of scintigraphy have been issues by both the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. Breast tissue is particularly radiosensitive during pregnancy due to its highly proliferative state and many guidelines recommend use of lung scintigraphy rather than CTPA in this population. Several maneuvers are available in order to further reduce radiation exposure including reducing radiopharmaceutical dosages or omitting ventilation altogether, functionally converting the study to a low-dose screening examination; if perfusion defects are present, further testing is necessary. Several groups have also performed perfusion-only studies during the COVID epidemic in order to reduce risk of respiratory contagion. In patients where perfusion defects are present, further testing is again necessary to avoid false-positive results. Improved availability of personal protective equipment, and reduced risk of serious infection, have rendered this maneuver moot in most practices. First introduced 60 years ago, subsequent advances in radiopharmaceutical development and imaging methods have positioned lung scintigraphy to continue to play an important clinical and research role in the diagnosis of acute PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, CHU Brest, INSERM UMR 1304 (GETBO), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Romain Le Pennec
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, CHU Brest, INSERM UMR 1304 (GETBO), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, CHU Brest, INSERM UMR 1304 (GETBO), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Lionel S Zuckier
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, 1695A Eastchester Road, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
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Munir M, Setiawan H, Awaludin R, Kett VL. Aerosolised micro and nanoparticle: formulation and delivery method for lung imaging. Clin Transl Imaging 2023; 11:33-50. [PMID: 36196096 PMCID: PMC9521863 DOI: 10.1007/s40336-022-00527-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The application of contrast and tracing agents is essential for lung imaging, as indicated by the wide use in recent decades and the discovery of various new contrast and tracing agents. Different aerosol production and pulmonary administration methods have been developed to improve lung imaging quality. This review details and discusses the ideal characteristics of aerosol administered via pulmonary delivery for lung imaging and the methods for the production and pulmonary administration of dry or liquid aerosol. Methods We explored several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, while preparing this review to discover and obtain the abstracts, reports, review articles, and research papers related to aerosol delivery for lung imaging and the formulation and pulmonary delivery method of dry and liquid aerosol. The search terms used were "dry aerosol delivery", "liquid aerosol delivery", "MRI for lung imaging", "CT scan for lung imaging", "SPECT for lung imaging", "PET for lung imaging", "magnetic particle imaging", "dry powder inhalation", "nebuliser", and "pressurised metered-dose inhaler". Results Through the literature review, we found that the critical considerations in aerosol delivery for lung imaging are appropriate lung deposition of inhaled aerosol and avoiding toxicity. The important tracing agent was also found to be Technetium-99m (99mTc), Gallium-68 (68Ga) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION), while the essential contrast agents are gold, iodine, silver gadolinium, iron and manganese-based particles. The pulmonary delivery of such tracing and contrast agents can be performed using dry formulation (graphite ablation, spark ignition and spray dried powder) and liquid aerosol (nebulisation, pressurised metered-dose inhalation and air spray). Conclusion A dual-imaging modality with the combination of different tracing or contrast agents is a future development of aerosolised micro and nanoparticles for lung imaging to improve diagnosis success. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Miftakul Munir
- Research Center for Radioisotope Radiopharmaceutical and Biodosimetry Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15345 Indonesia
| | - Herlan Setiawan
- Research Center for Radioisotope Radiopharmaceutical and Biodosimetry Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15345 Indonesia
| | - Rohadi Awaludin
- Research Center for Radioisotope Radiopharmaceutical and Biodosimetry Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15345 Indonesia
| | - Vicky L. Kett
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL UK
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Albricker ACL, Freire CMV, Santos SND, Alcantara MLD, Saleh MH, Cantisano AL, Teodoro JAR, Porto CLL, Amaral SID, Veloso OCG, Petisco ACGP, Barros FS, Barros MVLD, Souza AJD, Sobreira ML, Miranda RBD, Moraes DD, Verrastro CGY, Mançano AD, Lima RDSL, Muglia VF, Matushita CS, Lopes RW, Coutinho AMN, Pianta DB, Santos AASMDD, Naves BDL, Vieira MLC, Rochitte CE. Diretriz Conjunta sobre Tromboembolismo Venoso – 2022. Arq Bras Cardiol 2022; 118:797-857. [PMID: 35508060 PMCID: PMC9007000 DOI: 10.36660/abc.20220213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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5
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Bajc M, Lindqvist A. Pulmonary Embolism: Ventilation/Perfusion Scintigraphy as a Proper Tool in Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism and Frequent Pulmonary Comorbidities. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00023-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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6
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Bourhis D, Wagner L, Rioult J, Robin P, Le Pennec R, Tromeur C, Salaün PY, Le Roux PY. Automatic delineation and quantification of pulmonary vascular obstruction index in patients with pulmonary embolism using Perfusion SPECT-CT: a simulation study. EJNMMI Phys 2021; 8:49. [PMID: 34224005 PMCID: PMC8257882 DOI: 10.1186/s40658-021-00396-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), there is a growing interest in quantifying the pulmonary vascular obtruction index (PVOI), which may be an independent risk factor for PE recurrence. Perfusion SPECT/CT is a very attractive tool to provide an accurate quantification of the PVOI. However, there is currently no reliable method to automatically delineate and quantify it. The aim of this phantom study was to assess and compare 3 segmentation methods for PVOI quantification with perfusion SPECT/CT imaging. Methods Three hundred ninety-six SPECT/CT scans, with various PE scenarios (n = 44), anterior to posterior perfusion gradients (n = 3), and lung volumes (n = 3) were simulated using Simind software. Three segmentation methods were assesssed: (1) using an intensity threshold expressed as a percentage of the maximal voxel value (MaxTh), (2) using a Z-score threshold (ZTh) after building a Z-score parametric lung map, and (3) using a relative difference threshold (RelDiffTh) after building a relative difference parametric map. Ninety randomly selected simulations were used to define the optimal threshold, and 306 simulations were used for the complete analysis. Spacial correlation between PE volumes from the phantom data and the delineated PE volumes was assessed by computing DICEPE indices. Bland-Altman statistics were used to calculate agreement for PVOI between the phantom data and the segmentation methods. Results Mean DICEPE index was higher with the RelDiffTh method (0.85 ± 0.08), as compared with the MaxTh method (0.78 ± 0.16) and the ZTh method (0.67 ± 0.15). Using the RelDiffTh method, mean DICEPE index remained high (> 0.81) regardless of the perfusion gradient and the lung volumes. Using the RelDiffTh method, mean relative difference in PVOI was − 12%, and the limits of agreement were − 40% to 16%. Values were 3% (− 75% to 81%) for MaxTh method and 0% (− 120% to 120%) for ZTh method. Graphycal analysis of the Bland-Altman graph for the RelDiffTh method showed very close estimation of the PVOI for small and medium PE, and a trend toward an underestimation of large PE. Conclusion In this phantom study, a delineation method based on a relative difference parametric map provided a good estimation of the PVOI, regardless of the extent of PE, the intensity of the anterior to posterior gradient, and the whole lung volumes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40658-021-00396-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bourhis
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France. .,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.
| | - Laura Wagner
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Julien Rioult
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Philippe Robin
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Romain Le Pennec
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Cécile Tromeur
- EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Pierre Yves Salaün
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Pierre Yves Le Roux
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
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7
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Le Pennec R, Iravani A, Woon B, Dissaux B, Gest B, Le Floch PY, Salaün PY, Le Gal G, Hofman MS, Hicks RJ, Le Roux PY. Gallium-68 Ventilation/Perfusion PET-CT and CT Pulmonary Angiography for Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis: An Interobserver Agreement Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 7:599901. [PMID: 33665194 PMCID: PMC7921798 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.599901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:68Ga Ventilation/Perfusion V/Q PET-CT is a promising imaging tool for pulmonary embolism diagnosis. However, no study has verified whether the interpretation is reproducible between different observers. The aim of this study was to assess the interobserver agreement in the interpretation of V/Q PET-CT for the diagnosis of acute PE, and to compare it to the interobserver agreement of CTPA interpretation. Methods: Twenty-four cancer patients with suspected acute PE underwent V/Q PET-CT and CTPA within 24 h as part of a prospective pilot study evaluating V/Q PET-CT for the management of patients with suspected PE. V/Q PET-CT and CTPA scans were reassessed independently by four nuclear medicine physicians and four radiologists, respectively. Physicians had different levels of expertise in reading V/Q scintigraphy and CTPA. Interpretation was blinded to the initial interpretation and any clinical information or imaging test result. For each modality, results were reported on a binary fashion. V/Q PET/CT scans were read as positive if there was at least one segmental or two subsegmental mismatched perfusion defects. CTPA scans were interpreted as positive if there was a constant intraluminal filling defect. Interobserver agreement was assessed by calculating kappa (κ) coefficients. Results: Out of the 24 V/Q PET-CT scans, the diagnostic conclusion was concordantly negative in 22 patients and concordantly positive in one patient. The remaining scan was interpreted as positive by one reader and negative by three readers. Out of the 24 CTPA scans, the diagnostic conclusion was concordantly negative in 16 and concordantly positive in one. Out of the seven remaining scans, PE was reported by one reader in four cases, by two readers in two cases, by three readers in one case. Most of discordant results on CTPA were related to clots reported on subsegmental arteries. Mean kappa coefficient was 0.79 for V/Q PET-CT interpretation and 0.39 for CTPA interpretation. Conclusions: Interobserver agreement in the interpretation of V/Q PET-CT for PE diagnosis was substantial (kappa 0.79) in a population with a low prevalence of significant PE. Agreement was lower with CTPA, mainly as a result of discrepancies at the level of the subsegmental arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Le Pennec
- Nuclear Medicine, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France
| | - Amir Iravani
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Beverley Woon
