Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Radionuclide Generators”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources

[Clinical application of 99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl serum albumin in hepatobiliary disease].

A clinical study with 99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) was performed in 10 patients with hepatobiliary disease. In this study, scintigraphic data and images with 99mTc-GSA were compared with several serological liver function tests, the hepatic blood perfusion index and image quality using 99mTc-DTPA-human serum albumin (99mTc-HSA). Dynamic and serial hepatic images were obtained over a 20 min period after 99mTc-GSA injection, and time activity curves from the heart and liver were generated. The blood clearance index (HH15), and the hepatic uptake index (LHL15) were calculated from each curve of the heart and liver, respectively. In addition, using two compartment fitting, the blood clearance (KH1, KH2) index was calculated, and using exponential fitting, the hepatic uptake index (KL) was calculated. The mean HH15 in LC group and non-LC group was 0.81 +/- 0.05, 0.64 +/- 0.10, respectively. The mean LHL15 in LC group and non-LC group was 0.79 +/- 0.04, 0.91 +/- 0.06, respectively. There were significant differences between non-LC group and LC group in HH15, and LHL15, KH1 and KL. There were also significant correlations of KH1 with HH15, and KL with LHL15. Parameters of 99mTc-GSA showed significant correlations with various liver functions. 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy showed clearer liver images in hepatobiliary diseases than 99mTc-HSA. These results suggest that 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy is useful in estimating preserved liver function and hepatic morphology.

Adult↗

Tumor quantitation and monitoring in whole-body planar technetium-99m-sestamibi imaging.

UNLABELLED: We have developed a completely automatic software package to normalize, rigidly register and elastically match serial whole-body planar images from patients with limb tumors. Variations in tumor uptake and size are analyzed and quantitated by the software. METHODS: The software consists of a chain of modules incorporating several automatic algorithms. A rigid registration algorithm aligns images by translation and rotation based on feature points corresponding to the patient's neck and bladder. An elastic matching algorithm generates a grid for each image in a sequence by combining thresholding and local feature analysis in the head, torso and leg regions. A linear warping algorithm then interpolates pixel values and locations to make the grid points in all images coincide with the grid points of one of them (the reference image). All images in a sequence are normalized based on brain uptake. Quantitation of tumor uptake and size is performed in all images using an ROI automatically determined from a single user-selected seed point. RESULTS: The software was tested on four 2-image and one 3-image sequences from five patients (11 images). Quantitative measurements of body contour overlap show an average intrasequence agreement of 73.4%, 78.7% and 91.5% for unregistered, rigidly registered and rigidly registered + matched images, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our method represents an objective, quantitative tool to measure tumor activity in sequential whole-body scintigraphic images, and may help assess tumor response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Algorithms↗

Scintigraphic predictor of left ventricular size after acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between thallium-201 scintigraphic indices and left ventricular size after acute myocardial infarction. Forty-seven patients with acute myocardial infarction underwent rest-redistribution thallium-201 scintigraphy at 2 weeks and left ventriculography at 4 weeks, after the onset of myocardial infarction. Percent (%) fixed defect, %redistribution and %reverse redistribution, calculated as a percentage of whole left ventricular area, were quantified with computer-generated unfolded map method of the myocardial radioactivity. Despite no significant difference in peak plasma creatine phosphokinase between the two groups, patients with anterior myocardial infarction (28 patients) had larger %fixed defect (p < 0.01), which was associated with higher end-diastolic pressure (p < 0.05) and larger end-diastolic volume index (p < 0.01) than those with inferior myocardial infarction (19 patients). End-diastolic volume index was not related to %redistribution and %reverse redistribution, but there was a good relation between end-diastolic volume index and %fixed defect in anterior (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) and in inferior (r = 0.73, p < 0.001) myocardial infarction. However, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index in anterior myocardial infarction was larger than that of inferior myocardial infarction at any given %fixed defect. Thus, site as well as size of fixed defect at 2 weeks after the onset of acute myocardial infarction was related to left ventricular end-diastolic volume at chronic phase.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

A mathematical model of motion of the heart for use in generating source and attenuation maps for simulating emission imaging.

