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S K Libutti

Publications and source records attributed to S K Libutti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Role of tumor necrosis factor on toxicity and cytokine production after isolated hepatic perfusion.

PURPOSE: Isolated limb or liver perfusion with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan results in regression of advanced cancers in the majority of treated patients. However, the contribution of TNF to the efficacy of isolation perfusion with melphalan has not been demonstrated conclusively in random assignment trials. Furthermore, TNF is an inflammatory cytokine and may be associated with significant systemic and regional toxicity. This study was conducted to characterize the toxicity and secondary cytokine production attributable to TNF by comparing these parameters in patients undergoing isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) using melphalan with or without TNF. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty-two patients with unresectable colorectal cancer confined to the liver underwent a 60-min hyperthermic IHP using 1.5 mg/kg melphalan alone (n = 17) or with 1.0 mg of TNF (n = 15) with inflow via the gastroduodenal artery and outflow via an isolated segment of inferior vena cava. Complete vascular isolation was confirmed using the I-131 radiolabeled albumin-monitoring technique. Post-IHP parameters of hepatic and systemic toxicity and cytokine levels [TNF, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8] in perfusate and serum were measured. RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in perfusate at the end of the 60-min IHP were significantly higher in TNF-treated patients (P < or = 0.001). Peak systemic IL-6 and IL-8 levels post-IHP were also significantly higher in TNF-treated compared with non-TNF-treated patients (P < 0.0001) by 28- and 268-fold, respectively. The peak levels of these cytokines were associated with significantly lower systolic blood pressure and higher heart rate and mean pulmonary artery blood pressure in TNF-treated patients during the first 48 h post-IHP (P < or = 0.03). Serum bilirubin levels were significantly higher (P = 0.017) and platelets lower (P = 0.03) in TNF-treated compared with non-TNF-treated patients. However, elevations in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly different between groups and returned toward baseline within 1 week after IHP. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of TNF to melphalan during IHP results in significant differences in post-IHP production of IL-6 and IL-8 with associated changes in mean arterial blood pressure and greater regional toxicity, as reflected in higher levels of serum bilirubin. However, these measurable differences were transient and did not appear to be of major clinical consequence. Prior to its routine use, the benefit of TNF in isolation perfusion should be demonstrated in random assignment trials.

Adult↗

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) enhances the effect of TNF on tumor-associated vasculature.

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) was initially identified as a factor that may modulate the interaction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) with tumor vascular endothelium. Since the toxicity of TNF has continued to hamper its clinical use in cancer patients, investigators have developed a renewed interest in modulators such as EMAP II. Over a period of 25 years, investigations into the mechanism of antitumor action of TNF have yielded important observations concerning the role of the microvasculature as the target for TNF's activity. EMAP II was identified as an endothelial response mediator secreted by a highly TNF-sensitive tumor line, the Meth A fibrosarcoma. When used to treat tumors, either by systemic administration of recombinant protein or by gene transfer, EMAP II upregulates cellular receptors for TNF on endothelial cells and confers TNF sensitivity to tumors previously believed to be TNF-resistant. Potential mechanisms for EMAP II's selective effects on endothelial cells have been described. These include induction of endothelial cell apoptosis and upregulation of TNF receptor I (TNFR1). Other recent investigations have posited various physiological roles for EMAP II, ranging from the mediation of inflammation to the vascular remodeling that occurs during normal embryogenesis. EMAP II has generated interest as a modulator of TNF response for isolated whole-organ, isolated limb, or systemic perfusion. By enhancing the tumor vasculature response to TNF, EMAP II may enable lower, non-toxic doses of TNF to be used to clinical advantage.

Animals↗

Noise reduction in oncology FDG PET images by iterative reconstruction: a quantitative assessment.

