Ioannis Iakovou

SPECT imaging evaluation in movement disorders: far beyond visual assessment

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging with 123I-FP-CIT is of great value in differentiating patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) from those suffering from essential tremor (ET). Moreover, SPECT with 123I-IBZM can differentiate PD from Parkinson’s “plus” syndromes. Diagnosis is still mainly based on experienced observers’ visual assessment of the resulting images while many quantitative methods have been developed in order to assist diagnosis since the early days of neuroimaging. The aim of this work is to attempt to categorize, briefly present and comment on a number of semi-quantification methods used in nuclear medicine neuroimaging. Various arithmetic indices have been introduced with region of interest (ROI) manual drawing methods giving their place to automated procedures, while advancing computer technology has allowed automated image registration, fusion and segmentation to bring quantification closer to the final diagnosis based on the whole of the patient’s examinations results, clinical condition and response to therapy. The search for absolute quantification has passed through neuroreceptor quantification models, which are invasive methods that involve tracer kinetic modelling and arterial blood sampling, a practice that is not commonly used in a clinical environment. On the other hand, semi-quantification methods relying on computers and dedicated software try to elicit numerical information out of SPECT images. The application of semi-quantification methods aims at separating the different patient categories solving the main problem of finding the uptake in the structures of interest. The semi-quantification methods which were studied fall roughly into three categories, which are described as classic methods, advanced automated methods and pixel-based statistical analysis methods. All these methods can be further divided into various subcategories. The plethora of the existing semi-quantitative methods reinforces the feeling that visual assessment is still the base of image interpretation and that the unambiguous numerical results that will allow the absolute differentiation between the known diseases have not been standardized yet. Switching to a commonly agreed—ideally PC-based—automated software that may take raw or mildly processed data (checked for consistency and maybe corrected for attenuation and/or scatter and septal penetration) as input, work with basic operator’s inference and produce validated numerical results that will support the diagnosis is in our view the aim towards which efforts should be directed. After all, semi-quantification can improve sensitivity, strengthen diagnosis, aid patient’s follow-up and assess the response to therapy. Objective diagnosis, altered diagnosis in marginal cases and a common approach to multicentre trials are other benefits and future applications of semi-quantification.

Complex association between body weight and fracture risk in postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a common disease, characterized by low bone mass with micro‐architectural disruption and skeletal fragility, resulting in an increased risk of fracture. A substantial number of studies has examined the possible relationship between body weight, bone mineral density and fracture risk in post‐menopausal women, with the majority of them concluding that low body weight correlates with increased risk of fracture, especially hip fracture. Controversies about the potential protective effect of obesity on osteoporosis and consequent fracture risk still exist. Several recent studies question the concept that obesity exerts a protective effect against fractures, suggesting that it stands as a risk factor for fractures at specific skeletal sites, such as upper arm. The association between body weight and fracture risk is complex, differs across skeletal sites and body mass index, and is modified by the interaction between body weight and bone mineral density. Some potential explanations that link obesity with increased fracture risk may be the pattern of falls and impaired mobility in obese individuals, comorbidities, such as asthma, diabetes and early menopause, as well as, increased parathyroid hormone and reduced 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D concentrations.

Why the European Association of Nuclear Medicine has declined to endorse the 2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer

Recently the American Thyroid Association (ATA) released the third version of one of the most cited differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) guidelines under the title B2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer^ [1]. Compared to the earlier versions [2, 3], these guidelines are a major departure, as the volume of the text, the number of recommendations and the number of references have increased considerably. We fully understand the effort involving many hours of work that must have been required for the rigorous screening of the literature to produce the evidence tables and the eventual definitions of the recommendations. The document consists of roughly 73,000 words which make up the 101 recommendations and the explanatory text and comments. In the current ATA guidelines, most of the text appears eminently sensible and represents a significant advance from previous DTC-related guidelines published by the ATA as well as other societies, including the 2008 European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) guidelines on I therapy of DTC [4–7]. For instance, we welcome the clear division of indications for initial I treatment of DTC patients after total thyroidectomy into ablation, adjuvant therapy and therapy. Furthermore, this change in terminology which we strongly support much more clearly delineates the role of I in the care of patients with DTC in other disciplines, especially medical oncology. Considering all the factors that have to be weighed in formulating recommendations this is a huge dedicated effort that has come to fruition.

