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to assess if the use of an audiovisual intervention in the uptake room and/or in the scanning room, could help to reduce anxiety during [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging.We prospectively studied 120 patients referred for [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging. Patients were allocated in 4 groups of 30 patients depending on the use of the audiovisual intervention: (1) no audiovisual intervention; (2) audiovisual intervention only in the uptake room; (3) audiovisual intervention only in the scanning room; (4) audiovisual intervention in the uptake and the scanning rooms. In order to measure the anxiety levels of the patients before and after the scan, all patients answered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).The anxiety status across typical situations on a daily basis (STAI-T) of the 4 groups of patients was comparable with no significant differences. The mean State Anxiety (STAI-S) sum-score at prescan and postscan among groups was: (1) 17.5±8.7 vs. 17.3±8.6, p=0.834; (2) 17.4±10.5 vs. 15.8±9.6, p=0.110; (3) 17.5±11.7 vs. 15.1±9.8, p= 0.013; (4) 17.4±9.7 vs. 14.9±8.1, p= 0.009. The percentage of patients with reduction of the STAI-S score among groups 1-4 was 17%, 47%, 50%, and 66%, respectively. The variation of the percentage of patients with lower scores after intervention among groups was statistically significant (p0.001).Audiovisual intervention decreases anxiety levels of patients referred for PET/CT imaging. The results of our study support a beneficial effect of the audiovisual intervention and its potential to alleviate the anxiety of oncological patients who undergo a PET/CT scan.ZIEL: Bewertung, ob der Einsatz der audiovisuellen Intervention im Sprechzimmer und/oder im Untersuchungsraum dazu beitragen könnte, die Angst während der [18F]FDG-PET/CT-Bildgebung zu reduzieren.Wir untersuchten prospektiv 120 Patienten, die zur [18F]FDG-PET/CT-Bildgebung überwiesen wurden. Die Patienten wurden je nach Einsatz der audiovisuellen Intervention in 4 Gruppen von 30 Patienten eingeteilt: (1) keine audiovisuelle Intervention, (2) audiovisuelle Intervention nur im Sprechzimmer, (3) audiovisuelle Intervention nur im Untersuchungsraum, (4) audiovisuelle Intervention im Sprechzimmer und im Untersuchungsraum. Um das Angstniveau der Patienten vor und nach der Untersuchung zu messen, beantworteten alle Patienten das State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).Der Angststatus in typischen Alltagssituationen (STAI-T) der 4 Patientengruppen war vergleichbar und wies keine signifikanten Unterschiede auf. Der mittlere State-Anxiety (STAI-S) -Summenwert vor der Untersuchung im Vergleich zu danach betrug in den Gruppen: (1) 17,5 ± 8,7 vs. 17,3 ± 8,6, p=0,834; (2) 17,4 ± 10,5 vs. 15,8 ± 9,6, p=0,110; (3) 17,5 ± 11,7 vs. 15,1 ± 9,8, p=0,013; (4) 17,4 ± 9,7 vs. 14,9 ± 8,1, p=0,009. Der Prozentsatz der Patienten mit Reduktion des STAI-S-Scores betrug in den Gruppen 1–4 17% (1), 47% (2), 50% (3) bzw. 66% (4). Der prozentuale Anteil der Patienten mit niedrigeren Werten nach der Intervention war zwischen den Gruppen statistisch signifikant (p0,001).Die audiovisuelle Intervention verringert das Angstniveau von Patienten, die zur PET/CT-Bildgebung überwiesen werden. Die Ergebnisse unserer Studie belegen eine positive Wirkung der audiovisuellen Intervention und ihr Potenzial, die Ängste von onkologischen Patienten, die sich einer PET/CT-Untersuchung unterziehen, zu lindern.

