Assessment of inflammatory jaw pathologies using bone SPECT/CT maximum standardized uptake value

Maximum standardized uptake value for parotid and submandibular glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and submandibular sialolithiasis using salivary gland SPECT/CT

Recently, SPECT/CT plays an important role in assessing patients with head and neck lesions. The aim of this study was performed to investigate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for parotid and submandibular glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and submandibular sialolithiasis using salivary gland SPECT/CT. A prospective study was performed in 45 patients with 32 Sjögren's syndrome and 13 submandibular sialolithiasis who underwent salivary gland SPECT/CT. The SUVmax of parotid and submandibular glands was obtained using a workstation and software. The salivary secretion function of parotid and submandibular glands was defined as ratio of pre- to post-stimulation on SUVmax. A p value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The SUVmax for parotid glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome at pre-stimulation (18.0 ± 14.3), post-stimulation (12.0 ± 9.4), and ratio of pre- to post-stimulation (1.46 ± 0.52) were significantly lower than those of submandibular sialolithiasis (44.9 ± 8.4 (p < 0.001), 17.8 ± 6.5 (p < 0.001), and 2.75 ± 0.79 (p < 0.001), respectively). The SUVmax for submandibular glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome at pre-stimulation (16.9 ± 18.7) were significantly lower than those with sialolithiasis (36.7 ± 27.8, p = 0.004) and without sialolithiasis (39.7 ± 16.0, p = 0.001) in patients with submandibular sialolithiasis. The salivary gland SPECT/CT SUVmax can be useful in clinical practice for the quantitative management of parotid and submandibular glands in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and submandibular sialolithiasis.

Analysis of bone single-photon emission CT/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: focusing on the correlation between standardized uptake values and apparent diffusion coefficient values

The purpose of this study is to investigate bone SPECT/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), focusing on the correlation between standardized uptake values (SUVs) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Twenty-nine patients with MRONJ who underwent SPECT/CT and DWI were included in this study. SUVs (maximum and mean) with SPECT/CT, and ADC values (maximum, mean and minimum) with DWI were analyzed on characteristics in MRONJ, such as stage, location, medication and underlying disease, by Mann-Whitney U test. Furthermore, the correlation between SUVs and ADC values for characteristics in MRONJ were assessed by Spearman's rank correlation test for nonparametric data. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. SUVs and ADC values have no significant differences for all characteristics in MRONJ. Negative correlations were found in all cases and in stage 2 cases, and no correlations were found in stage 3 cases. In addition, negative correlations were found in maxillary cases, mandibular cases, non-bisphosphonate cases, osteoporosis cases, and malignant tumor cases. In conclusion, this study found multiple correlations between SUVs and ADC values in MRONJ, especially in stage 2. Suggesting that ADC values and SUVs may change with disease progression and the possibility of predicting MRONJ progression by SUVs and ADC values.

Comparison of single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw by new calculated parameters

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate parameters for medication-related osteonecrosis of jaw (MRONJ) patients using the bone SPECT/CT, especially bone mineral-based parameters.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients with MRONJ (43 osteoporosis and 20 bone metastasises) underwent CT, MRI and SPECT/CT. A commercially available software automatically detected lesion area and calculated the quantitative SPECT/CT parameters as bone mineral-based standardized uptake value (SUV).

RESULTS

Regarding stage of MRONJ patients, bone mineral based maximum SUV of stage 3 was significantly higher than stage 1, 2 (P=0.018). Regarding duration of medication therapy, bone mineral based maximum SUV 1 year or more was significantly higher than less than 1 year (P=0.019). Regarding present of periosteal bone proliferation on CT, bone mineral based maximum SUV was significantly higher than those of absent (P=0.029). Regarding spread of soft tissue inflammation on MRI, bone mineral based maximum SUV of 2 or more was significantly higher than those of less than 2 spaces (P=0.025). Regarding blood pool phase imaging with SPECT, bone mineral based maximum SUV of intense uptake was significantly higher than those of decrease uptake (P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

SPECT/CT bone mineral-based parameters indicated significant difference in staging, dosing period, periosteal bone proliferation on CT, spread of soft tissue inflammation on MRI, and blood phase imaging with SPECT. Bone SPECT/CT bone mineral-based parameters are helpful for the assessment of MRONJ.

