18F-FDG PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy Findings of Multifocal Desmoid Fibromatosis

ABSTRACT

Desmoid fibromatosis, also called desmoid tumors, is a group of locally aggressive fibromatous proliferative disorders. They represent less than 3% of all soft tissue sarcoma and are multifocal in approximately 10% of cases. However, there are only a few cases in the literature describing 18F-FDG PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP bone scan features of extra-abdominal desmoid fibromas, and all were solitary bone lesions. Herein, we presented a unique case of multifocal desmoid fibromatosis of bone illustrating the prospective value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP bone scan in the evaluation of desmoid tumors.

"Wandering Spleen" With Lymphomatous Involvement

ABSTRACT

Wandering spleen is a rare condition caused by either lack or the laxity of ligaments, which results malposition in the lower abdomen or pelvis. FDG PET/CT is the cornerstone of the staging procedures in the management of lymphomas leading to upstaging and picking up occult lesions in the spleen and extranodal sites. Herein, we reported initial staging 18 F-FDG PET/CT findings of a woman with Hodgkin lymphoma whose spleen was absent in normal position and multiple intense heterogenous hypermetabolism in a pelvic mass raised a suspicion of wandering splenic involvement. The confirmation was made with selective spleen SPECT/CT images thereafter.

Bone Lipogranuloma Mimicking Metastatic Disease on 18F-FDG PET/CT

ABSTRACT

Primary bone lipogranuloma is an extremely rare disease associated with reactive inflammatory granulomatous reaction associated with exogenous or endogenous lipids. Herein, we report a case of bone lipogranuloma with intense 18F-FDG uptake, which mimics metastatic disease on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a patient with breast cancer.

The value of parathyroid scintigraphy on lesion detection in patients with normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is one of the most frequent endocrine diseases. Most of the patients with PHPT are asymptomatic, and only 20% of them become symptomatic with increasing levels of calcium. It has been reported that normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) may be the incipient period of PHPT where calcium (Ca) levels are in normal range, and it may advance to overt PHPT. Early diagnosis of PHPT is important in order to prevent its complications. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the role of 99mTc-MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy on lesion detection in patients with NPHPT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The parathyroid scintigraphy database was reviewed retrospectively in patients with PHPT. 117 patients who underwent 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy were recruited to the study. Serum calcium level above 10.5mg/dl was considered as hypercalcemia.

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients' (female/male:98/19) mean serum PTH levels (mean±SD) were 149±97 pg/ml in normocalcemic group (Ca:9.6±0.6mg/dL, n:38) and 189±135 pg/ml in hypercalcemic group (Ca:11.4±0.6mg/dL, n:79) (p:0.072). The sex and ages were not different between the scintigraphy positive and negative groups, but the lesion detection rates with parathyroid scintigraphy were 42% in normocalcemic group and 81% in hypercalcemic group (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors including serum Ca, the imaging protocol, existence of multiglandular disease, the size and MIBI biokinetics of the adenoma may influence lesion detectability in parathyroid scintigraphy. Although high serum Ca level is an important parameter in predicting its success, parathyroid scintigraphy remains a valuable diagnostic method even in patients with NPHPT.

Changes in 18F-FDG-PET/CT tumor metabolism are not consistent with pathologic complete response in hormone-positive breast cancer

PURPOSE

Current evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) shows that it could achieve pathological complete response (pCR). The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of maximum uptake values (SUVmax) changes and pCR in hormone-positive locally advanced breast cancer (LABC).

METHODS

Ninety hormone-positive LABC patients treated at Marmara University Medical Oncology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey, between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively studied. All eligible patients (n=5) received NAC (4-8 cycles) and were evaluated for pCR. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FFDG- PET/CT) scan was performed before and after the completion of NAC. The relative changes of SUVmax both in the primary tumor and the axilla were assessed for consistency with pCR.

