Current radiopharmaceuticals
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In recent years, the SPECT/CT hybrid modality has led to a rapid development of imaging techniques in nuclear medicine, opening new perspectives for imaging staff and patients as well. However, while, the clinical role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is well consolidated, the diffusion and the consequent value of single-photon emission tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) has yet to be weighed, Hence, there is a need for a careful analysis, comparing the "potential" benefits of the hybrid modality with the "established" ones of the standalone machine. The aim of this article is to analyze the impact of this hybrid tool on the diagnosis of diseases of the central nervous system, comparing strengths and weaknesses of both modalities through the use of SWOT analysis.
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Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). To improve the diagnosis of DLB, the latest diagnostic criteria incorporate findings from neuroimaging studies including sympathetic innervation imaging with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). According to these criteria a decreased MIBG myocardial uptake is an important finding supporting a clinical diagnosis of DLB. In this review the state of art and future perspectives of sympathetic innervation imaging by using MIBG in the diagnosis of DLB are discussed.
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Despite the extensive research efforts over the past century, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains an ominous diagnosis leading fast to progressive disability and death despite the aggressive treatment including microsurgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. Advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as volumetric acquisitions, spectroscopy, diffusion and perfusion studies added to conventional imaging, provide in selected cases a non-invasive alternative to pathological diagnosis but they are also precious tools to define the boundaries of image-guided microsurgical resection and/or radiosurgical ablation. This paper reviews the role of advanced neuroimaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of GBM.
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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumor occurring during adulthood. The incidence of GBM is nearly 5 cases per 100,000 population per year. ⋯ Imaging modalities used in nuclear medicine, namely positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been employed towards the evaluation of brain tumors. Herewith, we discuss the value of the above imaging techniques in the assessment of GBM aggressiveness, in the distinction of treatment induced necrosis from glioma recurrence, in the estimation of overall prognosis and in the evaluation of treatment response in patients with GBM.