Objective Evaluate the accuracy o f co-registration of PET and C T (PET-CT) images on line with phantom, and utilize it on patients to provide c l inical evidence for target delineation in radiotherapy. Methods A phantom with m arkers and different volume cylinders was infused with various concentrations of 18FDG, and scanned at 4?mm by PET and CT respectively. Aft er having been transmi tted into GE eNTEGRA and treatment planning system (TPS) workstations, the image s were fused and reconstructed. The distance between the markers and the errors were monitored in PET and CT images respectively. The volume of cylinder in PET and CT images were measured and compared by certain pixel value proportion deduc tion method. The same procedure was performed on the pulmonary tumor image in te n patients. Results eNTEGRA and TPS workstations had a good length linearity, b ut the fusion error of the latter was markedly greater than the former. Tumors i n different volume filled by varying concentrations of 18FDG required different pixel deduction proportion. The cylinder volume of PET and CT images were almost the same, so were the images of pulmonary tumor of ten patients. Conclusions T he accuracy of image co-registration of PET-CT on line may fulfill the clinica l demand. Pixel value proportion deduction method can be used for target delineati on on PET image.

Objective To assess the prognostic value of tumor burden measured by 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose-positron emission tomography ( FDG PET) imaging for stage Ⅲ NSCLC). Methods Fifty-six patients with lung cancer were analyzed, to whom staging PET-CT scans before treatment concurrent chemoradiotherapy and 2-year follow-up were performed. , Relationship between overall survival (OS) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were determined.Results The estimated median OS for the cohort were 14. 5 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that MTV had a significant effect on OS (x2 =5.42 ,P =0. 014). No significant relationship was found between SUVmax and OS ( x2 = 0. 74, P = 0. 391 ). According to multivariate Cox regression analysis, MTV and SUVmax wereassociatedwithincreaseddeath ( x2 = 5.54, P = 0.019; x2 = 4.47, P = 0.031 ). Conclusions This study shows that higher tumor burden assessed by PET MTV is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in lung cancer, MTV is valuable for predicting overall survival and could be a prognostic factor.

Objective To determine the prognostic value of standardized uptake value(SUV)of fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)by positron emission tomography and computed tomography(PET-CT)in nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Forty-eight patients(39 male,9 female)with stage ⅢNSCLC were reviewed.All patients had at least two repeated FDG PET-CT scans either before and after therapy and the maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)of the primary lung lesion was calculated. Resuits Of the 45 eligible patients,after a median follow-up of 22.5 months(rang,13 to 35 months),24 patients had local and regional recurrenee or metastasis and 21 remain disease-free.The mean SUVmax of patients who had local recurrence or metastasis before and after treatment was 12.30±3.17 and 5.35±2.29,respectively.The mean SUVmax of patients who had no loeal recurrence or metastasis before and after treatment was 8.46±3.00 and 2.82±0.63,respectively.Significant differences(tbefore=4.15,Pbefore＜0.01;Pafter=4.88,Pafter＜0.01)in SUVmax were observed either before and after treatment.However,the percent change of SUVmax between pretreatment and post-treatment were not significiantly different(t=1.99,P＞0.05).Using the SUVbefore of 9.0 yielded 92% sensitivity,62% specificity,73% positive predictive value and 87%negaffve Dredictive value in predicting regional recurrence or metastasis. While using the SUVafter of 4.3 yielded 71% sensitivity,100% specificity,100% positive predictive valne and 72% negative Dredictive value. Conclusions PET-CT may have the potientials to predict response to therapy and the SUVmax is a significant predictor for recurrent or metastasis in patients of NSCLC.

Aim To prepare a new oral colon-specific delivery formulation and to investigate the release profile in vitro and the colon-specific delivery property in vivo in dogs. Methods Sodium 4-aminosalicylic acid was selected as the model drug. The combination of Eudragit RL30D and RS30D were used as sustained-release film, and Eudragit FS30D used as enteric film, which was expected to release drug depending on pH and time. The release profile of tablets was studied in three phosphate buffers with the pH 6.5, 7.0 or 7.4 for 12 h after a simulated gastric presoak for 2 h in 0.1 mol · L-1 HCl. The tablets were radiolabelled with 99mTc to make their release times and positions in the gastrointestinal tract be followed using a gamma camera. Results For the in vitro study, there was no drug released in 0. 1 mol ·L- 1 HCl for 2 h, and release occurred slowly when pH was above 6.5. Drug was released faster while pH was higher. For the in vivo study, the coated tablets remained intact in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and drug release began after the colonic arrival. The uncoated tablets, however, disintegrated in the stomach of the dogs rapidly. Conclusion The coating could protect the drug until the tablets reached the ascending colon, where drug was released slowly for over 10 h.

