Browsing by Author "Obradovic, Vladimir (7003389726)"

Objective: To prospectively study whether in patients with resected primary colorectal cancer fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) examination could diagnose the stage, specify treatment procedure and be prognostic. Subjects and methods: This prospective study included 75 patients with resected primary colorectal adenocarcinoma referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT to the National PET Center, at the Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, from January 2010 to May 2013. Findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT were compared to findings of subsequent histopathological examinations or with results of clinical and imaging follow-up. Patients were followed after PET/CT examination for a mean follow-up time of 16.7±5.9 months. Results: In the detection of recurrent disease 18FFDG PET/CT showed overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of 96.6%, 82.4%, 94.9%, 87.5% and 93.3%, respectively. In the detection of stages I and II sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT were: 88%, 96.6% and 94.7%, respectively, and in the detection of stages III and IV sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 94.9%, 87.5% and 93.3%, respectively. These findings prevented or changed intended surgical treatment in 12/32 cases. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses revealed that metastatic recurrence (stages III and IV) was the only and independent prognostic factor of disease progression during follow-up (P=0.012 and P=0.023, respectively). Although, survival seemed better in patients with local recurrence compared to metastatic recurrent disease, this difference did not reach significance (Log-rank test; P=0.324). In addition, progression-free survival time was significantly longer in patients in whom 18F-FDG PET/CT scan led to treatment changes (Log-rank test; P=0.037). Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT was sensitive and accurate for the detection and staging of local and metastatic recurrent colorectal carcinoma, with higher specificity in the detection of local recurrences. The 18F-FDG PET/CT scan induced treatment changes in 30/75 patients, including 12/32 patients in which surgical treatment was previously planned, and progression free survival time was significantly longer in these patients.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical reliability of the immunoscintigraphy with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for the detection of metastases and recurrences of rectal carcinomas. Methodology: A total of 65 patients underwent immunoscintigraphy with radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies. Indication for that examination was suspicious rectal cancer or suspicious rectal cancer recurrence and/or metastases. Results: The method proved to have 92.7% sensitivity, specificity 83.3%, positive predictive value 90.5%, negative predictive value 87.0% and accuracy 89.2%. There was a statistically significant relationship between immunoscintigraphy findings and rectoscopy findings (rs=0.415, p=0.013), as well as significant relationship between immunoscintigraphy findings and US findings (rs=0.332, p=0.001). Tumor marker levels were in positive correlation with findings of immunoscintigraphy (r s=0.845, p=0.001), especially raised CEA level (rs=0.816, p=0.004). Patients with higher CA19-9 level had higher Duke's stage (p=0.025). Conclusions: We can conclude that immunoscintigraphy can be helpful in the detection of metastases and recurrences of colon carcinomas. © H.G.E. Update Medical Publishing S.A.

Background/Aims: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the role of detection of late mesh infection following incisional hernia repair with radiolabeled antigranulocyte antibodies. Methodology: Mesh infection diagnoses were set up with clinical examination and laboratory analysis and confirmed by ultrasonography (US), computerized tomography (CT), scintigraphy with 99mTc-antigranulocyte antibodies and microbiological examination. Results: Of the 17 patients investigated, 6 had a late mesh infection, and 11 had both mesh infection and recurrent incisional hernia. Clear clinical signs of late mesh infection were present in 13 patients. Four remaining patients had non-specific discomfort and recurrent incisional hernia without clinical manifestation of mesh infection ("silent infection"). US was positive in 12/17 patients, CT in 13/17 patients, while scintigraphy with antigranulocyte antibodies in 17/17 patients. Therefore, sensitivity of US was 71%, of CT 76% and of scintigraphy 100%. In four patients late mesh infection was confirmed exclusively by 99mTc-antigranulocyte antibody scintigraphy, while US and CT did not indicate the infection. Conclusions: According to the present results, scintigraphy with 99mTc antigranulocyte antibodies is a useful method for the detection of "silent" abdominal wall infections after surgery, which is very important for prompt and appropriate therapy. © H.G.E. Update Medical Publishing S.A.

