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Biomedical subjects

C J Palestro

Publications and source records attributed to C J Palestro.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

SPECT imaging in the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

We recently performed planar and single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) liver/spleen scintigraphy in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome. While planar imaging revealed only nonspecific hepatocellular dysfunction, tomographic images demonstrated increased radiotracer accumulation in the caudate lobe of the liver, the classical scintigraphic finding in this entity. This case suggests that SPECT may enhance the sensitivity of the scintigraphic diagnosis of this uncommon condition, especially when the occlusion of the hepatic veins is incomplete.

Adult↗

Appearance of acute gouty arthritis on indium-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy.

Indium-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy was performed on a 66-yr-old male with polyarticular acute gouty arthritis. Images revealed intense labeled leukocyte accumulation in a pattern indistinguishable from septic arthritis, in both knees and ankles, and the metatarsophalangeal joint of both great toes, all of which were involved in the acute gouty attack. Joint aspirate as well as blood cultures were reported as no growth; the patient was treated with intravenous colchicine and ACTH for 10 days with dramatic improvement noted. Labeled leukocyte imaging, repeated 12 days after the initial study, revealed near total resolution of joint abnormalities, concordant with the patient's clinical improvement. This case demonstrates that while acute gouty arthritis is a potential pitfall in labeled leukocyte imaging, in the presence of known gout, it may provide a simple, objective, noninvasive method of evaluating patient response to therapy.

Acute Disease↗

Case report 621. Multiple myeloma (IgD) in a 28-year-old woman.

A 28-year-old woman with IgD myeloma was described. The patient presented with pain in the anterior wall of the chest, and tenderness over the ribs, thoracic spine, and right shoulder. A radionuclide bone scan showed increased uptake along the costochondral junctions, ribs, and shoulders, with the diffuse uptake in the costochondral junction being typical for costochondritis. Skeletal survey revealed small lucencies in the ribs, humeri, and shoulders, characteristic of MM. The patient's young age made the diagnosis of MM unlikely. The scintigraphic finding, typical of costochondritis, must be an extremely unusual pattern in MM since we were unable to find a similar case in the literature. It is speculated that MM may have been induced by chemical exposure.

Adult↗

Effect of patient position on interpretation of lung images complicated by chest radiograph opacities.

Lung images in which perfusion defects correspond to chest radiograph (CXR) opacities in size and location are generally classified as having an intermediate probability for pulmonary embolism, while those studies in which the perfusion defects are considerably smaller than the CXR opacities are classified as having a low probability for pulmonary embolism. A case is presented in which, by imaging a patient in both the erect and supine positions, the authors were able to change the interpretation of the study from intermediate probability (perfusion defect = CXR opacity) to low probability (perfusion defect less than CXR opacity).

Humans↗

Detection of abnormalities in febrile AIDS patients with In-111-labeled leukocyte and Ga-67 scintigraphy.

Thirty-six patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who were febrile but without localizing signs, underwent indium-111 leukocyte scintigraphy 24 hours after injection of labeled white blood cells (WBCs) and were restudied 48 hours after injection of gallium-67 citrate. Fifty-six abnormalities were identified as possible sources of the fever; 27 were confirmed with biopsy. Of these 27, 15 were identified only on In-111 WBC scans (including colitis, sinusitis, and focal bacterial pneumonia); six, only on Ga-67 scans (predominantly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and lymphadenopathy); and six, on both studies (predominantly pulmonary lesions). In-111 WBC scanning revealed 21 of 27 abnormalities (78%) and gallium scanning, 12 of 27 (44%). If only one scintigraphic study has been performed, particularly with Ga-67, a significant number of lesions would not have been detected. The authors believe radionuclide evaluation of the febrile AIDS patient without localizing signs should begin with In-111 WBC scintigraphy. Gallium scanning may be used depending on results of In-111 WBC scans or if there is a high index of suspicion for P carinii pneumonia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Acute effects of radiation therapy on indium-111-labeled leukocyte uptake in bone marrow.

We recently performed [99mTc]MDP bone and 111In-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy on a patient receiving radiation therapy to the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. While the bone images revealed only minimally increased activity in the radiation port, leukocyte images revealed diffuse, intensely increased uptake in this same region. Radiation therapy should be included in the differential diagnosis of increased bone marrow activity on 111In leukocyte images.

Aged↗

Gallium scintigraphy in a case of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, a relatively uncommon disease entity, frequently can be fatal. Early diagnosis is imperative in order that appropriate treatment be instituted. A 59-year-old woman who was admitted to our institution with complaints of diplopia, blurred vision and fevers that developed following a tooth extraction is presented. Initial CT and lumbar puncture on the day of admission were totally normal. A repeat CT performed 48 hours after admission, on the same day as gallium imaging, demonstrated findings consistent with cavernous sinus thrombosis. Gallium imaging demonstrated intense uptake in the left cavernous sinus and left orbit as well as moderately increased activity in the right cavernous sinus and orbit, confirming infection. The patient was treated with antibiotics, and repeat CT and gallium imaging were performed ten days later, both of which demonstrated near total resolution of the disease process. Conceivably, if gallium imaging had been initiated on the day of admission it may have been the first study to demonstrate an infectious process in the cavernous sinus. Gallium imaging should be considered as a diagnostic tool in the noninvasive workup of this entity.

Bacterial Infections↗

Primary intraspinal fibrosarcoma.

Fibrosarcomas of dura mater are very rare tumors representing only 0.5% of all central nervous system sarcomas. A higher incidence of dural fibrosarcomas has been reported in patients with neurofibromatosis. We present a case of spinal dura mater fibrosarcoma in a patient without neurofibromatosis. The diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in the clinical management is discussed.

Aged↗

Incidental diagnosis of pregnancy on bone and gallium scintigraphy.

Bone and gallium scintigraphy were performed as part of the diagnostic workup of a 21-yr-old woman who presented at our institution with a history of progressively worsening low back pain over a 1-wk period of time. The angiographic phase of the bone scan demonstrated a well-defined radionuclide blush within the pelvis just cephalad to the urinary bladder with persistent hyperemia noted in the blood-pool image. We attribute these findings to a uterine blush secondary to the pronounced uterine muscular hyperplasia, hyperemia, and edema that accompany pregnancy. Gallium scintigraphy demonstrated intense bilateral breast accumulation of the imaging agent in a typical doughnut pattern which is commonly found in the prelactating and lactating breast. Also demonstrated was apparent gallium accumulation in the placenta. This case is presented to emphasize the radionuclide findings that occur during pregnancy, particularly the incidental finding of radionuclide blush during the angiographic phase of a radionuclide scintigraphy which should alert the nuclear physician to the possibility of pregnancy in a woman of childbearing age.

Adult↗

Significance of single ventilation/perfusion mismatches in krypton-81m/technetium-99m lung scintigraphy.

The significance of a single area of ventilation/perfusion (V/P) mismatch in lung scans performed on patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE) was evaluated. Ten of 20 patients with this scan finding were found to have PE. An intermediate probability of PE was found with segmental (71%) or subsegmental (45%) single V/P mismatches. Seven of 16 patients with a single V/P mismatch and without a matching radiographic opacity had PE. Three of the four patients who had a V/P mismatch and a matching radiographic opacity were found to have PE. Multiview ventilation imaging with 81mKr was found to have advantages for the evaluation of single V/P mismatches. Based on the data available at this time, a single V/P mismatch suggests an intermediate probability of PE.

Adult↗