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brieg Dissaux
- Radiology, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France
| | - Bibiche Gest
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Pierre-Yves Salaün
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Grégoire Le Gal
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael S Hofman
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rodney J Hicks
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Nuclear Medicine, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France.,Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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8
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Bourhis D, Robin P, Essayan M, Abgral R, Querellou S, Tromeur C, Salaun PY, Le Roux PY. V/Q SPECT for the Assessment of Regional Lung Function: Generation of Normal Mean and Standard Deviation 3-D Maps. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:143. [PMID: 32411710 PMCID: PMC7198740 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: V/Q SPECT/CT is attractive for regional lung function assessment, but accurate delineation and quantification of functional lung volumes remains a challenge. Physiological intra and inter patient non-uniformity of V/Q SPECT images make conventional delineation methods of functional lung volumes inaccurate. In that context it would be of interest to build statistical maps of normal V/Q SPECT to assess the physiological variability of radiotracers. The aim of this study was to generate normal mean and standard deviation maps of regional lung function as assessed with V/Q SPECT/CT, with (AC) and without (NoAC) attenuation correction. Methods: During a 13 month period, 73 consecutive patients referred for suspected acute pulmonary embolism, that had normal V/Q SPECT/CT based on the interpretation of 2 independent nuclear medicine physicians, were selected. Four set of images were reconstructed: perfusion and ventilation images, AC, and NoAC, respectively. Statistical maps were created as follows: all cases were registered to a reference scan using the CT data, first with a rigid then with a non-rigid method. SPECTs reconstructions were then co-registered and normalized, and mean and standard deviation voxel-wise maps were calculated. To assess the consistency of generated maps to lung physiology and the potential impact of non-rigid registration, visual analysis and quantitative comparison with non-registered data were performed in the whole series. Quantitative comparison was also conducted in two randomly sampled independent subsets. Results: Perfusion mean maps showed a continuous negative posterior to anterior gradient, majored on the AC mean map. Perfusion standard deviation maps showed higher variability in the periphery of the lungs, but especially in the posterior areas. The ventilation mean map showed a slightly positive posterior to anterior gradient on NoAC mean ventilation map, while the AC mean map showed no gradient. The NoAC ventilation SD map showed a higher variability in the periphery of the lungs as compared with AC SD map. No statistical difference in the posterior to anterior gradient measurements was found between the generated mean statistical maps and the non-registered data, either in the whole series or across the two independent datasets. Conclusion: We proposed a methodology to create statistical normal maps for V/Q SPECTs. Maps were consistent with the known physiological non-uniformity and showed the impact of attenuation correction on the posterior to anterior gradient. These maps could be used for a Z-score analysis, and a better segmentation of healthy uptake areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bourhis
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Philippe Robin
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Marine Essayan
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Ronan Abgral
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Solène Querellou
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Cécile Tromeur
- EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Service de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France.,EA3878 GETBO, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
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9
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Bajc M, Lindqvist A. Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT Imaging Diagnosing PE and Other Cardiopulmonary Diseases. Clin Nucl Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-39457-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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10
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Bajc M, Schümichen C, Grüning T, Lindqvist A, Le Roux PY, Alatri A, Bauer RW, Dilic M, Neilly B, Verberne HJ, Delgado Bolton RC, Jonson B. EANM guideline for ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and beyond. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2429-2451. [PMID: 31410539 PMCID: PMC6813289 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04450-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
These guidelines update the previous EANM 2009 guidelines on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Relevant new aspects are related to (a) quantification of PE and other ventilation/perfusion defects; (b) follow-up of patients with PE; (c) chronic PE; and (d) description of additional pulmonary physiological changes leading to diagnoses of left ventricular heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. The diagnosis of PE should be reported when a mismatch of one segment or two subsegments is found. For ventilation, Technegas or krypton gas is preferred over diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) in patients with COPD. Tomographic imaging with V/PSPECT has higher sensitivity and specificity for PE compared with planar imaging. Absence of contraindications makes V/PSPECT an essential method for the diagnosis of PE. When V/PSPECT is combined with a low-dose CT, the specificity of the test can be further improved, especially in patients with other lung diseases. Pitfalls in V/PSPECT interpretation are discussed. In conclusion, V/PSPECT is strongly recommended as it accurately establishes the diagnosis of PE even in the presence of diseases like COPD, HF and pneumonia and has no contraindications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Bajc
