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The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PET/CT in detecting peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with ovarian cancer and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT with that of enhanced abdominal CT.The medical records of 46 consecutive patients with ovarian cancer were reviewed, and the presence of peritoneal tumor on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and enhanced abdominal CT scans was also assessed. Imaging results were compared with the pathologic findings obtained by surgery.Pathologic results were positive for peritoneal carcinomatosis in 26 patients and negative in 20 patients. PET/CT correctly detected 25 of 26 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and enhanced abdominal CT correctly detected 23 of 26 patients. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis were 96.2% and 90%, respectively, for PET/CT and 88.5% and 65%, respectively, for enhanced abdominal CT. The accuracy of PET/CT was statistically higher than that of enhanced abdominal CT (93.5% vs 78.3%, P = 0.039). Four distinctly abnormal PET/CT findings of single nodular, multiple nodular, diffuse, and mixed FDG uptakes were identified and corresponded to pathologic findings.(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging is efficient in the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis and its performance is superior to that of enhanced abdominal CT.

Isis W Gayed,1 Ron J Karni,2 David Q Wan,1 Jeena M Varghese,3 Kelly L Wirfel,3 Kyoung S Won,4 Usha A Joseph1 1Nuclear Medicine Section, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 3Department of Internal Medicine – Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Medical School at Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA; 4Department of Nuclear Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, South Korea Objective: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of Tc-99m sestamibi parathyroid scan (SPS) with single-photon emission computerized tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism after optimizing the interpretation of the scans with a systematic and simple method for localization of the abnormal parathyroid gland.Materials and methods: Consecutive patients, who underwent SPS followed by surgical intervention, were included. Data were collected retrospectively including patients’ demographics, serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, SPS findings, and surgical and pathological findings. Our optimized systematic method of interpretation of SPS starts by reviewing initial and 3 hours delayed planar images; subsequently we reviewed coronal and axial SPECT/CT images. A simple clockwise localization of the abnormal gland in relation to the trachea and its level in relation to the thyroid in a cranio-caudal level facilitates intraoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas.Results: A total of 53 patients were included; 9 males and 44 females with an average age of 58.3±14 years. The average preoperative serum calcium and PTH were 10.5 mg/dL and 165.4 pg/m, respectively. The median interval between the scan and operative resection was 50 days. Our SPS interpretation method correlated perfectly with the surgical finding in 48/53 patients (90.6%); it was on the correct side of the surgical finding but not the exact location in 3/53 (5.7%) and nonlocalizing in 2/53 (3.7%). The average intraoperative PTH after resection of the adenoma was 39.7 pg/mL.Conclusion: Our optimized method for interpretation of SPS demonstrated high accuracy with good surgical outcomes. Keywords: parathyroid scan, Tc-99 sestamibi, primary hyperparathyroidism, SPECT-CT, parathyroid adenoma

Objective Because positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) can be used to visualize inflammation of the musculoskeletal system, it may help elucidate the pathophysiology of frozen shoulder (FS). The purpose of this study was to characterize the uptake pattern on 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with idiopathic FS and to determine if there is a correlation between its metabolic parameters and clinical findings. Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT was conducted to 35 patients with unilateral idiopathic FS. Clinical data including pain, functional scores, and passive range of motion (ROM) were collected. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were measured at the four regions of interest (ROIs): rotator interval (RI), anterior joint capsule (AJC), axillary recess (AR), and posterior joint capsule (PJC) from the attenuation-corrected axial images. Results Mean SUVmax values for four ROIs of the affected shoulder were significantly higher than those of the unaffected shoulder. Mean SUVmax values of RI and AR were significantly higher than those of AJC and PJC and mean SUVmax of AJC was significantly higher than that of PJC in the affected side. Three recognizable patterns of increased uptake were noted: (1) AR dominant type (15 patients); (2) RI dominant type (9 patients); (3) both RI and AR dominant type (11 patients). The SUVmax of AR showed negative correlation with abduction and forward flexion. The SUVmax of RI showed negative correlation with external rotation and internal rotation. The SUVmax of AJC showed negative correlation with all ROMs. However, there was no significant correlation between the SUVmax of PJC and any ROM. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the anterior–inferior capsular portion, including RI and AR, is the main pathologic site of idiopathic FS and reveals significant correlations between ROM and metabolic parameters on 18F-FDG PET/CT. These results imply that AR and RI lesions are related to elevational limitations and rotational limitations, respectively.

