OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the potential prognostic value of radiomic texture analysis and metabolic-volumetric parameters obtained from positron emission tomography (PET) in primary mass and metasta...OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the potential prognostic value of radiomic texture analysis and metabolic-volumetric parameters obtained from positron emission tomography (PET) in primary mass and metastatic hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes in stage 2-3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Images of patients diagnosed with stage 2-3 NSCLC who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for staging up to 4 weeks before the start of treatment were evaluated using LIFEx software. Volume of interest (VOI) was generated from the primary tumor and metastatic lymph node separately, and volumetric and textural features were obtained from these VOIs. The relationship between the parameters obtained from PET of primary mass and the metastatic hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed. RESULTS: When radiomic features, gender and stage obtained from lymph nodes were evaluated by Cox regression analysis; GLCM_correlation (p: 0.033, HR: 4,559, 1.660-12.521, 95% CI), gender and stage were determined as prognostic factors predicting OS. In predicting PFS; stage, smoking and lymph node MTV (p: 0.033, HR: 1.008, 1.001-1.016, 95% CI) were determined as prognostic factors. However, the radiomic feature of the primary tumor could not show a significant relationship with either OS or PFS. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective cohort of NSCLC patients with Stage 2 and 3 disease, volumetric and radiomic texture characteristics obtained from metastatic lymph nodes were associated with PFS and OS. Tumor heterogeneity, defined by radiomic texture features of 18 F-FDG PET/CT images, may provide complementary prognostic value in NSCLC.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy of integrated assessment of [F]F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI on the early detection of local recurrence (LR) for prostate cancer patients with PSA levels <0.5ng/ml after radical prostatectomy. To...OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy of integrated assessment of [F]F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI on the early detection of local recurrence (LR) for prostate cancer patients with PSA levels <0.5ng/ml after radical prostatectomy. To assess the location of recurrence so that therapy may be tailored to patient. METHODS: Prospective study including 35 patients with prostate cancer (PCa), who were referred for a [F]F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR after prostatectomy with a very initial PSA value increase (PSA<0,5ng/ml). Simultaneous acquisition in a PET/MRI hybrid equipment (SIGNA-GE), 1h after administration of 370%±10% MBq of [F]F-PSMA-1007: Prostate selective imaging (20min): multiparametric PET+MRI (MRImp): DIXON, T1, T2, diffusion sequences post-gadolinium administration. Whole body image (30min): PET+MRI: DIXON, T1, T2, diffusion, STIR sequences. A nuclear physician and a radiologist jointly reviewed the studies: In order to assess LR, the "Prostate Imaging for Recurrence Reporting" system was used on MRI, as well as the Likert scale on the PET prostate imaging. The remaining lesions were classified as N1 and M1a. RESULTS: PET/MRI was positive in 25 patients (71,4%) and negative in 10 patients (28,6%). RL was detected in 15 patients (42.9%): in 2 (5.7%) MRI was superior; in 3 (8.6%) PET was superior; integrated PET/MRI showed improved results in 5 patients (14.3%) for the detection of LR. Location of recurrences: LR in 11 patients (44.0%); N1 in 10 (40.0%); LR+N1 (8.0%) in 2; LR+N1+M1a in 2 (8.0%). In 20 patients (80%) the PET/MRI findings allowed radioguided radiotherapy implementation (11 on LR, and 9 on N1), whereas hormonal treatment was decided in 5 patients (20%) due to multimetastases/spread disease. CONCLUSION: [F]F-PSMA-1007 PET/MRI has a 71.4% recurrence detection rate after prostatectomy with PSA<0.5ng/ml. Its combined PET and MRI study increases the detection of LR by 14.3%, with a high N1+M1a detection rate (56%), allowing radioguided radiotherapy in 80% of patients.