Maximum and mean standardized uptake values of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with bone SPECT/CT: comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints

OBJECTIVE

Recently, single-photon emission CT/CT (SPECT/CT) plays an important role in assessing patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of this study was to investigate maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of MRONJ with bone SPECT/CT, especially comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints.

METHODS

61 mandibular patients with MRONJ who underwent bone SPECT/CT were included in this study. The maximum and mean SUVs of the lesion, right and left sides of the lesion, opposite side of the lesion as control, right and left temporomandibular joints were analyzed using a workstation and software. The SUVs of MRONJ were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Patient characteristics with MRONJ and SUVs were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

The maximum and mean SUVs for opposite side of the lesions (4.4 ± 2.0 and 1.8 ± 0.7) were significantly lower than those for mandibular lesions (18.3 ± 8.1 and 6.3 ± 2.8), right side of the lesions (8.1 ± 3.9 and 2.9 ± 1.3) and left side of the lesions (8.1 ± 3.9 and 2.8 ± 1.4), respectively. The maximum and mean SUVs for right and left sides of the lesions, and opposite side of the lesions, right and left temporomandibular joints were not significant difference. Furthermore, the maximum SUVs of the mandibular lesions were a significant difference for age and staging.

CONCLUSIONS

The maximum and mean SUVs with SPECT/CT can be useful in the quantitative management of MRONJ patients.

Histopathological findings affect quantitative values of single photon emission computed tomography in patients with antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the relationships between quantitative values calculated from bone single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images and histopathological findings observed in surgical specimens from patients with antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ); it sought to clarify histopathological factors that cause accumulation in bone SPECT/CT images of patients with ARONJ.

METHODS

This study included 81 pathological specimens of 21 lesions obtained from 18 patients with ARONJ who underwent SPECT/CT and jaw resection. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each volume of interest of the specimens was calculated using RAVAT® software. The ratio of the SUVmax to the mean value of SUVmax in temporal bone was termed rSUVmax. The rSUVmax and pathological findings (sequestration, degree of fibrosis, degree of trabecular bone destruction, degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, and vascularity) were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis with rSUVmax as the dependent variable, the pathological findings of sequestration (P=0.058), degree of fibrosis (P=0.810), degree of trabecular bone destruction (P=0.237), degree of inflammatory cell infiltration (P=0.120), and vascularity (P=0.111) showed no significant difference among the groups for each variable.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no association between quantitative values in bone SPECT/CT and histological changes in ARONJ, probably because bone SPECT/CT has limited spatial resolution. Limitations of this study may include the imaging findings of a decrease in tracer accumulation because of an involucrum of necrosed bone, various histopathological findings in ARONJ, and failure to consider the effect of preoperative anti-inflammatory treatment.

A computer program to assess the bone scan index for Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate: evaluation of jaw pathologies of patients with bone metastases using SPECT/CT

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the jaw pathologies of patients with bone metastases using a computer program to assess the bone scan index (BSI) for Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP) with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT).

METHODS

Ninety-seven patients with jaw pathologies (24 with bone metastases and 73 without) were evaluated. High-risk hot spots and BSI in the patients were evaluated using the VSBONE BSI (ver.1.1) analysis software for Tc-99m HMDP that scanned SPECT/CT and automatically defined the data. The two groups were compared using the Pearson chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test for high-risk hot spots and BSI, respectively. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

High-risk hot spot occurrence was significantly correlated to bone metastases [sensitivity, 21/24 (87.5%); specificity, 40/73 (54.8%); accuracy, 61/97 (62.9%); P < 0.001]. The number of high-risk hot spots was higher in patients with bone metastases (5.96 ± 10.30) than in those without (0.90 ± 1.50; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the BSI for patients with bone metastases (1.44 ± 2.18%) was significantly higher than for those without (0.22 ± 0.44%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A computer program that assessed BSI for Tc-99m HMDP may be useful in the evaluation of patients with bone metastases using SPECT/CT.

