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Purpose: Quantitative estimates of dopamine transporter availability, determined with [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT, depend on the SPECT equipment, including both hardware and (reconstruction) software, which limits their use in multicentre research and clinical routine. This study tested a dedicated reconstruction algorithm for its ability to reduce camera-specific intersubject variability in [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT. The secondary aim was to evaluate binding in whole brain (excluding striatum) as a reference for quantitative analysis., Methods: Of 73 healthy subjects from the European Normal Control Database of [(123)I]FP-CIT recruited at six centres, 70 aged between 20 and 82 years were included. SPECT images were reconstructed using the QSPECT software package which provides fully automated detection of the outer contour of the head, camera-specific correction for scatter and septal penetration by transmission-dependent convolution subtraction, iterative OSEM reconstruction including attenuation correction, and camera-specific "to kBq/ml" calibration. LINK and HERMES reconstruction were used for head-to-head comparison. The specific striatal [(123)I]FP-CIT binding ratio (SBR) was computed using the Southampton method with binding in the whole brain, occipital cortex or cerebellum as the reference. The correlation between SBR and age was used as the primary quality measure., Results: The fraction of SBR variability explained by age was highest (1) with QSPECT, independently of the reference region, and (2) with whole brain as the reference, independently of the reconstruction algorithm., Conclusion: QSPECT reconstruction appears to be useful for reduction of camera-specific intersubject variability of [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT in multisite and single-site multicamera settings. Whole brain excluding striatal binding as the reference provides more stable quantitative estimates than occipital or cerebellar binding.

Background: Clinically node negative HNSCC patients have a risk ranging between 18 and 45% of occult metastases, making prophylactic irradiation mandatory. Selective irradiation of nodal target volume based on international guidelines is practice. Anyway, about half the tumours lying in an anatomical subsite known to potentially drain bilaterally effectively do so, leading to unnecessary large volume irradiation. Moreover, 15% of the tumours show drainage outside of predicted basin, increasing the risk for potential geographical misses. Three-dimensional SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy (LS) of sentinel node(s) may help to individualize nodal target volume selection. This prospective phase I study explores its feasibility and the dosimetric impact., Methods: Ten cN0 HNSCC patients eligible for definitive radiotherapy were imaged with SPECT/CT after 99mTc nanocolloid injection around the tumour. The neck levels containing up to four hottest nodes were identified and selected for prophylactic irradiation (CTVn-LS) by volumetric modulated arc therapy. A comparative virtual planning was performed with volumes selected according to international guidelines (CTVn-IG)., Results: Migration was observed in all patients (one with gamma probe only). 2.9 sentinel nodes were detected per patient on average. In some patients, accurate localization was difficult when not using thermoplastic mask for SPECT/CT. CTVn-LS was totally encompassed by CTVn-IG in all patients but one (unpredicted drainage in retropharyngeal level). On average, CTVn-LS and related planning target volumes were two times smaller than IG ones. This led to significant dose decrease in identified organs at risk as well as remaining volume at risk., Conclusions: SPECT/CT LS is a promising tool to individualize prophylactic node CTV in cN0 HNSCC patients eligible for definitive radiotherapy. Oncological safety must be confirmed by ongoing phase II study.

Purpose: Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with [(123)I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) is an established diagnostic tool in parkinsonism and dementia. Although qualitative assessment criteria are available, DAT quantification is important for research and for completion of a diagnostic evaluation. One critical aspect of quantification is the availability of normative data, considering possible age and gender effects on DAT availability. The aim of the European Normal Control Database of DaTSCAN (ENC-DAT) study was to generate a large database of [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT scans in healthy controls., Methods: SPECT data from 139 healthy controls (74 men, 65 women; age range 20-83 years, mean 53 years) acquired in 13 different centres were included. Images were reconstructed using the ordered-subset expectation-maximization algorithm without correction (NOACSC), with attenuation correction (AC), and with both attenuation and scatter correction using the triple-energy window method (ACSC). Region-of-interest analysis was performed using the BRASS software (caudate and putamen), and the Southampton method (striatum). The outcome measure was the specific binding ratio (SBR)., Results: A significant effect of age on SBR was found for all data. Gender had a significant effect on SBR in the caudate and putamen for the NOACSC and AC data, and only in the left caudate for the ACSC data (BRASS method). Significant effects of age and gender on striatal SBR were observed for all data analysed with the Southampton method. Overall, there was a significant age-related decline in SBR of between 4 % and 6.7 % per decade., Conclusion: This study provides a large database of [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT scans in healthy controls across a wide age range and with balanced gender representation. Higher DAT availability was found in women than in men. An average age-related decline in DAT availability of 5.5 % per decade was found for both genders, in agreement with previous reports. The data collected in this study may serve as a reference database for nuclear medicine centres and for clinical trials using [(123)I]FP-CIT SPECT as the imaging marker.

The guidelines summarize the current views of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Neuroimaging Committee (ENC). The aims of the guidelines are to assist nuclear medicine practitioners in making recommendations, performing, interpreting and reporting the results of clinical dopamine D2 receptor SPECT or PET studies, and to achieve a high quality standard of dopamine D2 receptor imaging, which will increase the impact of this technique in neurological practice.The present document is an update of the first guidelines for SPECT using D2 receptor ligands labelled with (123)I [1] and was guided by the views of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Brain Imaging Council [2], and the individual experience of experts in European countries. The guidelines intend to present information specifically adapted to European practice. The information provided should be taken in the context of local conditions and regulations.