RESULTS

The patient median age was 46 years (range 26- 76). The patients 13.7% achieved pCR. Values of >50% (n=40) and <50% (n=11) SUVmax changes were not associated with pCR (15% and 18% respectively) (p=1.00). Patients with >75% SUVmax changes could achieve pCR of 20%. Interestingly, most patients with complete metabolic response did not achieve pCR (81%). The difference of the Ki67 levels before and after NAC, tumor localization, HER- 2 positivity, menopausal status, grade of differentiation, lymphovascular and perineural invasion were not associated with pCR.

CONCLUSION

SUVmax changes in later cycles of NAC as commonly practised in oncology clinics were not consistent with pCR (p=1.0). Complete metabolic response may not be associated with pCR in hormone-positive LABC. However, almost 80% of patients had >50% decrease in SUVmax and may still have a chance for conservative surgery and less postoperative morbidity. Therefore, 18F-FDG-PET/CT may still have a role to evaluate the tumor response with a need of larger studies and analysis for cost-effectiveness.

Long-Term Results of Fixed High-Dose I-131 Treatment for Toxic Nodular Goiter: Higher Euthyroidism Rates in Geriatric Patients

Objective:

Geriatric patient population has special importance due to particular challenges. In addition to the increase in incidence of toxic nodular goiter (TNG) with age, it has a high incidence in the regions of low-medium iodine intake such as in our country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall outcome of high fixed dose radioiodine (RAI) therapy, and investigate the particular differences in the geriatric patient population.

Methods:

One hundred and three TNG patients treated with high dose I-131 (370-740 MBq) were retrospectively reviewed. The baseline characteristics; age, gender, scintigraphic patterns and thyroid function tests before and after treatment, as well as follow-up, duration of antithyroid drug (ATD) medication and achievement of euthyroid or hypothyroid state were evaluated. The patient population was divided into two groups as those=>65 years and those who were younger, in order to assess the effect of age.

Results:

Treatment success was 90% with single dose RAI therapy. Hyperthyroidism was treated in 7±7, 2 months after RAI administration. At the end of the first year, overall hypothyroidism rate was 30% and euthyroid state was achieved in 70% of patients. Age was found to be the only statistically significant variable effecting outcome. A higher ratio of euthyroidism was achieved in the geriatric patient population.

Conclusion:

High fixed dose I-131 treatment should be preferred in geriatric TNG patients in order to treat persistent hyperthyroidism rapidly. The result of this study suggests that high fixed dose RAI therapy is a successful modality in treating TNG, and high rates of euthyroidism can be achieved in geriatric patients.

Patients with Takayasu's arteritis having persistent acute-phase response usually have an increased major vessel uptake by 18F-FDG-PET/CT

OBJECTIVES

Although not uniformly accepted, an increased uptake by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in large vessels is accepted to be a sign of active disease in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). We aimed to investigate the value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for clinical assessment in a subset of TAK patients having a persistent acute-phase response (APR) without any signs or symptoms of clinical disease activity.

METHOD

We studied 14 patients (mean age: 38.6 ± 13.9 years, Female/Male: 11/3, and disease duration: 5.7 ± 5 years). Patients were clinically inactive (according to the definition of activity by Kerr et al.), while categorized as having "persistent" disease activity by physician's global assessment due only to APR. 18F-FDG uptake was graded using a four-point scale from grade 0 (no uptake present) to grade 3 (high grade: uptake higher than that of liver). Any uptake in major vessels with a grade ≥ 2 was accepted to be "active."

RESULTS

Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 50.8 ± 13.2 mm/hour and mean C-reactive protein level was 28.5 ± 22.1 mg/L. Active vasculitic lesions were observed by 18F-FDG-PET/CT in 9 of 14 (64.3%) patients. The median number of active vascular lesions was 2 (range: 1-5). A step-up treatment change was decided in 8 patients according to 18F-FDG-PET/CT results.

CONCLUSION

We observed increased 18F-FDG uptake in the majority of TAK patients with an increased APR, but clinically silent disease. 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed the presence and localization of active inflammation in the aorta and its branches. Although specificity for observed lesions is not clear, 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging may influence physician's assessment of clinical activity and treatment choices in TAK.