This manuscript documents the alteration of the heart model of the three-dimensional (3D) mathematical cardiac torso (MCAT) phantom to represent cardiac motion. The objective of the inclusion of motion was to develop a digital simulation of the heart such that the impact of cardiac motion on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging could be assessed and methods of quantitating cardiac function could be investigated. The motion of the gated 3D MCAT's (gMCAT) heart is modeled using 128 separate and evenly spaced time samples from a blood volume curve approximating an average heart cycle. Sets of adjacent time samples can be grouped together to represent a single time interval within the heart cycle. Maximum and minimum chamber volumes were selected to be similar to those of a normal healthy person while the total heart volume stayed constant during the cardiac cycle. Myocardial mass was conserved during the cardiac cycle and the bases of the ventricles were modeled as moving towards the static apex. The orientation of the 3D MCAT heart was changed during contraction to rotate back and forth around the long axis through the center of the left ventricle (LV) using the end systolic time interval as the time point at which to reverse direction. Simple respiratory motion was also introduced by changing the orientation of the long axis of the heart to represent its variation with respiration. Heart models for 24 such orientations spanning the range of motion during the respiratory cycle were averaged together for each time sample to represent the blurring of the heart during the acquisition of multiple cardiac cycles. Finally, an option to model apical thinning of the myocardium was included. As an illustration of the application of the gMCAT phantom, the gated heart model was evaluated by measuring myocardial wall thickening. A linear relationship was obtained between maximum myocardial counts and myocardial thickness, similar to published results. Similar results were obtained for full width at half maximum (FWHM) measurements. With the presence of apical thinning, an apparent increase in counts in the apical region compared to the other heart walls in the absence of attenuation compensation turns into an apparent decrease in counts with attenuation compensation. The apical decrease was more prominent in end systole (ES) than end diastole (ED) due to the change in the partial volume effect. These observations agree with clinical trends. It is concluded that the gMCAT phantom can be used to study the influence of various physical parameters on radionuclide perfusion imaging.

Artifacts↗

The use of radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies to human milk fat globule membrane antigens in antibody-guided tumour imaging, and administration of therapeutic dose of labelled antibody in wide-spread ovarian carcinoma. A preliminary report.

Monoclonal antibodies generated against human milk fat globule membrane antigens were used in antibody-guided tumour imaging and palliative therapy in a case of wide-spread ovarian carcinoma. Antibody III H 2, which previously has been shown to react with 100% of ovarian cystadenocarcinomas showed a strong reactivity with tissue sections obtained from the primary and metastatic tumours of the patient. Immunoglobulins were purified from mouse ascitic fluid containing III H 2 and labelled with 123I or 131I with the iodogen method. 80 MBq (2 mCi) of 123I-labelled antibody was given intraperitoneally in 500 ml of PBS and the uptake of radiolabel was followed daily with emission tomography. Radiolabel was mainly located in the peritoneal cavity; only a very low activity was seen in the thyroid gland and urinary bladder. A therapeutic dose consisting of 600 MBq (15 mCi) of 131I-labelled antibody was followed nine days later and the localization of the antibody was followed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Evidence for left ventricular remodeling after percutaneous coronary intervention: effect of percutaneous coronary intervention on left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes.