Objective Extended field chemoradiation is recommended for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. The radiation planning may be based on PET/CT while others recommend to rely on surgical staging. We report the rate of patients for whom the radiation field defined on PET/CT was modified by the histological PALN status. Methods Between March 2010 and December 2016, 168 consecutive patients with LACC underwent a pre-therapeutic PET/CT and PALN dissection. The data were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic performance of the PET/CT for definition of PALN status was calculated. We determined the percentage of patients for whom PALN dissection altered the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) field defined on the PET/CT basis. Results Of 151 patients with negative PALNs on PET/CT, 26 had histological PALN metastases. Of 17 patients with positive PALNs on PET/CT, 9 were negative on histology of which 7 were located in the common iliac region. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of PET/CT were 23.5, 93.3, 47.1 and 82.8% respectively. In total, 35 out of 168 patients underwent EBRT - field adaptation (pelvic vs extended field). The rate of radiation field modification (27,7%) was particularly high in the subgroup of patients with metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) on PET/CT. Conclusion Para-aortic surgical staging contributes significantly to individualize the radiation treatment of patients with LACC, particularly for those with positive PLNs at PET/CT. Indication of surgical staging deserves particular attention when the PET/CT suggests positive LNs in the common iliac region.

Although there is evidence that chemotherapy can have side effects on metabolism and brain function, there are few studies on the occurrence of these side effects with immunotherapy. The present study was conducted to assess whether brain metabolic changes occur in patients with malignant melanoma under immunotherapy. Thirty-nine patients after surgical intervention and with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma were retrospectively included and were divided into two groups: one group under the first-line therapy with anti-programmed cell death-1 +/- anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 monoclonal antibodies and the other group without any treatment after surgery, which served as a control. Basal and follow-up whole body and brain 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (F-18]FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) studies were performed. Changes in brain glucose metabolism after treatment initiation of the immunotherapy group were compared with the findings in the control group. In addition, longitudinal regression analysis to investigate whether the time under immunotherapy influenced the changes of brain metabolism was performed. None of the patients presented cognitive impairment or other neurological alterations between basal and follow-up brain [F-18]FDG PET/CT examinations. The statistical analysis revealed a significant relative SUV (SUVr)-loss in the left frontal region in patients of the immunotherapy group compared with the control group, with r(adjusted) = -0.62 and P = 0.008. Severity of SUVr-loss was correlated with duration of treatment. Patients with disseminated malignant melanoma receiving immunotherapy may present a decrease of brain metabolism in the left frontal region, which is related with time-under-treatment, without any clinical evidence of neurological disorder.

Background Reverse lymphatic mapping before harvesting a lymph node flap is crucial to avoid donor-site lymphedema; however, the technique is complex and unavailable in many centers. The authors introduce radioisotope-free reverse lymphatic mapping using indocyanine green and Patent Blue dye. Methods The authors conducted a prospective study in patients undergoing free vascularized groin lymph node transfer for postmastectomy upper extremity lymphedema. The day before surgery, 0.2 ml of technetium-99 was injected into the first and second web spaces of the ipsilateral foot. The following day, once the patient was anesthetized, indocyanine green was injected into the same web spaces of the same foot and Patent Blue dye was injected just proximal to the upper margin of the skin paddle of the lymph node flap. The main lymph nodes draining the limb were localized using indocyanine green lymphography and gamma probe. Results Thirty-nine patients underwent vascularized groin lymph node transfer with or without deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction. Navigation of the main lower extremity draining inguinal lymph nodes using the gamma probe and indocyanine green lymphography was identical in all patients. The blue-stained lymphatics in the skin paddle drained to the superficial proximal inguinal lymph node and were targeted for transfer. No donor-site lymphedema was reported, and lymphatic drainage of the lower extremity was preserved in all cases. Conclusions Reverse lymphatic mapping using indocyanine green lymphography provides identical results to those using technetium-99 isotope scanning. However, indocyanine green is preferable in terms of safety and reproducibility and also avoids the complexity and hazards of radioisotope mapping. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of metabolic parameters obtained at pretreatment [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. We hypothesize that these metabolic parameters could optimize the treatment decision and thus favor the outcome of patients suffering locally advanced cervical cancer.MethodsPatients with locally advanced cervical cancer underwent pretreatment PET/CT. Standard uptake values (maximum, mean, peak), metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis were measured in the tumor and in the hypermetabolic pelvic lymph nodes. The relationship between clinical, pathological, and PET/CT metabolic parameters with recurrence-free survival and overall survival was assessed by Cox regression analysis.Results115 patients with a median age of 52 years (range 23–77) presented with locally advanced cervical cancer. After a mean follow-up of 33.0 months after initiation of therapy, 26 patients (22.6%) recurred of which 17 patients had distant metastasis; 18 (15.7%) patients died. Recurrence-free survival at 2 and 5 years was 79.2% and 72.2%, respectively. The total lesion glycolysis of the tumor and the delay between diagnosis and treatment were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival in the multivariate analysis (HR 1.00, p=0.004, and HR 2.04, p=0.02, respectively). Only the total lesion glycolysis of the tumor ≥373.54 (HR 2.49, 95% CI 1.15 to 5.38; p=0.02) remained significant after log rank testing. Overall survival at 2 and 5 years was 91.7% and 68.8%, respectively. The number of PET-positive pelvic lymph nodes was the only independent prognostic factor for overall survival in the multivariate analysis (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.81; p=0.003).ConclusionTumor total lesion glycolysis and the number of positive pelvic lymph nodes on pretreatment PET/CT appear to be independent prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. This may help to select patients who may benefit from therapeutic optimization and closer surveillance.

