computed tomography

18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography in Acute Aortic Syndrome

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Abstract

Objectives

In a proof-of-concept study, this investigation aimed to establish whether 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) angiography could identify aortic medial disease activity in patients with acute aortic syndrome.

Background

Acute aortic syndrome is associated with aortic medial degeneration. 18F-NaF PET detects microscopic tissue calcification as a marker of disease activity.

Methods

Patients with aortic dissection or intramural hematomas and control subjects underwent 18F-NaF PET and CT angiography of the aorta. Aortic 18F-NaF uptake was measured at the most diseased segment, and the maximum value was corrected for background blood pool activity (maximum tissue-to-background ratio [TBRmax]). Radiotracer uptake was compared with change in aortic size and major adverse aortic events (aortic rupture, aorta-related death, or aortic repair) over 45 ± 13 months.

Results

Aortic 18F-NaF uptake co-localized with histologically defined regions of microcalcification and elastin disruption. Compared with control subjects, patients with acute aortic syndrome had increased 18F-NaF uptake (TBRmax: 1.36 ± 0.39 [n = 20] vs 2.02 ± 0.42 [n = 47] respectively; P < 0.001) with enhanced uptake at the site of intimal disruption (+27.5%; P < 0.001). 18F-NaF uptake in the false lumen was associated with aortic growth (+7.1 mm/year; P = 0.011), and uptake in the outer aortic wall was associated with major adverse aortic events (HR: 8.5; 95% CI: 1.4-50.4; P = 0.019).

Conclusions

In patients with acute aortic syndrome, 18F-NaF uptake was enhanced at sites of disease activity and was associated with aortic growth and clinical events. 18F-NaF PET-CT holds promise as a noninvasive marker of disease severity and future risk in patients with acute aortic syndrome.

Ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone.

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Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma is a rare phenomenon after transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The authors present a case of ectopic recurrent adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone resected 16 years after initial transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The lesion was first radiographically described 12 years after surgery and was adjacent to the osteosynthesis plate that had been implanted at the craniotomy site. The recurrent craniopharyngioma was totally resected via a lateral eyebrow approach. No infiltration of the meninges or the brain was detected.

Only 50 cases of ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma have been described to date, with the present case being the first one with recurrence located at the skull bone. So far 2 mechanisms have been described: contamination with tumor cells alongside the surgical tract and spreading via CSF and the subarachnoid space.

The authors reviewed the literature, provided the largest collection of cases so far, and performed basic statistical analysis regarding ectopic recurrence. Pediatric and adult patients as well as male and female ones are affected equally by this phenomenon. The mean time of ectopic recurrence after initial surgery was 7.1 years. Ectopic recurrence, although rare, should always be considered in a patient with a newly diagnosed intracranial lesion who has undergone transcranial craniopharyngioma resection before.

Source: Journal Of Neurosurgery.

 

 

 

 

 

Ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone.

Posted by

0


Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma is a rare phenomenon after transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The authors present a case of ectopic recurrent adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma of the frontal bone resected 16 years after initial transcranial resection of the primary tumor. The lesion was first radiographically described 12 years after surgery and was adjacent to the osteosynthesis plate that had been implanted at the craniotomy site. The recurrent craniopharyngioma was totally resected via a lateral eyebrow approach. No infiltration of the meninges or the brain was detected.

Only 50 cases of ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma have been described to date, with the present case being the first one with recurrence located at the skull bone. So far 2 mechanisms have been described: contamination with tumor cells alongside the surgical tract and spreading via CSF and the subarachnoid space.

The authors reviewed the literature, provided the largest collection of cases so far, and performed basic statistical analysis regarding ectopic recurrence. Pediatric and adult patients as well as male and female ones are affected equally by this phenomenon. The mean time of ectopic recurrence after initial surgery was 7.1 years. Ectopic recurrence, although rare, should always be considered in a patient with a newly diagnosed intracranial lesion who has undergone transcranial craniopharyngioma resection before.

Source: Journal of Neurosurgery.