Non-Diabetic renal disease in Diabetes Mellitus: clinical features and renal biopsy findings

AIM

Renal diseases in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, include diabetic nephropathies (DN) and non-diabetic renal diseases (NDRD). The clinical differentiation among them is usually not so clear and effective. Aim of this study which examined renal biopsies in patients with type-2 DM was to identify the prevalence and the nature of NDRD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recorded the clinical and laboratory finding alongside with the histopathological examination of the renal biopsies obtained from 71 type-2 DM patients who underwent renal biopsy in our center. Based on the renal biopsy findings patients were classified into two groups (DN and NDRD) and data was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were 42 women and 29 men; aged 55 ± 12 years. In patients with DN (n: 34), diabetic retinopathy was more common [16 (47.1 %) vs. 6 (16.2 %) respectively, p =0.01], duration of DM was longer (108.8 ± 58.8 months vs 57.8 ± 55.9 months respectively, p <0.001) and the degree of proteinuria was more severe (6 ± 4.3 g/day vs. 4.5 ± 4.6 g/day respectively, p =0.04) compared to the patients with NDRD. Regression analysis revealed that diabetes duration >60 months, presence of diabetic retinopathy and proteinuria >3.5 g/day were independent predictors of DN with 79.4 % sensitivity and 86.5% specificity. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most frequent diagnosis in patients with NDRD.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of NDRD is remarkably frequent in DM patients in whom nephrologists consider renal biopsy an appropriate measure. Short duration of DM, degree of proteinuria and absence of retinopathy were predictors of NDRD. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):148-152.

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as an inflammation marker in non-dipper hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Non-dipper hypertensive patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than dipper hypertensive patients. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and dipper and non-dipper hypertension.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 199 consecutive patients that were diagnosed with primary hypertension. According to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measurements, non-dipper and dipper group were determined. PLR was determined based on the platelet count and lymphocyte count in the complete blood count.

RESULTS

The non-dipper group included 103 patients (74 females and 29 males; mean age: 52.37 ± 10.7 years) and the dipper group included 96 patients (65 females and 31 males; mean age: 48.40 ± 11.1 years). Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group (124 ± 15.1 mmHg versus 120 ± 11.2 mmHg, p =0.032) and the median PLR was significantly higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group [132.15 (range: 69.64-400) versus 117.0 (range: 53.52-192.26), p = 0.001], whereas the mean white blood cell count (6.86 ± 1.43 × 10³/ μL versus 7.24 ± 1.26 × 10³/μL, p =0.046) and median lymphocyte count [2.09 (range: 0.95-3.92)  × 10³/μL versus 2.24 (range: 0.97-3.98) × 10³/μL, p =0.001) were significantly lower in the non-dipper group.

CONCLUSION

Median PLR was significantly higher in the non-dipper hypertensive patients than in the dipper hypertensive patients. We think this finding further supports the role of an increase in inflammatory response in non-dipper hypertension. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):114-118.

Evaluation of heart rate recovery in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIM

Abnormal heart rate recovery after an exercise stress test is a strong predictor of cardiovascular death in healthy subjects and various patient groups. The aim of the present study was to investigate heart rate recovery (HRR), a cardiovascular risk factor, in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty patients with primary NS (mean age 39.6 ± 9.3 years) and 42 healthy subjects (mean age 36.0 ± 7.9) were included in the study. HRR was calculated by subtracting the heart rates in the first, second, and third minutes of the recovery period from the maximum heart rate, reached during the exercise stress test.

RESULTS

The HRR in the first minute was significantly slower in the NS group compared with the control group (25.5 ± 10.1 and 32.4 ± 11.1, respectively; p =0.004). The HRR in the second and third minutes was also slower in the NS group, but the difference was not statistically significant. When a comparative analysis of HRR and the etiology of NS was carried out, no difference was found at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired first minute HRR was identified in patients with NS. This suggests that primary NS patients should be monitored due to the potential increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):109-113.