Introduction/Background Extended field chemoradiation is recommended for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. The radiation planning may be based on the positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) while others recommend to rely on a surgical staging. We report the rate of patients for whom the radiation field defined on a PET/CT basis was modified by the histological PALN status. Methodology Between March 2010 and December 2016, 168 consecutive patients with LACC underwent a pre-therapeutic PET/CT and PALN dissection. The data were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic performance of the PET/CT for definition of PALN status was calculated. We determined the percentage of patients for whom PALN dissection altered the external beam radiation treatment (EBRT) field defined on the PET/CT basis. Results Of the 151 patients with negative PALNs on PET/CT, 26 had histological PALN metastasis. Of the 17 patients with positive PALNs on PET/CT, 9 were negative on histology. Seven of these 9 false positive cases were located in the common iliac region. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of PET/CT were 23.5, 93.3, 47.1 and 82.8% respectively. In total, 35 out of 168 patients underwent EBRT-field adaptation (pelvic vs extended field). The rate of radiation field modification was particularly high (27,7%) in the subgroup of patients with metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) on PET/CT. Conclusion Para-aortic surgical staging contributes significantly to individualize the radiation treatment of patients with LACC, particularly for those with positive PLN at PET/CT. Indication of surgical staging deserves particular attention when the PET/CT suggests positive lymph nodes in the common iliac region. Disclosure Nothing to disclose.

Extended field chemoradiation is recommended for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. The radiation planning may be based on PET/CT while others recommend to rely on surgical staging. We report the rate of patients for whom the radiation field defined on PET/CT was modified by the histological PALN status.Between March 2010 and December 2016, 168 consecutive patients with LACC underwent a pre-therapeutic PET/CT and PALN dissection. The data were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic performance of the PET/CT for definition of PALN status was calculated. We determined the percentage of patients for whom PALN dissection altered the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) field defined on the PET/CT basis.Of 151 patients with negative PALNs on PET/CT, 26 had histological PALN metastases. Of 17 patients with positive PALNs on PET/CT, 9 were negative on histology of which 7 were located in the common iliac region. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of PET/CT were 23.5, 93.3, 47.1 and 82.8% respectively. In total, 35 out of 168 patients underwent EBRT - field adaptation (pelvic vs extended field). The rate of radiation field modification (27,7%) was particularly high in the subgroup of patients with metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) on PET/CT.Para-aortic surgical staging contributes significantly to individualize the radiation treatment of patients with LACC, particularly for those with positive PLNs at PET/CT. Indication of surgical staging deserves particular attention when the PET/CT suggests positive LNs in the common iliac region.

Hybrid imaging with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become a powerful imaging tool in oncology. The combination of data on local glucose utilization and the relationship of metabolism to local lymph nodes and/or specific sites in organs enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the hybrid imaging findings. PET/CT is currently important in the initial workup of oesophageal and anal cancers, additional data supporting [18F]FDG PET/CT in other gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. In addition, [18F]FDG PET/CT has been advocated for treatment response assessment, radiotherapy treatment planning, and detection of recurrent disease. Moreover, PET/CT may help in decision-making by detecting distant metastases especially in potentially resectable colorectal cancer (CRC), not only when disease is limited to one site but also when planning therapy for curative treatment of limited metastatic disease. However, some mucinous tumours cannot be well characterized by [18F]FDG, because the lesions have a minimal increase in glucose metabolism, making them difficult or impossible to identify on [18F]FDG PET/CT. Some gastric and pancreatic cancers fall into this category. Finally, incidental focal colonic [18F]FDG uptakes may require exploration by colonoscopy, as they are often associated with (pre)malignant lesions.