Objective To prospectively investigate the optimal setting for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer by comparing the effects of different preparation methods and injection sites of 99Tcm-SC in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and detection.Methods Two batches of 99Tcm-SC were prepared by boiling for 3 min (radiotracer 1) and 5 min (radiotracer 2),respectively.Radioactive chemical purity (RCP) and size of colloid particles were measured at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after the preparation.One hundred and forty-seven patients with breast cancer were involved and randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A consisted of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 1,group B of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 2,and group C of 67 patients with peritumoral injection of radiotracer 2.Lymphatic mapping was performed for all patients using SPECT/CT preoperatively and blue dye was subdermally injected over the tumor.The detection rate of the axillary and internal mammary SLN was recorded.One-way analysis of variance,independent two-sample t and x2 tests were used to analyze the data.Results There was no significant difference of RCP between the two radiotracers at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after preparation (t =-0.267,-0.794,0.826 and-0.977,all P＞0.05).Compared with radiotracer 1,the percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm in radiotracer 2 reduced significantly ((73.72±2.36) ％ vs (65.25±3.56)％,t=6.436,P＜0.05) and the mean effective particle size was significantly larger ((45.27±6.42) nm vs (75.59t7.04) nm,t=7.315,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the internal mammary SLN was 70.0％ (28/40),47.5％ (19/40) and 17.9％ (12/67),respectively,with significant difference (x2=29.525,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the axillary SLN was 100％ (40/40),95.0％ (38/40) and 97.0％ (65/67),respectively,without significant difference (x2 =2.686,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion For SLNB of patients with breast cancer,the axillary and internal mammary SLN could be better detected by SPECT/CT lymphatic mapping using radiotracer prepared with a shorter boiling time,via periareolar injection,and combined with subdermal injection of blue dye.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 99Tcm-Tilmanocept(TMC) SPECT/CT for the detection of SLN by comparing with 99Tcm-sulfur colloid(SC) SPECT/CT. Methods From March 2016 to September 2016, a total of 160 patients (age range: 30-70 years), selected from Breast Surgery Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital, underwent SPECT/CT and planar imaging with either 99Tcm-TMC (TMC group, n=76) or 99Tcm-SC (SC group, n=84). The results of SLN SPECT/CT and planar imaging were compared. The positive rate of SLN in SPECT/CT was compared with operative results. One-way analysis of variance, χ2 test, and two-sample t test were used for data analysis. Results The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-TMC (≥92%) had no significant difference in 4 h(F=0.720, P>0.05). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected by SPECT/CT imaging was higher than that by planar imaging (1.34±0.64 vs 0.96±034; t=4556, P<005). In SC group, the average number of SLN detected by SPECT/CT imaging was also higher than that by planar imaging (2.57±0.99 vs 1.56±0.87; t=7.010, P<0.05). The positive rates of SLN in TMC and SC groups were 94.7%(72/76)and 96.4%(81/84), showing no significant difference (χ2=0273, P>0.05). The average number of SLN detected by 99Tcm-TMC imaging was significantly lower than that detected by 99Tcm-SC (t=9.115, P<0.05). The intraoperative detection rates of SLN were 100% (76/76 and 84/84) in both groups. The average number of SLN detected during operation in TMC group was significantly lower than that in SC group (1.89±0.86 vs 3.05±1.29; t=6.642, P<0.01). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(1.89±086 vs 1.34±0.64; t=4.492, P<0.05). In SC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(3.05±1.29 vs 2.57±0.99; t=2.740, P<005). Conclusions SPECT/CT is superior to planar imaging for the detection and localization of SLN. 99Tcm-TMC is suitable for SLN imaging and intraoperative detection.

Objective To verify the accuracy of the modified technique for internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy ( IM-SLNB) in breast cancer .Methods In the validation study , the radiotracer was injected with the modified technique , and fluorescence tracer was injected into the peritumoral breast tissue .The radioac-tive IM-SLN was identified by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and γprobe.The radioactive IM-SLN received bi-opsy during operation .The status of the fluorescence tracer was identified by the fluorescence imaging system . Results A total of 162 patients were enrolled from Sep .2013 to Dec.2014.IM-SLNB was performed in 110 pa-tients.The radiotracer and the fluorescence tracer were identified in the same IM-SLN in 94 cases, and the con-cordance rate was 85.5%(Case-base, Spearman coefficient correlation 0.823, P<0.001).Conclusion Dif-ferent tracers injected into the different sites of the intra-parenchyma can reach the same IM-SLN, proving the ac-curacy of the modified technique and the hypothesis of IM-SLN lymphatic drainage pattern ( IM-SLN receives not only the lymphatic drainage from the primary tumor area but the entire breast parenchyma ) .

