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Biomedical subjects

S Sostre

Publications and source records attributed to S Sostre.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Preoperative localization of occult medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland with single-photon emission tomography dimercaptosuccinic acid.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo thyroidectomy for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland (MTC) often have elevations of postoperative serum calcitonin levels, which are indicative of metastatic or residual disease. It has been extremely difficult to localize tumor in these patients with standard diagnostic studies such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging scans. Previous studies have suggested that planar technetium 99m (V) dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphic scans can localize MTC in these patients. We have recently increased the sensitivity of planar scintigraphic images by using single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). This study was performed to compare the sensitivity of planar DMSA scans with that of SPECT DMSA scans. METHODS: Two normal volunteers and three patients with occult MTC after previous total thyroidectomy underwent planar and SPECT DMSA scans. Each patient subsequently underwent surgical exploration based on the DMSA scans. RESULTS: Physiologic DMSA uptake was noted in the nasopharynx, axial skeleton, breast, liver, spleen, heart, kidneys, urinary bladder, great vessels, and skeletal muscles in both normal volunteers and patients with occult MTC. Planar DMSA scans and dynamic computed tomographic scans failed to localize MTC in any of these patients who had minimal disease. SPECT DMSA scans correctly localized cervical MTC in two of three patients, as proved by subsequent surgical resection. One patient who had a negative cervical exploration is presumed to have had a false-positive SPECT DMSA scan. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT DMSA scans appear to be a sensitive, safe, and noninvasive localization technique for patients with occult MTC who have undergone previous thyroidectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Lag phase in solid gastric emptying: comparison of quantification by physiological and mathematical definitions.

Lag phase is considered an important parameter of solid gastric emptying studies. However, different methodologies with their own normal values and physiologic implications are advocated for lag phase measurements. We applied both physiologic and mathematic approaches to quantify lag phases from identical image data sets for direct comparison of these two approaches. Gastric emptying studies were performed on 22 patients using a standard solid meal to calculate the lag phase in each using three different methods: (1) visual analysis to determine time when activity first appeared in the duodenum (LagPh); (2) time-activity curves to determine time of 2% decrease from peak stomach activity (LagCu); and (3) a mathematical definition using the modified power exponential method (TLAG). In addition, time of peak antral activity (AntPk) was calculated. The values for LagPh and LagCu were very similar (mean: 14.6 versus 15.2 min) and correlated well with each other (r = 0.89). TLAG using the power exponential showed different values (mean: 34.7 min) and correlated well only with AntPk (mean: 35.1 min; r = 0.92). We conclude that LagPh and LagCu estimate the time of onset of gastric emptying; the time when the smaller particles in the meal (< 1-2 mm) begin to leave the stomach (onset of variable emptying phase). On the other hand, TLAG and AntPk estimate total trituration time (time for most of meal to be processed) and signal the beginning of the constant gastric emptying phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Normalized clearance-to-uptake slope ratio: a method to minimize false-positive diuretic renograms.

The success of diuretic renography in the evaluation of children with renal outflow tract obstruction has been hampered by a high incidence of false-positive and indeterminate results. The main causes of interpretative errors are collecting system dilatation and impaired renal function. In this prospective study, we introduce a parameter with the potential to overcome these two problems: the normalized slope ratio (SRn). This ratio is calculated from the division of the maximum renal clearance slope by the maximum renal uptake slope, both normalized to peak renal activity. Fifty-one children (94 renal units) were evaluated. Traditional parameters such as diuretic half-time and percentage of retention at 30 min showed specificities of 77% and 85%, respectively. However, the normalized clearance slope increased specificity to 94% and SRn further improved it to 98%. The SRn takes into account the renal uptake curve, whose slope is dependent on glomerular function, and thus may correct for renal dysfunction. It also differentiates obstructed from patent kidneys even in cases with significant collecting system dilatation. As shown by regression analysis, it is independent of collecting system size. We recommend the routine use of this parameter to reduce false-positive and indeterminate results of diuretic renograms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Gallbladder response to a second dose of cholecystokinin during the same imaging study.