Summary Background Patients with idiopathic rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder (IRBD) may develop neurodegenerative conditions associated with substantia nigra dysfunction such as Parkinson's disease. In patients with Parkinson's disease, 123 I-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropane ( 123 I-FP-CIT) SPECT detects striatal dopamine dysfunction resulting from nigral pathology whereas transcranial sonography (TCS) shows increased substantia nigra echogenic size, even before parkinsonism is clinically evident. We postulated that these neuroimaging changes could occur in a proportion of IRBD individuals who might then be at increased risk for development of a neurodegenerative disorder associated with substantia nigra dysfunction. Methods In our prospective study, we identified patients with IRBD from individuals referred to our sleep disorders centre in Barcelona, Spain. At baseline, we assessed dopamine transporter uptake by use of 123 I-FP-CIT SPECT, and estimated echogenicity of the substantia nigra by use of TCS. After a follow-up of 2·5 years, participants were clinically assessed to establish whether they had developed neurodegenerative syndromes. Data were compared with those of matched healthy controls. Findings 43 individuals with IRBD agreed to participate in the study. We found reduced 123 I-FP-CIT binding in the striatum (p=0·045) in 17 (40%) of 43 participants compared with 18 controls, and substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in 14 (36%) of 39 participants with IRBD, compared with 16 (11%) of 149 controls (p=0·0002). Tracer uptake reduction was more pronounced in the putamen than it was in the caudate nucleus. 27 (63%) participants had reduced 123 I-FP-CIT binding or substantia nigra hyperechogenicity at baseline. Eight (30%) of these participants developed a neurodegenerative disorder (five Parkinson's disease, two dementia with Lewy bodies, and one multiple system atrophy). Individuals with normal neuroimaging results remained disease-free. Sensitivity of combined 123 I-FP-CIT SPECT and TCS to predict conversion to synucleinopathy after 2·5 years was 100% and specificity was 55%. Interpretation In patients with IRBD, 123 I-FP-CIT SPECT and TCS can detect subclinical changes much the same as those typically seen in patients with early Parkinson's disease. Decreased striatal 123 I-FP-CIT binding and substantia nigra hyperechogenicity might be useful markers to identify individuals at increased risk for development of synucleinopathies. Funding None.

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in large primary breast cancer. Fifty consecutive patients underwent PET/CT at baseline and after the second cycle. Baseline MRI was performed to establish tumour size. All findings were confirmed by histopathological analysis. Changes in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) between baseline study and after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (epirubicin + cyclophosphamide + taxanes) were compared using response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) criteria and the Miller and Payne (M&P) scale. The mean tumour size was 4.3 ± 1.4 cm. Forty patients were considered responders and ten as non-responders. SUVmax changes in patients with good prognosis (M&P grades 4–5) were higher than in patients with bad prognosis (M&P grades 1–3) (p = 0.025). SUVmax changes between responders and non-responders following RECIST criteria were also statistically significant (p = 0.0028). A cut-off ΔSUV value of 40% differentiates both groups, with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 80%. 18F-FDG PET/CT can predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy at an early stage.

Objetivo. Analizar la utilidad de la gammagrafia de medula macrofagica en el diagnostico diferencial de infeccion de protesis total de cadera dolorosa valorada con gammagrafia con leucocitos marcados. Material y metodos. Se han estudiado prospectivamente 70 pacientes (42 mujeres, 28 hombres) con una edad de 68 ± 13 anos con protesis total de cadera y dolor local. Se determino la velocidad de sedimentacion globular (VSG) y proteina C reactiva (PCR) y se realizo gammagrafia osea con leucocitos marcados con 99mTc-HMPAO y de medula macrofagica con 99mTc-sulfuro coloidal a todos los pacientes. El diagnostico definitivo se realizo mediante estudio microbiologico o seguimiento clinico minimo de 12 meses. Resultados. Se diagnostico infeccion en 12 de los 70 casos (3 estafilococo coagulasa negativo, 2 Staphylococcus aureus, 2 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 2 Enterococcus y 3 polimicrobianas). La VSG y la PCR en el grupo de pacientes con infeccion resulto significativamente mayor que en el grupo de no infectados (51,8 ± 29,4 frente a 25,4 ± 16,4 y 2,8 ± 2,2 frente a 1,1 ± 1,3 respectivamente; p < 0,05). La gammagrafia osea no mostro un patron de captacion que permitiese diferenciar entre infeccion y aflojamiento aseptico. La fase vascular de la gammagrafia osea fue positiva en 3 de 12 pacientes infectados. La gammagrafia con leucocitos marcados aislada mostro una sensibilidad y especificidad de 83 y 57 %, respectivamente. La gammagrafia de medula macrofagica incremento estos resultados a cifras de 92 y 98 %, respectivamente. Conclusiones. La practica adicional de una gammagrafia de medula macrofagica mejora significativamente los resultados de la gammagrafia con leucocitos marcados en el diagnostico de infeccion de protesis total de cadera. La gammagrafia osea no permite diferenciar entre aflojamiento aseptico e infeccion protesica en esta serie de pacientes.

