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Background: Several FDG PET/CT parameters have been utilized to evaluate the prognosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, there are still controversial results due to the low incidence of MPM. Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in MPM. Material and Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Medline, and The Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies from inception to 12 February 2020. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of several variables, such as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), the reduction of SUVmax after treatment (ΔSUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and the reduction of TLG after treatment (ΔTLG), were calculated. Meta-regression with subsequent subgroup analyses were conducted to determine the heterogeneity of cutoff values, treatment regimen, study design, uptake time, and scanners across various studies. Results: In total, 19 eligible studies including 1819 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The univariate analysis showed that the pooled HRs (95% CI) of SUVmax, ΔSUVmax, MTV, TLG, and ΔTLG were 1.29 (1.16–1.42), 1.12 (1.05–1.19), 1.15 (1.00–1.33), 1.47 (1.23–1.76), and 1.27 (1.12–1.45), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the pooled HRs (95% CI) of SUVmax, ΔSUVmax, MTV, and TLG for overall survival (OS) were 1.20 (1.08–1.33), 1.10 (1.02–1.19), 0.95 (0.81–1.11), and 1.13 (1.08–1.18), respectively. Conclusion: SUVmax, ΔSUVmax, TLG, and ΔTLG are significant prognostic indicators for OS, while more clinical studies are needed to confirm the prognostic value of MTV in MPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) are challenging medical problems. Previous studies have shown that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis of FUO, but few studies have explored this diagnostic technique in relation to IUO.Purpose: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of PET/CT in the diagnosis of FUO and IUO.Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines published in March 2018. Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance was performed using STATA 12.0 software. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratification based on study design, number of patients, geographic area, and final diagnosis based on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Meta-regression analyses were performed to recognize heterogeneity.Results: Our meta-analysis included 23 studies, comprising a total sample size of 1927 patients. The pooled diagnosis performance was calculated with a per-patient-based analysis: sensitivity = 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-0.89), specificity = 0.63 (95% CI = 0.49-0.75), positive likelihood ratio = 2.3 (95% CI = 1.5-3.4), negative likelihood ratio = 0.25 (95% CI = 0.16-0.38), diagnostic odds ratio = 9 (95% CI = 4.0-20), and AUC = 0.84 (95% CI = 0.81-0.87).Conclusion: In patients with non-specific symptoms and signs, 18F-FDG PET/CT is very helpful for recognizing and excluding diseases, directing further diagnostic decisions, and avoiding unnecessary invasive examinations. We recommend that 18F-FDG PET/CT should be considered among the first-line diagnostic tools for patients with FUO and IUO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PCs/PGLs) show high germline mutation, and 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA peptide positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging are recommended for the diagnosis of metastatic of PCs. However, there has been lack of direct comparison of the two modalities in the diagnosis of metastatic of PCs up to now.Purpose: To evaluate and compare the value of localization of 68Ga-somatostatin receptor analogs and 18F-FDG in the diagnosis of metastatic PCs/PGLs.Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines published in August 2016. We critically reviewed all studies based on the PICOS criteria. QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the methodology of the included studies.Results: This meta-analysis included 17 studies (629 patients, average age [mean ± SD] = 42.7 ± 6.3 years). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG and 68Ga peptides were 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.78-0.91) and 0.55 (95% CI = 0.37-0.73), and 0.95 (95% CI = 0.92-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.63-0.96), respectively. The area under the sROC curves of the 18F-FDG and 68Ga peptides were 0.88 (95% CI = 0.85-0.91) and 0.78 (95% CI = 0.74-0.81), respectively. A subgroup analysis demonstrated that the difference at the per-lesion level and gene mutation level was significant.Conclusion: Compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT, the 68Ga-somatostatin receptor demonstrated good performance in the localization of metastatic PCs/PGLs, especially those with germline mutations. The use of the 68Ga-somatostatin receptor can be a new tool in the diagnosis of metastatic PCs/PGLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) parathyroid SPECT is generally regarded as the best preoperative localizing method in patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT). However, 99mTc-MIBI SPECT is false negative in approximately 25% of adenomas. 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET) has been used in HPT with negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT scan results. Purpose To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of published data on the performance of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT with negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. Material and Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT and a negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT was calculated on a per-patient basis using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) methodology. Results Nine studies that met all inclusion and exclusion criteria were included into our meta-analysis, comprising a total sample size of 137 patients. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT with negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT scans was 86% and 86%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.87. Conclusion By merit of the high overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, 11C-methionine PET can potentially complement the diagnostic workup of patients with HPT and negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. 11C-methionine PET appears to be a promising diagnostic modality in complicated cases with HPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventricular involvement in neurotuberculosis is rare. The literature regarding the characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in ventricular tuberculosis is very limited. Purpose: To describe MRI characteristics of ventricular tuberculosis and discuss the medical treatment along with the clinical outcome. Material and Methods: Ten patients (6 men, 4 women; average age, 39 years) were diagnosed with ventricular tuberculosis during a period of 3 years. Four patients had the history of pulmonary/pleural tuberculosis. The clinical and MRI features of these patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results: On a brain MRI, three patients showed ependymitis associated with contrast enhancement of the ependymal lining of the ventricular walls. One patient had choroid plexitis associated with prominent swollen and marked enhancement of the choroid plexus. One patient had intraventricular tuberculoma associated with an intraventricular nodule. Two patients had both ependymitis and choroid plexitis. Three patients had both intraventricular tuberculoma and choroid plexitis. Four patients had hydrocephalus. All patients underwent intrathecal injection of isoniazid and dexamethasone combined with multidrug anti-tuberculosis treatment. All patients had a good clinical recovery, except for one who developed hemi-paralysis due to cerebral infarction. On the repeated MRI of eight patients after therapy, all lesions disappeared or decreased in size, apart from in one patient who showed ventricular separation. Conclusion: MRI characteristics of ventricular tuberculosis included ependymal enhancement, swelling, and enhancement of the choroid plexus and intraventricular tuberculomas. Intrathecal injection of isoniazid and dexamethasone along with multidrug chemotherapy showed good efficacy in ventricular tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anti-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (anti-3-18F-FACBC) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 11 C-choline PET/CT, 111In-capromab pendetide, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used for detecting prostate carcinoma relapse.Purpose: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data regarding the performance of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma.Material and Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the role of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma were calculated based on the included studies.Results: Six studies comprising 251 patients, suspicious of prostate carcinoma recurrence, were included in this meta-analysis. 18F-FACBC PET/CT had an 87% pooled sensitivity, 66% pooled specificity, 0.93 the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve on a per patient-based analysis in detecting prostate carcinoma recurrence.Conclusion: 18F-FACBC PET/CT was a non-invasive, metabolic imaging technique in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]