INTRODUCTION: Patient safety is paramount in providing quality healthcare and constitutes a global concern for healthcare systems. Radioiodine treatment to patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer is not without...INTRODUCTION: Patient safety is paramount in providing quality healthcare and constitutes a global concern for healthcare systems. Radioiodine treatment to patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer is not without risks. The aim of this study is to identify, evaluate and mitigate the risks associated with this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre descriptive study was conducted in which risk management was carried out by establishing a risk map using FMEA methodology. RESULTS: Based on the process map 6 sub-processes and 23 failure modes in the three phases of the treatment process were analysed. According to risk priority number (RPN), the sub-process with the highest risk was administrative management (RPN 82), followed by treatment per se and post-treatment imaging (both with RPN 70). An overall process RPN of 300 (156 pre-treatment, 74 treatment and 70 post-treatment) was obtained. Failures directly related to the patient pose a high risk. The implementation of verification systems, performing tasks earlier and providing quality medical information are the most relevant preventive measures to be implemented. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the FMEA methodology in the risk management for radioiodine treatment is a valuable tool for improving the quality and safety of this process. The risk map has been able to identify failures at different stages, assess their causes and effects, prioritise the risks identified and implement preventive and corrective measures that can be monitored, ensuring the effectiveness of the actions taken.
In recent years, concern about the effects of ionizing radiation on exposed individuals has led to the need to regulate and quantify the use of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Geopolitical events in recent times h...In recent years, concern about the effects of ionizing radiation on exposed individuals has led to the need to regulate and quantify the use of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Geopolitical events in recent times have also increased the population's perception of insecurity regarding ionizing radiation, and we increasingly face patients reluctant to undergo certain types of scans in our nuclear medicine services and, albeit less frequently, in radiology services. This article aims to summarise the extent to which ionizing radiation is present in our daily lives and how diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can affect our health, particularly from the perspective of their effects on the thyroid gland, one of the body's most radiation-sensitive organs.
PURPOSE: The main purpose is to evaluate the safety, and efficacy of Lutetium labeled macroaggregated albumin (LUTMA) ablation of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with confirmed benign nodules who were no...PURPOSE: The main purpose is to evaluate the safety, and efficacy of Lutetium labeled macroaggregated albumin (LUTMA) ablation of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with confirmed benign nodules who were not candidate or did not accept surgery were enrolled. Under ultrasonography (USG) guidance, LUTMA which was produced in our department, was administered into the nodules. Nodule volumes were assessed via USG before the injection and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-months post-treatment. We calculated the volume reduction rates (VRRs) for these intervals. To detect extranodular activity leakage, patients underwent SPECT/CT imaging at one hour, 24 h, and one week post-injection. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (male: 12, female: 3) with benign thyroid nodules were eligible to join this study. These nodules were categorized as cystic (n = 9), solid (n = 3), or mixed (n = 3). Median nodules volume was 6.59 ml (range: 0.56-55 ml). Predicted absorbed dosee to the nodules varied between 10-1036 Gy. The VRRs at 3 months was 85% for all nodule types with gradual increases over time: 0%-92%, 20%-97%, and 28%-98% at 1 week, 1 month, and 3-months, respectively. The median VRR of cystic nodules was 89% (range: 81%-98%) at 3-months. It is significantly higher than solid ones (P = .009). None of the patients experienced adverse reactions or discomfort during the injection or follow-up. CONCLUSION: LUTMA treatment significantly reduces the volume of benign thyroid nodules, offering relief from disease-associated symptoms and cosmetic concerns. It emerges as a promising alternative to surgical and other local treatments for benign thyroid nodule ablation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICATION: LUTMA is a novel theranostic radiopharmaceutical which is promising in local ablative treatment of benign thyroid nodules.