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare anomaly that originates from the coronary artery and drains into the cardiac chamber or the adjacent vasculature. We report a case of CAF in a 77 years old woman with dyspnea on exertion. Using coronary angiography and cardiac multidetector computed tomography, this patient was diagnosed with CAF draining into the left bronchial arteries. First-pass radionuclide angiography (FPRNA) showed early pulmonary recirculation through a left to right shunt. The pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio was 1.24. The patient received supportive care with vasodilator and antiplatelet therapy. First-pass radionuclide angiography was used to provide physiologic informations, to plan the treatment course for this patient.

This retrospective study investigated the usefulness of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) after interventional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Between March 2007 and November 2010, 31 patients (24 men, 7 women; mean age, 61.8 ± 11.0 years) with 45 lesions underwent PET/CT within 1 month after interventional therapy for HCC. Twenty-six patients with 40 lesions underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), two patients with 2 lesions underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and three patients with 3 lesions underwent percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT). Patients with a history of previous interventional therapy were excluded. Visual analysis was graded as positive when FDG was observed as an eccentric, nodular, or infiltrative pattern, and negative in case of isometabolic, hypometabolic, or rim-shaped uptake. For quantitative analysis, the standardized uptake value (SUV) was measured by region of interest technique. Maximum SUV (SUVmax) was assessed, and the ratio of SUVmax of tumor to mean SUV of normal liver (TNR) was calculated. The patients were divided into two groups, with and without residual tumor, based on 6-month clinical follow-up with serum alpha-fetoprotein and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT.Of the 45 lesions, 24 were classified in the residual tumor group and the other 21 lesions in the no residual tumor group. No residual tumor was detected after RFA or PEIT. By visual analysis, the respective values for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 87.5, 71.4, 77.8, 83.3, and 80.0 %. However, there were no significant differences in the SUVmax and TNR between the two groups.It is suggested that FDG PET/CT may play a role in the evaluation of early treatment response after interventional therapy for HCC. The results indicate that FDG PET/CT visual analysis may be more useful than quantitative analysis. Further prospective studies with a large number of patients and established protocol are needed to substantiate our results.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of incapacitating nausea and vomiting interspersed with symptom free periods. Common triggers of cyclic vomiting include noxious stress, excitement, fatigue and menstrual period. Here, we report a case of cyclic vomiting syndrome in adult patient characterized by stereotypical vomiting attack, occurring in every menstruation period. Recurrent vomiting episodes began 6 years ago and we treated this patient with subcutaneous injection of goserelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) and oral estrogen. After 4 months of therapy, she was symptom free for the following 5 years, even with the resumed normal menstruation. Recurrence of vomiting attack with same pattern occurred 1 month before readmission. Treatment with intravenous lorazepam aborted vomiting, but could not prevent recurrences of vomiting and epigastric pain. We treated the patient with GnRHa and oral estradiol again which effectively prevented recurrence of the symptoms.

This study assessed whether preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) measured by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) could improve the prediction of prognosis in gastric cancer. One hundred fifty-one patients with gastric cancer and pathologically confirmed LN involvement who had undergone preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT prior to curative surgical resection were retrospectively enrolled. To obtain nodal SUVmax, a transaxial image representing the highest 18F-FDG uptake was carefully selected, and a region of interest was manually drawn on the highest 18F-FDG accumulating LN. Conventional prognostic parameters and PET findings (primary tumor and nodal SUVmax) were analyzed for prediction of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, prognostic accuracy of survival models was assessed using c-statistics. Of the 151 patients, 38 (25%) experienced recurrence and 34 (23%) died during follow-up (median follow-up, 48 months; range, 5–74 months). Twenty-seven patients (18%) showed positive 18F-FDG nodal uptake (range, 2.0–22.6). In these 27 patients, a receiver-operating characteristic curve demonstrated a nodal SUVmax of 2.8 to be the optimal cutoff for predicting RFS and OS. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that nodal SUVmax (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.71, P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of DaTscan in a heterogeneous group of patients with movement disorders as well as the degree of confidence in scan findings between different readers.A retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients who underwent DaTscan during 1 year was performed. The patients' demographics, symptoms, duration, clinical diagnosis, and medications were collected. The scan findings were categorized by 2 blinded observers on a semiquantitative scale as follows: 0, normal; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, marked; and 4, absent uptake for each of the caudate heads and putamina separately. A correlation of the scan findings with the clinical symptoms and diagnosis as well as interobserver agreement was performed. Disagreement was considered when a difference greater than 2 in more than 1 area of the basal ganglia was recorded. Descriptive statistics and κ test for interobserver agreement were used for data analysis.Fifty-seven patients were included (mean age, 63.4 years; 29 men, 28 women). Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD) was certain in 26 and uncertain in 31 patients. DaTscan was markedly abnormal in 24 (92%) of 26 patients with certain clinical diagnosis of PD and normal in the remaining 2 (8%). In 31 patients with uncertain diagnosis, 15 (48%) had markedly abnormal scans, 5 (16%) had mild abnormalities, and 11 (36%) had normal scans. Each of the sensitivity and positive predictive value of DaTscan in patients who had certain clinical diagnosis of PD (26 patients) is 92%. Interobserver agreement occurred in 52 (91%) of 57 scans and disagreement in 5 (9%) of 57 (κ = 0.82). There was also a good correlation with laterality of symptoms in 32 (82%) of 39 positive studies.Markedly abnormal DaTscan is confirmed as the diagnostic pattern for PD. This pattern helps confirm the diagnosis in patients with unclear clinical diagnosis. Good interobserver agreement is easily obtained in reading DaTscans.