Marked uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose in a vocal cord after medialization: Acute and subacute positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings

A 60-year-old male who underwent left upper lobectomy because of recently diagnosed lung cancer was admitted to the nuclear medicine department. A whole body fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) that was performed for staging purposes, revealed an intense hypermetabolism in left vocal cord region corresponding with hyperdense mass-like material on CT scan.

Is The Value of FDG PET/CT In Evaluating Renal Metastasis Underestimated? A Case Report And Review of The Literature

Contrast-enhanced CT or MRI are used as a gold standard imaging modalities in the detection and characterization of renal masses. On the other hand, the role of FDG PET/CT in evaluating primary or metastatic cancers of the kidney is limited due to the excretion of FDG through urinary tract. We reported the FDG PET/CT of a lung cancer patient with multiple metastases in both kidneys which were missed in previous PET/CT, and underestimated on sequential diagnostic abdominal CT study.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None declared.

Initial mini-mental state and cerebral perfusion in Alzheimer's disease

PURPOSE

The relationship between the initial mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and cerebral perfusion was evaluated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

In the study single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images of the brains of 40 AD patients were compared with the brain scans of 10 healthy controls. Each patient underwent MMSE analysis at initial evaluation as well as Tc-99 m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxine (HMPAO) brain SPECT. The patients were followed up for at least 42 months.

RESULTS

The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values for patients were found to be significantly decreased for all cerebral lobes compared to the control subjects and p-values were calculated to be less than 0.001 except for occipital lobes. The most statistically significant correlation between the MMSE scores and rCBF values was determined for the left temporal lobe (p < 0.0001). A significant correlation was also found for the right temporal lobe (p < 0.005). A minimal statistically significant correlation was found for the frontal lobes and the left parietal lobe (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall cerebral perfusion was decreased except in the occipital lobes in AD cases with low initial MMSE scores and there was a significant relationship between the decrease in perfusion of the temporal/frontal lobes and the left parietal lobe with the decrease in the initial MMSE scores. The most significant relationship between the decrease in the initial MMSE scores and the rCBF values was determined for the temporal lobes (especially for the left temporal lobe). It was also found that the left frontal lobe was affected from the beginning of the disease.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of thyroid dysgenesis by thyroid ultrasonography and scintigraphy

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the reliability of thyroid ultrasonography (US) and scintigraphy in determining the type of thyroid dysgenesis (TD).

METHODS

The study included 82 children (8.0±5.6 years) with a diagnosis of TD by thyroid scintigraphy with (99m)Tc and/or US. The patients were re-evaluated 6.0±5.1 years after the diagnosis. Thyroid US was performed in all cases, regardless of the previous US imaging. Scintigraphy images performed at the time of diagnoses (n=60) were re-evaluated during the study. Those who had no scintigraphy at the time of diagnosis (n=22) or had discordant findings with US (n=6) underwent a new scintigraphy.

RESULTS

Scintigraphies revealed no uptake in 37, ectopia in 35, and hypoplasia in 10 cases. The sensitivity vs specificity for US to detect athyreosis, ectopia, and hypoplasia at the time of initial diagnoses was 90.5 vs 47.8, 10 vs 100, and 100 vs 80.4% respectively. The sensitivity vs specificity for scintigraphy at the time of initial diagnoses was 96.2 vs 100, 92 vs 97.1, and 100 vs 96%, respectively, for each diagnosis. Re-scintigraphy at the time of the study led to a change in the initial diagnosis of 3/6 cases. Repeated US showed disappearance of previously reported hypoplastic thyroid tissues in eight patients.

CONCLUSION

US alone could not differentiate ectopia and athyreosis, whereas scintigraphy alone is also prone to mistakes in newborns and young ages. Dual thyroid imaging is important for precise structural definition of TD.

RIGHT BASAL GANGLION HYPOPERFUSION IN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER PATIENTS DEMONSTRATED BY Tc-99m-HMPAO BRAIN PERFUSION SPECT: A CONTROLLED STUDY

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the regional cerebral blood flows (rCBF) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients compared to controls by using Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT. Sixteen OCD and seven control subjects were admitted into the study. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Rating Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) were applied to the patients. The rCBF was found to be decreased in right basal ganglion in OCD patients. The right basal ganglion rCBF was negatively correlated with Y-BOCS total and compulsion scores. The left thalamus rCBF was negatively correlated with Y-BOCS obsession score. Right and left cingulate rCBF were negatively correlated with HDRS score. The results indicating hypoperfusion in right basal ganglion in OCD patients support previous findings about dysfunction of frontal-subcortical circuits in this disorder.