BACKGROUND: Post-stress ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes by gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) are well validated, reproducible and of prognostic significance. However, little is known about the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on left ventricular volumes and remodeling. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients who underwent MPS before and 6 months after PCI were evaluated. MPS were interpreted deriving summed stress (SSS), rest (SRS) and difference (SDS = SSS-SRS; extent of ischemia) scores. EF, EDV and ESV were generated by QGS trade mark. Pre-PCI MPS were compared to post-PCI MPS. RESULTS: Single vessel disease was present in 63% of patients. PCI of one vessel was performed in 82% of patients. After 6 months, SSS (10.6 +/- 6.3 vs. 2.8 +/- 4.3, p < 0.001) and SDS (8.2 +/- 5.6 vs. 1.4 +/- 2.3, p < 0.001) had improved; however, EF did not change significantly (55 +/- 10 vs. 57 +/- 13, p = ns). Still, EDV (105 +/- 25 ml vs. 96 +/- 25 ml, p = 0.006) and ESV (49 +/- 19 ml vs. 41 +/- 18 ml, p = 0.001) were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Results of MPS documented the beneficial effect of PCI on symptoms and extent of ischemia. In addition, the findings showed a significant decrease in ESV and EDV after PCI as compared to pre-PCI findings which points to a positive effect on left ventricular remodeling even in the absence of significant changes in EF.

Aged↗

Effects of irradiation on 99m Tc sestamibi and 201Tl uptake in a human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line.

Both 99mTc sestamibi and 201Tl have been used in conjunction with 131I scintigraphy for follow-up of patients with thyroid cancer. The aim of the study was to determine if irradiation affects tracer uptake in papillary thyroid cancer cells. The human papillary carcinoma cell line (PAP/ES-1) used in this study was generated from a papillary thyroid tumour obtained after surgery. For the in vitro uptake studies cells were seeded at 2 x 105 cells/well into 12-well microtitre plates. Irradiation was performed with a 60Co source (total dose, 2 Gy and 10 Gy). After incubation at 37 degrees C the supernatants were saved for determination of the unincorporated activity. The reaction was stopped by washing the cells four times in ice cold phosphate buffered saline. Total cellular uptake was determined by measuring cell lysate radioactivity in a Compugammasystem and was expressed as per cent uptake per mg of total cellular protein. At continuous incubation 201Tl uptake was significantly (P<0.01) higher after radiation whereas no effect of irradiation was found on 99mTc sestamibi uptake. Pulsed experiments revealed that irradiated cells displayed a faster 201Tl efflux. The net tracer retention at 90 min was similar to 201Tl to that of 99mTc sestamibi. We conclude that 99mTc sestamibi kinetics in thyroid cancer are not affected by irradiation and may therefore be superior to 201Tl in the follow-up of thyroid cancer shortly after radiotherapy.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Technetium bone scanning in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis: a meta-analysis of test performance. Diagnostic Technology Assessment Consortium.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic performance of technetium bone scanning in the setting of possible osteomyelitis in the foot of a patient who has diabetes or other vasculopathy. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. Data identification and study selection: To be eligible for inclusion, a report must have used intravenous technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate or a similar agent in humans over the age of 16 years, must have addressed possible osteomyelitis of the lower extremity with ulcer or soft-tissue inflammation in the setting of diabetes, neuropathy, or vasculopathy, and must have allowed the generation of a two-by-two table. A structured search of the MEDLARS database found 296 possibly eligible reports; ten met all the inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The reported sensitivity and specificity of each report were converted to their logistic transforms and a straight line was fitted by weighted least-squares regression. The line was then back-transformed to yield a summary receiver operating characteristic curve. The false-positive rate of the bone scan is at best in the range of 10 to 20%. This occurs at sensitivities between 70 and 80%. The studies with increased sensitivity also reported sizable increases in the false-positive rate ranging from 20 to over 90%. Even small increases in sensitivity have necessitated large sacrifices in specificity. Seven of the ten studies reported specificities under 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Published data defining the effectiveness of technetium bone scanning for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the impaired foot indicate relatively poor performance. In many clinical situations, the specificity of the bone scan will not be high enough to confirm the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.

False Positive Reactions↗

Nuclide imaging of vascular graft-platelet interactions: comparison of indium excess and technetium subtraction techniques.