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Carl Schümichen
- University of Rostock, Formerly Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, Rostock, Germany
| | - Thomas Grüning
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Ari Lindqvist
- Research Unit of Pulmonary Diseases, Clinical Research Institute, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Adriano Alatri
- Division of Angiology, Heart and Vessel Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ralf W Bauer
- RNS Gemeinschaftspraxis, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt (Main), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mirza Dilic
- Clinic of Heart and Blood Vessel Disease, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Brian Neilly
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hein J Verberne
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto C Delgado Bolton
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology) and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital San Pedro and Centre for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Bjorn Jonson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
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Bailey DL, Roach PJ. A Brief History of Lung Ventilation and Perfusion Imaging Over the 50-Year Tenure of the Editors of Seminars in Nuclear Medicine. Semin Nucl Med 2019; 50:75-86. [PMID: 31843063 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ventilation/perfusion lung scan has been in continuous use for approximately half a century, the same lifetime as Seminars in Nuclear Medicine. Remarkably, the founding Editors-in-Chief have continued to guide the journal over this entire period. In this Feschrift issue celebrating their enormous contribution, we review the history of the lung scan, its highs and lows, the transition from planar to SPECT/CT V/Q scans, and the future that is in store in this age of multimodality functional imaging. We concur with the published view of one of the retiring editors (LMF) that V/Q scintigraphy is indeed alive and well and has a definite future in clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale L Bailey
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sydney, Australia; University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Paul J Roach
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sydney, Australia; University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney, Australia
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12
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A guide for a brave future for lung ventilation/perfusion tomography: the most important pulmonary nuclear medicine technique. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2427-2428. [PMID: 31392369 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04464-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Le Roux PY, Iravani A, Callahan J, Burbury K, Eu P, Steinfort DP, Lau E, Woon B, Salaun PY, Hicks RJ, Hofman MS. Independent and incremental value of ventilation/perfusion PET/CT and CT pulmonary angiography for pulmonary embolism diagnosis: results of the PECAN pilot study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:1596-1604. [PMID: 31044265 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04338-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This pilot study assessed the independent and incremental value of 68Ga-V/Q PET/CT as compared with CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the management of cancer patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS All 24 cancer patients with suspected acute PE prospectively recruited underwent both 68Ga-V/Q PET/CT and CTPA within 24 h. PET/CT was acquired after inhalation of Galligas prepared using a Technegas generator and administration of 68Ga-macroaggregated albumin. Initially, PET/CT and CTPA scans were read independently with the reader blinded to the results of the other imaging study. CTPA and PET/CT were then coregistered and reviewed by consensus between a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. The therapeutic management was established by the managing physician based on all available data. RESULTS The diagnostic conclusion was concordantly negative in 18 patients (75%). Of the six discordant diagnoses on independent reading, combined interpretation of V/Q PET/CTPA enabled a consensus conclusion in two patients, excluding PE in one and confirming PE in the other, similar to the initial diagnostic conclusion of the V/Q PET/CT. Of the remaining four patients, three had a single subsegmental thrombus on CTPA but a negative V/Q PET/CT scan, and two of these did not receive long-term anticoagulation and did not have a venous thromboembolic event during a 3-year follow-up period. The third patient, along with a patient with a positive V/Q PET/CT scan but a negative CTPA scan, presented with acute complications preventing any conclusions with regard to the appropriateness of the V/Q PET/CT results in the management of PE. Overall, V/Q PET had an impact on management in four patients (17%). CONCLUSION In this pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility and potential utility of V/Q PET/CT for the management of patients with suspected PE. V/Q PET/CT may be of particular relevance in patients with equivocal findings or isolated subsegmental findings on CTPA, adding further discriminatory information to allow important decision-making regarding the use or withholding of anticoagulation. Given the other advantages of V/Q PET/CT (reduced acquisition time, low radiation dose), and with the increasing availability of 68Ga generators, PET/CT is a potential replacement for V/Q SPECT/CT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. .,Nuclear Medicine, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France.