Is anterior oblique view alone in surgical position sufficient for preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer? A quantitative comparative analysis with conventional views

PURPOSE

Since the anterior projection alone has several limitations in the conventional preoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, multiple projections including anterior oblique (AO) view are preferred. There are many AO acquisition techniques described in the literature but none of them creates an image which fully reflects the surgical perspective. We aimed to compare the AO view in the surgical position with the conventional projections according to quantitative parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty female breast cancer patients entered the study. Two hours after the radiotracer injection, preoperative SLN mapping at anterior, lateral and 35 degrees AO projections in surgical position was performed. For each projection, mapping success rate (MSR), the mean number of SLNs, lymphatic channel visualization rate, image contrast and distance measurements between each SLN and between the SLNs and the injection site were recorded.

RESULTS

The best MSR and image contrast for the first and the consecutive axillary SLNs were found at the AO projection. The longest distance between the injection site and the SLNs and between the two SLNs were observed at the AO views. Although the AO view gave the best results for intramammary SLNs the difference was not statistically significant from the anterior view.

CONCLUSION

The 35 degrees AO view in the surgical position was superior to the anterior and lateral projections. Therefore, the simple 4-min AO view in the surgical position may entirely reflect the surgeon's perspective and could be used safely alone in the preoperative lymphatic mapping for breast cancer patients.

Orlistat accelerates gastric emptying and attenuates GIP release in healthy subjects

Orlistat, an inhibitor of digestive lipases, is widely used for the treatment of obesity. Previous reports on the effect of orally ingested orlistat together with a meal on gastric emptying and secretion of gut peptides that modulate postprandial responses are controversial. We investigated the effect of ingested orlistat on gastric emptying and plasma responses of gut peptides in response to a solid mixed meal with a moderate energy load. In healthy subjects, gastric emptying was determined using scintigraphy and studies were performed without and with 120 mg of orlistat in pellet form in random order. Orlistat shortened t lag and t half and decreased the area under the gastric emptying curve. Orlistat significantly attenuated the secretion of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) but did not alter the plasma responses of cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and insulin. There was no peptide YY (PYY) response. Area under the curve of gastric emptying was positively correlated with integrated secretion of GIP (r=0.786) in orlistat and was negatively correlated with integrated plasma response of GLP-1 (r=-0.75) in control experiments, implying that inhibition of fat absorption modifies determinants of gastric emptying of a meal. Orlistat administered similar to its use in obesity treatment accelerates gastric emptying of a solid mixed meal with a moderate energy load and profoundly attenuates release of GIP without appreciably altering plasma responses of CCK, GLP-1, and PP. Since GIP is being implemented in the development of obesity, its role in weight control attained by orlistat awaits further investigation.

Screening of parents and siblings of patients with thyroid dysgenesis by thyroid function tests and ultrasound

AIMS

To investigate the frequency of thyroid dysgenesis (TD) in first-degree relatives of TD cases.

METHODS

244 first-degree relatives of 82 TD cases were screened by thyroid ultrasound (USG), T(4), fT(4) and TSH. USG was also performed in 220 unrelated, age- and sex-matched healthy controls to obtain normative data for thyroid volumes.

RESULTS

Specific diagnoses of indexes were 35 ectopia, 22 athyreosis, 14 severe hypoplasia, 8 hypoplasia, and 3 hemiagenesis/asymmetric hypoplasia. In 5 of 77 families (6.5%), there were 2 cases with known symptomatic TD. A total of 10 cases made familial symptomatic TD ratio 12% (10/82) in our cohort. Screening of 244 asymptomatic family members did not reveal new cases with overt hypothyroidism. However, low thyroid volume in 15 and slightly elevated TSH in 6 family members and both in 1 family member were detected (7.4% for low thyroid volume, 3.2% for high TSH). Thus, the ratio of affected (symptomatic and asymptomatic) family members among families of TD cases was found to be 8.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

12% of TD cases are familial in our cohort. Screening of asymptomatic family members of TD revealed an additional 7.4% mild hypoplasia and 3.2% hyperthyrotropinemia without overt hypothyroidism which points out the importance of genetic factors in pathogenesis.

