Nuclear medicine communications
-
Forced diuresis may improve readability of 2-(3-(1-carboxy-5-[(6-[F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl)-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (F-DCFPyL) PET/computed tomography (CT) by reducing focal ureteral activity. A total of 40 patients received furosemide simultaneously with F-DCFPyL (cohort 1) and 40 patients received furosemide 85 min after F-DCFPyL administration (cohort 2). The frequency of occurrence of activity depositions in ureters and halo artefacts near the kidneys and bladder was measured, as well as intensity of F-DCFPyL uptake in kidneys and bladder. ⋯ Administration of furosemide may improve interpretation of F-DCFPyL PET/CT as it results in less activity depositions in ureters. However, the effect depends on the timing of furosemide administration in relation to F-DCFPyL administration and PET/CT acquisition time. Acquisition of PET-images 120 min after F-DCFPyL administration benefits from late furosemide administration (85 min after injection).
-
Following the implementation of single-photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion (SPECT V/Q) in our department, we previously carried out an observational study over the period 2011-2013 that showed the safety of SPECT V/Q to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE). However, PE prevalence (28%) was high compared with some studies. Our hypothesis was that the use of SPECT V/Q may be responsible for an overdiagnosis of PE, especially at the implementation phase of the test. The aim was to carry out a time trend analysis of the evolution over the years of PE diagnosis with SPECT V/Q. ⋯ A continuous decrease in the annual proportion of positive SPECT V/Q results was mainly observed while maintaining the safety of the test to rule out PE. Explanatory factors include the introduction of a combined SPECT/CT scan, increased experience and familiarity with the test, and an increased awareness of the risks and consequences of overdiagnosing PE.