Nuclear medicine communications
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The alveolar permeability (AP) in 21 patients with active diffuse infiltrative lung disease (ILD) was measured by 99Tcm-diethylenetriaminapentaacetate (DTPA) radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy. The degree of AP damage in ILD was presented as the slope (% min-1) of the time-activity curve from the dynamic lung image. Meanwhile, the quantitative Ga lung scan (GA) was performed as a Ga uptake index (GUI) to evaluate the severity of lung inflammation in active ILD. ⋯ In conclusion, the relationship between the degree of AP damage and lung inflammation in active ILD is not significant. This was not consistent with X-ray findings. There was, however, a significant difference between those with ILD and normal controls.
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The objective of the National Health Service (NHS) research and development strategy is to ensure that the content and delivery of care in the NHS is based on high quality research relevant to improving the health of the nation. In 1991 Professor Michael Peckham was appointed Director of Research and Development, with a target of 1.5% of the NHS budget to be spent on research and development by 1997/98. The Standing Group on Health Technology (SGHT) was formed to advise on the need for health technology assessment in the NHS. ⋯ In 1993 the panel was asked by the SGHT to identify new and existing technologies in need of assessment, to identify technologies with insufficient evidence of value and in need of assessment prior to diffusion throughout the NHS, and to identify emerging technologies which may have a major impact on the NHS in the future. Formal consultation processes at both regional and national level were used to obtain recommendations for HTA from the NHS, patient and professional organizations, including the British Nuclear Medicine Society and European Association of Nuclear Medicine (BNMS and the EANM). Of the 197 recommendations received, 16 were considered a high priority and forwarded to the SGHT in October 1993.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Bone scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) offers improved lesion detection and localization when compared to conventional planar imaging. The SPECT findings were investigated in 80 consecutive patients (aged 18-70 years, median 44) referred to a rheumatology outpatient clinic with low back pain persisting for more than 3 months. Lesions of the lumbar spine were demonstrated in 60% of patients using SPECT but in only 35% with planar imaging. ⋯ It is concluded that bone scintigraphy with SPECT in patients with chronic low back pain demonstrates many lesions not seen with either X-ray or conventional planar imaging. In addition anatomical localization is greatly enhanced with bone SPECT. The technique offers improved diagnosis in a group of patients often difficult to evaluate, and in particular a means of detecting apophyseal joint pathology which may be responsive to treatment.
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The attenuation correction for single photon emission computed tomography (SPET) data developed by Luig et al. was tested with positron emission tomography (PET) data. Since the PET attenuation correction is very precise, it may be used as a reliable measure of the functionality of the SPET correction. ⋯ Inhomogeneous absorption, however, leads to inadequate correction. In the case of sections through the lung, Luig's method might 'correct' the data in the wrong direction.
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Lymphoscintigraphy using a test involving standing from a supine position and performed following an intradermal injection of 99Tcm-human serum albumin (HSA) was developed to evaluate the function of the lymphatic system in the lower extremities of patients who developed lymphoedema following arterial reconstructive surgery. In normal subjects, the load produced by standing tended to increase lymphatic function as indicated by the frequent appearance of a large spiking wave and a rapid stepwise increase in tracer activity and, less often, a phase of decreasing tracer activity. ⋯ Performance of this test following an intradermal injection of 99Tcm-HSA is technically simple, requires no special apparatus, and can be completed in 30 min. Lymphoscintigraphy using our new method can provide useful information on abnormalities in lymphatic function.