Objective:To investigate the values of CT angiography (CTA) and color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis and etiological screening of varicocele (VC).Methods:Ninety-seven patients with VC diagnosed by the Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital from May 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively included. The CTA and color Doppler ultrasonographic data of 194 spermatic veins (including 116 varicocele veins) were analyzed. Paired t test was used to compare the mean diameter of spermatic veins at the root of scrotum measured by CTA and color Doppler ultrasound. McNemar test was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of CTA and color Doppler examination for VC, and χ 2 or Fisher exact probability was used to compare the detection rate of CTA and color Doppler examination in screening the etiology of VC. Results:The average diameters of scrotal root of spermatic veins by CTA and color Doppler ultrasonography were (2.9±0.6) and (3.0±0.6) mm for VC cases, with no significant difference found( t=0.885, P=0.381). According to the diagnostic VC standard of color Doppler ultrasound (diameter>2 mm), no significant difference was found between CTA and color Doppler ultrasound in the sensitivity [95.69%(111/116) vs. 100%(116/116)] and specificity [100%(78/78) vs. 100%(78/78)] in the diagnosis of VC. The etiological detection rate of CTA in 97 patients with VC was significantly higher than that of color Doppler ultrasound ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Both CTA and color Doppler ultrasound have high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of VC. CTA has a higher etiological detection rate in etiological screening of VC than color Doppler ultrasound.

BACKGROUND:With the innovation of examination technique,the number of patients with spinal metastases in different stages is increasing year by year.Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an important treatment for spinal metastases;however,there is no report on the biomechanical effect in different stages and different activities after operation. OBJECTIVE:To simulate thoracic T10 bone stress and displacement of the different locations of the tumor metastasis based on the three-dimensional finite element model. METHODS:According to thoracic three-dimensional CT images of a 30-year-old healthy male,Mimics software was used to construct a three-dimensional geometric model of thoracic vertebrae(T9-T11),including ribs,ligaments and intervertebral discs.Three-dimensional models of T9-T11 vertebral bodies and different parts of the posterior thoracic vertebrae invaded by thoracic metastatic tumors were simulated,including the control group with intact vertebral structure,unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body area(experimental group 1),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body and pedicle area(experimental group 2),unilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 3),and bilateral metastasis involving the vertebral body,pedicle and transverse process area(experimental group 4).Abaqus software was used to create a three-dimensional finite element model.The von Mises stress distribution and the displacement of the model were analyzed under the loading condition,buckling condition,extension condition,and rotation condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the study of the maximum total displacement of loading points in different experimental groups under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions,with the increase of metastatic tumor invasion site and invasion surface,the total displacement of loading points increased,and the overall stiffness decreased,especially the total displacement of loading points in experimental group 4 was the largest.(2)Under flexion condition,the maximum Von Mises stress value increased significantly after vertebral body and pedicle destruction,while the maximum Von Mises stress value was almost unchanged when the thoracocostal joint destruction was added.(3)On the basis of finite element analysis and simulation of bone tumor model,the elements in the bone cement region were set as a single set,and the bone cement region was set as the corresponding material properties to simulate bone cement filling.The results showed that the maximum total displacement under loading,flexion,extension,and rotation conditions was less than that of each experimental group.(4)The maximum stress values of the simulated percutaneous vertebroplasty patients in the loading,flexion,extension and rotation conditions were significantly lower than those of the femoral model.(5)It is concluded that the three-dimensional finite element model based on thoracic T9-T11 conducive to the biomechanics characteristics of thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis,and on the basis of the thoracic vertebrae tumor metastasis model can accurately simulate load point after percutaneous vertebral body under different conditions of total displacement and the maximum Von Mises stress situation.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of 99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) double-phase imaging in differential diagnosis of bone lesions in tumor patients,which was indefinite in 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone imaging,and evaluate the correlation between 99Tcm-MIBI imaging and chemotherapy efficacy.Methods Fifty-two tumor patients (23 males,29 females,mean age 58 years) with bone isolated lesions(≤3) found by 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy was enrolled from June 2014 to November 2015.Since the results of 99Tcm-MDP imaging were indefinite,99Tcm-MIBI double-phase (10 min and 30 min after injection of 99Tcm-MIBI) SPECT/CT imaging was then performed within 1 week.The final diagnosis was made according to results of more than two imaging modalities (CT,MRI,PET/CT) and/or follow-up (≥6 months).The diagnostic efficacy of 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT/CT imaging was calculated.The clinical dataof chemotherapy were also collected.Patients with bone metastasis were grouped as the treatment response.Retention index (RI) of metastatic lesions was calculated and compared between different groups using two-sample t test.The relationship between RI and chemotherapy efficacy was investigated by Spearman correlation analysis.Results A total of 12 benign lesions and 84 malignant lesions were eventually diagnosed.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV) and Youden index of 99Tcm-MIBI imaging were 96.43％(81/84),83.33％(10/12),97.59％(81/83),76.92％(10/13),and 0.80,respectively.The RI was statistically different between complete remission (CR)+partial remission (PR) group and stable disease (SD) + progressive disease (PD) group:-0.142± 0.036 vs-0.384± 0.067 (t =2.367,P＜0.05).The RI of 99Tcm-MIBI in bone metastases was positively correlated with the chemotherapy efficacy (rs =0.78,P＜0.01).Conclusions 99Tcm-MIBI imaging is helpful in differential diagnosis of bone lesions with indefinite diagnosis by 99Tcm-MDP bone imaging in tumor patients.99Tcm-MIBI RI of bone metastasis may predict the therapeutic response of chemotherapy efficacy.