Patients on total parenteral nutrition or after prolonged fasting may require treatment with cholecystokinin (CCK) prior to hepatobiliary imaging. Some may also require evaluation of gallbladder (GB) contractility, and the need for a second dose of CCK may arise. It is not clear whether gallbladder function can be adequately evaluated with CCK when a previous CCK dose had already been administered. We studied ten normal subjects to evaluate GB response to a second CCK injection. The subjects received 20 micrograms/kg sincalide in a 3-min infusion prior to administration of technetium-99m disofenin. They then received an identical sincalide dose at 60 min postinjection, and imaging was continued for another 30 min to quantify GB contraction. Gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) values ranged from 42-98% (mean: 71.5 +/- 19%). Pretreatment with CCK does not preclude GB contraction evaluation with a second dose of CCK. Expected GBEF values are similar to those obtained with single CCK injections.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Factor analysis of regional cerebral glucose metabolic rates in healthy men.

Cerebral glucose utilization measured with fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose is characterized by considerable variability both among different persons and for the same person examined on different occasions. The goal of this study was to explore whether some regions of the brain were more variable than others with respect to glucose utilization and whether there was a pattern in their covariance. The global and regional cerebral utilization of glucose was measured in 12 healthy young volunteers on 3 or 4 occasions. In all, 24 regions were examined. The interrelation of the glucose utilization rates of the brain regions was investigated by factor analysis of the metabolic rates. Some 70% of the total variance was attributable to only 1 factor, while 80% of the total variance could be attributed to 2 factors. Regions making up the first factor were the frontal and temporal cortex, cingulate gyrus, caudate nucleus, thalamus and putamen. These regions are functionally related to the limbic system. Regions of the second factor were the parietal cortex, occipital cortex and cerebellum, regions more clearly related to sensory and motor functions. The 2-factor pattern was highly reproducible, being found with different algorithms for factor extraction and rotation. Under resting conditions, the variance of cerebral metabolism seems to be primarily related to regions which are closely involved with the limbic system. Cortical regions involved primarily in motor and sensory functions have less influence on the variance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The influence of biological and technical factors on the variability of global and regional brain metabolism of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose.

This study investigated the influence of biological and technical factors on variations of global and regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc) measured with 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG). Twelve male volunteers (22-40 years) were investigated on three or four occasions for a total of 42 studies. We calculated the variance/covariance of the following parameters: CMRglc, six parameters of the blood clearance of [18F]FDG, hour of injection, peak time of blood radioactivity, and six components of the operational equation (nonradioactive blood glucose concentration, brain radioactivity, two integrals, numerator, and denominator). There was correlation among these six components, except for nonradioactive blood glucose. However, the correlation between the CMRglc and the individual components of the operational equation was poor. The inter- and intrapersonal CMRglc coefficients of variations were 13.8 and 7.1%, respectively. In contrast, coefficients of variations of the numerator and denominator of the operational equation were 34.6 and 32.6%, respectively, and were always in the same direction. No correlation was found between CMRglc and the technical factors in the numerator and denominator of the operational equation. Factor analysis disclosed that a single factor was responsible for 70% of the variance. This factor included caudate, putamen, thalamus, frontal cortex, temporal cortex, and cingulate gyrus. These structures are involved with multiple complex functions, from autonomic motor control to behavior and emotions. The intrinsic metabolic variability of these structures, along with the basal metabolic processes that are continuously going on in the brain, may be the best explanation for the variance encountered in our investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Biliary tract complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: imaging and intervention.

Radiologic studies and interventional procedures were performed in a series of 13 patients with biliary complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the results were evaluated. Two categories of ductal complication--minor and major--were found. Minor complications (n = 6) included bile leaks and bilomas; these were managed with percutaneous techniques or simple surgical repair. Major complications (n = 8), consisting primarily of common hepatic duct injuries or strictures, were markedly resistant to percutaneous therapy, requiring major surgical repair (hepaticojejunostomy). Percutaneous treatment of recurrent strictures after primary repair was undertaken in three patients. Diagnostically, radionuclide imaging appeared most helpful in screening for biliary complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, supplemented by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography for definitive diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ionic iodinated contrast medium and amobarbital sodium mixtures: potential for precipitation.

When a small amount of diatrizoate meglumine, an ionic iodinated contrast medium, is left in a catheter system before injection of amobarbital sodium or when the contrast medium is intentionally mixed with amobarbital sodium, a potentially dangerous situation occurs. The authors showed in vitro that a dense precipitate forms in this situation. This is due to an acid-base reaction between the relatively acidic contrast medium and basic barbiturate and the subsequent formation of insoluble amobarbital.

Amobarbital↗
PubMed1992

A noninvasive test of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in postcholecystectomy patients: the scintigraphic score.

The ideal noninvasive test of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) does not exist and the diagnosis of patients with postcholecystectomy pain often relies on invasive procedures. In this paper we describe a scintigraphic test for SOD: the scintigraphic score. This score combines quantitative and visual criteria for interpretation of hepatobiliary scans. Twenty-six consecutive postcholecystectomy patients underwent hepatobiliary imaging, ERCP, and sphincter manometry. Twelve patients had SOD and 14 had normal sphincters determined by clinical findings, ERCP, and manometric studies. All patients with normal sphincter had scores of 0-4, while patients with SOD had values of 5-12 for a perfect sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Hepatobiliary scans scored in this fashion may become the noninvasive test of choice to screen postcholecystectomy patients with suspected SOD.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Sonographic diagnosis and grading of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

There is no ideal test for the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). The purpose of this study was to determine the type of information sonography provides in these patients. In 47 cases of HT we identified four distinct sonographic patterns which correlated with degree of disease severity. The higher patterns had larger glands, higher antithyroid antibody titers, lower T4 and higher TSH levels, and higher incidence of hypothyroidism. With sonography we were able to suspect the diagnosis in patients with goiter of unknown etiology, to measure gland size, identify patients with functional impairment, and predict which patients required treatment. No other single test provides so much information in patients with HT.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Failure of perchlorate to inhibit Tc-99m isonitrile binding by the thyroid during myocardial perfusion studies.

The thyroid gland receives an average radiation dose of 3 rads during two Tc-99m isonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion studies, if 20 mCi is administered both at rest and at peak exercise. In patients with coronary artery disease, multiple myocardial perfusion studies may be required, resulting in a high level of thyroid radiation. We attempted to reduce this radiation exposure by blocking thyroidal Tc-99m MIBI uptake with oral potassium perchlorate (KCIO4). Fourteen normal subjects received 0.6g to 0.8g KCIO4 20-25 minutes before tracer injection. Subjects who received KCIO4 at rest (n = 11) did not receive KCIO4 at their stress study, and vice versa (n = 3). Thyroid uptake values were obtained with a thyroid probe 20 minutes after injection for both rest and stress studies and were corrected for saturation effects. There was no difference between fractional thyroid uptake values with and without preceding perchlorate administration: 1.9 +/- 0.5% and 1.8 +/- 0.3% (mean +/- SD), respectively. Failure to block Tc-99m MIBI uptake after intravenous (IV) injection is probably due to high thyroidal blood flow and nonspecific tracer accumulation. The concentration of this radioisotope in adjacent muscles also contributes to the high thyroid radiation dose. In summary, administration of KCIO4 before Tc-99m MIBI studies does not reduce the thyroidal radiation dose or uptake of this tracer, suggesting that thyroidal uptake of this tracer is not mediated by the iodine trapping mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Global and regional cerebral metabolic rate of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose in the presence of ofloxacin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid a receptor antagonist.