| | - Amir Iravani
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason Callahan
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Burbury
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Eu
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel P Steinfort
- Respiratory Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eddie Lau
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Beverly Woon
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- Nuclear Medicine, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France
| | - Rodney J Hicks
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael S Hofman
- Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Prentice D, Wipke-Tevis DD. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: Following the evidence from suspicion to certainty. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR NURSING 2019; 37:28-42. [PMID: 30954195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvn.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accurate, timely and cost-effective identification of pulmonary embolism remains a diagnostic challenge. This article reviews the pulmonary embolism diagnostic process with a focus on the best practice advice from the American College of Physicians. Benefits and risks of each diagnostic step are discussed. Emerging diagnostic tools, not included in the algorithm, are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Prentice
- Clinical Nurse Specialist, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO; PhD Candidate, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
| | - Deidre D Wipke-Tevis
- Associate Professor and PhD Program Director, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
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Time trend analysis of pulmonary embolism diagnosis with single-photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion imaging. Nucl Med Commun 2019; 40:576-582. [PMID: 30741839 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000000990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Following the implementation of single-photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion (SPECT V/Q) in our department, we previously carried out an observational study over the period 2011-2013 that showed the safety of SPECT V/Q to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE). However, PE prevalence (28%) was high compared with some studies. Our hypothesis was that the use of SPECT V/Q may be responsible for an overdiagnosis of PE, especially at the implementation phase of the test. The aim was to carry out a time trend analysis of the evolution over the years of PE diagnosis with SPECT V/Q. PATIENTS AND METHODS To evaluate the time trend of SPECT V/Q results, the conclusions of all SPECT V/Q scans performed for a suspected acute PE in our department from April 2011 to December 2016 were collected. To confirm the safety of a diagnostic management on the basis of SPECT V/Q to rule out PE, a retrospective observational study of the outcome of patients assessed with SPECT V/Q for suspected acute PE was carried out during the period 2014-2016. SPECT V/Q was interpreted using a diagnostic cutoff of one segmental or two subsegmental mismatches. The final diagnostic conclusion was established by the physician responsible for patient care. The safety of SPECT V/Q was assessed by monitoring the risk of thromboembolic events during the 3-month follow-up period in patients left untreated on the basis of a negative SPECT V/Q. RESULTS Over the period 2011-2016, an average 16% (95% confidence interval: 10-22%) annual reduction in the proportion of positive SPECT V/Q results was observed. The percentage of positive SPECT V/Q results was 25.3% over the period 2011-2013 compared with 16.3% in 2014-2016 (P<0.0001). Out of the 696 patients analyzed over the period 2014-2016, the SPECT V/Q was positive, indeterminate, and negative in 118, 3, and 575 patients, respectively. The 3-month thromboembolic risk in patients in whom PE was deemed absent according to the SPECT V/Q was 3/543=0.55% (95% confidence interval 0.19-1.61). CONCLUSION A continuous decrease in the annual proportion of positive SPECT V/Q results was mainly observed while maintaining the safety of the test to rule out PE. Explanatory factors include the introduction of a combined SPECT/CT scan, increased experience and familiarity with the test, and an increased awareness of the risks and consequences of overdiagnosing PE.
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Le Roux PY, Hicks RJ, Siva S, Hofman MS. PET/CT Lung Ventilation and Perfusion Scanning using Galligas and Gallium-68-MAA. Semin Nucl Med 2019; 49:71-81. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Le Gal G, Le Roux PY. How to Assess Quality of Primary Research Studies in the Medical Literature? Semin Nucl Med 2018; 49:115-120. [PMID: 30819391 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Accuracy studies are the cornerstone of the evaluation of new diagnostic tests. In an accuracy study, patients with a clinical suspicion of disease undergo both the new tests that is being evaluated, and the reference test or "gold-standard" test for the disease. Patients are stratified according to the test result and to whether or not the diagnosis was confirmed by the reference test. Main accuracy indices include the sensitivity (proportion of patients who test positive among those who have the disease), specificity (proportion of patients who test negative among those without the disease), as well as the positive and negative predictive values (proportion of patients with the disease among those with a positive test, and of patients without the disease among those with a negative test, respectively). In appraising an accuracy study, the reader should check that the study design and analysis follow methodological standards. The study population should be representative of the population in which the test will be used in practice. The new test should be interpreted in a blinded and independent fashion from the reference standard to avoid expectation bias, and should not be used to establish the diagnosis (incorporation bias). The reproducibility should be verified. Interpretation criteria and technical aspects should be described with enough details to allow replication. Provided that these conditions are met, the next step is to decide whether the test may be used for patient care. The clinical setting in which the test will be used, and the corresponding pretest probability of disease, will determine how best can the test be used in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Le Gal
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Thrombosis Research Group, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, EA 3878 GETBO, Université de Brest, Brest, France
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A case series of outcomes in isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism on ventilation–perfusion imaging. Nucl Med Commun 2018; 39:618-620. [DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Le Roux PY, Robin P, Salaun PY. New developments and future challenges of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for pulmonary embolism. Thromb Res 2017; 163:236-241. [PMID: 28673474 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2017.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although widely validated, current tests for pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis, i.e. computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and V/Q planar scintigraphy, have some limitations. Drawbacks of CTPA include the radiation dose, some contra indications and a rising concern about a possible overdiagnosis/overtreatment of PE. On the other hand, V/Q planar scintigraphy has a high rate of non-diagnostic tests responsible for complex diagnostic algorithms. Since the PIOPED study, imaging equipment and radiopharmaceuticals have greatly evolved allowing the introduction of techniques that improve imaging of lung ventilation and perfusion. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and SPECT/CT techniques are already largely used in daily practice and have been described to have greater diagnostic performance and much fewer non-diagnostic tests as compared with planar scintigraphy. However, they have not yet been firmly validated in large scale prospective outcome studies. More recently, it has also been proposed to image pulmonary perfusion and ventilation using positron emission tomography (PET), which has an inherent technical superiority as compared to conventional scintigraphy and may provide new insight for pulmonary embolism. Regardless of modality, these new thoracic imaging modalities have to be integrated into diagnostic strategies. The other major challenge for venous thromboembolism diagnosis may be the potential additional value of molecular imaging allowing specific targeting of thrombi in order, for example, to differentiate venous thromboembolism from tumor or septic thrombus, or acute from residual disease. In this article, the new imaging procedures of lung ventilation perfusion imaging with SPECT, SPECT/CT and PET/CT are discussed. We also review the current status and future challenge of molecular imaging for the in vivo characterization of venous thromboembolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France.