We describe the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings of 2 simultaneous metastatic gastric cancers to the colon and spleen with quite different FDG avidities. Longitudinal and weak FDG uptake was observed in the descending colon; therefore, it could not be distinguished from nonpathological functional uptake of normal colon. Meanwhile, the splenic mass showed intense uptake. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a segmental wall thickening of the descending colon as well as a hypoattenuating splenic mass suggesting metastases. Splenectomy and left hemicolectomy were performed. Histological diagnosis disclosed metastatic gastric cancer. The differential diagnoses and review of the literature are presented.

A 38-year-old man with a history of renal transplantation presented with a 3-month history of bilateral neck swelling. Ultrasonography of the neck showed multiple enlarged lymph nodes at the bilateral neck. Histologic examination of a specimen from an excisional biopsy at right level II cervical lymph node revealed polymorphic posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan was performed for further evaluation. The scan revealed marked enlargement and intense hypermetabolism of the lymph nodes along the bilateral cervical lymph node chains (Fig. 1). Several reports have described that diverse infectious or inflammatory disorders and malignant diseases show various degree of FDG uptake of cervical lymph nodes. This case illustrates that the possibility of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder should be considered in renal transplant patients with increased FDG uptake of cervical lymph nodes on F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan.

An abnormally increased uptake of the bone-seeking agent is rarely observed in structures other than the bone and urinary track on bone scintigraphy. The general etiologies of soft tissue uptake can be explained by heterotopic ossification or dystrophic and metastatic calcification. We report a case of serendipitous visualization of the entire colon on bone scintigraphy. Diffuse colonic uptake was detected on the whole-body bone scan in a patient with biopsy-proven sigmoid colon cancer. Additional imaging studies clearly showed direct bladder invasion of the sigmoid colon cancer. Imaging findings with a brief review of the literature are presented in this article.

An 83-year-old man was referred with a right lung mass on dynamic chest computed tomography (CT). F-18 fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET)/CT showed intense FDG uptake in the right lung mass and bilateral hypermetabolic mediastinal lymph nodes. CT-guided biopsy of the right lung mass revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma from the colon, but a colon cancer lesion was not detected by dynamic abdominal CT and colonoscopy.

The authors report two cases of orbital cavernous hemangioma diagnosed by Tc-99m RBC SPECT. Tc-99m RBC SPECT showed a typical scintigraphic pattern commonly seen in hepatic hemangioma in which there is intense focally increased uptake on delayed SPECT images. Tc-99m RBC SPECT in orbital cavernous hemangioma may be as useful a diagnostic modality as in hepatic hemangioma.

While adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) effectively suppresses the hepatitis B virus, it can cause proximal renal tubular dysfunction leading to phosphate wasting [1, 2]. The safety of low-dose ADV (a dose of 10 mg/day), which does not induce clinically significant nephrotoxicity, is well recognized, but a few cases of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (HO) caused by low-dose ADV therapy have recently been reported [3–6]. Although HO induced by low-dose ADV therapy is rare, the presence of bone pain in patients treated with ADV should be monitored. Bone scintigraphy can be performed to confirm the occurrence of osteomalacia and to determine the disease extent. Bone scintigraphic and radiological image findings with a brief review of the literature are presented in this article. We report two cases of HO induced by low-dose ADV therapy that showed multifocal increased radiotracer uptakes in the bilateral bony ribs, spines, pelvic bones and lower extremities on whole-body bone scintigraphy (Figs. 1 and ​and2).2). Bone pain gradually improved after phosphate supplementation and by changing the antiviral agent. Fig. 1 A 44-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of diffuse musculoskeletal pain in the chest, back and both knees without antecedent trauma. The patient had a history of chronic hepatitis B infection and had received adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) (10 mg/day) ... Fig. 2 A 42-year-old man who had taken adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) (10 mg/day) for 7 years for treatment of chronic hepatitis B complained of a 2-year history of diffuse musculoskeletal pain in the anterior chest area with absence of antecedent ... Whole-body bone scintigraphy is a highly sensitive imaging tool and can show disease extent at once in the setting of the wide range of the clinical spectrum with nonspecific radiological findings [5]. Furthermore, frequent involvement of the lower extremities, as a result of maximum weight bearing, could be an additional scintigraphic clue for the diagnosis of HO [6, 7]. These cases could be helpful for both clinicians prescribing ADV and nuclear physicians to prevent delayed diagnosis and plan further appropriate treatment.

Preoperative screening for synchronous colorectal neoplasia (CRN) has been recommended in patients with gastric cancer because patients with gastric cancer are at increased risk for synchronous CRN. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting synchronous advanced CRN in patients with gastric cancer. A total of 256 patients who underwent colonoscopy and 18F-FDG PET/CT for preoperative staging were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of focal colonic 18F-FDG uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT image was made based on histopathologic results from the colonoscopic biopsy. The 18F-FDG PET/CT result was considered as true positive for advanced CRN when focal 18F-FDG uptake matched colorectal carcinoma or adenoma with high-grade dysplasia in the same location on colonoscopy. Synchronous advanced CRN was detected in 21 of the 256 patients (4.7%). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 76.2%, 96.2%, and 94.5%. The size of CRN with a true positive result was significantly larger than that with a false negative result. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for detecting synchronous advanced CRN in patients with gastric cancer. Colonoscopy is recommended as the next diagnostic step for further evaluation of a positive 18F-FDG PET/CT result in patients with gastric cancer.

We present a case of catheter tract implantation metastasis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma after preoperative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) on F-18 FDG PET/CT. A 65-year-old woman had received preoperative PTBD before a left hemihepatectomy due to hilar cholangiocarcinoma 17 months ago. Recently, the patient complained of pain in the right flank. Serum CEA and CA 19–9 levels were within the normal range. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT was done and interpreted as no definite abnormality, so F-18 FDG PET/CT was undertaken and showed metastatic implantation on the right flank. On a retrospective review of the previous CT, a small nodule was noted at the corresponding site of the lesion on FDG PET/CT (Fig. 1). CT-guided biopsy was done and pathologic finding revealed metastasis from hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Fig. 2).

The distinction between primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma and nonmalignant lesions due to opportunistic infections, in particular cerebral toxoplasmosis, is important because of the different treatments involved. A 32-year-old patient with AIDS was hospitalized for intermittent headaches. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a small well-enhanced nodular lesion in the right frontal lobe. A fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan showed moderate FDG uptake in the nodular lesion of the right frontal lobe. We present a case of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the usefulness of F-18 FDG PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of the cerebral toxoplasmosis will be discussed.

Twelve parotid incidentalomas in 10 consecutive subjects (nine with a known malignancy elsewhere and one presumptively healthy subject) identified by combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose whole-body positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) were investigated, with the aim of calculating maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of each FDG-avid focus, and identifying corresponding sonographic and pathologic findings. The results of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) (n = 9) and core-needle biopsy (CNB) (n = 3) were Warthin tumor in 10 cases, and pleomorphic adenoma and chronic inflammation in one each. SUV(max) was 7.0-21.0 g/mL (average 13.7 g/mL) for Warthin tumor, 6.8 g/mL for pleomorphic adenoma, and 7.3 g/mL for chronic inflammation. Each FDG-avid focus corresponded to ovoid (n = 11) or lobulated (n = 1) hypoechoic mass on grayscale ultrasonography (US) and hypervascular mass, except one with chronic inflammation, on power Doppler (PD) US. Parotid incidentaloma identified by 18F-FDG PET/CT during workup of various malignancies elsewhere does not necessarily signify primary or metastatic malignancy, but indicates a high likelihood of benign lesions, particularly Warthin tumor. Such lesions should be evaluated thoroughly by US and ultrasound-guided FNAB or CNB if parotid disease would change the patient's treatment plan.