Indium-111-labeled platelet adherence to ePTFE thoracoabdominal vascular prostheses in a canine model (n = 10) was quantitated by (1) an indium-111 excess technique, contrasting graft radioactivity to that in a reference region, and (2) a technetium-99m subtraction technique, with radioactivity of circulating platelets eliminated by discounting background blood activity. Variation in graft thrombogenicity was provided by seeding six prostheses with enzymatically derived autologous endothelial cells, and implanting four prostheses without seeding. Grafts were imaged at 1, 4, and 6 weeks postimplantation, with platelet labeling using indium-111-oxine and red blood cell labeling using technetium-99m. At 7 weeks grafts were excised and gamma activity was measured in proximal, middle, and distal segments. Luminal generation of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha from midportions of grafts was assayed. Indium-111 excess ratios at 6 weeks correlated with actual gamma activity of excised grafts (proximal r = 0.80, P less than 0.01; middle r = 0.73, P less than 0.05; distal r = 0.48, ns) but such a correlation did not exist for the technetium-99m subtraction technique (r = -0.05, -0.25, and 0.16, in the three segments, respectively, all ns). The ratio of graft to aortic TxB2 production revealed a positive correlation with graft gamma activity (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01), and the ratio of graft 6-keto-PGF1 alpha to TxB2 production also correlated with gamma counts (r = -0.64, P = 0.05). In this experimental setting technetium-99m subtraction analysis was an imprecise method of detecting graft platelet accumulation, whereas indium-111 excess ratios proved to be a more accurate method of quantitating vascular prosthetic thrombogenicity.

Animals↗

Control of radioactivity pharmacokinetics of 99mTc-HYNIC-labeled polypeptides derivatized with ternary ligand complexes.

An enhancement of the target/nontarget ratio of radioactivity levels enables reliable diagnosis and therapy using polypeptide radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the physicochemical properties of radiometabolites on the radioactivity pharmacokinetics after administration of 99mTc-labeled polypeptides using 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC). Four ternary ligands (L) [3-benzoylpyridine (BP), 3-acetylpyridine (AP), 3-nicotinic acid (NIC), pyridine (PY)] with different lipophilicity were selected as coligands for the preparation of 99mTc-HYNIC-polypeptides. Each of the ternary ligands tested provided 99mTc-HYNIC-labeled galactosyl-neoalbumin (NGA) and Fab fragments of high stability with high radiochemical purity. Moreover, after administration of each 99mTc-HYNIC-labeled NGA into normal mice, the respective ternary ligand [99mTc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(L) complexes were generated as final radiometabolites in the hepatic lysosome. The partition coefficients of [99mTc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(BP), [99mTc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(AP), [99mTc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(NIC), and [99mTc](HYNIC-lysine)(tricine)(PY) were determined to be -2.21, -2.37, -2.93, and -2.73, respectively. Elimination rates of these radiometabolites from the lysosome were enhanced in the order of increasing lipophilicity of the radiometabolites. After injection of the four 99mTc-HYNIC-labeled Fab fragments into normal mice, blood clearances of radioactivity were similar while radioactivity elimination rates from the kidney were enhanced in the order of increasing lipophilicity of the radiometabolites. The present study indicated that the lipophilicity of the radiometabolites constitutes one important factor affecting their elimination rates from the tissues. Thus, as ternary ligands facilitate alteration of the physicochemical properties of radiometabolites, the use of ternary ligand complexes might be applicable for controlling the pharmacokinetics of 99mTc-labeled polypeptides.

Albumins↗

99Tcm-sestamibi imaging of inhibition of the multidrug resistance transporter in a mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer.

