A critical phantom study of the energy window used for Tc quantitative explorations with a ring CZT SPECT system.

Background: This study investigated, mainly for quantitative Tc explorations with a ring CZT SPECT system (GE HealthCare Starguide), the use of a narrow symmetric or a fully asymmetric energy window to reject scattered photons. The results were compared with the manufacturer's post-acquisition dual energy window approach.

Methods: Two uniform and two cold and hot rod contrast cylindrical phantoms of various sizes were scanned with the Starguide system to acquire a very high number of counts.

Quantitative capabilities of commercial CZT SPECT-CT cameras with Tc.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the quantitative capabilities of cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT)-based SPECT-CT cameras using Tc, comparable to the analysis performed a decade ago for the sodium iodide (NaI) SPECT-CT systems available on the market at that time. This survey assessed one dual-head (GE Discovery NM870 CZT) and two ring (GE Starguide, Spectrum Dynamics Veriton 200) CZT cameras, as well as a state-of-the-art NaI dual-head system (Siemens Intevo Bold) that served as reference. Attenuation and scatter correction accuracy was explored, contrast recovery for small cold and hot rods measured, as well as the quantification in a large uniform area using user-determined conversion factors.

Deep learning-assisted interactive contouring of lung cancer: Impact on contouring time and consistency.

Background And Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a deep learning (DL)-assisted interactive contouring tool on inter-observer variability and the time taken to complete tumour contouring.

Materials And Methods: Nine clinicians contoured the gross tumour volume (GTV) using the PET-CT scans of 10 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, either using DL-assisted or manual contouring tools. After contouring a case using one contouring method, the same case was contoured one week later using the other method.

Prognostic value of visual IMPeTUs criteria and metabolic tumor burden at baseline [F]FDG PET/CT in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Background: 2-[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography combined with low-dose computed tomography (PET/CT) can be used at diagnosis to identify myeloma-defining events and also provides prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of baseline [F]FDG PET/CT visual IMPeTUs (Italian myeloma criteria for PET Use)-based parameters and/or total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) in a single-center population of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) eligible for transplantation.

Methods: Patients with MM who underwent a baseline [F]FDG PET/CT were retrospectively selected from a large internal database of the University Hospital of Liege (Liege, Belgium).

[Myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary artery disease : recent technological innovations].

Cardiovascular diseases represent the first cause of mortality in the world. Various exploration methods exist to prevent and diagnose them. Among them, cardiac scintigraphy holds a predominant place.

Tumor-Specific Imaging with Angiostamp800 or Bevacizumab-IRDye 800CW Improves Fluorescence-Guided Surgery over Indocyanine Green in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.

Complete surgical removal of lesions improves survival of peritoneal carcinomatosis and can be enhanced by intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared fluorescent dye approved for clinical use, but it lacks specificity for tumor cells, highlighting the need for tumor-selective targeting agents. We compared the tumor-specific near-infrared fluorescent probes Bevacizumab-IRDye 800CW and Angiostamp800, which target tumor angiogenesis and cancer cells, to ICG for fluorescence-guided surgery in peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian origin.

Distinction of Lymphoma from Sarcoidosis on F-FDG PET/CT: Evaluation of Radiomics-Feature-Guided Machine Learning Versus Human Reader Performance.

Sarcoidosis and lymphoma often share common features on F-FDG PET/CT, such as intense hypermetabolic lesions in lymph nodes and multiple organs. We aimed at developing and validating radiomics signatures to differentiate sarcoidosis from Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We retrospectively collected 420 patients (169 sarcoidosis, 140 HL, and 111 DLBCL) who underwent pretreatment F-FDG PET/CT at the University Hospital of Liege.

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Ovarian Origin for Intraoperative PDT.

Advanced ovarian cancer is the most serious among gynecological malignancies and is associated with 35% five-year overall survival. Surgery is the first therapeutic indication, and the absence of remaining macroscopic lesions is the most important prognostic factor. However, tumor dissemination over the whole abdominal cavity largely contributes to the difficulty of complete surgical resection.

Frontal hypometabolism in neurocognitive disorder with behavioral disturbance.

Criteria for the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) include decreased frontal metabolism. FDG-PET was used to investigate whether patients with neurocognitive disorder and behavioral disturbance (bvNCD) who did not fulfill three bvFTD criteria had characteristic brain metabolic pattern. Patients were referred from memory clinic to nuclear medicine for differential diagnosis of NCD with dysexecutive syndrome and predominant mild frontal atrophy.

[F]FDG PET radiomics to predict disease-free survival in cervical cancer: a multi-scanner/center study with external validation.

Purpose: To test the performances of native and tumour to liver ratio (TLR) radiomic features extracted from pre-treatment 2-[F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F]FDG) PET/CT and combined with machine learning (ML) for predicting cancer recurrence in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

Methods: One hundred fifty-eight patients with LACC from multiple centers were retrospectively included in the study. Tumours were segmented using the Fuzzy Local Adaptive Bayesian (FLAB) algorithm.

Inter-observer variability of Y PET/CT dosimetry in hepatocellular carcinoma after glass microspheres transarterial radioembolization.

Introduction: Strong correlation has been demonstrated between tumor dose and response and between healthy liver dose and side effects. Individualized dosimetry is increasingly recommended in the current clinical routine. However, hepatic and tumor segmentations could be complex in some cases.

Verteporfin-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Improve Ovarian Cancer Photodynamic Therapy In Vitro and In Vivo.