| | - Philippe Robin
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France
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Incidence of a single subsegmental mismatched perfusion defect in single-photon emission computed tomography and planar ventilation/perfusion scans. Nucl Med Commun 2016; 38:135-140. [PMID: 27977536 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to compare the incidence of ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans interpreted as indeterminate for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) versus planar scintigraphy and to consider the effect of variable interpretation of single subsegmental V/Q mismatch (SSM). METHODS A total of 1300 consecutive V/Q scans were retrospectively reviewed. After exclusion and matching for age and sex, 542 SPECT and 589 planar scans were included in the analysis. European Association of Nuclear Medicine guidelines were used to interpret the V/Q scans, initially interpreting SSM as negative scans. Patients with SSM were followed up for 3 months and further imaging for PE was collected. RESULTS Indeterminate scans were significantly fewer in the SPECT than the planar group on the basis of the initial report (7.7 vs. 12.2%, P<0.05). This is irrespective of classification of SSM as a negative scan (4.6 vs. 12.1%, P<0.0001) or an indeterminate scan (8.3 vs. 12.2%, P<0.05). Of the 21 patients who had SSM, 19 underwent computer tomography pulmonary angiogram and embolism was found in one patient. None of these patients died at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION V/Q SPECT has greater diagnostic certainty of PE, with a 41% reduction in an indeterminate scan compared with planar scintigraphy. This is irrespective of the clinician's interpretation of SSM as negative or intermediate probability. Patients with SSM would not require further computer tomography pulmonary angiogram imaging.
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Hess S, Madsen PH. Radionuclide Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 906:49-65. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
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Ibáñez-Bravo S, Banzo I, Quirce R, Martínez-Rodríguez I, Jiménez-Bonilla J, Martínez-Amador N, Parra J, González-Macías J, Carril J. Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT lung scintigraphy and computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2015.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Additional value of combining low-dose computed tomography to V/Q SPECT on a hybrid SPECT-CT camera for pulmonary embolism diagnosis. Nucl Med Commun 2016; 36:922-30. [PMID: 26049372 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the potential interest of combining a low-dose computed tomography (ldCT) to ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). We addressed three main questions: Could ldCT be used in substitution to ventilation SPECT? Could ldCT improve the diagnostic performance of V/Q SPECT? Could ldCT provide alternative diagnoses to PE? METHODS A total of 393 patients previously analysed in a management outcome study that aimed at assessing the safety of V/Q SPECT for PE diagnosis were assessed. All patients underwent an ldCT under the same SPECT-computed tomography camera, which was not used at the time of initial interpretation. Three retrospective analyses were performed: Q SPECT combined with ldCT, V/Q SPECT combined with ldCT and ldCT only. RESULTS On the basis of initial V/Q SPECT interpretation, 110 (28%) patients were positive and 283 (72%) were negative for PE.With Q SPECT-ldCT, 139 (35%) patients were positive and 254 (65%) were negative, with 55 (19%) discrepancies when compared with V/Q SPECT. Of the 283 patients with negative V/Q SPECT, 42 were positive with V/Q SPECT-ldCT, and among the 110 patients with positive V/Q SPECT 13 were negative with V/Q SPECT-ldCT. On using V/Q SPECT-ldCT, 97 (25%) patients were positive and 296 (75%) were negative, with 13 (3%) discrepancies when compared with V/Q SPECT (all had had a positive V/Q SPECT but a negative V/Q SPECT-ldCT). Finally, 67 (24%) ldCT scans showed a potential alternative diagnosis to PE. CONCLUSION For PE diagnosis with lung SPECT, the use of ldCT in substitution to ventilation SPECT is associated with a high risk of overdiagnosis. The diagnostic value of ldCT in addition to V/Q SPECT remains unclear. Further studies are needed to determine its potential role in PE diagnosis.