Comparison of maximum and mean standardized uptake values of jaw pathologies with bone SPECT/CT: an especial focus on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the comparison of maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of jaw pathologies with bone Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and a special focus on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients with jaw pathologies (63 MRONJ, 13 chronic osteomyelitis, 11 osteoradionecrosis and 2 primary intraosseous carcinoma) underwent bone SPECT/CT scans acquisition at 4 h after intravenous injection of Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate in this prospective study. The evaluation of mean and maximum SUVs of jaw pathologies were performed using Q. Metrix and Xeleris workstation and defined the data automatically. Statistical analyses were performed by Pearson's correlation coefficient for comparison of maximum and mean SUVs and Mann-Whitney U-test for SUVs of MRONJ. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

Maximum SUVs of MRONJ, chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and primary intraosseous carcinoma were 17.6 ± 8.4, 21.7 ± 7.1, 11.9 ± 4.8 and 26.6 ± 7.0, respectively. Mean SUVs of MRONJ, chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and primary intraosseous carcinoma were 10.1 ± 4.9, 11.9 ± 3.3, 7.0 ± 2.8 and 10.1 ± 4.5, respectively. The maximum SUV of jaw pathologies was significantly correlated with the mean SUV (Y = 0.494X + 1.228; R2 = 0.786; P < 0.001). Furthermore, maximum and mean SUVs of MRONJ had significant differences in underlying diseases, medication and staging.

CONCLUSION

The maximum and mean SUVs with bone SPECT/CT can be an effective tool for the quantitative evaluation of jaw pathologies, especially MRONJ.

Volumetric analysis of mandibular lesions with SPECT/CT: a pilot clinical study of maximum standardized uptake value

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate mandibular lesions using volumetric analysis with bone single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT).

Material and methods

Eight patients with mandibular lesions underwent SPECT/CT scan acquisition 4 hours after injection of Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP). Regarding volumetric analysis, maximum standar-dized uptake value (SUV) was obtained using software and a workstation (Q.Volumetrix MI and GEniE-Xeleris 4 DR, respectively). The localization and size of the volume of interest (VOI) can be drawn over the lesion, mesial, distal, and opposite side as normal using the CT, SPECT, and SPECT/CT transaxials, coronals, and sagittals as the anatomical reference. Q.Volumetrix MI can analyse SUV of lesions by organ segmentation using optional pan and zoom imaging. Then, the dosimetry software provided multiple quantitative data for a given VOI. Statistical analyses for the maximum SUV were performed by Mann-Whitney U test. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Maximum SUVs for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (n = 4, 25.4 ± 4.9), chronic osteomyelitis (n = 3, 14.6 ± 3.1), and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1, 31.7) were significantly higher than those of the opposite side as normal mandible (3.8 ± 0.7, 4.6 ± 1.8, and 7.4, respectively; p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Volumetric analysis with SPECT/CT could be useful for the evaluation of mandibular lesions, such as detecting and surgical planning.

[Management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw-a review of recent study results in comparison to established strategies]

Hintergrund

Antiresorptiva gehören weltweit zu den am häufigsten applizierten Arzneimitteln. Ihr Haupteinsatzbereich liegt in der Osteologie und Onkologie. Trotz allgemein guter Verträglichkeit treten bei Patienten unter Therapie unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen (UAW) auf. Eine spezifische UAW im Bereich der Kiefer ist die sog. medikamentenassoziierte Osteonekrose („medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw“, MRONJ) der Kiefer.