UNLABELLED: Tumor detection depends on the contrast between tumor activity and background activity and on the image noise in these 2 regions. The lower the image noise, the easier the tumor detection. Tumor activity contrast is determined by physiology. Noise, however, is affected by many factors, including the choice of reconstruction algorithm. Previous simulation and phantom measurements indicated that the ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm may produce less noisy images than does the usual filtered backprojection (FBP) method, at equivalent resolution. To see if this prediction would hold in actual clinical situations, we quantified noise in clinical images reconstructed with both OSEM and FBP. METHODS: Three patients (2 with colon cancer, 1 with breast cancer) were imaged with FDG PET using a "gated replicate" technique that permitted accurate measurement of noise at each pixel. Each static image was acquired as a gated image sequence, using a pulse generator with a 1-s period, yielding 40 replicate images over the 10- to 15-min imaging time. The images were or were not precorrected for attenuation and were reconstructed with both FBP and OSEM at comparable resolution. From these data, images of pixel mean, SD, and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) could be produced, reflecting only noise caused by the statistical fluctuations in the emission process. RESULTS: Noise did not vary greatly over each FBP image, even when image intensity varied greatly from one region to the next, causing S/N to be worse in low-activity regions than in high-activity regions. In contrast, OSEM had high noise in hot regions and low noise in cold regions. OSEM had a much better S/N than did FBP in cold regions of the image, such as the lungs (in the attenuation-corrected images), where improvements in S/N averaged 160%. Improvements with OSEM were less dramatic in hotter areas such as the liver (averaging 25% improvement in the attenuation-corrected images). In very hot tumors, FBP actually produced higher S/Ns than did OSEM. CONCLUSION: We conclude that OSEM reconstruction can significantly reduce image noise, especially in relatively low-count regions. OSEM reconstruction failed to improve S/N in very hot tumors, in which S/N may already be adequate for tumor detection.

Algorithms↗

Generation of gene-modified T cells reactive against the angiogenic kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) found on tumor vasculature.

The destruction of newly forming tumor vasculature is a promising approach to inhibit tumor growth. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether human lymphocytes gene modified to express a chimeric receptor specific for the angiogenic endothelial cell receptor, KDR, could react against KDR(+) cells. Gene-modified lymphocytes specifically lysed KDR(+) cells and secreted cytokines in response to KDR(+) target cells including human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Anti-KDR lymphocytes induced HUVECs to secrete the chemokine interleukin 8 and upregulate the adhesion molecules VCAM and E-selectin, which may be important in the recruitment of further immune effector cells to tumor. These KDR-specific lymphocytes may be useful in the adoptive immunotherapy of a broad range of cancers by inducing immune-mediated destruction of tumor neovasculature.

CD28 Antigens↗

Progress in antiangiogenic gene therapy of cancer.

BACKGROUND: Because tumors require angiogenesis for growth, inhibiting angiogenesis is a promising strategy for treating cancer patients. Although numerous endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors have been discovered, the clinical evaluation of these agents has been hindered by high dose requirements, manufacturing constraints, and relative instability of the corresponding recombinant proteins. Therefore the delivery of these proteins using gene therapy has become increasingly attractive. METHODS: Based on their own antiangiogenic gene therapy research, the authors evaluated the published experience with antiangiogenic gene therapy models using the National Library of Medicine's PubMed search service and the reference lists of the publications cited. RESULTS: Greater than 40 endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis have been characterized. Thirteen have been employed in gene therapy models, all of which showed antitumor activity in experimental animals. Other approaches have inhibited the expression or activity of proangiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor. The ideal gene delivery vector would target tumor tissue preferentially to minimize systemic toxicity of the transgene product. However, the low toxicity profile of endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis has allowed the success of systemic antiangiogenic gene therapy in a number of preclinical models, in which normal host tissues act as a "factory" to produce high circulating concentrations of antiangiogenic proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Difficulties with the large-scale use of antiangiogenic agents have hindered their investigation in clinical trials. Antiangiogenic gene therapy offers the potential for cancer patients to manufacture their own antiangiogenic proteins. This strategy has been increasingly successful in preclinical models and represents an exciting new approach to cancer therapy.