Purpose of the Report: The aims of this study were to compare perfusion and functional parameters between early (ES) and standard (SS) post-stress gated SPECT MIBI, to validate ES against coronary angiography, and to determine whether ES parameters can predict future cardiac events. Patients and Methods: The sample included 63 patients with normal or mildly impaired left ventricular function and intermediate Duke Treadmill Score. They underwent a 2-day stress-rest gated SPECT MIBI with the poststress data acquired at 15 minutes (ES) and 60 minutes (SS) after i.v. injection of 740 MBq of 99mTc-MIBI. The ES findings were compared to SS and against coronary angiography to determine their sensitivity/specificity for detecting 970% stenosis. The information about new-onset cardiac events was collected 26 T 6 months later. Results: Perfusion parameters did not significantly differ between ES and SS. Ejection fraction was significantly lower and regional wall motion abnormalities were significantly higher on ES than SS. The corresponding perfusion and functional parameters were strongly related (linear regression slope 0.65-1.00, intercept j0.36Y8.5, R2 0.98Y0.75). ES parameters had high sensitivity (96%) and specificity (83%) for detecting 970% stenosis. Lower early stress than rest EF (95%), higher early stress than rest EDV, and early SSS 98 emerged as significant predictors of new-onset cardiac events. Conclusions: Early post-stress gated SPECT MIBI yields comparable perfusion and functional parameters as the standard post-stress protocol. ES parameters are useful for detecting the existing coronary disease and for predicting future cardiac events. ES protocol is recommended for improving patient compliance and efficiency of nuclear cardiology services.

Objective: Assessment of the first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in children has been the subject of debate for many years. Diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is usually based on clinical and biological data. The clinical usefulness of early Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy remains controversial, although it may influence the type and duration of treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role of initial cortical scintigraphy in the detection of early renal parenchymal damage in children highly suspected of having APN and to compare the scintigraphic findings with selected clinical/laboratory parameters and ultrasonography. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 34 infants and young children (18 boys, 16 girls), aged 1.5-36 months (mean 9.8 ± 8.7 months), hospitalized with a first episode of clinically suspected APN. Within the first 5 days after admission, Tc-99m DMSA renal scintigraphy, ultrasonography (US), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC) and urine analyses were performed. Results: DMSA scintigraphy showed changes consistent with APN in 27/34 (79%) patients, with a mean age of 10.9 months, including 12 males (44%) and 15 (56%) females. Out of 9 febrile children with negative urine culture and supportive evidence of UTI, scintigraphy showed parenchymal involvement in 8 children (24% in the whole group, 30% in scintigraphically documented APN). There were no statistically significant correlations between the frequency or size of the initial scintigraphic abnormalities and age, sex, body temperature, CRP levels or ESR. A CRP level of >54 mg/L and a WBC of >13,300/mm3 had sensitivities of 56 and 59% and specificities of 86 and 71%, respectively. US showed changes consistent with APN in 7/34 (21%) in the whole group and in 7/27 (26%) patients with positive cortical scan (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Initial DMSA renal scintigraphy is a sensitive method for the early diagnosis of APN in young children and is useful in the assessment of the severity of kidney injury even in patients with negative urine culture. Clinical, biological and ultrasound parameters do not identify children with renal damage. Normal DMSA study, excluding parenchymal involvement and late sequelae, could minimize the use of scintigraphy in the follow-up and reduce the redundancy of cystography. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Background: Patients in chronic phase of myocardial infarction (MI) have decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR) in infarct related artery (IRA) that is proportional to the extent of microvascular/myocardial damage. We proposed a novel model for the assessment of microvascular damage and infarct size using Doppler echocardiography evaluation of CFRs of the IRA (LAD) and reference artery (RCA). Methods: Our study included 34 consecutive patients (28 men, mean age 50 ± 11 years) with first anterior STEMI and single vessel disease successfully treated with primary PCI. All patients underwent SPECT MPI for the assessment of infarct size (expressed as a percentage of myocardium with fixed perfusion abnormalities) and CFR evaluation of LAD and RCA. CFR derived percentage of microvascular damage (CFR PMD) was calculated as: CFR PMD = (CFR RCA - CFR LAD) / (CFR RCA - 1) × 100 (%). Results: CFR PMD correlated significantly with all parameters evaluating the severity of myocardial damage including: peak CK activity (r = 0.632, p < 0.001), WMSI (r = 0.857, p < 0.001), ejection fraction (r = - 0.820, p < 0.001), left ventricular end diastolic (r = 0.757, p < 0.001) and end systolic volume (r = 0.794, p < 0.001). Most importantly, CFR PMD (22 ± 17%) correlated significantly with infarct size by SPECT MPI (21 ± 17%) (r = 0.874, p < 0.001). Conclusions: CFR PMD derived from the proposed model was significantly related to echocardiographic and enzymatic parameters of infarct size, as well as to myocardial damage assessed by SPECT MPI in patients with successfully reperfused first anterior STEMI. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gastrointestinal metastases from invasive lobular breast cancer are uncommon with the stomach and small intestines being the most common metastatic sites. Peritoneal and rectal metastases are very rare and only rarely occur as the frst manifestation of disease. We herein report the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with abdominal carcinomatosis as a frst sign of invasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC). Identifying the most important immunohistochemical markers for ILC: gross cystic disease fuid protein 15, estrogen and progesterone receptors enabled a correct diagnosis. After a six year disease-free period, relapse occurred with severe obstruction due to rectal metastasis from lob-ular breast carcinoma. Since there was no widespread metas-tatic disease, surgery with concomitant hormonal therapy was performed. copy; 2011 Korean Breast Cancer Society.

Gastrointestinal metastases from invasive lobular breast cancer are uncommon with the stomach and small intestines being the most common metastatic sites. Peritoneal and rectal metastases are very rare and only rarely occur as the frst manifestation of disease. We herein report the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with abdominal carcinomatosis as a frst sign of invasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC). Identifying the most important immunohistochemical markers for ILC: gross cystic disease fuid protein 15, estrogen and progesterone receptors enabled a correct diagnosis. After a six year disease-free period, relapse occurred with severe obstruction due to rectal metastasis from lob-ular breast carcinoma. Since there was no widespread metas-tatic disease, surgery with concomitant hormonal therapy was performed. copy; 2011 Korean Breast Cancer Society.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a potentially life-threatening disease, but diagnosing CS remains a challenge because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and significant proportion of asymptomatic patients. Also, there is no standardized work-up for early diagnosis and management of CS. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of advanced imaging modalities for evaluation of CS, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography with 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG PET) integrated with computed tomography (PET/CT). The purpose of this review is to highlight the utility of PET/CT for diagnosis and management of CS. The advantage of PET/CT is that it can detect FDG accumulation in the activated inflammatory cells, allowing visualization of active sites and early diagnosis of CS. Special emphasis has been put toward the development of appropriate preparation protocols that minimize physiological FDG uptake in the myocardium and optimal imaging protocols that allow sensitive and accurate detection of CS. Aside from early diagnosis, FDG PET/CT may inform when to start the therapy and whether the patient responded to treatment. FDG PET/CT may also be useful for follow-up and risk assessment of patients with CS. The limitations of FDG PET/CT are discussed with respect to a radiation exposure and control of glucose metabolism and insulin levels to avoid nonspecific myocardial uptake of FDG. Despite the progress made, more studies are needed to further refine clinical applications of FDG PET/CT in patients with CS. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a potentially life-threatening disease, but diagnosing CS remains a challenge because of nonspecific clinical manifestations and significant proportion of asymptomatic patients. Also, there is no standardized work-up for early diagnosis and management of CS. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of advanced imaging modalities for evaluation of CS, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography with 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG PET) integrated with computed tomography (PET/CT). The purpose of this review is to highlight the utility of PET/CT for diagnosis and management of CS. The advantage of PET/CT is that it can detect FDG accumulation in the activated inflammatory cells, allowing visualization of active sites and early diagnosis of CS. Special emphasis has been put toward the development of appropriate preparation protocols that minimize physiological FDG uptake in the myocardium and optimal imaging protocols that allow sensitive and accurate detection of CS. Aside from early diagnosis, FDG PET/CT may inform when to start the therapy and whether the patient responded to treatment. FDG PET/CT may also be useful for follow-up and risk assessment of patients with CS. The limitations of FDG PET/CT are discussed with respect to a radiation exposure and control of glucose metabolism and insulin levels to avoid nonspecific myocardial uptake of FDG. Despite the progress made, more studies are needed to further refine clinical applications of FDG PET/CT in patients with CS. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of inflammation in granulomatous sites and management of patients with chronic sarcoidosis. The 3 specific aims were to assess differences between 18F-FDG PET/CT and multidetector CT (MDCT) findings, to compare 18F-FDG PET/CT results with serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and to determine whether 18F-FDG PET/CT findings are associated with the decision to change therapy. Methods: We studied 90 sarcoidosis patients (mean age ± SD, 47 ± 12 y; 32 men and 58 women) with persistent symptoms who were referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT evaluation to assess the extent of inflammation. They also underwent MDCT and measurement of serum ACE level. After the followup (12 ± 5 mo after 18F-FDG PET/CT), the clinical status and changes in therapy were analyzed. Results: 18F-FDG PET/CT detected inflammation in 74 patients (82%) (maximum standardized uptake value, 8.1 ± 3.9). MDCT was positive for sarcoidosis in 6 additional patients (80, 89%). The difference between the 2 methods was not significant (P = 0.238, McNemar test), and their agreement was fair (κ = 0.198). Although ACE levels were significantly higher in patients with positive than negative 18F-FDG PET/CT results (P = 0.002, Mann-Whitney test), 38 patients (51%) with positive 18F-FDG PET/CT results had normal ACE levels. The therapy was initiated or changed in 73 out of 90 patients (81%). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that positive 18F-FDG PET/CT results were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with changes in therapy, with no contribution from age, sex, ACE level, CT results, or previous therapy. Conclusion: Our results indicate that 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful adjunct to other diagnostic methods for detecting active inflammatory sites in chronic sarcoidosis patients with persistent symptoms, especially those with normal ACE levels. 18F-FDG PET/CT proved advantageous for determining the spread of active disease throughout the body and influenced the decision to adjust the therapy. Copyright © 2012 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Objective: Gated single photon emission computed tomography (gated SPECT) myocardial imaging gives useful information about the extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities (PA) and global left ventricular (LV) function in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate by gated SPECT myocardial imaging differences in perfusion scores and LV function between stress and rest in patients with mild left ventricular dysfunction and/or normal function and previous inferior myocardial infarction (IMI) and to detect myocardial stunning. Materials and methods: The study included 77 patients (age 53 ± 8.21) with mild left ventricular dysfunction and previous IMI divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 34 patients with IMI and additional ischemia on perfusion scan and group 2 with 43 patients with previous IMI without ischemia on perfusion scan. All patients underwent a 2-day stress-rest gated SPECT myocardial imaging protocol with 99m technetium-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( 99mTc-MIBI). Results: There was a more significant post-stress to rest decrease in ejection fraction (EFps) in patients with IMI and additional ischemia (group 1) than in patients with IMI (group 2) (-1.5 ± 2.5 vs. 1.5 ± 2.3, p < 0.001). In group 1, there was a significant increase in post-stress end-systolic volume (ESVps) in comparison to ESVr (70.4 ± 29.8 vs. 66.2 ± 26.2 ml, p = 0.044). However, the decrease in EF post-stress to rest did not reach the level of significance (51.7 ± 10.8 vs. 53.2 ± 10.2%, p = 0.147). The extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities were higher on stress (SSS) than on rest images (SRS) (13.9 ± 8.6 vs. 8.3 ± 7.8, p < 0.001). There was no difference in global LV parameters or perfusion abnormalities in patients in group 2 between stress and rest except for a significant increase in the post-stress EF to rest value (57.9 ± 11.9 vs. 56.2 ± 10.5%, p = 0.018). Severe decrease of post-stress EF to rest was found in 12 (16%) patients indicating stunning. Conclusion: In patients with mild left ventricular dysfunction and IMI with additional ischemia there is evidence of a decrease in the post-stress EF with an increase in the post-stress ESV. In addition, a significant association between the decrease of post-stress EF with the extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities was detected. Gated SPECT myocardial imaging has an important role in the evaluation of perfusion and LV function in patients with IMI especially in patients with additional ischemia. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine.