Buddhiwardhan Ojha

The role of FDG-PET scan in staging patients with nonsmall cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND To assess the role of flourodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan in staging patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS We prospectively studied 400 patients with NSCLC. Each patient underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and upper abdomen, other conventional staging studies and had a FDG-PET scan within 1 month before surgery. All suspicious N2 lymph nodes by either chest CT or by FDG-PET scan were biopsied. Patients that were N2 and M1 negative underwent pulmonary resection and complete thoracic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS The FDG-PET had a higher sensitivity (71% vs 43%, p < 0.001), positive predictive value (44% vs 31%, p < 0.001), negative predictive value (91% vs 84%, p = 0.006), and accuracy (76% vs 68%, p = 0.037) than CT scan for N2 lymph nodes. Similarly, FDG-PET had a higher sensitivity (67% vs 41%, p < 0.001), but lower specificity (78% vs 88%, p = 0.009) than CT scan for N1 lymph nodes. FDG-PET led to unnecessary mediastinoscopy in 38 patients. FDG-PET was most commonly falsely negative in the subcarinal (#7) station and the aortopulmonary window lymph node (#5, #6) stations. It accurately upstaged 28 patients (7%) with unsuspected metastasis and it accurately downstaged 23 patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS The FDG-PET scan allows for improved patient selection. It more accurately stages the mediastinum, however there are many false positives lymph nodes and it may be more likely to miss N2 disease in the #5, #6, and #7 stations. A positive FDG-PET scan means a tissue biopsy is indicated in that location.

Anterior Cingulate Gyrus Epilepsy: The Role of Ictal rCBF SPECT in Seizure Localization

Summary: Purpose: The goal of this report is to demonstrate the utility of ictal brain single photon emission tomography (SPECT) in a 39‐year‐old man with complex partial seizures arising from the anterior cingulate gyrus. Seizures originating from the anterior cingulate gyrus are difficult to localize because they have variable ictal semiology, are usually brief, and have rapid cortical propagation.

Radiation Safety Protocol for High Dose 131i Therapy of Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients on Hemodialysis for Chronic Renal Failure

Iodine ablation therapy for thyroid cancer on patients receiving dialysis poses unique radiation safety challenges. Exposure to gamma and beta negative particles by the hemodialysis (HD) staff is a concern that has not been well studied. A 53-y-old male patient on HD for chronic renal failure was scheduled for 131I high dose therapy as treatment for thyroid papillary carcinoma. The patient was on HD every other day, prior to ablation. A high dose of 131I (3,607.5 MBq) was required. The patient was admitted for 131I therapy, and continued HD. Thyroid cancer ablation therapy was administered according to our institutional protocol. New radiation safety measures were developed and implemented in order to give the patient an optimal treatment dose, reduce radiation to the patient (critical organs and whole body), and to protect the HD personnel. This included placing two lead shields between the patient and the HD nurse, and HD monitoring by two alternating nurses to reduce their radiation exposure. Film badges were used to measure radiation exposure to the nursing staff. Dosimetry calculations were obtained to determine radiation absorbed doses by the optic lens, skin, and whole body. Quality control verification for this shielding arrangement proved to be effective in protecting the HD staff against gamma and beta negative radiation from recent 131I high dose therapy. Implementation of this model proved to be an effective and adequate radiation safety protocol for limiting radiation exposure to the HD staff. The patient was given 3607.5 MBq for optimal treatment after HD. Hemodialysis was repeated after approximately 48 and 96 h to remove excess 131I and reduce radiation to the patient.

Effect of dietary intake before F-18 FDG positron emission tomographic scanning on the evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule

The uptake of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) by a malignant tumor depends on the blood glucose level. The authors present a striking case that illustrates the importance of blood glucose measurement in F-18 FDG positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging in a patient with a solitary pulmonary nodule. With the emergence of freestanding imaging centers, this case emphasizes the importance of using an objective method, such as a glucometer, to measure blood glucose levels before F-18 FDG PET imaging. Results of the initial scan were equivocal (the patient had eaten before the scan), whereas a hypermetabolic focus was clearly identified on a second scan obtained 2 days later.

A prospective comparison of computerized tomography(CT), 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography(FDG-PET) and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in the preoperative evaluation of potentially operable esophageal cancer patients

A prospective comparison of computerized tomography(CT), 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography(FDG-PET) and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in the preoperative evaluation of potentially operable esophageal cancer patients

Large carotid sheath parathyroid adenoma localized by Tc-99m sestamibi.

The use of Tc-99m sestamibi to localize parathyroid adenomas is well established. Its greatest value is in the detection of adenomas in presurgical candidates to localize one or more adenomas in the parathyroid glands or to identify ectopic parathyroid adenomas. The authors describe a patient who had long-standing hyperparathyroidism with a history of end-stage renal disease, hypertension, and peptic ulcers with gastrointestinal bleeding. The scan showed a large ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the left retrosternocleidomastoid region. At surgery, the adenoma was located between the jugular vein and the carotid artery, within the carotid sheath.