Sestamibi is known to be a substrate for P-glycoprotein, the membrane transporter which confers multidrug resistance by pumping certain chemotherapeutic agents out of tumour cells. In this study, the utility of sestamibi imaging for detecting inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) function by two potent, second-generation chemosensitizers, PSC833 and GG918, was assessed in a mouse xenograft model of multidrug-resistant human breast cancer, MCF7-AdrR. Preliminary in vitro studies confirmed that MCF7-AdrR cells accumulate only low levels of sestamibi and that both sensitizers inhibit transporter function to a similar extent, resulting in 20-fold higher accumulation of sestamibi. MCF7-AdrR cells were grown as a xenograft in SCID mice and sestamibi kinetics in the tumour were analysed by dynamic imaging (30 frames at a rate of one frame per minute). Administration of either chemosensitizer produced a dose-dependent slowing of the efflux rate of sestamibi compared to untreated tumours. The same effect was evident in two additional parameters: percent activity remaining at 30 min determined by imaging and sestamibi levels measured in excised tissues. These results show that sestamibi imaging can detect inhibition of Pgp function and suggest that this approach could be used clinically to document effective delivery of chemosensitizers.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Nebulization associated with bi-level noninvasive ventilation: analysis of pulmonary radioaerosol deposition.

UNLABELLED: Nebulization associated with noninvasive ventilation is used in emergency services and intensive care units. PURPOSES: To compare pulmonary radioaerosol deposition during jet nebulization associated to noninvasive ventilation versus spontaneous breathing nebulization; to measure the rate of lung depuration and the correlation between lung deposition, inspiratory flow and tidal volume (V(t)) using scintigraphy. SUBJECTS: Thirteen healthy volunteers (with normal spirometry), mean age (23.3+/-1.49) years, body mass index 21.2+/-2.3 kg/m(2). METHODS: Nebulization was performed in spontaneous breathing and associated with bi-level noninvasive ventilation (inspiratory pressure=12 cm H(2)O, expiratory pressure=5 cm H(2)O). The radioaerosol used in the nebulization was technetium (Tc99m) with diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, generated over a period of 9 min in a jet nebulizer. Analysis was performed through scintigraphy. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance (for repeated measures), Bonferroni method, Student's t-test and Person's correlation. RESULTS: There was a decrease in radioaerosol lung deposition with nebulization associated to noninvasive ventilation (mean counts in spontaneous breathing 200,510+11,012 and mean counts in noninvasive ventilation 106,093+2811 (P<0.001). During spontaneous breathing nebulization there was a significant correlation between V(t) and radioaerosol deposition (r=0.565, P<0.05), also between inspiratory flow and radioaerosol deposition in the lungs (r=0.141, P<0.05). However, there was no correlation between V(t) and pulmonary deposition of radioaerosol in bi-level noninvasive ventilation nebulization (r=0.082). CONCLUSION: During nebulization with noninvasive ventilation in healthy volunteers, there was an increase in V(t) associated to a higher inspiratory flow rate, without resulting in a significant increase in pulmonary radioaerosol deposition.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Health and environmental impacts of increased generation of coal ash and FGD sludges. Report to the Committee on Health and Ecological Effects of Increased Coal Utilization.

This paper focuses on the incremental impacts of coal ash and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastes associated with increased coal usage by utilities and industry under the National Energy Plan (NEP). In the paper, 1985 and 2000 are the assessment points using the baseline data taken from the Annual Environmental Analysis Report (AEAR, September 1977). In each EPA region, the potential mix of disposal options has been broadly estimated and impacts assessed therefrom. In addition, future use of advanced combustion techniques has been taken into account. The quantities of coal ash and FGD wastes depend on ash and sulfur content of the coal, emission regulations, the types of ash collection and FGD systems, and operating conditions of the systems and boiler. The disposal of these wastes is (or will be) subject to Federal and State regulations. The one key legal framework concerning environmental impact on land is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA and related Federal and State laws provide a sufficient statutory basis for preventing significant adverse health and environmental impacts from coal ash and FGD waste disposal. However, much of the development and implementation of specific regulations lie ahead. FGD wastes and coal ash and FGD wastes are currently disposed of exclusively on land. The most common land disposal methods are inpoundments (ponds) and landfills, although some mine disposal is also practiced. The potential environmental impacts of this disposal are dependent on the characteristics of the disposal site, characteristics of the coal ash and FGD wastes, control method and the degree of control employed. In general, the major potential impacts are ground and surface water contamination and the "degradation" of large quantities of land. However, assuming land is available for disposal of these wastes, control technology exists for environmentally sound disposal. Because of existing increases in coal use, the possibility of significant environmental impacts, both regionally and nationally, exists regardless of whether the NEP scenario develops or not. Existing baseline data indicate that with sound control technology and successful development and implementation of existing regulatory framework, regional scale impacts are likely to be small; however, site-specific impacts could be significant and need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Both Federal and privately-funded programs are developing additional data and information on disposal of FGD sludges and coal ash. Continuation of these programs will provide additional vital information in the future. However, further information in several areas if desirable: further data on levels of radionuclides and trace metals in these wastes: studies on biological impacts of trace metals; and completion of current and planned studies on disposal problems associated with advanced combustion techniques like fluid bed combustion.