We investigated the effects of ofloxacin, a new antibacterial quinolone gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor antagonist, on the global and regional cerebral metabolic rates of glucose (cMRgl). Twelve healthy normal male volunteers (mean age, 26.7 years) were studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol of 11 days' duration. Results of a total of 42 positron emission tomography studies were obtained for these subjects: 12 base line, 18 during placebo, and 12 during ofloxacin administration. The conditions under which repeat positron emission tomography studies of the same subject were performed were reproduced as closely as possible. cMRgl was measured in 24 brain regions. The global cMRgl for base line, placebo, and ofloxacin were 8.82 +/- 1.17, 8.24 +/- 1.17, and 8.79 +/- 1.18 mg/min/100 g, respectively (mean +/- 1 standard deviation). The mean global differences between base line and placebo and between ofloxacin and placebo were 5.1 and 6.6%, respectively. Analysis of variance of both the global and the regional cMRgl showed no statistical difference between base-line, placebo, and ofloxacin studies. Variations in cMRgl found in this study were not related to the presence of ofloxacin. Results of our study demonstrate that ofloxacin does not increase or decrease cMRgl beyond the limits of variability of the study.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Bowel visualization during indium-111-labelled diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid cisternography due to massive cerebrospinal fluid leak. Case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of massive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage where the tracer injected intra-thecally for radionuclide cisternography was later visualized in the bowel as well as the nasopharynx. We discuss the potential implications of this finding in patients with CSF leaks. A brief review of the diagnosis of CSF leaks is included.

Brain↗
PubMed1990

Gallium imaging of esophageal carcinoma: increased sensitivity with lateral views of the thorax.

Ga-67 imaging has not been very successful in the detection of esophageal carcinoma. In most reports, sensitivity for the primary tumor ranged from 25-61%, but imaging had been done only in anterior and posterior (A-P) projections. We performed gallium scans in 30 patients with esophageal carcinoma, adding lateral views to the routine A-P projections, to study the effect of lateral views on tumor detection. The A-P views detected only 57% of the tumors while the right lateral visualized 89%, and the left lateral detected 100%. Some lesions may be hidden by the sternum and the spine in the routine A-P views. Previous disappointments with Ga-67 imaging of esophageal carcinoma were probably due to this technical factor. Being gallium-avid, esophageal tumors deserve further studies with this agent to determine the role of Ga-67 imaging in this condition. These studies should be performed with multiple views of the thorax or, better yet, with SPECT imaging of the chest, to circumvent the problem of sternum and spine interference.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Diagnostic and functional implications of pelvocalyceal system nonvisualization on [99m]Tc-DTPA renal images.

Most functional abnormalities observed on 99mTc-DTPA renal images probably reflect GFR changes and the functional consequences of these changes. We have noted an unexplained failure of the pelvocalyceal system to visualize in some patients during the renal imaging sequence. This led us to study the relationship between pelvocalyceal nonvisualization and GFR, and to search for plausible explanations of the absent visualization. In 41 patients with combined renal imaging and GFR determinations, pelvecalyceal nonvisualization was seen only with GFR values below 20 ml/min. The sign was 100% sensitive and 100% specific predicting GFR less than 20 and serum creatinine above 2.9 mg/dl. In vitro studies revealed markedly reduced amounts of DTPA chelate in the urine of patients with GFR less than 20, but in addition they had decreased tubular water reabsorption leading to dilution of the already reduced urine chelate contents. The reduced amounts of 99mTc-DTPA per ml of pelvocalyceal urine may account for the nonvisualization of this system. It may be that the intensity of the pelvocalyceal system reflects the adequacy of both the GFR, and the water reabsorptive function of the renal tubules.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Dual-tracer scintigraphy and subtraction studies in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dual tracer scintigraphy (DTS) (technetium 99m [99mTc] sulfur colloid and gallium 67 citrate [67 gallium citrate]) of the liver and computer subtraction studies (SS) were performed in 26 patients subsequently proven to have hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 32 patients with cirrhosis and focal defects on the colloid scan, with no evidence for HCC after a complete evaluation and a 2-year follow-up period. Both DTS and SS had a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 90.6% for HCC. There were three false positive cases (9.4%), two of which were occult abscesses. The predictive value of a positive test was 89% and that of a negative test was 97%. The smallest tumor detected measured 2 cm in diameter and was only visualized with the SS. In the clinical setting, when HCC is suspected (a situation in which tumors are usually larger than 2 cm and the pretest probability of disease is between 20% and 60%) the DTS and SS is an excellent test for the diagnosis or exclusion of HCC. It does not appear to have a role in screening programs.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