Advanced ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, with a high rate of chemoresistance and relapse. Photodynamic therapy offers new prospects for ovarian cancer treatment, but current photosensitizers lack tumor specificity, resulting in low efficacy and significant side-effects. In the present work, the clinically approved photosensitizer verteporfin was encapsulated within nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for targeted photodynamic therapy of ovarian cancer.

Comparative dosimetry between Tc-MAA SPECT/CT and Y PET/CT in primary and metastatic liver tumors.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine whether Tc-MAA SPECT/CT-based dosimetry could predict the actual absorbed dose in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases, treated by glass or resin microspheres.

Material And Methods: Fifty-seven patients who underwent selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) were retrospectively included in the study, for a total of 59 treatments. Nineteen HCC were treated by resin microspheres (HCC-SIR), 20 HCC with glass microspheres (HCC-Thera), and 20 liver metastases with resin microspheres (Metastases-SIR).

Characterization of a temporoparietal junction subtype of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) subtypes have been described according to genetics, neuropsychology, neuropathology, and neuroimaging. Thirty-one patients with clinically probable AD were selected based on perisylvian metabolic decrease on FDG-PET. They were compared to 25 patients with a typical pattern of decreased posterior metabolism.

Brain plasticity after implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulation to improve gait in chronic stroke patients: Two case reports.

Background: Recent studies have shown that stimulation of the peroneal nerve using an implantable 4-channel peroneal nerve stimulator could improve gait in stroke patients.

Objectives: To assess structural cortical and regional cerebral metabolism changes associated with an implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulator to correct foot drop related to a central nervous system lesion.

Methods: Two stroke patients presenting a foot drop related to a central nervous system lesion were implanted with an implanted peroneal nerve electrical stimulator.

The Influence of Meteorological Factors and Atmospheric Pollutants on the Risk of Preterm Birth.

Atmospheric pollutants and meteorological conditions are suspected to be causes of preterm birth. We aimed to characterize their possible association with the risk of preterm birth (defined as birth occurring before 37 completed gestational weeks). We pooled individual data from 13 birth cohorts in 11 European countries (71,493 births from the period 1994-2011, European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE)).

68Ga and 188Re Starch-Based Microparticles as Theranostic Tool for the Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Radiolabeling and Preliminary In Vivo Rat Studies.

Purpose: This work aims to develop, validate and optimize the radiolabeling of Starch-Based Microparticles (SBMP) by 188Re and 68Ga in the form of ready-to-use radiolabeling kits, the ultimate goal being to obtain a unique theranostic vector for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Methods: Optimal labeling conditions and composition of freeze-dried kits were defined by monitoring the radiochemical purity while varying several parameters. In vitro stability studies were carried out, as well as an in vivo biodistribution as a preliminary approach with the intra-arterial injection of 68Ga radiolabeled SBMP into the hepatic artery of DENA-induced rats followed by PET/CT imaging.

FDG PET/CT texture analysis for predicting the outcome of lung cancer treated by stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Introduction: With (18)F-FDG PET/CT, tumor uptake intensity and heterogeneity have been associated with outcome in several cancers. This study aimed at investigating whether (18)F-FDG uptake intensity, volume or heterogeneity could predict the outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) treated by stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods: Sixty-three patients with NSCLC treated by SBRT underwent a (18)F-FDG PET/CT before treatment.

Clinical Response to tDCS Depends on Residual Brain Metabolism and Grey Matter Integrity in Patients With Minimally Conscious State.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was recently shown to promote recovery of voluntary signs of consciousness in some patients in minimally conscious state (MCS). However, it remains unclear why clinical improvement is only observed in a subgroup of patients.

Objectives: In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between tDCS responsiveness and neuroimaging data from MCS patients.

Spatio-temporal prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Madagascar based on meat inspection.

Background: Taenia solium cysticercosis is a parasitic meat-borne disease that is highly prevalent in pigs and humans in Africa, but the burden is vastly underestimated due to the lack of official control along the pork commodity chain, which hampers long-term control policies.

Methods: The apparent and corrected prevalences of T. solium cysticercosis were investigated in pork carcasses slaughtered and retailed in Antananarivo (Madagascar), thanks to a 12-month monitoring plan in two urban abattoirs.

Elemental Constituents of Particulate Matter and Newborn's Size in Eight European Cohorts.

Background: The health effects of suspended particulate matter (PM) may depend on its chemical composition. Associations between maternal exposure to chemical constituents of PM and newborn's size have been little examined.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the associations of exposure to elemental constituents of PM with term low birth weight (LBW; weight < 2,500 g among births after 37 weeks of gestation), mean birth weight, and head circumference, relying on standardized fine-scale exposure assessment and with extensive control for potential confounders.

Changes in cerebral metabolism in patients with a minimally conscious state responding to zolpidem.

Background: Zolpidem, a short-acting non-benzodiazepine GABA agonist hypnotic, has been shown to induce paradoxical responses in some patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), leading to recovery of arousal and cognitive abilities. We here assessed zolpidem-induced changes in regional brain metabolism in three patients with known zolpidem response in chronic post-anoxic minimally conscious state (MCS).

Methods: [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and standardized clinical assessments using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised were performed after administration of 10 mg zolpidem or placebo in a randomized double blind 2-day protocol.

The spectrum of opportunistic diseases complicating sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease marked by a paradoxical immune status. The anergic state, which results from various immune defects, contrasts with the inflammatory formation of granulomas. Sarcoidosis patients may be at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs) and a substantial number of cases have been reported, even in untreated sarcoidosis.