Animals↗

The angiogenesis inhibitor, endostatin, does not affect murine cutaneous wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Endostatin is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, which is currently being used in Phase I trials as an antitumor agent. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endostatin has an effect on wound healing in a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The function of endostatin was confirmed using a human microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) proliferation assay in which cells are treated for 4 days with growth media plus or minus endostatin. Full-thickness incisions were made on the dorsum of athymic nude mice and closed primarily with skin staples. PVA sponges were implanted in some wounds to determine vascular ingrowth. Subsequently, mice were treated with recombinant human endostatin at 20 mg/kg/day or 50 mg/kg/dose BID versus control for a total of 14 days. On Days 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16, three mice per group had serum samples drawn and were sacrificed. Perpendicular breaking strength (N) was determined using an Instron 5540 tensometer. Wound strength was determined by dividing breaking strength by wound area (N/cm(2)). Vascular density in sponges was determined using CD31 immunohistochemistry. Serum endostatin concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. RESULTS: Endostatin caused a significant reduction of endothelial cell proliferation after 4 days compared to media alone (72%, P = 0.031). At all time points tested, there was no statistical difference in the wound-breaking strength between endostatin and control-treated mice at either the low or high dose. Serum endostatin levels were consistently 10-fold higher in endostatin-treated mice than in controls. No differences in vascular density were seen in endostatin versus control-treated mice as determined by CD31 immunohistochemistry of PVA sponges. CONCLUSION: Therapy with human endostatin does not induce a significant decrease in breaking strength of cutaneous wounds in mice.

Animals↗

Antiangiogenic gene therapy of cancer utilizing a recombinant adenovirus to elevate systemic endostatin levels in mice.

Gene therapy represents a possible alternative to the chronic delivery of recombinant antiangiogenic proteins to cancer patients. Inducing normal host tissues to produce high circulating levels of these proteins may be more effective than targeting antiangiogenic genes to tumor tissue specifically. Previously reported gene therapy approaches in mice have achieved peak circulating endostatin levels of 8-33 ng/ml. Here we report plasma endostatin levels of 1770 ng/ml after administration of a recombinant adenovirus. Growth of MC38 adenocarcinoma, which is relatively resistant to adenoviral infection, was inhibited by 40%. These findings encourage gene delivery approaches that use the host as a "factory" to produce high circulating levels of antiangiogenic agents.

Adenoviridae↗

Endostatin inhibits microvessel formation in the ex vivo rat aortic ring angiogenesis assay.

Endostatin has demonstrated potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity in mouse models. We have investigated the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay and a human vein model to assess the biological activity of murine and human endostatin. Rat aortic rings were exposed to recombinant murine endostatin (Spodoptera frugipera; Calbiochem, San Diego, CA) or recombinant human endostatin (Pichia pastoris; EntreMed, Rockville, MD). After 5 days, murine endostatin (500 microgram/ml) demonstrated inhibition of microvessel outgrowth with dose-dependent effects (down to 16 microgram/ml). No significant inhibition was observed with human endostatin in the rat assay. Human endostatin at 250 and 500 microgram/ml inhibited outgrowths from human saphenous vein rings after a 14-day incubation. Electron microscopy assessed the formation of basal lamina, confirming that the microvessels were progenitors of patent vessels. Immunostaining for Factor VIII or CD34 demonstrated that the microvessel cells were endothelial. BrdU incorporation assays supported the presence of proliferating endothelial cells, correlating with neovascularization from the aortic wall. We conclude that the rat aortic ring assay confirms the antiangiogenic activity of murine but not human endostatin, suggesting that the model may have species specificity. However, the human form shows biological activity against human vascular tissue.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Tumour necrosis factor receptor I (p55) is upregulated on endothelial cells by exposure to the tumour-derived cytokine endothelial monocyte- activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II).

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide-II (EMAP-II) is an inflammatory cytokine known to have a role in neutrophil and macrophage chemotaxis and in apoptosis. It is a tumour-derived cytokine that sensitizes tumour vasculature to the effects of systemic TNF. In order to gain insight into the mechanism by which EMAP-II sensitizes vessels to TNF, we focused on its effects on TNF receptor expression. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), TNF-R1 mRNA is increased four-fold following incubation with recombinant EMAP-II. Conditioned media from cell lines known to produce high levels of EMAP-II upregulated TNF-R1 but not TNF-R2 by up to twenty-fold compared to media controls and low expressing cell lines; this effect was blocked by anti-EMAP-II antibody. Recombinant EMAP-II upregulated TNF-R1 expression by approximately six-fold. Analysis of HUVEC lysates by ELISA showed increased expression of TNF-R1 within 2 h; TNF-R2 expression was unaffected by recombinant EMAP-II. Finally, immunohistochemistry of human melanomas in vivo showed that TNF-R1 staining is increased on the vessels of tumours known to express high levels of EMAP-II compared to low EMAP-II expressing tumours. These results suggest that EMAP-II upregulates TNF-R1 expression by endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. This induction of TNF-R1 expression may be the mechanism by which EMAP-II sensitizes tumour endothelium to the effects of TNF leading to haemorrhagic necrosis.