Cancer patients frequently have anemia or an altered coagulation state that may affect their risk stratification for perioperative cardiac events. We performed this study to investigate the incidence of perioperative cardiac events in cancer patients who had abnormal stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) results versus cancer patients with normal MPI results.We included 394 consecutive cancer patients with normal (n = 201) or abnormal (n = 193) results on MPI studies performed for preoperative risk stratification. MPI was performed within 6 mo before each patient's scheduled operation. All the patients had surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia, except for 18 who had endoscopic or colonoscopic procedures. We retrospectively reviewed their data for the incidence of major cardiac events intraoperatively and for 1 mo postoperatively. We collected data on their cancer type, risk factors for coronary artery disease, MPI findings, risk of operation, and intraoperative or postoperative major cardiac events, which included death, myocardial infarction (MI), and congestive heart failure (CHF).The patients with abnormal MPI results included 97 with ischemia, 80 with scarring, and 16 with mixed scarring and ischemia. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume were 63.8% +/- 9.8% and 82.0 +/- 53.5 mL in the normal MPI group versus 52.1% +/- 13.1% and 118.1 +/- 53.4 mL in the abnormal-MPI group (P0.001). There were 9 major intraoperative or postoperative cardiac events (4.7%) in the patients with abnormal MPI results and none in the patients with normal MPI results (P = 0.001). These major events consisted of 3 deaths, 2 acute MIs, 1 non-Q-wave MI, and 3 cases of CHF. Four of these patients had only scarring on their MPI studies, 3 had ischemia, and 2 had scarring and ischemia.Normal MPI results have a high negative predictive value for perioperative cardiac events in cancer patients. Abnormal MPI results, whether demonstrating scarring or ischemia, should prompt appropriate perioperative management in patients with cancer to minimize major cardiac events.

A coronary artery fistula is a rare complication following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). It may result in communication with either the left or right ventricle. Previous reported cases were diagnosed by coronary angiography using contrast medium. We present a case with a septal coronary artery fistula to the left ventricle following PTCA that was diagnosed by contrast echocardiography.

A 69-year-old man with common bile duct cancer and deep jaundice had complained of abdominal pain after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The laboratory workup showed reduction of serum hemoglobin level after the procedure. A 99mTc-hydroxy diphosphonate bone scan was performed for further evaluation of common bile duct cancer, and there was no abnormality of the skeletal structures. However, diffuse and hazy increased radiotracer uptake was detected on the liver. Follow-up contrast-enhanced 99mCT revealed hematoma and subcapsular hemorrhage of the liver.

This study was to clarify whether Behcet's disease (BD) could be classified into the spondyloarthropathy (SpA) complex. It was undertaken on 58 patients with BD (BD group), 56 patients with SpA (SpA group), and 3 patients who concurrently satisfied the criteria for BD and SpA (BDSpA group). The clinical parameters and known susceptible HLA antigens were compared between BD group and SpA group. In addition, 3 patients in BDSpA group were reviewed. The prevalence of definitive sacroiliitis (SI) in BD group and SpA group was 46.4% and 5.2%, respectively. However, none had a definitive SI in healthy controls. Enthesitis was observed in 3.4% of BD group and in 50% of SpA group. The patterns of eye involvement were different between these two groups. HLA-B27 was negative in all 49 patients of BD group, whereas it was positive in 67.9% of SpA group. The prevalence of HLA-B51 was 51.7% in BD group, and that in SpA group was 21.4%. One patient in BDSpA group was considered to have concurrent BD and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Another patient was closer to AS, and the third to BD. Conclusively, it seems that BD could not be classified into the SpA complex.