Ziel der Arbeit

Diese Arbeit stellt neuesten Entwicklungen in Ätiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie der MRONJ im Vergleich zu bereits bestehenden Erkenntnissen zusammen.

Methodik

Es wurde eine systematische Literaturübersicht der Jahre 2016–2021 zu diesem Thema durchgeführt. Prospektive Therapiestudien, Diagnostikstudien mit Vergleichsgruppe und innovative Studien zur Pathogenese der MRONJ wurden eingeschlossen und nach den MINORS-Kriterien („methodological index for non-randomized studies“) bewertet.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Die MRONJ tritt bei ca. 2–12 % der Patienten, die aus onkologischer Indikation mit Antiresorptiva behandelt werden, auf (osteologische Indikation ca. 0,1–1 %). Die Therapie der MRONJ sollte frühzeitig und operativ erfolgen. Die Heilungsrate ist bei einem operativen Therapieansatz mit über 85 % sehr gut.

Maximum standardized uptake value of normal structures in the head and neck with bone SPECT/CT

INTRODUCTION

The quantitative parameter was successfully derived from the quantitative bone SPECT/CT images. The aim of this study was to evaluate maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of normal structures in the head and neck with bone SPECT/CT.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with jaw lesions (11 chronic osteomyelitis, eight osteoradionecrosis and 34 medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw) who had bone SPECT/CT were prospectively included. The maximum SUV of normal structures including vertebrae, sternal body, parietal bone and hyoid bone were analysed. Statistical analyses for the maximum SUV were performed by Pearson's rank correlation test. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The maximum SUVs of vertebrae, sternal body, parietal bone and hyoid bone of all patients were 8.10 ± 3.72, 5.16 ± 2.05, 3.67 ± 1.55 and 1.44 ± 0.56, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum SUV of vertebrae was significantly correlated with that of sternal body (Y = 0.527X + 5.388 (R²  = 0.084, P = 0.035)).

CONCLUSIONS

Maximum SUV with bone SPECT/CT should be useful for characterization of normal structures in the head and neck. Furthermore, the data reported herein can be used for reference in future studies and in clinical settings for head and neck lesions.

Clinical Diagnostic Imaging Study of Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Study

Radiation therapy (RT) plays a significant role in the management of head and neck malignancies. This study aimed to review the clinical symptoms and various imaging findings of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and provide a clinical perspective on the development of ORN. The retrospective cohort was composed of 57 sites in 54 patients who had a history of RT and suspected ORN and 48 sites in 45 patients who were confirmed to have ORN. Image analyses included computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, bone scintigraphy, and single-photon emission CT (SPECT). The irradiated tissue was damaged by RT, and the extent of damage was correlated with clinical symptoms. The bone marrow showed sclerotic changes and the devitalized bone showed bone resorption after invasive stimulation. Chronic trismus and pathological fracture are considered severe conditions, typically occurring in the last stage of ORN. Furthermore, neurological symptoms were an important sign of tumor recurrence, since diagnostic imaging was difficult. The possible treatment options vary depending on the stage of ORN. We speculate that bone sclerosis reactions and bone resorption are sequential reactions that seem to be protective measures of the bone to radiation injury.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient with multiple myeloma: an unusual case with tumor in the surgical specimen

Multiple myeloma is characterized by a neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells primarily in the bone marrow. Neoplastic plasma cells stimulated osteoclasts, and destroy bone tissue, causing bone pain, pathological fractures, paralysis due to spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. Bisphosphonates are used as supportive therapy in the management of multiple myeloma. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a well-known complication of treatment with bisphosphonates, denosumab, and other drugs, such as anti-angiogenic agents and novel anti-cancer drugs. We report MRONJ in a patient with multiple myeloma, especially an unusual case with tumor in the surgical specimen. A 73-year-old woman presented with pain on the left side of the mandible within 3 months. On clinical examination, an exposed bone without purulent drainage presented on the left side of the mandible. Before 2 years, she received chemotherapy of zoledronate for multiple myeloma at another hospital. Panoramic imaging showed radiopacities of bone in the left side of the mandibular molar area. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with axial, multiplanar reformation (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) images showed the sequestrum without periosteal reaction. She was diagnosed as MRONJ, and underwent surgery. Finally, the surgical specimen was diagnosed as multiple myeloma in the sequestrum. This case suggests that the evaluation of the surgical specimen of MRONJ could be essential for detection of primary tumor.