The 2015 Revised American Thyroid Association guidelines for the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma: the “evidence-based” refusal to endorse them by EANM due to the “not evidence-based” marginalization of the role of Nuclear Medicine

In 2007, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) assembled a group of expert clinicians and basic scientists to evaluate published papers and to develop evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The first ATA guidelines on the management of patients with MTC were published in 2009 [1]. In 2015, ATA released the first revised version of these guidelines [2], in order to assist clinicians of all specialties in the management of these patients. The ATA Board of Directors selected the Task Force members for elaborating these revised guidelines based on published scientific data in the management of MTC, and included international scientists from the fields of endocrinology, ethics, genetics, medical oncology, molecular biology, nuclear medicine, pathology, paediatrics, radiation oncology, and surgery [2]. Task Force members reviewed relevant articles on MTC by searching MEDLINE/PubMed from January 1980 to April 2014 using specific MTC-related search terms. Task Force members also provided additional relevant articles, book chapters, and other materials. Recommendations were graded using criteria adapted from the United States Preventive Services Task Force Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as were used in the previous MTC guidelines [1, 2]. After revisions and critical reviews of a series of drafts, the Task Force developed a final document, and the ATA Board of Directors approved the revised set of guidelines [2]. Compared to the earlier version [1], the 2015 revised ATA guidelines on the management of patients with MTC (now consisting of 67 recommendations and related explanatory

Erratum to: Difficulties in deciding whether to ablate patients with putatively “low–intermediate-risk” differentiated thyroid carcinoma: do guidelines mainly apply in the centres that produce them? Results of a retrospective, two-centre quality assurance study

Purpose We determined the reasons for radioiodine thyroid remnant ablation, and the procedure’s necessity based on postsurgical remnant size, in patients with putatively “low–intermediate-risk” differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We identified key clinicopathological, treatment and remnant characteristics, and factors associated with remnant size in 336 patients with pT1/2, M0 DTC ablated during the period September 2010 to October 2013 at one Cypriot or one Greek referral centre.

The combination of ovarian volume and outline has better diagnostic accuracy than prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOs).

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the performance of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and ultrasound parameters, such as ovarian volume and outline, in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN This prospective, observational, case-controlled study included 43 women with PCOS, and 40 controls. Between day 3 and 5 of the menstrual cycle, fasting serum samples were collected and transvaginal ultrasound was performed. The diagnostic performance of each parameter [total PSA (tPSA), total-to-free PSA ratio (tPSA:fPSA), ovarian volume, ovarian outline] was estimated by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, along with area under the curve (AUC), threshold, sensitivity, specificity as well as positive (+) and negative (-) likelihood ratios (LRs). Multivariate logistical regression models, using ovarian volume and ovarian outline, were constructed. RESULTS The tPSA and tPSA:fPSA ratio resulted in AUC of 0.74 and 0.70, respectively, with moderate specificity/sensitivity and insufficient LR+/- values. In the multivariate logistic regression model, the combination of ovarian volume and outline had a sensitivity of 97.7% and a specificity of 97.5% in the diagnosis of PCOS, with +LR and -LR values of 39.1 and 0.02, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In women with PCOS, tPSA and tPSA:fPSA ratio have similar diagnostic performance. The use of a multivariate logistic regression model, incorporating ovarian volume and outline, offers very good diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing women with PCOS patients from controls.

Primary hyperparathyroidism and incidental multifocal metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in a man.