A 46-year-old man with early gastric cancer at the gastric antrum underwent an F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-computer tomography (CT) scan for staging. No definite abnormal FDG uptake of the stomach was shown. Incidentally, variable FDG uptake at the bilateral serratus muscles, abdominal muscles and muscles of both thighs (Fig. 1) was observed. He had no significant past medical history except recently diagnosed stomach cancer. On personal interview, he described having had sexual activity the night before the F-18 FDG PET/CT scan, although he was aware of needing to avoid physical activity before a PET scan. The F-18 FDG PET/CT scan was done at 2:00 p.m. Therefore, the hypermetabolism of individual skeletal muscles following sexual activity lasted over 12 h. This case illustrates the hypermetabolism of skeletal muscles following sexual activity as a normal variation.

We first report a case of protein losing enteropathy in severe atopic dermatitis in an exclusively breast-fed 5-month-old infant. Protein losing enteropathy was confirmed by fecal alpha1-antitrypsin clearance test and imaged successfully by 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy. The present case highlights that protein losing enteropathy in severe infantile atopic dermatitis is being a topic of concern and also an issue even in exclusive breast feeding patients.

Glioblastoma of the brain is well known for high FDG uptake and a poor prognosis. However, primary spinal glioblastoma is relatively rare and no other reports are available on its F-18 FDG PET findings. A 17-year-old girl presented with recurrent and progressive paraplegia and sensory change below the 10th thoracic dermatome. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was negative for malignancy and showed only inflammation. Initial magnetic resonance imaging suggested transverse myelitis and steroid pulse therapy was administered, which caused a transient improvement in her symptoms. On reaggravation, F-18 FDG PET was performed and the findings were consistent with a malignant neoplasm. Surgical resection was undertaken and a primary spinal glioblastoma was confirmed based on pathologic findings.

I.R. Kamel and E.M. Merkle, eds. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2011, 212 pages, $99 Three-tesla MRI scanners have been seeing steadily increasing use recently as hardware has matured and pulse sequences have become optimized for a higher field strength. This increase in popularity has

Background : The single-breath carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) and the per unit alveolar volume (KCO; DLCO/VA) gave discordant values when there was an abnormal alveolar volume (VA). However, the clinical significance of the discordant values in patients with airflow limitation has not been examined. This study investigated the DLCO and KCO changes after improving the airflow limitation. Methods : The baseline DLCO and KCO with lung volume were measured in patients with an airflow obstruction. The effective alveolar volume was measured using the single-breath CH4 dilution method. The patients divided into two groups according to the baseline values: (1) increased KCO in comparison with the DLCO (high discordance) (2) decreased or not increased KCO in comparison with the DLCO (low discordance). The diffusion capacity and lung volume were measured after treatment. Results : There was no significant difference in the baseline lung volumes including the FEV1 and FVC between the two groups. The FEV1 and FVC were significantly increased in the high discordance group compared with the low discordance group after treating the airflow limitation. The DLCO and alveolar volume were significant higher in the high discordance group compared with the low discordance group while the TLC was not. Conclusion : The discordance between the DLCO and KCO could be translated into an airflow reversibility in patients with an airflow limitation. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2005; 59: 374-379)

Commotio cordis is sudden death due to a non-penetrating chest wall impact in the absence of structural injury to the heart and chest wall. It usually occurs during sports games, like baseball, ice-hockey and soft balls, in young children. When objects (baseball, hockey puck, etc) strike the chest, a fatal arrhythmia like ventricular fibrillation can occur. We report a case of ventricular fibrillation that occurred after a light blunt trauma to the chest wall. (Korean

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare manifestation of metastatic lung cancers and described in advanced diseases or during cytotoxic chemotherapy which is manifested by sudden onset of dyspnea. The cause or mechanism of spontaneous pneumothorax has been unknown, as well as the association with site of metastases or type of cancers or side effect of chemotherapeutic drugs has been reported rarely. A 68-yr-old man underwent excision of angiosarcoma of the scalp. Chest radiography did not show any evidence of possible metastatic lung lesion at that time. Therefore, systemic doxorubicin and dacarbazine were given. After nineteen days of chemotherapy, he developed a bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and palpable cervical lymph nodes. Both parietal and visceral pleura were intact and showed no evidence of metastatic and pathologic lesions on thoracoscopic evaluation. The patient managed with bilateral tube thoracostomy and both lungs were expanded. Lymph nodes became unpalpable during three cycles of the paclitaxel and doxorubicin, however, bilateral lung metastases were developed and progressed despite chemotherapy. The patient died due to respiratory failure after five months. This report underlines that spontaneous pneumothorax can occur as the first manifestation of metastatic angiosarcoma even if imaging studies do not show of a metastatic lesion.