Summary Aim To evaluate the usefulness of 99m Tc-Sulphur colloid when combined with leukocyte scintigraphy in suspected prosthetic hip infection, comparing the results with information from 99m Tc-HMPAO-leukocyte scintigraphy alone. Materials and methods Seventy patients (42 women, 28 men; mean age ± 13 years) with painful hip prostheses and suspicion of infection were evaluated prospectively. All patients had bone scintigraphy, 99m Tc-HMPAO-labelled white blood cell scintigraphy and 99m Tc-Sulphur colloid bone marrow scintigraphy. ESR and CRP levels were measured in all patients. The final diagnosis was made with microbiological findings or by clinical follow up of at least 12 months. Results Infections were diagnosed in 12 of the 70 patients (3 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus , 2 Staphylococcus aureus , 2 Staphylococcus epidermidis , 2 enterococcus and 3 polymicrobial agents). ESR and CRP values were higher in patients with infection than in patients without infection (51.8 ± 29.4 vs. 25.4 ± 16.4 and 2.8 ± 2.2 vs. 1.1 ± 1.3, respectively; p Conclusion Performing bone marrow scintigraphy significantly improves results when compared with leukocyte scintigraphy alone in the diagnosis of infected hip prostheses. Bone scintigraphy did not help to differentiate aseptic loosening from infection in this series.

Purpose To evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose in the initial staging of large primary breast tumors. Patients and Methods This prospective study was approved by the ethics committee, and all patients gave their informed consent before enrollment. Sixty consecutive patients with large (> 3 cm) primary breast cancer diagnosed by clinical examination and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were entered onto the study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years. Chest computed tomography (CT), liver ultrasonography, bone scan, and PET/CT were performed in all patients. All findings were histologically confirmed, and/or at least 1 year of follow-up was required. Correlation between parameters was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results Primary tumor was identified by both PET/CT and MRI in all patients. Multifocal and/or multicentric tumors were found in 19 patients by MRI. Axillary lymph node metastases were found in 20 of 52 patients. Extra-axillary metastatic lymph nodes were also found in three patients. One patient showed an infiltrated lymph node in the contralateral axilla. The sensitivity and specificity for PET/CT to detect axillary lymph nodes metastases were 70% and 100%, respectively. PET/CT diagnosed all extra-axillary lymph nodes. The overall sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT in detecting distant metastases were 100% and 98%, respectively; whereas the sensitivity and specificity of conventional imaging were 60% and 83%, respectively. PET led to a change in the initial staging in 42% of patients. Conclusion PET/CT underestimates locoregional lymph node staging in large primary breast cancer patients. PET/CT is a valuable tool to discard unsuspected extra-axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases.

Resumen Objetivo Determinar si la gammagrafia con plaquetas marcadas con oxina-111In (GP-111In) puede tener un impacto en la decision terapeutica en pacientes con syndrome febril portadores de trasplante renal no funcionante. Material y metodos Se estudiaron 158 pacientes (94 hombres y 64 mujeres) con una edad de 44 ± 9 anos. La duracion de la fiebre fue de 42 dias (rango 7-112). Un 68 % de los pacientes (107/158) estaba tomando dosis bajas de corticoids ( Resultados La fiebre fue de origen inmunologico en 102/158 pacientes y no inmunologica en 56/158 pacientes. La sensibilidad y especificidad de la GP-111In fue del 80 % y del 100% respectivamente. Todos los pacientes con ICP Conclusiones La GP-111In es util en el manejo terapeutico del sindrome febril en pacientes en hemodialisis portadores de un injerto renal no funcionante. El uso de corticoides durante la realizacion de la GP-111In puede reducir significativamente la sensibilidad de esta tecnica.

