Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology

A topical collection in Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This collection belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

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Editor

Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Interests: molecular imaging; medical imaging; theranostics; targeted radionuclide therapy; cancer; cardiovascular disease; PET; SPECT; PET/MR
* Editor-in-Chief of Diagnostics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging uses radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals to evaluate the function of organs and/or tissues, or to examine for the presence of disease and characterize disease. These types of technologies often have an advantage over other types of diagnostic imaging in that they provide information that is unattainable with other imaging technologies or that would require more invasive procedures, such as biopsy or surgery. In contrast to the latter procedures, molecular imaging elegantly circumvents the risk of sampling error as the whole body is imaged. Characterization of disease by molecular imaging may serve as companion diagnostic for selecting patients eligible for specific therapies and, together with targeted radionuclide therapy, form a theranostic pair.

This Topical Collection aims to collect original works related to nuclear medicine and molecular imaging research.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Kjaer
Collection Editor

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Keywords

  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • PET/MRI
  • Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
  • optical imaging
  • radiopharmaceuticals
  • molecular imaging probes
  • targeted radionuclide therapy
  • theranostics

Published Papers (5 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022

11 pages, 2714 KiB  
Article
Feasibility and Performance of Free-Hand Single-Photon Computed Tomography/Ultrasonography for Preoperative Parathyroid Adenoma Localization: A Pilot Study
by Mélanie Champendal, Mario Jreige, Marie Nicod Lalonde, José A. Pires Jorge, Maurice Matter, Gerasimos P. Sykiotis and John O. Prior
Diagnostics 2023, 13(13), 2200; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13132200 - 28 Jun 2023
Viewed by 814
Abstract
The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new hybrid imaging modality, free-hand single-photon computed tomography/ultrasonography (fhSPECT/US), for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and to compare its performance with conventional ultrasonography and SPECT/CT. Twelve patients diagnosed with [...] Read more.
The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new hybrid imaging modality, free-hand single-photon computed tomography/ultrasonography (fhSPECT/US), for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and to compare its performance with conventional ultrasonography and SPECT/CT. Twelve patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent sequentially US and parathyroid scintigraphy, including SPECT/CT, followed by fhSPECT/US, allowing for real-time fusion between US and freehand-generated gamma-camera images. The fhSPECT/US detection rates were correlated with histopathology, when available, or with the imaging modality showing the most lesions. Based on a per patient analysis, the detection rate was significantly different when comparing SPECT/CT to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.03), and not significantly different when comparing SPECT/CT to US (p = 0.16) and US to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.08). Based on a per-lesion analysis, the detection rate of SPECT/CT was significantly higher than that of US (p = 0.01) and fhSEPCT/US (p = 0.003), and there was no significant difference in detection rate when comparing US to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.08). The main perceived limitations of fhSPECT/US in lesion detection were: (i) lesions localized at a depth ≥4.5 cm; (ii) imperfect image fusion due to tissue compression; (iii) limited spatial manipulation ability of the SPECT mobile camera handheld probe; and (iv) a wide spread of detected activity. In conclusion, clinical use of fhSPECT/US for localization of parathyroid adenomas is feasible, but shows lower sensitivity than conventional modalities and requires technical improvements. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023