These guidelines summarize the current views of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Neuroimaging Committee (ENC). The aim of the guidelines is to assist nuclear medicine practitioners when making recommendations, performing, interpreting, and reporting the results of clinical dopamine transporter (DAT) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies using (123)I-labelled radiopharmaceuticals. The aim is to achieve a high-quality standard of DAT SPECT imaging, which will increase the diagnostic impact of this technique in neurological practice. The present document is an update of the 2002 guidelines [1] and has been guided by the views of various national societies: the Task Group Neuro-Nuclear-Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine [2], a consensus statement of the imaging centres included in the "Kompetenznetz-Parkinson" sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education, and the Task Group of Neuro-Nuclear-Medicine of the French Society of Nuclear Medicine [3]. The guidelines reflect the individual experience of experts in European countries. The guidelines are intended to present information specifically adapted to European practice. The information provided should be taken in the context of local conditions and regulations.

These guidelines summarize the current views of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Neuroimaging Committee (ENC). The purpose of the guidelines is to assist nuclear medicine practitioners when making recommendations, performing, interpreting, and reporting the results of brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies using (99m)Tc-labelled radiopharmaceuticals. The aim is to achieve a high quality standard for brain perfusion SPECT imaging, which will increase the diagnostic impact of this technique in clinical practice. The present document replaces a former version of the guideline published in 2001 which was inspired by the Society of Nuclear Medicine Procedure Guideline for Brain Perfusion SPECT [1], the views of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Brain Imaging Council [2], and the individual experience of experts in European countries. The guidelines are intended to present information specifically adapted to European practice. The information provided should be taken in the context of local conditions and regulations.

Purpose: (123)I-N-omega-fluoropropyl-2-beta-carboxymethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane ((123)I-FP-CIT) Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been suggested to be a useful diagnostic adjunct in patients with clinically uncertain parkinsonism. We developed a pharmaco-economic (PE) model, evaluating the cost effectiveness of adding (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT to the diagnostic workup. As the model was developed before application of the diagnostic technique in real practice, a predictive validity assessment was performed based on data from a large nationwide patient registry in these patients., Methods: A PE model, using a Markov state transition model, was created, based on literature-derived and clinical expert panel data. Effects were expressed as adequately treated years (ATY). Key input data were compared to the real-life patterns in a nationwide multi-centre clinical setting, based on a complete national registry of 1,701 consecutive patients. The change in initial diagnosis and alteration of management of the patient after SPECT were registered., Results: In the PE model, it was calculated that management would change in 48.5% of patients by SPECT and that, over a 5-year period, 1.2 ATYs could be gained at a yearly additional cost of 72 euro. From the studied 1,701 patients, nigrostriatal degeneration was observed in 59.8%, the initial diagnosis was changed in 51.5%, management was altered in 49%, and cost effectiveness was increased to 358 euro per ATY., Conclusion: Good correspondence between assumed and observed changes in patient management was found, indicating that (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT is influential in diagnosis and management of patients with uncertain clinical diagnosis of parkinsonism. This can be achieved at a marginal added cost to the health insurance and leads to a significant gain in ATY.

Unlabelled: This study analyzed the incidence and clinical significance of reverse redistribution (RR) on stress-redistribution (201)Tl SPECT studies in patients with poor left ventricular function and tested the hypothesis that the RR phenomenon could be caused by artifacts., Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients with chronic coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction, 36% +/- 12%) who underwent exercise-redistribution-reinjection (201)Tl SPECT before myocardial revascularization were included. Recovery of left ventricular systolic function was assessed with 2-dimensional echocardiography performed before and 5.5 +/- 2.5 mo after revascularization. RR was determined visually and confirmed quantitatively as a > or = 10% decrease in (201)Tl uptake on the circumferential profiles. The left ventricle was divided in 16 segments for (201)Tl uptake and wall motion analyses., Results: RR was present in 39 of 1,168 segments (3.3%) and in 18 of 73 patients (25%). Before revascularization, regional wall motion was normal in 26 of 39 RR segments (67%), hypokinetic in 7 of 39 (18%), and akinetic in 6 of 39 (15%). Eight percent of all dysfunctional segments (13/167) of RR patients presented RR. After revascularization, 60 of 167 dysfunctional segments (36%) improved function by > or = 1 grade, among which 8 (13%) displayed RR on (201)Tl SPECT before revascularization. Segments with RR improved function more frequently than those without RR (62% vs. 34%; P = 0.05). Using a threshold for segmental (201)Tl uptake of >54%, the accuracy of (201)Tl reinjection to detect functional improvement in RR segments after revascularization was 77% (10/13). Artifactually induced RR was also excluded in all but 1 case because no increased activity of the pixel used for normalization could be found on redistribution images relative to that of the stress images., Conclusion: These data suggest that in patients with chronic left ventricular ischemic dysfunction, RR on exercise-redistribution (201)Tl SPECT is not an artifact and occurs rarely in normally functioning and in dysfunctional myocardium. In the latter, RR is frequently associated with myocardial viability as shown by functional recovery after revascularization. However, the presence or absence of RR in dysfunctional segments seems to be of little clinical relevance.