Background and Objectives:Exercise myocardial perfusion scans in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyo- pathy have shown reversible perfusion abnormalities with unknown clinical significance. We performed this study to characterize dipyridamole Tl-201 SPECT imaging and correlate with clinical findings in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods:Tl-201 SPECT was performed in 25 patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and 20 normal controls after dipyridamole infusion (0.56 mg/kg. Myocardial wall was divided into 8 segments. Tl-201 uptake and relative washout rate were calculated. Results:Tl-201 SPECT showed significantly lower Tl-201 uptake in basal septal (81.3±3.4% vs 78.2±6.4%, p

Background: A number of different weaning techniques can be employed such as spontaneous breathing trial, Intermittent mandatory ventilation(IMV) or Pressure support ventilation(PSV). However, the conclusive data indicating the superiority of one technique over another have not been published. Usually, a conventional spontaneous breathing trial is undertaken by supplying humidified through T-shaped adaptor connected to endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube. In Korea, T-tube trial is not popular because the high-flow oxygen system is not always available. Also, the timing of extubation is not conclusive and depends on clinical experiences. It is known that to withdraw the endotracheal tube after weaning is far better than to go through any period. The tube produces varying degrees of resistance depending on its internal diameter and the flow rates encountered. The purpose of present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of weaning and extubation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing trial with simple oxygen supply through the endotracheal tube. Methods: We analyzed the result of weaning and extubation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing trial with simple oxygen supply through the endotracheal tube in 18 subjects from June, 1993 to June, 1994. They consisted of 9 males and 9 females. The duration of mechanical ventilation was from 38 hours to 341 hours(mean: hours). In all cases, the cause of ventilator dependency should be identified and precipitating factors should be corrected. The weaning trial was done when the patient became alert and arterial tension was adequate( > 55mmHg) with an inspired oxygen fraction of 40%. We conducted a careful physical examination when the patient was breathing spontaneously through the endotracheal tube. Failure of weaning trial was signaled by cyanosis, sweating, paradoxical respiration, intercostal recession. Weaning failure was defined as the need for mechanical ventilation within 48 hours. Results: In 19 weaning trials of 18 patients, successful weaning and extubation was possible in 16/19(84.2 %). During the trial of spontaneous breathing for 60 minutes through the endotracheal tube, the patients who could wean developed slight increase in respiratory rates but significant changes of arterial blood gas values were not noted. But, the patients who failed weaning trial showed the marked increase in respiratory rates without significant changes of arterial blood gas values. Conclusion: The result of present study indicates that weaning from mechanical ventilation following a 60 minutes spontaneous breathing with supply through the endotracheal tube is a simple and effective method. Extubation can be done at the same time of successful weaning except for endobronchial toilet or airway protection.

Background: The intrapleural instillation of tetracycline for pleural sclerosis had been most commonly used in patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion or recurrent pneumothorax for a long time. Unfortunately, at a time of expanding use of this agent, the production of injectable tetracycline hydrochloride used for pleurodesis was discontinued by its sole manufacturer in mid-1991 because the manufacturer was unable to meet US Food and Drug Administration purity standards. So we performed a preliminary study of doxycycline, as a alternative pleural sclerosant on rabbit pleura and compared its efficacy with that of tetracycline. Method: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 to 3kg(mean 2.6kg) were devided into three groups. In each groups, one tetracycline(20 mg/ml/kg) and two doxycycline solutions(7 mg/ml/kg and 20 mg/ml/kg) instillated into the right pleural space through an 18-gauge angiocath with care to prevent pneumothorax. All rabbits were sacrificed after 28 days. Results: 1) In the group of tetracycline 20 mg/ml/kg(six rabbits), five rabbits showed partial pleural symphysis with several fibrous bands, and one rabbit died on 22th day. 2) In the group of doxycycline 7 mg/ml/kg(six rabbits), three rabbits showed partial pleural symphysis and the other three rabbits showed complete pleural symphysis without necrosis of underlying parenchymal lung tissue. 3) In the group of doxycycline 20 mg/ml/kg(six rabbits), two rabbits showed complete pleural symphysis without lung necrosis, another two rabbits showed complete pleural symphysis with lung necrosis, and the other two rabbits died on 4th and 13th day, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that doxycycline is a highly effective sclerosing agent having stronger pleurodesis effect with that of tetracycline by dose base and its optimal dosage was considered as 7 mg/ml/kg with minimal complications.