Despite the widespread use of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer patients, some controversy exists about the correct management of extra-axillary nodes, especially those located in the internal mammary chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SLNs in this region, calculate the lymphoscintigraphic and surgical detection rates and evaluate the clinical impact on staging and therapeutic decisions.The study involved 383 consecutive women diagnosed with early breast cancer with T1 or T2 tumours. Eight patients had a bilateral tumour, which brought the total to 391 lesions. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed on the day before surgery by injection of (99m)Tc-labelled nanocolloid. The injection site was subdermal (68 patients), peritumoural (107 patients) or intratumoural (216 patients). During surgery a gamma probe was used to guide the surgeon and the SLNs were removed. SLNs were analysed by a conventional pathological study and processed for HE examination and immunohistochemistry.Lymphoscintigraphy detected at least one SLN in 369 out of the 391 procedures (94.4%). SLNs were found in the axillary chain in 367 cases and in the internal mammary chain in 55. In two of these 55 cases (3.6%), the SLN was the only one detected. There was no drainage to the internal mammary chain in any case of subdermal injection but such drainage was found in 15.9% of cases with peritumoural injection and 17.6% of those with intratumoural injection. Compared with tumours located in the outer quadrants, a higher percentage of tumours located in the inner quadrants showed drainage to the internal mammary chain (p0.001). A total of 42 SLNs in the internal mammary chain could be removed in 32 patients without appreciable morbidity. In 20 cases both axillary and internal mammary SLNs were negative, in four both were positive, and in five axillary SLNs were positive and internal mammary SLNs were negative. More interestingly, in the remaining patient with both axillary and internal mammary SLNs, the axillary SLN was negative while malignant cells were found in the internal mammary region. In the evaluation of the clinical impact of internal mammary SLN biopsy, we found that staging was modified from pN1a to pN1c in four patients and, more importantly, from pN0 to pN0(i+) in one patient. The change in stage led to a modification of the postoperative treatment plan with respect to radiotherapy and systemic therapy.Evaluation of the SLNs in the internal mammary chain provides more accurate staging of breast cancer patients. If internal mammary sampling is not performed, patients can be understaged. This technique can offer a better indication of those patients who will benefit from selective treatment options like radiotherapy to this region or systemic therapy.

Hiatal hernia occurs when abdominal structures protrude into the thoracic cavity through a defect on the diaphragm. Few cases of hiatal hernia have been published as a casual finding using myocardial imaging agents. We present a case in which a hiatal hernia was suspected while performing a Tc-99m tetrofosmin gated-SPECT study in a patient referred to our department to rule out coronary artery disease. The study was initially suggestive of myocardial ischemia. A double-contrast thoracoabdominal CT showed the presence of a major hiatal hernia, which matched the myocardial SPECT findings.