PURPOSE: Searching for online health information is a popular approach employed by patients to enhance their knowledge for their diseases. Recently developed AI chatbots are probably the easiest way in this regard. The p...PURPOSE: Searching for online health information is a popular approach employed by patients to enhance their knowledge for their diseases. Recently developed AI chatbots are probably the easiest way in this regard. The purpose of the study is to analyze the reliability and readability of AI chatbot responses in terms of the most commonly applied radionuclide treatments in cancer patients. METHODS: Basic patient questions, thirty about RAI, PRRT and TARE treatments and twenty-nine about PSMA-TRT, were asked one by one to GPT-4 and Bard on January 2024. The reliability and readability of the responses were assessed by using DISCERN scale, Flesch Reading Ease(FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level(FKRGL). RESULTS: The mean (SD) FKRGL scores for the responses of GPT-4 and Google Bard about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatmens were 14.57 (1.19), 14.65 (1.38), 14.25 (1.10), 14.38 (1.2) and 11.49 (1.59), 12.42 (1.71), 11.35 (1.80), 13.01 (1.97), respectively. In terms of readability the FRKGL scores of the responses of GPT-4 and Google Bard about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatments were above the general public reading grade level. The mean (SD) DISCERN scores assesses by nuclear medicine phsician for the responses of GPT-4 and Bard about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatments were 47.86 (5.09), 48.48 (4.22), 46.76 (4.09), 48.33 (5.15) and 51.50 (5.64), 53.44 (5.42), 53 (6.36), 49.43 (5.32), respectively. Based on mean DISCERN scores, the reliability of the responses of GPT-4 and Google Bard about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT, and TARE treatments ranged from fair to good. The inter-rater reliability correlation coefficient of DISCERN scores assessed by GPT-4, Bard and nuclear medicine physician for the responses of GPT-4 about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatments were 0.512(95% CI 0.296: 0.704), 0.695(95% CI 0.518: 0.829), 0.687(95% CI 0.511: 0.823) and 0.649 (95% CI 0.462: 0.798), respectively (p < 0.01). The inter-rater reliability correlation coefficient of DISCERN scores assessed by GPT-4, Bard and nuclear medicine physician for the responses of Bard about RAI, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatments were 0.753(95% CI 0.602: 0.863), 0.812(95% CI 0.686: 0.899), 0.804(95% CI 0.677: 0.894) and 0.671 (95% CI 0.489: 0.812), respectively (p < 0.01). The inter-rater reliability for the responses of Bard and GPT-4 about RAİ, PSMA-TRT, PRRT and TARE treatments were moderate to good. Further, consulting to the nuclear medicine physician was rarely emphasized both in GPT-4 and Google Bard and references were included in some responses of Google Bard, but there were no references in GPT-4. CONCLUSION: Although the information provided by AI chatbots may be acceptable in medical terms, it can not be easy to read for the general public, which may prevent it from being understandable. Effective prompts using 'prompt engineering' may refine the responses in a more comprehensible manner. Since radionuclide treatments are specific to nuclear medicine expertise, nuclear medicine physician need to be stated as a consultant in responses in order to guide patients and caregivers to obtain accurate medical advice. Referencing is significant in terms of confidence and satisfaction of patients and caregivers seeking information.
AIM: Myocardial uptake on bone scintigraphy has become useful for the detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of myocardial uptake in patients over 18 years of...AIM: Myocardial uptake on bone scintigraphy has become useful for the detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of myocardial uptake in patients over 18 years of age with no clinical suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) who had undergone bone scintigraphy. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was an observational, retrospective, multicenter study across 21 Spanish hospitals (September-November 2019). Of the 9864 scans analyzed (locally and centrally), incidental cardiac uptake was observed in 71 patients (0.72%), a prevalence that increased with age. A previous diagnosis of heart failure was found in 16.9% of patients with positive uptake, with >50% in NYHA II. ATTR-CA was diagnosed in 10 patients, with a mean delay of 10.4 months (95% CI: 5.1-15.7). All were >70 years old, primarily male, and had greater left ventricular hypertrophy than patients without a confirmed diagnosis (p<0.0001). ATTR-CA patients had higher rates of orthostatic hypotension (30.0% vs. 3.8% in non-ATTR-CA; p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first retrospective, national, multicenter study evaluating the prevalence of incidental cardiac uptake in bone scintigraphy performed for non-cardiac reasons, showing a prevalence of 0.72% in this population. Referral of these patients may facilitate early diagnosis of CA with a resulting benefit for patients.
This continuing education aims to present in a clear and easy-to-understand manner the biology of paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGLs), the functional imaging studies available for their diagnosis and therapeutic...This continuing education aims to present in a clear and easy-to-understand manner the biology of paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGLs), the functional imaging studies available for their diagnosis and therapeutic planning, the requirements necessary to administer radioligand therapy (RLT) and the characteristics of these treatments (inclusion criteria, administration protocols, adverse effects and future perspectives). In this pathology we have two RLT options: [I]MIBG and [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. The indication for treatment is determined by the expression of its therapeutic target in functional imaging studies, allowing precision and personalized medicine. Although most of the results we have for both treatments have as origin small retrospective series, RLT is presented as a safe and well-tolerated therapeutic option in PPGLs with slow-moderate progression or with uncontrollable symptoms, obtaining high disease control rates.