Quantitative shunt imaging in the evaluation of therapeutic surgery in a patient with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation

A case of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) in a 32-year-old woman who underwent successful left upper lobectomy is presented. A whole-body technetium-99m-labeled macro-aggregated albumin scan was used to demonstrate intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt, and shunt fraction was calculated as 39%. The patient underwent a follow-up scan after the operation; shunt fraction was calculated to be within normal limits (5%). The whole-body technetium-99m-labeled macro-aggregated albumin scan seems to be a simple and noninvasive test in the demonstration and quantitation of the degree of the right-to-left shunt in pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. The whole-body technetium-99m-labeled macro-aggregated albumin scan may also be useful for evaluation of the hemodynamic changes after surgical treatment and follow-up of the patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.

The clinical utility of 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT in Fahr's disease

Fahr's disease is a rare neurodegenerative syndrome, characterized by massive symmetrical intracerebral calcifications of the basal ganglia, dentate nuclei of the cerebellum, and the adjacent parenchyma. Computerized tomography (CT) is considerably more sensitive to detect these intracranial calcifications than other imaging modalities. The clinical, CT scan, and 99(m)Tc-D,L-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99(m)Tc-HMPAO) brain perfusion single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) findings in a 42-year-old woman with Fahr's disease are reported, and the clinical utility of 99(m)Tc-HMPAO SPECT findings in Fahr's disease is discussed in this article. In conclusion, 99(m)Tc-HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT seems to be useful in the clinical approach to Fahr's disease, and may provide more specific and clinically relevant information when compared with anatomical imaging.

Effective treatment administration of cyclophosphamide in membranous nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. In this prospective study, we investigated the efficacy of combined use of oral or pulse cyclophosphamide (CYC) with low-dose steroid on our group of adult IMN patients whose renal function was normal at the time of diagnosis.

METHODS

The study was performed on 33 adult patients who had not previously been treated with immunosuppressive agents. All patients were treated with prednisone (0.5 mg/kg per day) for 1 year. In addition to this treatment, oral CYC (1.5-2 mg/kg per day) and pulse CYC (500 mg/m2 per month) were administered for 6 months to 17 and 16 patients, respectively.

RESULTS

At the end of the follow-up period, serum creatinine levels were either decreased or had remained stable in both groups. Daily protein excretion was improved in all but 3 patients. Complete or partial remission was achieved in 9 and 10 of 33 patients, respectively. Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both groups (p=0.027). These levels were higher in the pulse CYC group than in the oral CYC group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

With regard to patients with IMN, the combination of CYC with corticosteroids was beneficial in conserving renal function and in induction of remission of nephrotic syndrome. We observed that pulse CYC treatment significantly increased serum albumin levels when compared with oral CYC.

Simple provocative maneuvers in renal transplant scintigraphy for detecting urine leak

Urine leak in the early postoperative period following renal transplantation is a serious complication requiring early identification and aggressive intervention, which significantly reduces the morbidity and mortality. Renal transplant scintigraphy is a noninvasive method to evaluate the perfusion and function of a transplanted kidney and urinary drainage including urine leak. Here, we reported two cases in which the standard transplant renogram failed to demonstrate urine leak. The cases were referred for a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renogram following the transplantation to evaluate the cause of symptoms or elevated serum creatinine level. In both the cases, urine leak was successfully detected following simple maneuvers such as diuretic administration or Foley catheter irrigation. Renal transplant scintigraphy is an effective and safe technique and the use of these simple maneuvers can enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of the transplant renogram in the detection of urine leak.