Vascularised lymph node transfer is a promising technique to treat limb lymphoedema, especially when caused by lymph node dissection. The most common approach is the transfer of superficial inguinal lymph nodes using groin flaps or superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps. Lower-limb lymphatic sequelae are unexpected as these lymph nodes should drain lymph from the lower abdominal wall. Recently, Vignes et al. described two cases out of 26 cases of chronic lymphoedema after superficial inguinal lymph node harvest. From a series of 42 vascularised lymph node transfers performed at our centre, only one patient developed swelling in the donor thigh. The features of this patient who underwent a lymph node-containing superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap are reported herein. We recommend maximal accuracy in selecting the appropriate lymph nodes for transfer and provide some tips from our experience. (C) 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: The treatment of malignant melanoma or sarcomas on a limb using extremity perfusion with tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and melphalan can result in a high degree of systemic toxicity if there is any leakage from the isolated blood territory of the limb into the systemic vascular territory. Leakage is currently controlled by using radiotracers and heavy external probes in a procedure that requires continuous manual calculations. The aim of this work was to develop a light, easily transportable system to monitor limb perfusion leakage by controlling systemic blood pool radioactivity with a portable gamma camera adapted for intraoperative use as an external probe, and to initiate its application in the treatment of MM patients. Methods: A special collimator was built for maximal sensitivity. Software for acquisition and data processing in real time was developed. After testing the adequacy of the system, it was used to monitor limb perfusion leakage in 16 patients with malignant melanoma to be treated with perfusion of TNF-alpha and melphalan. Results: The field of view of the detector system was 13.8 cm, which is appropriate for the monitoring, since the area to be controlled was the precordial zone. The sensitivity of the system was 257 cps/MBq. When the percentage of leakage reaches 10% the associated absolute error is +/- 1%. After a mean follow-up period of 12 months, no patients have shown any significant or lasting side-effects. Partial or complete remission of lesions was seen in 9 out of 16 patients (56%) after HILP with TNF-alpha and melphalan. Conclusion: The detector system together with specially developed software provides a suitable automatic continuous monitoring system of any leakage that may occur during limb perfusion. This technique has been successfully implemented in patients for whom perfusion with TNF-alpha and melphalan has been indicated.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is a technique indicated in patients with moderate to severe heart failure and ventricular dyssynchrony. To evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and synchronisation changes after CRT with a biventricular pacing implant, we used an equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA).Fifty patients were studied. An ERNA was made 72 h and 6 months after the implant. Two acquisitions were performed: with the CRT device connected and after disconnecting it. In the follow-up, responders were defined as those who had improved in accordance with various clinical variables. Quantitative changes in LVEF and visual changes in synchronisation (phase analysis) were studied comparing the two studies and also comparing the connected and disconnected modes.At 6 months, 30 patients were defined as responders. LVEF increased significantly at 6 months compared with the 72-h study only in responders. At 72 h, the number of patients showing a decrease in LVEF (p0.05) or a synchronisation worsening after disconnecting the device was higher in responders than in nonresponders. At 6 months, 57% of responders had no synchronisation changes between the connected and disconnected modes, suggesting a resynchronisation process.ERNA permits the study of resynchronisation patients, showing a statistical LVEF improvement at 6 months. Moreover, visual phase analysis permits the study of the mechanism involved in the response, with an important number of responders with no changes between the two modes at 6 months. In the 72-h study, after disconnection of the device, LVEF and resynchronisation worsening can predict patient improvement at 6 months.

e12558 Background: Evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the various steps of metastasis is increasing. Several studies have looked at the miRNA expression profile in primary breast tumors but ...

Inguinal lymphadenectomy, unilateral or bilateral, is widely used in cases of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma but has a high morbidity. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy may be used in the management of these patients. The aims of this study were firstly to determine the reliability of SLN biopsy in predicting regional lymph node status and secondly to apply this technique in the routine clinical setting.We prospectively studied 70 women with vulvar malignancies. The first 50 cases were of squamous vulvar cancer and were used to validate the SLN technique in this clinical setting (validation group). Once a satisfactory success rate had been achieved in the validation group, the SLN technique was applied to a further 20 patients with vulvar malignancies, i.e. squamous cell carcinoma (n=12) and melanomas (n=8) (application group). Dynamic and static images were acquired after the injection of 74-148 MBq of a colloidal albumin, and continued until SLN identification. Fifteen minutes before surgery, blue dye injection was administered in a similar manner to the radiocolloid. After incision, a hand-held gamma probe was used to find the SLN. In the validation group, dissection of the SLN was always followed by lymphadenectomy. In the application group, this procedure was only performed if the SLN was positive for metastases. For pathological staging, samples were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry.In the validation group, lymphoscintigraphy allowed SLN detection in 49/50 patients (98%). Blue dye detected the SLN in 40/50 patients (80%). In 16 patients (33%), the SLN showed metastases in the pathology study. All 33 patients with negative SLN had regional lymph nodes negative for metastases (negative predictive value 100%). In the application group, lymphoscintigraphy showed drainage to an SLN in 19 out of 20 patients (95%) and blue dye demonstrated a stained SLN in 17/20 patients (85%). Seven of the 19 SLN-identified nodes (37%) were positive for metastases.SLN identification permits the accurate pathological study of regional nodes and could reduce the high morbidity of current surgical treatment in vulvar tumour patients if the technique were to be adopted on a routine clinical basis.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether pre-operative (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy and neck ultrasound (US) are of value in improving the outcome of subtotal parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.Forty-eight consecutive haemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism prospectively underwent "blinded" subtotal parathyroid surgery, with 1-year follow-up to establish cure or relapse of their secondary hyperparathyroidism. Double-phase (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy and neck US were performed pre-operatively in all patients. When the preserved gland showed (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake or an abnormal size on US, it was considered that "(99m)Tc-MIBI advice" and "US advice", respectively, had not been followed. Pre-operative and follow-up parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were obtained in all patients. All data were evaluated on a patient by patient basis.Four parathyroid glands were identified in each patient at primary surgery, resulting in an operative success rate of 100%. Their weight ranged from 15 to 7,300 mg (mean 1,120+/-900 mg). Nine of the 48 patients (19%) showed a recurrence of their secondary hyperparathyroidism. The recurrence rate was 2% (1/48) and 10% (5/48), respectively, when (99m)Tc-MIBI and US advice was followed. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV for pre-operative imaging were 72%, 95%, 97% and 80% respectively for (99m)Tc-MIBI, and 55%, 67%, 87% and 28% for US.(99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy is a reliable non-invasive exploratory tool and its preoperative use results in a significant reduction in the number of recurrences in haemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who are candidates for subtotal parathyroidectomy. The use of neck US did not significantly improve the results obtained with (99m)Tc-MIBI alone.