Animals↗

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II induces endothelial cell apoptosis and may inhibit tumor angiogenesis.

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II) is a tumor-derived cytokine with potent effects on endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo including upregulation of tissue factor and the sensitization of human melanoma to systemic TNF treatment via its effects on the tumor vasculature. We investigated the effects of EMAP-II on tumor growth, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and apoptosis. EMAP-II inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, vasculogenesis, and neovessel formation. In vivo growth of human melanoma lines expressing high amounts of EMAP-II demonstrated slower growth, smaller tumors, and increased amounts of tumor necrosis than those expressing lower amounts of EMAP-II. EMAP-II induced endothelial-cell-specific apoptosis via a pathway that includes upregulation of the Fas-associated death domain and downregulation of Bcl-2. EMAP-II appears to have important effects on angiogenesis and may play a role in regulating tumor vascular growth.

3T3 Cells↗

Histopathology and molecular genetics of multiple cysts and microcystic (serous) adenomas of the pancreas in von Hippel-Lindau patients.

Microcystic adenoma and cysts of the pancreas occur sporadically or as a part of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. The pathology of pancreatic cystic disease in VHL patients has not been well characterized. Furthermore, it is presently unknown whether the alteration of the VHL gene is responsible for the development of the entire spectrum of pancreatic serous cystic lesions. We performed a histopathological analysis of 21 cysts and 98 microcystic adenomas in nine VHL patients with a known germline mutation. In addition, PCR-amplified DNA from 27 pancreatic cystic lesions in three informative patients was studied for allelic deletions with polymorphic markers spanning the VHL gene locus. In all patients, pancreatic lesions were multiple: 21 benign serous cysts, 63 microscopic microcystic adenomas (size <0.4 cm), and 35 macroscopic microcystic adenomas (size >0.5 cm). The average number of lesions per patient was 2.1 benign cysts (range, 0-8), 7.7 (1-37) microscopic microcystic adenomas, and 3 (0-21) macroscopic microcystic adenomas. All lesions showed similar histology and contained prominent fibrous stroma, clear and/or amphophilic, glycogen-rich epithelial cells, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. VHL deletions were detected in all types of pancreatic cystic lesions. The presence of VHL gene allelic deletions in the spectrum of multifocal pancreatic cystic lesions provides direct molecular evidence of their neoplastic nature and integral association with VHL disease. The histopathological and molecular data establish a serous cyst-microcystic adenoma continuum in the development of pancreatic cystic neoplasia in VHL disease.

Adenoma↗

Ferumoxide-enhanced MRI in patients with colorectal cancer and rising CEA: surgical correlation in early recurrence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of Ferumoxide-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the detection of hepatic metastases in high-risk patients treated for colorectal cancer that have rising CEA. We used 19 patients treated previously for colorectal cancer with rising CEA levels underwent an unenhanced T(1)-weighted (T1W), T(2)-weighted (T2W), STIR, and Ferumoxide-enhanced hepatic MRI. Following these studies, a laparotomy was performed and the liver was evaluated by palpation and intraoperative ultrasound. Two observers who were blinded to surgical results evaluated each MR sequence separately. The number of lesions considered highly suspicious for metastatic lesions were determined for each sequence and were compared to the results of surgery. The McNemar test was used to compare the outcomes of the different sequences. MR Imaging was unable to detect small (<5 mm) metastases discovered at surgery. The best non-contrast sequences for detecting metastases were the STIR with 42% sensitivity, 83% specificity and an overall accuracy of 56% and the T1W sequence (sensitivity 38%, specificity 100%, accuracy 57%), which were not significantly different (p 0.4). The noncontrast T2W sequence had a sensitivity of 29% and a specificity of 77% with an overall accuracy of 46%. When all pre contrast scans were grouped together the common sensitivity was 42%, specificity was 77% and accuracy was 54%. The post-ferumoxide T(2)W scans had a sensitivity of 42%, specificity of 85%, and accuracy of 57%, but did not detect any additional lesions. There was no statistical difference between the pre- and post-contrast studies with regard to identifying patients with metastatic disease (p 0.1). In conclusion, we found small hepatic metastases in patients with early signs of recurrent colorectal cancer are difficult to detect on MRI. Ferumoxide-enhanced MRI was unable to detect additional hepatic metastases and performed no better than unenhanced MRI in detecting small hepatic metastasis.