Coal↗

Multiple-gated acquisition cardiac blood-pool isotope imaging. Evaluation of left ventricular function correlated with contrast angiography.

Thirty-one patients were assessed by the multiple-gated acquisition cardiac blood-pool isotope-imaging technique using radiolabeled albumin within 24 hours of biplane contrast ventriculography. Data from the imaging method were analyzed by a semiautomatic technique with computer-generated edge detection and background subtraction. An excellent correlation was observed between ejection fractions determined with multiple-gated isotope imaging and those obtained by biplane contrast ventriculography (r = 0.93), and the same was true for average ejection rates (r = 0.80). For assessment of wall motion with this imaging technique, the anterior and the left anterior oblique left ventricular views were divided into nine segments, and a score was assigned to each segment based on the degree of wall motion. The cumulative anterior and left anterior oblique scores correlated well with the score from biplane contrast ventriculography (r = 0.90), and in 94% of segments in the left anterior oblique projection the assessment with multiple-gated isotope imaging was the same as or varied by only one class from the assessment by biplane contrast ventriculography. The multiple-gated acquisition cardiac blood-pool isotope-imaging technique is thus a valuable noninvasive method for assessing left ventricular function as measured by ejection fraction, ejection rates, and wall motion.

Adult↗

[Quantitative evaluation of regional myocardial blood flow by digital subtraction angiography: correlations with exercise electrocardiography and Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy].

We previously reported that the contrast disappearance half-life (T1/2) derived by the computerized washout analysis of digital subtraction coronary arteriograms provides a useful index for quantitatively evaluating regional myocardial blood flow. In the present study, we further evaluated the clinical usefulness of T1/2, comparing it with exercise electrocardiography and exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. The study subjects consisted of 25 patients with angina pectoris and 14 patients with normal coronary arteries. Following the manual injection of contrast media into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), a time-density curve was generated in the sectors of the myocardium which were perfused by the LAD and the T1/2 was calculated. T1/2 values correlated closely with double product (r = -0.73). They were significantly greater in patients with exercise-induced ST depression (8.3 +/- 1.0 vs 5.8 +/- 0.7, p less than 0.005). In addition, there was a good correlation between T1/2 values and washout ratio as determined by exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy, with r = -0.83. Although T1/2 values were within the normal range (mean +/- 2SD of control subjects) in all patients with LAD stenosis of 50 percent or less, these values were abnormally increased, exceeding the normal range, in 11 of the 12 patients with stenosis of 90 percent or more. Compared with exercise electrocardiography, T1/2 values were abnormally prolonged in 11 of the 13 patients with exercise-induced ST depression. Compared with exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy, T1/2 values were abnormally prolonged in seven of the nine patients with transient perfusion defects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angina Pectoris↗

Assessment of bone remodeling in the temporomandibular joint by serial uptake measurement of technetium 99m-labeled methylene diphosphonate with a cadmium telluride probe.