Co-existence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and non-medullary thyroid carcinoma has been previously reported in sporadic case reports and some surgical series, but the majority of cases concerned women with occult papillary carcinomas without cervical lymph node involvement. We present a 71-year man with PHPT and multinodular goiter who was subjected to surgery for single parathyroid adenoma and was found to have synchronous multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with cervical lymph node involvement. Review of the literature retrieved only a few similar cases. Ultrasonography of both thyroid and parathyroid glands might be considered in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Given that there are no specific guidelines for the management of patients with synchronous PHPT and PTC, they should be managed like the cases of single PTC.

Synchronous parathyroid adenoma and thyroid papillary carcinoma: a case report

A 51-year-old female patient presented with atypical chest pain, laryngo-oesophageal reflux, increased levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone. Ultrasonography showed a multinodular goiter with a prominent solid nodule in the lower left thyroid lobe and a solid hypoechoic nodule outside this area.Tc99m-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy was performed to investigate a primary hyperparathyroidism, revealing an area with increased uptake in the lower left thyroid lobe and another area with marked uptake lower than this level. Thyroid scintigraphy with 99mTc showed a cold nodule of the left lower pole. FNA of the thyroid nodule was positive for papillary carcinoma later verified by postoperative histopathology.This case underlines the need for a clinical high index of suspicion for synchronous hyperparathyroidism and thyroid cancer.

Radio-contrast agent-induced hyperthyroidism: case report and review of the literature

A 66 year-old woman with a history of a euthyroid multinodular goiter underwent a head and neck computed tomography (CT) scan (total iodine load of 35 g) in order to evaluate the extent of retrosternal expansion. Less than 24 h after the iodine-based contrast media (ICM) administration, she presented with symptoms and laboratory findings typical of thyrotoxicosis. She was treated successfully with antithyroid medications. This is the shortest time reported in the literature and it is of clinical importance, as it may have an impact to the recommendations given by the attending physician. Given the fact that a large number of ICM examinations are performed in everyday practice, physicians should be aware of this possible thyroid-specific effect. Prophylactic drugs could be considered in high-risk populations, such as administration of perchlorate and a thionamide class drug to elderly patients with suppressed TSH and/or palpable goiter, started the day before and continued for two weeks after ICM administration.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency and its Association with Nasal Polyposis in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background Currently vitamin D3 (VD3) or cholecalciferol is considered an immunomodulator that may be implicated in nasal polyposis (NP) pathophysiology. Objectives This study aimed to investigate if deficiency of VD3 is associated with the presence of NP in patients with cystic fibrosis (CT) and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods In total, 152 adult participants were included in five phenotypic groups: CT with NP (CTwNP) (n = 27), CT without NP (CTsNP) (n = 31), CRS with NP (CRSwNP) (n = 32), CRS without NP (CRSsNP) (n = 30), and controls (n = 32). The serum levels of 25(OH)-VD3 <20 ng/mL are considered as a deficiency, 21–29 ng/mL as insufficiency, and >30 ng/mL as sufficiency. Endoscopic and imaging staging of the mucosal disease performed with the Lund-Kennedy (LK) and Lund-Mackay (LM) scoring systems, respectively. The genotype of the patients with CT and the nasal microbial colonization of the patients with CT and patients with CRS were also recorded. Results The patients with CTwNP had the lowest percentage of sufficiency in VD3 and the highest percentage in insufficiency among all the groups. The LM imaging scores were inversely correlated with the VD3 levels in both arms of the study (CT and CRS). Moreover, the LK endoscopic scores had a similar correlation in the CT groups; however, this was not the case with the CRS groups. The genotype of the patients with CT was not correlated with the VD3 serum levels. The patients with positive microbial colonization (mainly Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus) had significantly lower VD3 serum levels in both the CT and CRS process. Conclusion VD3 deficiency seemed to be associated with the presence of nasal polyps in the patients with CRS and in the patients with CT in a similar manner. The lower the level of serum VD3, the more severe the mucosal disease was found in the imaging studies and the more frequent microbial colonization of the patients with CT and the patients with CRS.