Adult↗

Measuring tumor blood flow with H(2)(15)O: practical considerations.

The ability to measure blood flow to tumors non-invasively may be of importance in monitoring tumor therapies, assessing drug delivery, and understanding tumor physiology. Of all the radiotracer methods that have been proposed to measure tumor blood flow, the method based on labeled water-H(2)(15)O-may be the most applicable to tumors. It is highly diffusible, does not participate significantly in metabolic processes during the short times involved in the study, and its uptake and clearance can be easily modeled. We present here an analysis of the bolus injection water methodology and how it might best be used to monitor tumor blood flow. Several different formulations of the basic methodology, based on previous applications in the heart and brain, are discussed. Potential problems of adapting these previous methodologies to tumor blood flow are presented.

Humans↗

Technique and results of hyperthermic isolated hepatic perfusion with tumor necrosis factor and melphalan for the treatment of unresectable hepatic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: For a variety of histologies, the liver represents the only or the dominant site of metastatic disease. Regional treatment of the liver has the theoretic advantage of maximizing drug delivery while minimizing systemic toxicity. This article describes the technique of isolated hepatic perfusion using tumor necrosis factor and melphalan under conditions of moderate hyperthermia for the treatment of unresectable liver tumors. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty patients with biopsy-proved unresectable primary or metastatic cancer to the liver were treated. Isolated hepatic perfusion was performed for 60 minutes under conditions of moderate hyperthermia during a laparotomy with inflow through the gastroduodenal artery and outflow through an isolated segment of inferior vena cava. During isolated hepatic perfusion portal and infrahepatic blood flow were shunted externally by a centrifugal pump to the axillary vein. Complete vascular isolation was confirmed intraoperatively using a continuous 131I-labeled serum albumin leak monitoring system. Operative and perfusion parameters were recorded. RESULTS: By using a standard operative technique to achieve complete vascular isolation of the liver during perfusion, there was no leak ofperfusate detected in 48 of 50 patients as determined by the continuous leak monitoring system and absence of detectable systemic tumor necrosis factor levels. Operating time, transfusion requirements, and blood loss were within the range expected for a major operative procedure. Stable hemodynamic and perfusion parameters were achieved consistently and all patients successfully completed the 60-minute perfusion. Two patients (4%) died as a result of treatment and significant tumor regression was observed in 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated hepatic perfusion is a technique that can be used to deliver high doses of chemotherapy or biologic therapy regionally and without systemic exposure. By using a standard operative technique, continuous intraoperative leak monitoring, and an external veno-veno bypass circuit, this procedure can be done safely and with acceptable morbidity and mortality. This article demonstrates that sustained and complete vascular isolation of the liver can be achieved and indicates further study is warranted to better define the role of isolated hepatic perfusion in the treatment of unresectable liver tumors.

Adult↗

Vaccinia as a vector for tumor-directed gene therapy: biodistribution of a thymidine kinase-deleted mutant.

Tumor-directed gene therapy, such as "suicide gene" therapy, requires high levels of gene expression in a high percentage of tumor cells in vivo to be effective. Current vector strategies have been ineffective in achieving these goals. This report introduces the attenuated (thymidine kinase (TK)-negative) replication-competent vaccinia virus (VV) as a potential vector for tumor-directed gene therapy by studying the biodistribution of VV in animal tumor models. A TK-deleted recombinant VV (Western Reserve strain) expressing luciferase on a synthetic promoter was constructed. Luciferase activity was measured in vitro after transduction of a variety of human and murine tumor cell lines and in vivo after intraperitoneal (i.p.) delivery in C57BL/6 mice with 7-day i.p. tumors (10(6) MC-38 cells). Three other in vivo tumor models were examined for tumor-specific gene expression after intravenous delivery of VV (human melanoma in nude mice, adenocarcinoma liver metastasis in immunocompetent mice, and subcutaneous sarcoma in the rat). In addition, a replication-incompetent vaccinia (1 microg of psoralen and ultraviolet light, 365 nm, 4 minutes) was tested in vitro and in vivo and compared with active virus. Luciferase activity in i.p. tumors at 4 days after i.p. injection of VV was >7000-fold higher than lung, >3000-fold higher than liver, and >250-fold higher than ovary. In addition, intravenous injection of VV resulted in markedly higher tumor luciferase activity compared with any other organ in every model tested (up to 188,000-fold higher than liver and 77,000-fold higher than lung). Inactivation of the virus resulted in negligible gene expression in vivo. In summary, VV has a high transduction efficiency in tumor cells with high levels of gene expression. The results suggest a selective in vivo replication of TK-deleted VV in tumor cells. Replication competent, TK-deleted VV appears to be an ideal vector for testing the in vivo delivery of toxic genes to tumor cells.

Animals↗

Complex interactions between the replicating oncolytic effect and the enzyme/prodrug effect of vaccinia-mediated tumor regression.

Replicating viruses for cancer gene therapy have beneficial antitumor effects, however, in the setting of an enzyme/prodrug system, the interactions between these viruses and the activated agents are complex. A replicating vaccinia virus expressing the cytosine deaminase gene (VVCD), which converts the prodrug 5-FC into 5-FU, was characterized in vitro and in vivo for its antitumor effects and pathogenicity. Replicating VVCD (+/-5-FC) at various MOIs was used to infect MC38 murine colon adenocarcinoma cells. At high MOIs (>0.1) virus alone was able to kill the majority (65-90%) of cells by day 5 with no additional benefit from prodrug. At low MOIs only the effect of prodrug is seen. Cell lysates demonstrated 300-fold reduced viral recovery from cells treated with both VVCD and 5-FC compared with controls treated with virus alone. Nude mice bearing subcutaneous MC38 tumors were injected with VVCD (or control) and treated with 5FC or control. Mice injected with VVCD (with or without 5FC treatment) had smaller tumors than the controls, suggesting that replicating vaccinia alone is cytotoxic to tumors in vivo. The addition of 5-FC improved the antitumor response when a low dose of virus was injected into tumors. Also, compared with mice that received virus alone, those that received VVCD and 5FC had significantly prolonged survival from virus-mediated death. In conclusion, the addition of an enzyme/prodrug system to a replicating virus can improve the antitumor response and decrease viral pathogenicity. Gene Therapy (2000) 7, 1217-1223.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ultrasound and sestamibi scan as the only preoperative imaging tests in reoperation for parathyroid adenomas.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to determine an efficient algorithm for the evaluation of patients with parathyroid adenomas in the reoperative setting, we explored the combination of using ultrasound scans (US) and sestamibi scintigraphy as the only preoperative imaging tests. METHODS: We analyzed the outcomes of 62 consecutive patients who were treated between January 1995 and May 1999 and who were referred for persistent primary hyperparathyroidism after initial surgical exploration, at which time no abnormal parathyroid glands had been found. Although all patients underwent US, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and sestamibi scan, we analyzed the success of localization and reoperation using only the results of US and sestamibi scan. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (98%) underwent curative reoperations. The sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy for US were 90%, 86%, and 84%, respectively; the corresponding values for sestamibi imaging were 78%, 94%, and 74%, respectively. In 58 of 62 cases (94%) preoperative US and/or sestamibi scan accurately identified the adenoma. In 3 patients for whom combined US and sestamibi scan were inaccurate, 1 adenoma was found by intraoperative US in the strap muscle; 1 adenoma was found by blind cervical thymectomy, and 1 adenoma was found by planned sternotomy that was based on computed tomography findings. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports an algorithm of obtaining US and sestamibi scan as the initial and perhaps only preoperative localization tests for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism after failed operation, at which time no abnormal glands had been found.

Adenoma↗