Jean Verreault

L-T3 preparation for whole-body scintigraphy : a randomized-controlled trial

Background  Patients with thyroid cancer often need whole‐body scintigraphy (WBS) under TSH stimulation after 4–6 weeks withdrawal from levothyroxine (L‐T4). Patients often become severely hypothyroid with impaired quality of life. Liothyronine (L‐T3) substitution is used empirically to prepare patients; however, no data exist to prove its benefit.

Massive Hydrothorax Compacting Peritoneal Dialysis: Isotopic Investigation (peritoneopleural Scintigraphy)

Massive hydrothorax occurring during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is a rare complication that may appear at any time during the course of the treatment. Most of the time, it is right-sided and is more frequent in female patients. A case is presented that was investigated by peritoneopleural scintigraphy. A rapid accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical over the right hemithorax was observed. To explain that finding, a macroscopic diaphragmatic defect was suspected. Different therapeutic approaches are presented.

A novel microporous polyurethane vascular graft: in vivo evaluation of the UTA prosthesis implanted as infra-renal aortic substitute in dogs.

A novel microporous polyurethane blood conduit developed at the University of Texas at Arlington was implanted as an infra-renal substitute in dogs. The prosthesis was fabricated by precipitating a solution of the polymer with dry nitrogen onto a rotating mandrel. The grafts were sterilized either by gamma radiation (series I) or ethylene oxide (series II); they were implanted for the following prescheduled periods: 4, 24, 48 hours, and 1 week (short-term) and 2, 4 weeks, 3 and 6 months (medium-term). The thrombohematological characteristics of each animal were evaluated prior to implantation and confirmed that the index of blood coagulability was normal. In the short-term group, five out of eight grafts were patent and three were partially occluded; four grafts in the medium-term group were patent; one was partially occluded; and three were thrombosed at retrieval. One week after implantation, the prostheses were surrounded by an external capsule, which was present mainly at the two anastomoses. The external capsule covered the entire graft at 3 months. No kinking of the grafts was observed and the presence of a mild yellow stain related to bilirubin uptake was detected at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months. Histological studies have revealed the formation of a thin internal capsule at both anastomoses, 2 weeks postimplantation, which was not anchored to the graft wall. In the medium-term group, the thrombosed grafts failed to develop an internal capsule, whereas the patent graft exhibited a thick internal capsule made of neocollagenous tissue over the entire graft. This new microporous polyurethane prosthesis did not perform satisfactorily as an infra-renal substitute in dogs and its in vivo stability requires further assessment. Thus, the concept of a polyurethane with closed pores does not achieve what was anticipated.

Incidental finding of hiatal hernia uptake on Tc-99m sestamibi breast imaging.

A case of hiatal hernia is presented in which the uptake in the hernia could have been mistaken for a pulmonary lesion or a hepatic hernia on Tc-99m sestamibi breast imaging. A Tc-99m colloid liver scan excluded the possibility of a hepatic hernia. Plain radiographs performed to search for a lung lesion showed a huge hiatal hernia corresponding to the Tc-99m sestamibi uptake.

Safety of dipyridamole testing in patients with cerebrovascular disease

Abstract Severe undiagnosed coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with carotid stenoses. 22,23 Our study demonstrates that dipyridamole testing carries a very low risk of neurologic complications in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Gallium-67 citrate accumulation in a mycotic popliteal artery aneurysm

A 31-year-old man with bacterial endocarditis developed a mycotic popliteal aneurysm which presented clinically like an acute osteomyelitis. Bone and Ga-67 scanning played a major role in disclosing this unsuspected lesion. Various isotopic techniques proposed for the detection of mycotic aneurysm are reviewed. The potential usefulness of Ga-67 imaging in patients at risk of developing such lesions is discussed.

Extensive F-18 FDG uptake in metastatic spindle cell carcinoma of the lung

A 77-year-old man with stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the lung underwent right upper lobectomy. One month later he was examined for right chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and weakness. A roentgenogram showed nondiagnostic diffuse opacification of his right lung cavity. An F-18 FDG positron emission tomographic (PET) study revealed extensive uptake in the right pleural area, left adrenal gland, right axilla, and soft tissues consistent with extensive local recurrence and metastatic disease. Biopsy of a right chest soft tissue lesion showed spindle cell carcinoma, a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma.