Thomas Pascual

Current worldwide nuclear cardiology practices and radiation exposure: results from the 65 country IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Cross-Sectional Study (INCAPS)

Aims To characterize patient radiation doses from nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and the use of radiation-optimizing ‘best practices’ worldwide, and to evaluate the relationship between laboratory use of best practices and patient radiation dose. Methods and results We conducted an observational cross-sectional study of protocols used for all 7911 MPI studies performed in 308 nuclear cardiology laboratories in 65 countries for a single week in March–April 2013. Eight ‘best practices’ relating to radiation exposure were identified a priori by an expert committee, and a radiation-related quality index (QI) devised indicating the number of best practices used by a laboratory. Patient radiation effective dose (ED) ranged between 0.8 and 35.6 mSv (median 10.0 mSv). Average laboratory ED ranged from 2.2 to 24.4 mSv (median 10.4 mSv); only 91 (30%) laboratories achieved the median ED ≤ 9 mSv recommended by guidelines. Laboratory QIs ranged from 2 to 8 (median 5). Both ED and QI differed significantly between laboratories, countries, and world regions. The lowest median ED (8.0 mSv), in Europe, coincided with high best-practice adherence (mean laboratory QI 6.2). The highest doses (median 12.1 mSv) and low QI (4.9) occurred in Latin America. In hierarchical regression modelling, patients undergoing MPI at laboratories following more ‘best practices’ had lower EDs. Conclusion Marked worldwide variation exists in radiation safety practices pertaining to MPI, with targeted EDs currently achieved in a minority of laboratories. The significant relationship between best-practice implementation and lower doses indicates numerous opportunities to reduce radiation exposure from MPI globally.

Trends in Nuclear Medicine in Developing Countries

This article describes trends in nuclear medicine in the developing world as noted by nuclear medicine professionals at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The trends identified are based on data gathered from several sources, including information gathered through a database maintained by the IAEA; evaluation of country program frameworks of various IAEA Member States; personal interactions with representatives in the nuclear medicine field from different regions of the world; official proceedings and meeting reports of the IAEA; participation in numerous national, regional, and international conferences; discussions with the leadership of major professional societies; and relevant literature. The information presented in this article relied on both objective and subjective observations. The aims of this article were to reflect on recent developments in the specialty of nuclear medicine and to envision the directions in which it is progressing. These issues are examined in terms of dimensions of practice, growth, and educational and training needs in the field of nuclear medicine. This article will enable readers to gain perspective on the status of nuclear medicine practice, with a specific focus on the developing world, and to examine needs and trends arising from the observations.

Results of a Prospective Multicenter International Atomic Energy Agency Sentinel Node Trial on the Value of SPECT/CT Over Planar Imaging in Various Malignancies

We aimed to assess the additional value of SPECT/CT over planar lymphoscintigraphy (PI) in sentinel node (SN) detection in malignancies with different lymphatic drainage such as breast cancer, melanoma, and pelvic tumors. Methods: From 2010 to 2013, 1,508 patients were recruited in a multicenter study: 1,182 breast cancer, 262 melanoma, and 64 pelvic malignancies (prostate, cervix, penis, vulva). PI was followed by SPECT/CT 1–3 h after injection of 99mTc-colloid particles. Surgery was performed the same or next day. Results: Significantly more SNs were detected by SPECT/CT for breast cancer (2,165 vs. 1,892), melanoma (602 vs. 532), and pelvic cancer (195 vs. 138), all P < 0.001. The drainage basin mismatch between PI and SPECT/CT was 16.5% for breast cancer, 11.1% for melanoma, and 51.6% for pelvic cancers. Surgical adjustment was 17% for breast cancer, 37% for melanoma, and 65.6% for pelvic cancer. Conclusion: SPECT/CT detected more SNs and changed the drainage territory, leading to surgical adjustments in a considerable number of patients in all malignancies studied but especially in the pelvic cancer group because of this groups deep lymphatic drainage. We recommend SPECT/CT in all breast cancer patients with no SN visualized on PI, all patients with melanoma of the head and neck or trunk, all patients with pelvic malignancies, and those breast cancer and melanoma patients with unexpected drainage on PI.

Undergraduate radiology education in the era of dynamism in medical curriculum: an educational perspective.

Radiology undergraduate curriculum has undergone a tremendous transformation in the decades reflecting a change in the structure, content and delivery of instruction. These changes are not unique to the discipline, but rather a response in the cycle of the re-engineering process in the medical curriculum in order to ensure its proper role into the ever-changing context. Radiology education is now more integrated across the curriculum than ever. The diversity of how radiology is being taught within the medical undergraduate curriculum is extensive and promising with the expanding role of the radiologist in the spectrum within the medical curriculum. A strong interface between the medical student and the clinicians must always be integrated in the learning process in order to convey the essential and practical use of the different aspects of radiology essential to the students career as a future clinician. With the recent advancement in educational and technological innovations, radiology education is mobilized in the most pioneering ways, stimulating a rekindled interest in the field of medical imaging. This paper describes the increasing interest in current role of undergraduate radiology education in the context of constant medical curriculum innovations and in the digital age.

Estimating the Reduction in the Radiation Burden From Nuclear Cardiology Through Use of Stress-Only Imaging in the United States and Worldwide

Group Information: The INCAPS Investigators Group includes executive committee members A. J. Einstein (chair), T. N. B. Pascual (IAEA project lead), D. Paez (IAEA section head), M. Dondi (IAEA section head); N. Better, S.E. Bouyoucef, G. Karthikeyan, R. Kashyap, V. Lele, F. Mut, V. P. C. Magboo, J. J. Mahmarian, M. Mercuri, M. M. Rehani, and J. V. Vitola, and regional coordinators E. Alexanderson (Latin America), A. Allam (Africa andMiddle East), M. H. Al-Mallah (Middle East), N. Better (Oceania), S. E. Bouyoucef (Africa), H. Bom (East Asia), A. Flotats (Europe), S. Jerome (United States), P. A. Kaufmann (Europe), V. Lele (South Asia), O. Luxenburg (Israel), J. Mahmarian (North America), L. J. Shaw (North America), S. R. Underwood (United Kingdom), and J. Vitola (Latin America). Members by region include W. Amouri, H. Essabbah, S. S. Gassama, K. B. Makhdomi, G. I. E. El Mustapha, N. El Ouchdi, N. Qais, N. Soni, andW. Vangu (Africa); R. M. Abazid, B. Adams, V. Agarwal, M. A. Alfeeli, N. Alnafisi, L. Bernabe, G. G. Bural, T. Chaiwatanarat, J. M. Chandraguptha, G. J. Cheon, I. Cho, A. S. Dogan, M. Eftekhari, A. Frenkel, I. Garty, S. George, P. Geramifar, H. Golan, S. Habib, R. Hussain, H. Im, H-J. Jeon, T. Kalawat, W. J. Kang, F. Keng, A. Klaipetch, P. G. Kumar, J. Lee, W.W. Lee, I. Lim, C. M. M. Macaisa, G. Malhotra, B. R. Mittal, M. H. Mohammad, P. Mohan, I. D. Mulyanto, D. Nariman, U. N. Nayak, K. Niaz, G. Nikolov, J. M. Obaldo, E. Ozturk, J. M. Park, S. Park, C. D. Patel, H. K. Phuong, A. P. Quinon, T. R. Rajini, Y. Saengsuda, J. Santiago, H. B. Sayman, A. S. Shinto, V. Sivasubramaniyan, M. H. Son, P. Sudhakar, G. M. S. Syed, N. Tamaki, K. Thamnirat, T. Thientunyakit, S. Thongmak, D. N. Velasco, A. Verma, U. Vutrapongwatana, Y. Wang, K. S. Won, Z. Yao, T. Yingsa-nga, R. Yudistiro, K. T. Yue, and N. Zafrir (Asia); S. C. Adrian, D. Agostini, S. Aguade, G. Armitage, M. Backlund, M. Backman, M. Baker, M. T. Balducci, C. Bavelaar, M. Berovic, F. Bertagna, R. Beuchel, A. Biggi, G. Bisi, R. Bonini, A. Bradley, L. Brudin, I. Bruno, E. Busnardo, R. Casoni, A. Choudhri, C. Cittanti, R. Clauss, D. C. Costa, M. Costa, K. Dixon, M. Dziuk, N. Egelic, I. Eriksson, G. Fagioli, D. B. de Faria, L. Florimonte, A. Francini, M. French, E. Gallagher, I. Garai, O. Geatti, D. Genovesi, L. Gianolli, A. Gimelli, E. del Giudice, S. Halliwell, M. J. Hansson, C. Harrison, F. Homans, F. Horton, D. Jedrzejuk, J. Jogi, A. Johansen, H. Johansson, M. Kalnina, M. Kaminek, A. Kiss, M. Kobylecka, M. Kostkiewicz, J. Kropp, R. Kullenberg, T. Lahoutte, O. Lang, Y. H. Larsson, M. Lazar, L. Leccisotti, N. Leners, O. Lindner, R. W. Lipp, A. Maenhout, L. Maffioli, C. Marcassa, B. Martins, P. Marzullo, G. Medolago, J. B. Meeks, C. G. Mendiguchia, S. Mirzaei, M. Mori, B. Nardi, S. Nazarenko, K. Nikoletic, R. Oleksa, T. Parviainen, J. Patrina, R. Peace, C. Pirich, H. Piwowarska-Bilska, S. Popa, V. Prakash, V. Pubul, L. Puklavec, S. Rac, M. Ratniece, S. A. Rogan, A. Romeo, M. Rossi, D. Ruiz, N. Sabharwal, B. G. Salobir, A. I. Santos, S. Saranovic, A. Sarkozi, R. P. Schneider, R. Sciagra, S. Scotti, Z. Servini, L. R. Setti, S.-A. Starck, D. Vajauskas, J. Veselý, A. Vieni, A. Vignati, I. M. Vito, K. Weiss, D. Wild, andM. Zdraveska-Kochovska (Europe); R. N. Aguro, N. Alvarado, C. M. Barral, M. Beretta, I. Berrocal, J. F. Batista Cuellar, T.-M. Cabral Chang, L. O. Cabrera Rodriguez, J. Canessa, G. Castro Mora, A. C. Claudia, G. F. Clavelo, A. F. Cruz Jr, F. F. Faccio, K. M. Fernandez, J. R. Gomez Garibo, U. Gonzalez, P. Gonzalez, M. A. Guzzo, J. Jofre, M. Kapitan, G. Kempfer, J. L. Lopez, T. Massardo, I. Medeiros Colaco, C. T. Mesquita, M. Montecinos, S. Neubauer, L. M. Pabon, A. Puente, L. M. Rochela Vazquez, J. A. Serna Macias, A. G. Silva Pino, F. Z. Tartari Huber, A. P. Tovar, L. Vargas, and C. Wiefels (Latin America); A. Aljizeeri, R. J. Alvarez, D. Barger, W. Beardwood, J. Behrens, L. Brann, D. Brown, H. Carr, K. Churchwell, G. A. Comingore, J. Corbett, M. Costello, F. Cruz, T. Depinet, S. Dorbala, M. Earles, F. P. Esteves, E. Etherton, R. J. Fanning Jr, J. Fornace, L. Franks, H. Gewirtz, K. Gulanchyn, C.-L. Hannah, J. Hays, J. Hendrickson, J. Hester, K. Holmes, S. Jerome, A. Johnson, C. Jopek, H. Lewin, J. Lyons, C. Manley, J. Meden, S. Moore, W. H. Moore, V. Murthy, R. Nace, D. Neely, L. Nelson, O. Niedermaier, D. Rice, R. Rigs, K. Schiffer, E. Schockling, T. Schultz, T. Schumacker, B. Sheesley, A. Sheikh, B. Siegel, A. M. Slim, J. Smith, M. Szulc, N. Tanskersley, P. Tilkemeier, G. D. Valdez, R. Vrooman, D. Wawrowicz, and D. E. Winchester (North America); and A. Alcheikh, B. Allen, E. Atkins, J. Bevan, C. Bonomini, J. Christiansen, L. Clack, E. Craig, H. Dixson, I. Duncan, S. Fredericks, S. Gales, R. Hampson, T. Hanley, K. Hartcher, J. Hassall, B. Kelley, S. Kelly, T. Kidd, T. de Kort, G. Larcos, W. Macdonald, C. McGrath, E. Murdoch, S. O’Malley, M. O’Rourke, M. Pack, R. Pearce, R. Praehofer, S. Ramsay, L. Scarlett, K. Smidt, F. Souvannavong, K. Taubman, G. Taylor, K. Tse, S. Unger, and J. Weale (Oceania).

Quality Management in Nuclear Medicine for Better Patient Care: The IAEA Program

The International Atomic Energy Agency promotes the practice of nuclear medicine among its Member States with a focus on quality and safety. It considers quality culture as a part of the educational process and as a tool to reduce heterogeneity in the practice of nuclear medicine, and in turn, patient care. Sensitization about quality is incorporated in all its delivery mechanisms. The Agency has developed a structured peer-review process called quality management (QM) audits in nuclear medicine practices to help nuclear medicine facilities improve their quality through this voluntary comprehensive audit process. The process is multidisciplinary, covering all aspects of nuclear medicine practice with a focus on the patient. It complements other QM and accreditation approaches developed by professional societies or accreditation agencies. The Agency is committed to propagate its utility and assist in the implementation process. Similar auditing programs for practice in diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy, called QUADRIL and QUATRO, respectively, are also in place. Necessary amendments in the auditing process and content are incorporated based on technological and practice changes with time. The reader will become familiar with the approach of the Agency on QM in nuclear medicine and its implementation process to improve patient care.

IAEA Programs in Empowering the Nuclear Medicine Profession Through Online Educational Resources

The International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) programme in human health aims to enhance the capabilities in Member States to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases through the application of nuclear techniques. It has the specific mission of fostering the application of nuclear medicine techniques as part of the clinical management of certain types of diseases. Attuned to the continuous evolution of this specialty as well as to the advancement and diversity of methods in delivering capacity building efforts in this digital age, the section of nuclear medicine of the IAEA has enhanced its program by incorporating online educational resources for nuclear medicine professionals into its repertoire of projects to further its commitment in addressing the needs of its Member States in the field of nuclear medicine. Through online educational resources such as the Human Health Campus website, e-learning modules, and scheduled interactive webinars, a validation of the commitment by the IAEA in addressing the needs of its Member States in the field of nuclear medicine is strengthened while utilizing the advanced internet and communications technology which is progressively becoming available worldwide. The Human Health Campus (www.humanhealth.iaea.org) is the online educational resources initiative of the Division of Human Health of the IAEA geared toward enhancing professional knowledge of health professionals in radiation medicine (nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, and medical radiation physics), and nutrition. E-learning modules provide an interactive learning environment to its users while providing immediate feedback for each task accomplished. Webinars, unlike webcasts, offer the opportunity of enhanced interaction with the learners facilitated through slide shows where the presenter guides and engages the audience using video and live streaming. This paper explores the IAEAs available online educational resources programs geared toward the enhancement of the nuclear medicine profession as delivered by the section of nuclear medicine of the IAEA.

