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NaF-PET Imaging of Atherosclerosis Burden. J Imaging 2023; 9:jimaging9020031. [PMID: 36826950 PMCID: PMC9966512 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The method of 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) of atherosclerosis was introduced 12 years ago. This approach is particularly interesting because it demonstrates microcalcification as an incipient sign of atherosclerosis before the development of arterial wall macrocalcification detectable by CT. However, this method has not yet found its place in the clinical routine. The more exact association between NaF uptake and future arterial calcification is not fully understood, and it remains unclear to what extent NaF-PET may replace or significantly improve clinical cardiovascular risk scoring. The first 10 years of publications in the field were characterized by heterogeneity at multiple levels, and it is not clear how the method may contribute to triage and management of patients with atherosclerosis, including monitoring effects of anti-atherosclerosis intervention. The present review summarizes findings from the recent 2¾ years including the ability of NaF-PET imaging to assess disease progress and evaluate response to treatment. Despite valuable new information, pertinent questions remain unanswered, not least due to a pronounced lack of standardization within the field and of well-designed long-term studies illuminating the natural history of atherosclerosis and effects of intervention.
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Sammartino AM, Falco R, Drera A, Dondi F, Bellini P, Bertagna F, Vizzardi E. "Vascular inflammation and cardiovascular disease: review about the role of PET imaging". Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 39:433-440. [PMID: 36255543 PMCID: PMC9870832 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-022-02730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation characterizes all stages of atherothrombosis and provides a critical pathophysiological link between plaque formation and its acute rupture, leading to coronary occlusion and heart attack. In the last 20 years the possibility of quantifying the degree of inflammation of atherosclerotic plaques and, therefore, also of vascular inflammation aroused much interest. 18Fluoro-deoxy-glucose photon-emissions-tomography (18F-FDG-PET) is widely used in oncology for staging and searching metastases; in cardiology, the absorption of 18F-FDG into the arterial wall was observed for the first time incidentally in the aorta of patients undergoing PET imaging for cancer staging. PET/CT imaging with 18F-FDG and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) has been shown to assess atherosclerotic disease in its molecular phase, when the process may still be reversible. This approach has several limitations in the clinical practice, due to lack of prospective data to justify their use routinely, but it's desirable to develop further scientific evidence to confirm this technique to detect high-risk patients for cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Maria Sammartino
- Institute of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Raffaele Falco
- Institute of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Drera
- Institute of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro Bellini
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertagna
- Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enrico Vizzardi
- Institute of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Simonsen JA, Thøgersen KF, Hvidsten S, Gerke O, Høilund-Carlsen PF, Diederichsen LP. Treatment-naïve idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: disease evaluation by fluorodeoxyglucose versus pyrophosphate. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-022-00822-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Imaging of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) is challenging, and no pathognomonic signs exist. Different tracers have been tested for this purpose, mainly inflammation markers including technetium-99m-pyrophosphate (PYP). We aimed to examine the utility of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) relative to PYP in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).
Methods
Using visual grading and CT-guided muscular segmentation and standardized uptake values (SUVs), we assessed muscular tracer uptake qualitatively and quantitatively, comparing FDG uptake in eight patients with recent-onset IIM and 24 healthy control persons and FDG and PYP uptake in seven patients.
Results
Muscular FDG and PYP uptake was increased in all patients. However, uptake distribution and signal intensity differed considerably. FDG scans revealed clear involvement of certain muscle groups including core and swallowing muscles and, in addition, abnormality in diseased extra-muscular organs. PYP was mainly visible in bones, whereas muscular PYP uptake was generally discrete and primarily located in the extremities. Quantitatively, FDG uptake was significantly higher in patients than in controls; the volume-weighted SUVmean for all right-side muscles was 0.84 versus 0.60 g/ml (95% confidence interval (CI) for mean difference 0.14–0.34, p = 0.0001). FDG SUVmean values were up to four times higher than PYP mean values in upper limb muscles (95% CI for the mean ratio 2.37–3.77, p = 0.0004) and two–three times higher in lower limb muscles (95% CI for the mean ratio 2.28–2.71, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
Muscular FDG uptake was higher in treatment-naïve IIM patients than in healthy controls and more distinct than PYP uptake in patients with a potential to reveal extra-muscular IIM involvement and malignancy. Thus, FDG appears to be superior to PYP in the diagnostic evaluation of IIM.
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Piri R, Nøddeskou-Fink AH, Gerke O, Larsson M, Edenbrandt L, Enqvist O, Høilund-Carlsen PF, Stochkendahl MJ. PET/CT imaging of spinal inflammation and microcalcification in patients with low back pain: A pilot study on the quantification by artificial intelligence-based segmentation. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2022; 42:225-232. [PMID: 35319166 PMCID: PMC9322590 DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Current imaging modalities are often incapable of identifying nociceptive sources of low back pain (LBP). We aimed to characterize these by means of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) of the lumbar spine region applying tracers 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18F‐sodium fluoride (NaF) targeting inflammation and active microcalcification, respectively. Methods Using artificial intelligence (AI)‐based quantification, we compared PET findings in two sex‐ and age‐matched groups, a case group of seven males and five females, mean age 45 ± 14 years, with ongoing LBP and a similar control group of 12 pain‐free individuals. PET/CT scans were segmented into three distinct volumes of interest (VOIs): lumbar vertebral bodies, facet joints and intervertebral discs. Maximum, mean and total standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean and SUVtotal) for FDG and NaF uptake in the 3 VOIs were measured and compared between groups. Holm–Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust for multiple testing. Results FDG uptake was slightly higher in most locations of the LBP group including higher SUVmean in the intervertebral discs (0.96 ± 0.34 vs. 0.69 ± 0.15). All NaF uptake values were higher in cases, including higher SUVmax in the intervertebral discs (11.63 ± 3.29 vs. 9.45 ± 1.32) and facet joints (14.98 ± 6.55 vs. 10.60 ± 2.97). Conclusion Observed intergroup differences suggest acute inflammation and microcalcification as possible nociceptive causes of LBP. AI‐based quantification of relevant lumbar VOIs in PET/CT scans of LBP patients and controls appears to be feasible. These promising, early findings warrant further investigation and confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Piri
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Oke Gerke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Edenbrandt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Physiology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olof Enqvist
- Eigenvision AB, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Poul-Flemming Høilund-Carlsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette J Stochkendahl
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark
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Raynor WY, Park PSU, Borja AJ, Sun Y, Werner TJ, Ng SJ, Lau HC, Høilund-Carlsen PF, Alavi A, Revheim ME. PET-Based Imaging with 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF to Assess Inflammation and Microcalcification in Atherosclerosis and Other Vascular and Thrombotic Disorders. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11122234. [PMID: 34943473 PMCID: PMC8700072 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) represents a method of detecting and characterizing arterial wall inflammation, with potential applications in the early assessment of vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis. By portraying early-stage molecular changes, FDG-PET findings have previously been shown to correlate with atherosclerosis progression. In addition, recent studies have suggested that microcalcification revealed by 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) may be more sensitive at detecting atherogenic changes compared to FDG-PET. In this review, we summarize the roles of FDG and NaF in the assessment of atherosclerosis and discuss the role of global assessment in quantification of the vascular disease burden. Furthermore, we will review the emerging applications of FDG-PET in various vascular disorders, including pulmonary embolism, as well as inflammatory and infectious vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Y. Raynor
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Peter Sang Uk Park
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Austin J. Borja
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Yusha Sun
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Thomas J. Werner
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Sze Jia Ng
- Department of Medicine, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19013, USA; (S.J.N.); (H.C.L.)
| | - Hui Chong Lau
- Department of Medicine, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA 19013, USA; (S.J.N.); (H.C.L.)
| | - Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense C, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Abass Alavi
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Mona-Elisabeth Revheim
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (W.Y.R.); (P.S.U.P.); (A.J.B.); (T.J.W.); (A.A.)
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0372 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Problemveien 7, 0315 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence: or
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Alavi-Carlsen Calcification Score (ACCS): A Simple Measure of Global Cardiac Atherosclerosis Burden. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081421. [PMID: 34441355 PMCID: PMC8391812 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multislice cardiac CT characterizes late stage macrocalcification in epicardial arteries as opposed to PET/CT, which mirrors early phase arterial wall changes in epicardial and transmural coronary arteries. With regard to tracer, there has been a shift from using mainly 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), indicating inflammation, to applying predominantly 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) due to its high affinity for arterial wall microcalcification and more consistent association with cardiovascular risk factors. To make NaF-PET/CT an indispensable adjunct to clinical assessment of cardiac atherosclerosis, the Alavi–Carlsen Calcification Score (ACCS) has been proposed. It constitutes a global assessment of cardiac atherosclerosis burden in the individual patient, supported by an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach for fast observer-independent segmentation. Common measures for characterizing epicardial coronary atherosclerosis by NaF-PET/CT as the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) or target-to-background ratio are more versatile, error prone, and less reproducible than the ACCS, which equals the average cardiac SUV. The AI-based approach ensures a quick and easy delineation of the entire heart in 3D to obtain the ACCS expressing ongoing global cardiac atherosclerosis, even before it gives rise to CT-detectable coronary calcification. The quantification of global cardiac atherosclerotic burden by the ACCS is suited for management triage and monitoring of disease progression with and without intervention.
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