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Ibáñez-Bravo S, Banzo I, Quirce R, Martínez-Rodríguez I, Jiménez-Bonilla J, Martínez-Amador N, Parra JA, González-Macías J, Carril JM. Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT lung scintigraphy and computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2016; 35:215-20. [PMID: 26838481 DOI: 10.1016/j.remn.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim was to compare ventilation/perfusion SPECT lung scintigraphy (V/Q-SPECT) and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospectively designed study included 53 patients with intermediate or high clinical probability of PE. A V/Q-SPECT and CTPA was performed on all patients. The V/Q-SPECT was interpreted according to the European Association of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (EANMMI) guidelines. CTPA was reported as positive, negative, or indeterminate. RESULTS CTPA was positive in 22 cases, negative in 28, and indeterminate in 3. V/Q-SPECT was positive in 27 cases, negative in 24, and non-diagnostic in 2. In the 22 with positive CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 18, negative in 3, and non-diagnostic in 1. In the 28 with negative CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 8, negative in 19, and non-diagnostic in 1. In the 3 with indeterminate CTPA, V/Q-SPECT was positive in 1 and negative in 2. In the 2 non-diagnostic cases V/Q-SPECT, CTPA was positive in 1 and negative in one. In the 10 high clinical probabilities, CTPA and V/Q-SPECT were positive in 7, negative in 2, and in 1, CTPA was positive and V/Q-SPECT negative. In the 38 intermediate probability group, CTPA and V/Q-SPECT were positive in 11, negative in 17, with CTPA negative and V/Q-SPECT positive in 8, and in 2 CTPA was positive and V/Q-SPECT negative. The results show that V/Q-SPECT detected PE in 5 patients more than CTPA. CONCLUSION Our results show a 77% concordance of both techniques. Overall V/Q-SPECT detected PE in 18% more patients than CTPA in the intermediate group. Both techniques have a complementary role when a diagnosis cannot be made with one of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ibáñez-Bravo
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain.
| | - I Banzo
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - R Quirce
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - I Martínez-Rodríguez
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - J Jiménez-Bonilla
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - N Martínez-Amador
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - J A Parra
- Radiology Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Santander, Spain
| | - J González-Macías
- Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Santander, Spain
| | - J M Carril
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital "Marqués de Valdecilla", Cantabria University, Molecular Imaging Group IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
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Santos JG, Carmona S, Sequeira JA, Prata A, Santos AI. Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion single photon emission tomography--Initial experience of a Nuclear Medicine Department. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA 2016; 22:27-33. [PMID: 26298531 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy with planar images (V/QS-planar) is very useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Acquiring tomographic images (V/QS-SPECT) is a recent development with potential to increase the technique's accuracy. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the added benefits of V/QS-SPECT studies as opposed to traditional planar imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS We prospectively revised 53 V/QS-planar and V/QS-SPECT exams, performed according to the European Association of Nuclear Medicine guidelines. We evaluated the exams independently, by consensus of two Nuclear Medicine physicians. For both methods, we gave each lung a score expressing the dimension and extension of perfusion defects with normal ventilation. For each lung, we compared the scores with the paired Wilcoxon test, estimating the 95% confidence interval (95 CI) for the respective difference. RESULTS We performed V/QS-SPECT exams without technical difficulties. The paired Wilcoxon test estimated the score difference to be -0.75 (95 CI of -1.0 to -0.5; p-value=9.6 × 10(-7)), expressing a statistically significant difference of about 1 subsegmental defect between both methods, with V/QS-SPECT detecting more defects. DISCUSSION The results demonstrate that V/QS-SPECT identifies a slightly larger number of perfusion defects than V/QS-planar, suggesting a higher sensitivity of this technique. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical meaning of this fact. CONCLUSION V/QS-SPECT demonstrates a higher capability to identify perfusion defects. This method looks promising, allowing for a greater role of this exam in pulmonary thromboembolism diagnosis and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Santos
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal.
| | - S Carmona
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
| | - J A Sequeira
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
| | - A Prata
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
| | - A I Santos
- Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE, Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada, Portugal
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Le Roux PY, Siva S, Steinfort DP, Callahan J, Eu P, Irving LB, Hicks RJ, Hofman MS. Correlation of 68Ga Ventilation-Perfusion PET/CT with Pulmonary Function Test Indices for Assessing Lung Function. J Nucl Med 2015; 56:1718-23. [PMID: 26338892 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.162586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are routinely used to assess lung function, but they do not provide information about regional pulmonary dysfunction. We aimed to assess correlation of quantitative ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) PET/CT with PFT indices. METHODS Thirty patients underwent V/Q PET/CT and PFT. Respiration-gated images were acquired after inhalation of (68)Ga-carbon nanoparticles and administration of (68)Ga-macroaggregated albumin. Functional volumes were calculated by dividing the volume of normal ventilated and perfused (%NVQ), unmatched and matched defects by the total lung volume. These functional volumes were correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). RESULTS All functional volumes were significantly different in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.05). FEV1/FVC and %NVQ had the highest correlation (r = 0.82). FEV1 was also best correlated with %NVQ (r = 0.64). DLCO was best correlated with the volume of unmatched defects (r = -0.55). Considering %NVQ only, a cutoff value of 90% correctly categorized 28 of 30 patients with or without significant pulmonary function impairment. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates strong correlations between V/Q PET/CT functional volumes and PFT parameters. Because V/Q PET/CT is able to assess regional lung function, these data support the feasibility of its use in radiation therapy and preoperative planning and assessing pulmonary dysfunction in a variety of respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia Department of Nuclear Medicine, Brest University Hospital, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, Brest, France
| | - Shankar Siva
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; and
| | - Daniel P Steinfort
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; and Respiratory Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason Callahan
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Eu
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lou B Irving
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; and Respiratory Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rodney J Hicks
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; and
| | - Michael S Hofman
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; and
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Begic A, Opankovic E, Cukic V, Lindqvist A, Miniati M, Bajc M. Ancillary findings assessed by ventilation/perfusion tomography. Impact and clinical outcome in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Nuklearmedizin 2015; 54:223-30. [PMID: 26227225 DOI: 10.3413/nukmed-0748-15-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ventilation/perfusion tomography (V/P SPECT) is a recommended method for diagnosing and follow-up of pulmonary embolism (PE). Moreover, it is possible to recognize other pathologies in addition to PE, such as pneumonia, COPD and left heart failure (LHF). The objective of this prospective study was to identify frequency of ancillary findings among patients with suspected PE. Patients, material, method: 331 consecutive patients with suspected PE were examined and classified with V/P SPECT. Patients were followed up clinically and by means of other laboratory tests. RESULTS 80 patients had a normal V/P SPECT and no clinical consequences in the follow-up. PE had 104 patients: 23 of them had also additional findings. Among the remaining 147 patients, pneumonias were shown in 82, acute in 75 patients and 7 had chronic post inflammatory state. COPD was present in 42 patients, in 3 combined with pneumonia. Sign of LHF was observed in 10: in 7 the acute LHF diagnosis was established, 3 were classified as having a chronic cardiopulmonary disease. Furthermore, in 16 patients, the V/P pattern was suggestive of a tumour. The clinical outcomes were 6 lung tumours, 3 empyema, one sarcoidosis, 2 were unclarified and 4 were lost in the follow-up. CONCLUSION V/P SPECT identifies a high prevalence of other cardiopulmonary diseases among patients with a clinical suspicion of PE. Ancillary findings with V/P SPECT clarified patients' symptoms and had an impact on the treatment. These findings were verified by a clinical outcome by the follow-up over three months.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - M Bajc
- Marika Bajc MD, PhD, Department of clinical sciences Lund, 221 85 Lund, Sweden, Tel. +46/46 17 33 03,
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Le Roux PY, Pelletier-Galarneau M, De Laroche R, Hofman MS, Zuckier LS, Roach P, Vuillez JP, Hicks RJ, Le Gal G, Salaun PY. Pulmonary Scintigraphy for the Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Survey of Current Practices in Australia, Canada, and France. J Nucl Med 2015; 56:1212-7. [PMID: 26135110 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.157743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED There are currently no data published regarding the proportion of nuclear medicine centers using SPECT or SPECT/CT rather than planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Furthermore, the reporting criteria used for interpretation of both planar and SPECT V/Q scans are variable and data are lacking regarding which criteria are commonly used in various centers. The aim of this study was to assess current practices regarding the performance and interpretation of lung scintigraphy across 3 different countries. METHODS A short online survey composed of simple multiple-choice questions was distributed to nuclear medicine departments in Australia, Canada, and France during the period April to December 2014. The survey covered image acquisition, interpretation criteria for SPECT and planar images, and use of pseudoplanar images and radiopharmaceuticals. Information was initially solicited by 2 sets of e-mails, which pointed to the survey internet link. Departments were subsequently contacted by telephone. A single response per department was consolidated. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-one responses were collected (Australia, 74; Canada, 48; and France, 209). Twenty-eight percent of centers indicated use of V/Q planar imaging alone whereas 72% of centers included some form of SPECT in their acquisition protocol for evaluation of PE, specifically V/Q SPECT in 36%, V/Q SPECT/CT in 29%, Q SPECT/CT in 2%, and both V/Q planar and SPECT in 5%, with a strong variability among countries. The most commonly used criteria for SPECT interpretation were the those of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (60%). Criteria used for planar interpretation were heterogeneous (European Association of Nuclear Medicine criteria, 35%; Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis study, 29%; no standardized criteria, 21%). Sixty-three percent of departments used pseudoplanar images in addition to SPECT images. CONCLUSION In the 3 countries surveyed, SPECT has largely replaced planar imaging for evaluation of PE, with almost half of the SPECT studies incorporating a CT acquisition. Criteria used for interpretation are inconsistent, especially for planar imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Yves Le Roux
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Romain De Laroche
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France
| | - Michael S Hofman
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Paul Roach
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Rodney J Hicks
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grégoire Le Gal
- The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, INSERM CIC 05-02 IFR148, CHRU de Brest, Département de Médecine Interne et de Pneumologie, Brest, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Salaun
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Université de Brest, EA3878 (GETBO) IFR 148, CHRU de Brest, Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Brest, France
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Value of ventilation/perfusion SPECT for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: response to comments by Sinzinger et al. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 42:979-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Value of ventilation/perfusion SPECT for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 42:977-8. [PMID: 25708178 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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