Glomerulonephritis associating parvovirus B19 infection

We report a previously healthy, immunocompetent 17-year-old male patient, who developed acute glomerulonephritis during the course of Parvovirus B19 infection and this acute glomerulonephritis did not resolve spontaneously. His renal biopsy showed mild mesangial proliferation and focal segmental sclerosis. Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in renal tissue by polymerase chain reaction.

Colloid scintigraphy in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a conventional diagnostic method for an emerging disease

AIM

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease characterized by diffuse fatty infiltration and Kupffer cell dysfunction which contributes to its pathogenesis. Since the liver biopsy, which is considered the 'gold standard' in diagnosing NASH, has some limitations other imaging methods have been explored as alternatives. Colloid scintigraphy is a good method reflecting Kupffer cell activity and we found it worthwhile to evaluate this technique in NASH. We aimed to present the common scintigraphic features and their clinicopathologic correlations in NASH.

METHODS

Twenty-two new patients (11 female, mean age 43.7+/-10.8) with biopsy-proven NASH underwent colloid liver scintigraphy. The dynamic, static and SPECT images were performed after intravenous injection of 185 MBq Tc tin colloid. Hepatic perfusion, blood pool clearance time, colloid shift to spleen and bone marrow were assessed and liver right/left lobe ratio was calculated.

RESULTS

The values calculated on static and tomographic (SPECT) images showed good correlation. Liver right/left lobe ratio was altered in all patients. Blood pool clearance time was prolonged in seven (32%) but hepatic perfusion was normal in all patients. Colloid shift to the spleen was observed in 55% of patients using SPECT analysis. No correlation between scintigraphy parameters and histological or biochemical findings were observed.

CONCLUSION

Altered liver right/left lobe ratio was the universal finding in all our NASH patients. Other common scintigraphic features of NASH include colloid shift to spleen and prolonged blood pool clearance time. Liver scintigraphy might be a promising non-invasive tool in the follow-up of NASH patients in therapeutic trials.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection is more common among renal allograft recipients compared with the general population due to immunosuppression. The epidemiological risk in a country is an important determinant of transplant TB after transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed 283 renal transplant recipients who underwent renal transplantation between 1990 and 2004. We evaluated the incidence, patient and disease characteristics, prognosis, and outcome of TB infection. Tuberculosis developed in 10 (seven men and three women of mean age of 41+/-9 years) among 283 patients (3.1%). All patients were culture-positive for M tuberculosis. Although pulmonary TB was the most common presentation in the general population, 50% of patients in the study group developed extrapulmonary TB. The mean elapsed time from renal transplantation was 38 months. Three patients (1%) developed TB in the first year after transplantation. All patients were treated with a quartet of anti-TB therapy. One patient developed isoniazid-related reversible hepatotoxicity. No acute allograft rejection occurred during the anti-TB therapy. Two patients (20%) with pulmonary TB died due to dissemination of the disease. In conclusion, extrapulmonary presentations of TB are more common among renal transplant recipients with the increased risk of mortality.

Assessment of right and left ventricular perfusion in patients with right bundle branch block

BACKGROUND

Patients with conduction abnormalities may have abnormal images on perfusion scintigraphy without evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Based on the presence of left ventricular perfusion abnormalities in left bundle branch block and taking advantage of the Tc-99m sestamibi for the assessment of myocardial perfusion of both ventricles, we aimed to evaluate right (RV) and left (LV) myocardial perfusion in patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB).

METHODS

This study included 21 patients with RBBB and 21 control subjects without conduction abnormality. None had previous myocardial infarction, known CAD, left ventricular hypertrophy, LVEF <55%, congenital, pulmonary or valvular heart disease. Rest and stress SPECT images were obtained using 1-d Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT protocol. Regional perfusion of LV and RV myocardium was semiquantitatively evaluated. Also, RV/LV uptake ratio was calculated in two different ways.