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 64 anos con una neoplasia de mama localizada en el cuadrante inferior externo derecho. La linfogammagrafia se llevo a cabo el dia previo a la cirugia mediante la inyeccion intratumoral de 111 MBq de 99mTc-nanocoloide (fi g. 1), que mostro drenaje a las regiones axilar derecha y mamaria interna de ambos lados. La mayoria de los estudios han refl ejado que los tumores localizados en los cuadrantes internos presentan un mayor porcentaje de drenaje en esta zona respecto al resto de las localizaciones1-3. En nuestro caso, presentamos a una paciente con un tumor en el cuadrante inferior externo de la mama derecha con drenaje a la region mamaria interna. Ademas, este caso tambien demuestra que pueden existir vasos linfaticos que comuniquen las dos regiones mamarias internas, lo que explicaria el drenaje bilateral visualizado en las imagenes gammagrafi cas.

An 85-year-old woman who had an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and elevated alkaline phosphatases (420 U/L) was referred for Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy for initial evaluation of skeletal metastases. Bone symptoms were limited to chronic pain in both knees. A bone scan revealed pagetoid findings in both calcanei. Feet and toes on plain x-rays of the calcaneus were unremarkable. Findings were stable in the 2-year follow up, excluding other potential diagnosis as extensive metastases or stress fractures.

1120 Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a widely used staging method for patients with early breast cancer. Neoadjuvant Therapy (NT) modifies the anatomical conditions in the breast and axilla, and thus reliability of SLNB after NT remains controversial. The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of this procedure in this particular group of patients. Methods: Between December 2007-2011, 69 patients (mean age 56 years) with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) were prospectively studied. Patients were T1-4, N0-1, M0. Prior to surgery, 61 patients received chemotherapy (CT) (adryamicin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel) and 8 patients endocrine therapy (ET). Thirty nine patients were initially node-negative (cN0) and 30 patients had clinical/ultrasound node-positive confirmed by cytology (cN1) at presentation. All patients were clinical and ultrasound node-negative after NT. The study contained two groups of patients: group A (validation) included the first 29, associated with an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after NT, in order to validate the study, and group B included the last 40, only associated with an ALND when SLNB was positive or not found. Results: Whole SLNB identification rate was 89.9%, and no significant differences were found between patients initially cN0 (92%; 36/39) and initially cN1 (87%; 26/30). Four of 7 patients in whom SLNB was not found had residual nodal metastasis after NT (3 of them were initially cN1). Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified in 87% (7/8) of patients after ET and in 90% (55/61) of patients after CT. There was one false negative (FN) case after CT in group A (9% of overall false negative rate, initially cN0) and there were no FN cases after ET. Positive SLNB were higher in initially cN1 group (53%; 16/30) than in initially cN0 group (18%; 7/39). Conclusions: SLNB after NT (CT or ET) is safe and feasible in patients with LABC, not only in initially cN0 but also in initially cN1. It accurately predicts the status of the axilla and avoids unnecessary ALND.