Implementation of Quality Systems in Nuclear Medicine: Why It Matters. An Outcome Analysis (Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine Part III)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) developed a comprehensive program-Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine (QUANUM). This program covers all aspects of nuclear medicine practices including, but not limited to, clinical practice, management, operations, and services. The QUANUM program, which includes quality standards detailed in relevant checklists, aims at introducing a culture of comprehensive quality audit processes that are patient oriented, systematic, and outcome based. This paper will focus on the impact of the implementation of QUANUM on daily routine practices in audited centers. Thirty-seven centers, which had been externally audited by experts under IAEA auspices at least 1 year earlier, were invited to run an internal audit using the QUANUM checklists. The external audits also served as training in quality management and the use of QUANUM for the local teams, which were responsible of conducting the internal audits. Twenty-five out of the 37 centers provided their internal audit report, which was compared with the previous external audit. The program requires that auditors score each requirement within the QUANUM checklists on a scale of 0-4, where 0-2 means nonconformance and 3-4 means conformance to international regulations and standards on which QUANUM is based. Our analysis covering both general and clinical areas assessed changes on the conformance status on a binary manner and the level of conformance scores. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric statistical tests. The evaluation of the general checklists showed a global improvement on both the status and the levels of conformances (P < 0.01). The evaluation of the requirements by checklist also showed a significant improvement in all, with the exception of Hormones and Tumor marker determinations, where changes were not significant. Of the 25 evaluated institutions, 88% (22 of 25) and 92% (23 of 25) improved their status and levels of conformance, respectively. Fifty-five requirements, on average, increased from nonconformance to conformance status. In 8 key areas, the number of improved requirements was well above the average: Administration & Management (checklist 2); Radiation Protection & Safety (checklist 4); General Quality Assurance system (checklist 6); Imaging Equipment Quality Assurance or Quality Control (checklist 7); General Diagnostic (checklist 9); General Therapeutic (checklist 12); Radiopharmacy Level 1 (checklist 14); and Radiopharmacy Level 2 (checklist 15). Analysis of results related to clinical activities showed an overall positive impact on both the status and the level of conformance to international standards. Similar results were obtained for the most frequently performed clinical imaging and therapeutic procedures. Our study shows that the implementation of a comprehensive quality management system through the IAEA QUANUM program has a positive impact on nuclear medicine practices.

Nuclear cardiology practices and radiation exposure in Africa: Results from the IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study (INCAPS)

Summary Objective: While nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) offers many benefits to patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease, concerns exist regarding radiationassociated health effects. Little is known regarding MPI practice in Africa. We sought to characterise radiation doses and the use of MPI best practices that could minimise radiation in African nuclear cardiology laboratories, and compare these to practice worldwide. Methods: Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected for a consecutive sample of 348 patients from 12 laboratories in six African countries over a one-week period from March to April 2013. Radiation effective dose (ED) was estimated for each patient. A quality index (QI) enumerating adherence to eight best practices, identified a priori by an IAEA expert panel, was calculated for each laboratory. We compared these metrics with those from 7 563 patients from 296 laboratories outside Africa. Results: to that of the rest of the world [9.1 (5.1–15.6) vs 10.3 mSv (6.8–12.6), p = 0.14], although a larger proportion of African patients received a low ED, ≤ 9 mSv targeted in societal recommendations (49.7 vs 38.2%, p < 0.001). Bestpractice adherence was higher among African laboratories (QI score: 6.3 ± 1.2 vs 5.4 ± 1.3, p = 0.013). However, median ED varied significantly among African laboratories (range: 2.0–16.3 mSv; p < 0.0001) and QI range was 4–8. Conclusion: Patient radiation dose from MPI in Africa was similar to that in the rest of the world, and adherence to best practices was relatively high in African laboratories. Nevertheless there remain opportunities to further reduce radiation exposure to African patients from MPI.

Nuclear Cardiology: Are We Using the Right Protocols and Tracers the Right Way?

The field of nuclear cardiology has changed considerably over recent years, with greater attention paid to safety and radiation protection issues. The wider usage of technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging using gamma cameras has contributed to better quality studies and lower radiation exposure to patients. Increased availability of tracers and scanners for positron emission tomography (PET) will help further improve the quality of studies and quantify myocardial blood flow and myocardial flow reserve, thus enhancing the contribution of non-invasive imaging to the management of coronary artery disease. The introduction of new instrumentation such as solid state cameras and new software will help reduce further radiation exposure to patients undergoing nuclear cardiology studies. Results from recent studies, focused on assessing the relationship between best practices and radiation risk, provide useful insights on simple measures to improve the safety of nuclear cardiology studies without compromising the quality of results.