A clinical pilot study of salivary gland secretion for xerostomia patients with Sjögren's syndrome using SPECT/CT

INTRODUCTION

This study examined whether time-activity curves (TAC) can be used to differentiate between patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome using SPECT/CT.

METHODS

Thirteen xerostomia patients (5 with Sjögren's syndrome and 8 without Sjögren's syndrome) underwent SPECT/CT. Salivary gland secretion data were digitally observed, producing separate time-activity curves (TAC) for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT. The salivary gland secretion fraction was defined as A (before stimulation test [counts/frame]) divided by B (after stimulation test [counts/frame]). The A/B ratios of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and those without Sjögren's syndrome were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data.

RESULTS

The A/B ratio of parotid glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.2) was significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (2.7 ± 0.7). The A/B ratio of submandibular glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.4) is significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (1.8 ± 0.6).

CONCLUSION

The TAC for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT may be useful for the objective and quantitative diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.

Practical Approach to Radiopaque Jaw Lesions

Radiopaque lesions of the jaw are myriad in type and occasionally protean in appearance. In turn, the radiologic analysis of these lesions requires a systematic approach and a broad consideration of clinical and imaging characteristics to enable reliable radiologic diagnosis. Initially categorizing lesions by attenuation pattern provides a practical framework for organizing radiopaque jaw lesions that also reflects important tissue characteristics. Specifically, the appearance of radiopaque lesions can be described as (a) densely sclerotic, (b) ground glass, or (c) mixed lytic-sclerotic, with each category representing a distinct although occasionally overlapping differential diagnosis. After characterizing attenuation pattern, the appreciation of other radiologic features, such as margin characteristics or relationship to teeth, as well as clinical features including demographics and symptoms, can aid in further narrowing the differential diagnosis and lend confidence to clinical decision making. The authors review the potential causes of a radiopaque jaw lesion, including pertinent clinical and radiologic features, and outline a simplified approach to its radiologic diagnosis, with a focus on cross-sectional CT. An invited commentary by Buch is available online. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Analysis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with bone SPECT/CT: relationship between patient characteristics and maximum standardized uptake value

Objective:

To analyze medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) with bone single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT, especially relationship between patient characteristics and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV).

Methods:

48 patients with MRONJ who underwent bone SPECT/CT were prospectively included. MRONJ patients were included 34 osteoporosis and 14 bone metastases from 6 lung cancer, 6 breast cancer and 2 rectal cancer. The maximum SUV of the MRONJ patient characteristics were analyzed such as gender, location, underlying disease, medication and staging of MRONJ by Mann–Whitney U test. P-values lower than 0.05 indicate significant differences.

Results:

Regarding underlying disease, maximum SUV of patients with osteoporosis (18.69 ± 8.57) were significantly higher than those with bone metastases (12.28 ± 4.32, p = 0.005). Furthermore, maximum SUV of MRONJ was a significant difference for medication (denosumab: 13.62 ± 5.70 and minodronate: 22.98 ± 11.73, p = 0.009) and staging of MRONJ (Stage 2: 15.59 ± 8.06 and Stage 3: 21.51 ± 7.15, p = 0.014).

Conclusion:

Maximum SUV assessed by SPECT/CT was significantly increased in MRONJ patients with osteoporosis and Stage 3. Bone SPECT/CT could be an effective tool for the analysis of MRONJ.