Nuclear Medicine
January 10, 2024
Anginal Symptoms Do Not Predict Myocardial Ischemia in Diabetics
A 2005 study examined whether anginal symptoms can predict abnormal myocardial perfusion or function in diabetic patients. Among all patients, anginal symptoms were associated with myocardial ischemia and dysfunction. However, in diabetic patients, the presence of anginal chest pain did not correlate with myocardial perfusion defects or impaired left ventricular ejection fraction. Diabetic neuropathy likely…
December 13, 2023
A Systematic Approach to PET/CT Scan Interpretation and Reporting in Oncology
This abstract outlines a structured methodology for interpreting and reporting on PET/CT scans in oncology. It aims to reduce errors and improve clarity for referring clinicians. Key elements include ensuring imaging protocols, and patient preparation is correct, thoroughly reviewing multiplanar scans while correlating PET and CT findings, categorizing findings by anatomy, carefully detailing lesion characteristics,…
November 30, 2023
Coronary calcium scores in patients with normal myocardial perfusion
This study examined coronary calcium scores (CCS) in patients with normal myocardial perfusion imaging to assess cardiac risk factors. 2351 patients were evaluated. 55% had a CCS of 0, 36% had a CCS of 1-400, and 9% had a CCS over 400. Older age and hyperlipidemia were the strongest risk factors for higher CCS among…
November 27, 2023
Statistical Significance Versus Clinical Relevance
This study investigated how often statistically significant results in nuclear medicine clinical trials actually translate into clinically meaningful differences for individual patients. The authors analyzed 32 test results reported as statistically significant and found that the cutoff between normal and abnormal values averaged just 0.66 standard deviations from the mean. This means that for a…
September 5, 2023
The Value of Standardized Predictive Values in Diagnostic Testing
This letter to the editor published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging discusses the usefulness of standardizing the predictive value of diagnostic tests. The author, Dr. Thomas F. Heston, argues that presenting predictive values standardized to a disease prevalence of 50% is more clinically useful than using the Predictive Summary Index. He explains that…
Incidental Detection of Giant Cell Arteritis in PET/CT Scans for Renal Carcinoma
A case study involving a 71-year-old male undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT scans for renal carcinoma staging revealed incidental findings of giant cell arteritis. The patient was administered 370 MBq of 18F-FDG, and the scan spanned from the base of the skull to the mid-thighs. Increased tracer uptake was observed throughout the aorta, corroborating the patient’s known…