RESULTS

In patients with RBBB, the normality ratios of RV and LV myocardial perfusion were very high (both 90.5%) and not different from those of patients with normal intraventricular conduction. In the comparison of RV/LV uptake ratios, no significant difference was found between the RBBB and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

LV perfusion, RV perfusion or R-to-L perfusion ratio were not significantly influenced by the conduction abnormality in this selected patient population with RBBB. Tc-99m sestamibi myocardial scintigraphy could help in the exclusion of myocardial ischemia in patients with RBBB.

Reproducibility of technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine clearance in patients with impaired renal function

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the reproducibility of technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3) clearance in patients with a 99mTc-MAG3 clearance below 100 ml/min/1.73 m2.

METHODS

Two separate multi-sample clearance studies were performed in 16 patients at a 1 week interval. The clearances were calculated according to the open two-compartment model of Sapirstein et al., accepting the 90, 120 and 180 min samples as the last points of the biexponential curve. The clearance measurements were also performed according to the single-sample methods of Russell et al. and Bubeck using the fitted value at 44 min.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two clearance measurements for all five samples (P>0.05). There was a systematic increase in clearance measurements of 8.0+/-2.7% from the 180 to 120 min samples and 4.8+/-2.0% from the 120 to 90 min samples. Both single-sample methods (Bubeck and Russell et al.) gave more divergent results than multi-sample methods. The mean and standard deviation (%) of the normalized differences between two successive tests were -3.9+/-12.6, -2.4+/-13.1, -1.9+/-14.9, -4.1+/-53.5 and -13+/-82.1 for 90, 120 and 180 min samples and the Russell et al. and Bubeck methods, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Single-sample methods give very poor reproducibility and accuracy and should not be used in patients with poor renal function. The reproducibility of 99mTc-MAG3 clearance using the multi-sample method (90 min) in patients with impaired renal function is 12.6%, which is similar to that in patients with good renal function and that obtained with other tubular agents. Whether this level of reproducibility is satisfactory for documenting serial changes in an individual patient with a 99mTc-MAG3 clearance below 100 ml/min/1.73 m2 depends on the expectation of the clinician.

The effect of high-flux hemodialysis on dialysis-associated amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In this study, depending on the idea that the clearance of middle and high molecular weight toxins could be improved, we aimed to investigate the effect of high-flux dialyzer on clearance of beta-2 microglobulin (beta2-MG) and calcium (Ca) phosphorus (P) metabolism in patients under HD treatment. Forty-eight patients with ESRD under chronic HD treatment were included in the study. All patients were randomized into two groups, and HD was performed with low-flux or high-flux dialyzer for 6 months. In the high-flux group, the reduction of beta2-MG and P levels during dialysis was significantly higher when compared with the low-flux group (p<0.001). During the follow-up period, while beta2-MG levels decreased significantly in the high-flux group (p<0.05), there was an increase in the low-flux group (p<0.05). As a result, our findings suggest that use of high-flux dialyzer can be an efficient alternative in terms of controlling the clearance of beta2-MG and impaired Ca and P metabolism. These beneficial effects of high-flux dialyzers are probably mediated by the improved clearance of middle and high molecular weight toxins.

99m-Tc-MDP-Scintimammography in the evaluation of breast masses or tumor angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prognostic factor in breast cancer. One of the mechanisms of extra-skeletal uptake of Tc-99m-methylenediphosphonate (MDP) is suggested to be tumor vascularity. We studied the correlation between MDP uptake and VEGF and compared the diagnostic accuracy of mammography versus MDP-scintimammography (MDP-S).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four patients with suspicion of breast cancer were evaluated. Breast images were collected 5-10 minutes after injection of Tc-99m-MDP prior to biopsy. Tissue slides were stained using a rabbit-polyclonal anti-VEGF.

RESULTS

MDP-S showed a diagnostic accuracy of 83.3% in BIRADS category 4 lesions. Four out of 23 benign lesions were false-positive. The tumor to background (TM/BG) ratio of early images of MDP-S was correlated with VEGF staining (p: 0.014) and with tumor size (p: 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Early images of Tc-99m-MDP-S may satisfactorily identify cancers with increased neovascularization. MDP-S seems to be an accurate imaging modality, especially in BIRADS category 4 lesions.