5 pages, 2441 KiB  
Case Report
Severe Gastritis Due to Nivolumab Treatment of a Metastatic Melanoma Patient
by George Samonis, Aikaterini Bousmpoukea, Aristea Molfeta, Antonios D. Kalkinis, Kalliopi Petraki, Christos Koutserimpas and Dimitrios Bafaloukos
Diagnostics 2022, 12(11), 2864; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12112864 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1050
Abstract
Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 check point inhibitor, is an immunotherapeutic agent, representing a major step in the treatment of melanoma. However, its use is associated with severe toxicities. Among them, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders from the lower GI tract have been widely reported. On the [...] Read more.
Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 check point inhibitor, is an immunotherapeutic agent, representing a major step in the treatment of melanoma. However, its use is associated with severe toxicities. Among them, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders from the lower GI tract have been widely reported. On the contrary, disorders from the upper GI tract are rare. Such a case of delayed nivolumab induced severe gastritis in a 53-year-old Caucasian female patient suffering metastatic melanoma is described. The patient’s symptoms from the upper GI tract began 4 months after nivolumab treatment initiation. The diagnosis was based on imaging, including PET/CT, endoscopical and pathological findings. The side effect was successfully treated with prolonged administration of proton pump inhibitors and corticosteroids. There are only a few cases of immune check point inhibitors (ICPis) induced upper GI tract disorders, while it seems that the symptoms from nivolumab induced upper GI tract damages appear later than those reported in the lower part. Nivolumab, among other side effects, may cause severe gastritis. Hence, this pathological entity should be included in the list of this drug’s side effects. Full article
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10 pages, 1369 KiB  
Case Report
Psychiatric Illness or Immune Dysfunction—Brain Perfusion Imaging Providing the Answer in a Case of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis
by Ines Šiško Markoš, Ivan Blažeković, Vjekoslav Peitl, Tomislav Jukić, Višnja Supanc, Dalibor Karlović and Ana Fröbe
Diagnostics 2022, 12(10), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12102377 - 30 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
Background: We investigated the potential use of SPECT quantification in addition to qualitative brain perfusion analysis for the detection of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The question is how to normalize brain activity to be able to quantitatively detect perfusion patterns. Usually, brain activity is normalized [...] Read more.
Background: We investigated the potential use of SPECT quantification in addition to qualitative brain perfusion analysis for the detection of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The question is how to normalize brain activity to be able to quantitatively detect perfusion patterns. Usually, brain activity is normalized to a structure considered unaffected by the disease. Methods: Brain [99mTc]-HMPAO SPECT was performed as a method to detect brain perfusion patterns. The patterns of abnormal brain perfusion cannot always be reliably and qualitatively assessed when dealing with rare diseases. Recent advances in SPECT quantification using commercial software have enabled more objective and detailed analysis of brain perfusion. The cerebellum and whole brain were used as the normalization structures and were compared with visual analysis. Results: The quantification analysis performed with whole brain normalization confirmed right parietal lobe hypoperfusion while also detecting statistically significant left-to-right perfusion differences between the temporal lobe and thalamus. Whole brain normalization further described bilateral frontal lobe hyperperfusion, predominantly of the left lobe, and was in accordance with visual analysis. Conclusion: SPECT quantitative brain perfusion analysis, using the whole brain as the normalization structure rather than the cerebellum, in this case, improved confidence in the visual detection of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and provided unexpected solutions to atypical psychiatric dilemmas. Full article
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16 pages, 57309 KiB  
Article
Differential Diagnosis of Rare Diseases Involving Bilateral Lower Extremities with Similar 99mTc-MDP Bone Scan Patterns: Analysis of a Case Series
by Zhenkui Sun and Chentian Shen
Diagnostics 2022, 12(4), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12040910 - 06 Apr 2022
Viewed by 5715
Abstract
Here, we reported a panel of rare diseases involving bilateral lower extremities with similar imaging patterns on 99mTc-MDP bone scans. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6PD deficiency), Gaucher disease (GD), steroid-induced osteonecrosis, progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (PDD), Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD) and Langerhans cell sarcoma [...] Read more.
Here, we reported a panel of rare diseases involving bilateral lower extremities with similar imaging patterns on 99mTc-MDP bone scans. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6PD deficiency), Gaucher disease (GD), steroid-induced osteonecrosis, progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (PDD), Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD) and Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) were included and imaging characteristics were analyzed. The rare properties of these diseases and mimicking features on 99mTc-MDP bone scans rendered differential diagnosis difficult but necessary. We believe that the rarely known imaging features of the reported diseases will undoubtedly help nuclear medicine physicians make differential diagnoses in clinical practice. Full article
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15 pages, 3994 KiB  
Article
First-in-Human Study of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 PET for Integrin αvβ3 Imaging in Patients with Breast Cancer and Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Safety, Dosimetry and Tumor Imaging Ability
by Malene Martini Clausen, Esben Andreas Carlsen, Camilla Christensen, Jacob Madsen, Malene Brandt-Larsen, Thomas Levin Klausen, Søren Holm, Annika Loft, Anne Kiil Berthelsen, Niels Kroman, Ulrich Knigge and Andreas Kjaer
Diagnostics 2022, 12(4), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12040851 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate (RGD)-recognizing cell surface integrins are involved in tumor growth, invasiveness/metastases, and angiogenesis, and are therefore an attractive treatment target in cancers. The subtype integrin αvβ3 is upregulated on endothelial cells during angiogenesis and on tumor cells. In vivo assessment [...] Read more.
Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate (RGD)-recognizing cell surface integrins are involved in tumor growth, invasiveness/metastases, and angiogenesis, and are therefore an attractive treatment target in cancers. The subtype integrin αvβ3 is upregulated on endothelial cells during angiogenesis and on tumor cells. In vivo assessment of integrin αvβ3 is possible with positron emission tomography (PET). Preclinical data on radiochemical properties, tumor uptake and radiation exposure identified [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 as a promising candidate for clinical translation. In this first-in-human phase I study, we evaluate [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 PET in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) and breast cancer (BC). The aim was to investigate safety, biodistribution and dosimetry as well as tracer uptake in tumor lesions. A total of 10 patients (5 breast cancer, 5 neuroendocrine neoplasm) received a single intravenous dose of approximately 200 MBq [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2. Biodistribution profile and dosimetry were assessed by whole-body PET/CT performed at 10 min, 1 h and 2 h after injection. Safety assessment with vital parameters, electrocardiograms and blood tests were performed before and after injection. In vivo stability of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 was determined by analysis of blood and urine. PET images were analyzed for tracer uptake in tumors and background organs. No adverse events or pharmacologic effects were observed in the 10 patients. [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 exhibited good in vivo stability and fast clearance, primarily by renal excretion. The effective dose was 0.022 mSv/MBq, equaling a radiation exposure of 4.4 mSv at an injected activity of 200 MBq. The tracer demonstrated stable tumor retention and good image contrast. In conclusion, this first-in-human phase I trial demonstrated safe use of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 for integrin αvβ3 imaging in cancer patients, low radiation exposure and favorable uptake in tumors. Further studies are warranted to establish whether [68Ga]Ga-NODAGA-E[c(RGDyK)]2 may become a tool for early identification of patients eligible for treatments targeting integrin αvβ3 and for risk stratification of patients. Full article
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