Regional uptake of technetium 99m-labeled methylene diphosphonate was measured serially over time to follow the healing course of surgically generated lesions, induced unilaterally in the condyles of beagles. A small portable cadmium telluride probe was used for radiation detection, with and without a gold collimator attached. Radioactivity was measured at six periarticular sites on both the operated and the contralateral control sides and expressed as a ratio with respect to a reference site over the sagittal suture. The use of a collimator was crucial to separate the activity associated with bone mineralization in the condylar head from that arising in the adjoining bones. The uptake in the condylar region increased 2 weeks after surgery and remained at a constant level above the presurgery baseline (p less than 0.05) until termination of the study (10 weeks). Postmortem histologic examinations confirmed the high bone turnover level by revealing newly formed bone as well as the presence of osteoclasts. The time course of nuclide uptake in the temporomandibular joint is different from the general pattern of rise and fall of activity displayed in other bones and indicates the persistence of bone remodeling processes during a prolonged period of at least 10 weeks.

Adult↗

Ultrasonographic contrast-enhanced study of sicca syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of US contrast-enhanced time-intensity curves to depict the changes connected with sicca syndrome, a fairly common condition that is often associated with autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome or other diseases. Diagnostic criteria are complex and controversial and although no single test can be considered the gold standard, salivary gland scintigraphy and biopsy are reliable diagnostic methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with sicca syndrome, 40 of whom had primary (n = 23) or secondary (n = 17) Sjogren's syndrome and 20 had non-Sjogren's sicca syndrome, selected according to European Community Study Group diagnostic criteria for Sjogren's syndrome and subjected to contrast-enhanced US imaging of the parotids using a second-generation contrast agent with analysis of time-intensity curves at rest and during salivary stimulation, Tc99m salivary gland scintigraphy and labial gland biopsy. RESULTS: In the 40 Sjogren's patients, US enhancement values were significantly lower (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.00003, respectively) than in the 20 non-Sjogren's patients both at rest and during stimulation. In the 23 subjects with the primary syndrome, values during stimulation were significantly lower than in the 17 subjects with the secondary syndrome (P < 0.0006), whereas at rest differences were not significant. Contrast-enhanced US imaging allowed to discriminate Sjogren's from non-Sjogren's sicca patients with 87.5% sensitivity, 85% specificity and 86.7% accuracy and the primary from the secondary syndrome with 78.2% sensitivity, 70.5% specificity and 75% accuracy. Interestingly, in eight patients with the primary syndrome, i.e. those with the more severe gland involvement, enhancement values were lower during stimulation than at rest. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results indicate that contrast-enhanced US imaging can provide useful information on sicca characterisation and severity.

Adult↗

Biodistribution and dosimetry of (iodine-123)-iodomethyl-N, N-diethyltamoxifen, an (anti)oestrogen receptor radioligand.

This study reports on the distribution and radiation dosimetry of iodine-123 labelled trans-Z-iodomethyl-N,N-diethyltamoxifen (123-ITX), a promising radioligand for prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of unlabelled tamoxifen in human breast carcinoma. Whole-body scans were performed up to 24 h after intravenous injection of 123-ITX (mean: 146 MBq, range: 142-148 MBq) in five female volunteers, four with and one without thyroid blockade. Blood samples were taken at various times up to 24 h after injection. Urine was also collected up to 24 h after injection, allowing calculation of renal clearance and interpretation of whole-body clearance. Time-activity curves were generated for the thyroid, heart, brain, breasts, liver and gallbladder by fitting the organ-specific geometric mean counts, obtained from regions of interest. The MIRD formulation was applied to calculate the absorbed radiation doses for various organs. The images showed rapid hepatobiliary excretion, resulting in good imaging conditions for the thoracic region, whereas imaging of the abdominal region was impeded by extensive bowel activity. The breast to non-specific uptake ratio increased over time. 123-ITX was cleared by both the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. At 50 h p.i. the mean excretion in the urine was 89.4% (SD 5.7%). If the thyroid was not blocked, it was one of the critical organs. The highest absorbed doses were received by the excretory organs, i.e. the urinary bladder wall, the lower and upper large intestine, and the gallbladder wall. The average effective dose of 123-ITX was estimated to be 0.0084 mSv/MBq. The amount of 123-ITX required for adequate imaging of tumoral uptake results in an acceptable effective dose to the patient.

Abdomen↗