OBJECTIVE: To experimentally determine the 99mTc and 111In activity recovery coefficients in SPECT imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different 99mTc and 111In concentrations were utilized for quantifying activity in spheres of four different sizes. Images were obtained with a hybrid dual-head SPECT-CT imaging system. The ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) iterative method was utilized for images reconstruction. An attenuation map was utilized for attenuation correction, and the multiple energy window technique for scattering correction. RESULTS: Results for spheres < 6 ml in volume were significantly affected by the partial volume effect. For 111In quantification, results show a dependence on sphere concentrations and background levels. For 99mTc quantification, there was a tendency towards values underestimation with higher background levels. CONCLUSION: Correction factors must be utilized for compensating the partial volume effect on objects with < 6 ml in volume for both radionuclides. Background subtraction to compensate spurious count present on SPECT images has a significant influence on the quantification of activity, especially for the smaller objects.

Keywords: SPECT, 111In, 99mTc, Recovery factors

OBJECTIVE: To develop an atlas of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and evaluating its applicability in computer-aided detection of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with ischemic heart disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The atlas was created with rest-stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphic images of 20 patients of both genders with low probability of coronary artery disease and considered as normal by two experienced observers. Techniques of image registration and mathematical operations on images were utilized for obtaining template images depicting mean myocardial uptake and standard deviation for each gender and physiological condition. RESULTS: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy images of one male and one female patient were aligned with the corresponding atlas template image, and voxels with myocardial uptake rates two standard deviations below the mean voxel value of the respective region in the atlas template image were highlighted on the tomographic sections and confirmed as perfusion defects by both observers. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the creation of an atlas of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with promising results of this tool as an aid in the detection of myocardial perfusion defects. However, further prospective validation with a more representative sample is recommended.

Keywords: Scintigraphy, SPECT, Myocardium, Nuclear medicine, Computer-assisted image processing, Computer-assisted diagnosis

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of concordance between radiological and radioisotopic methods and, if positive, to evaluate the usefulness of ictal SPECT in the localization of the epileptogenic focus. Ictal brain SPECT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were performed on six patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Ictal SPECT was performed after withdrawal of the anti-epileptogenic drugs during video-EEG monitoring, using 99mTc-ECD, administered to patients at the time of the ictus. MRI was performed in T1, T2 and FLAIR sequences and MRS was obtained using the PRESS technique, with a single voxel positioned in both hippocampi. The statistical analysis included the determination of the values of Kappa (k), standard error (se) and significance level (p) for the lateralization of the ictal focus. The analysis of all findings was based on EEG localization of the ictal discharge, seizure duration (109-280 s; 152 s average) and time of radiotracer injection (30-262 s; 96 s average). We obtained correlated data in four patients (67%), and values of k = 0.67, se = 0.38, and p = 0.041. We concluded that there is a concordance between ictal SPECT, MRI and MRS data and the usefulness of the radioisotopic procedure is related to a nondiagnostic EEG and when there is a discordant or misleading diagnosis after a comparative analysis of EEG and MRS.

Keywords: Ictal SPECT, Magnetic resonance imaging, Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of a new multimodal image-guided intervention technique to detect epileptogenic areas with a gamma probe as compared with intraoperative electrocorticography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two symptomatic patients with refractory epilepsy underwent magnetic resonance imaging, video-electroencephalography, brain SPECT scan, neuropsychological evaluation and were submitted to gamma probe-assisted surgery. RESULTS: In patient 1, maximum radioactive count was initially observed on the temporal gyrus at about 3.5 cm posteriorly to the tip of the left temporal lobe. After corticotomy, the gamma probe indicated maximum count at the head of the hippocampus, in agreement with the findings of intraoperative electrocorticography. In patient 2, maximum count was observed in the occipital region at the transition between the temporal and parietal lobes (right hemisphere). During the surgery, the area of epileptogenic activity mapped at electrocorticography was also delimited, demarcated, and compared with the gamma probe findings. After lesionectomy, new radioactive counts were performed both in the patients and on the surgical specimens (ex-vivo). CONCLUSION: The comparison between intraoperative electrocorticography and gamma probe-assisted surgery showed similarity of both methods. The advantages of gamma probe include: noninvasiveness, low cost and capacity to demonstrate decrease in the radioactive activity at the site of excision after lesionectomy.

Keywords: Radioguided surgery; Epilepsy; Gamma probe; Electrocorticography; Brain SPECT.

Os nervos cranianos representam extensões das estruturas funcionais do cérebro que cruzam a cabeça e o pescoço. Eles estão ligados a diferentes estruturas cranianas e se relacionam com diversas doenças. Uma compreensão profunda de sua complexa anatomia e aparência normal de imagem permite ao examinador identificar e caracterizar com mais precisão as anormalidades. A ressonância magnética com contraste é uma importante ferramenta para avaliar essas estruturas, especialmente as sequências tridimensionais de precessão livre de estado estacionário, que proporcionam alta resolução espacial e de partes moles, apesar da fina espessura dos nervos cranianos. Na maioria dos casos, os achados de imagem são inespecíficos, e uma anamnese completa, exame físico dirigido e testes laboratoriais são necessários para estreitar o diagnóstico diferencial. Este ensaio iconográfico ilustra e discute doenças congênitas, traumáticas e vasculares dos nervos cranianos, mostrando imagens em uma abordagem fisiopatológica.

Keywords: Neuroimagem/métodos; Radiologia/métodos; Ressonância magnética/métodos; Nervos cranianos/diagnóstico por imagem.