Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) hepatic superscan refers to the diffuse intense uptake of 18F-FDG in the liver on positron emission tomography (PET), with reduced physiological activity in the brain and heart. The common causes include lymphoma and metastasis. In this case report, we describe the imaging features of tuberculosis as a rare cause of FDG hepatic superscan. PET imaging may be the only clue to a diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis, as other imaging modalities may demonstrate only nonspecific hepatomegaly. It is important to consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with FDG hepatic superscan and proceed with liver biopsy for a definitive diagnosis.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; pharmacokinetics ; Heart ; diagnostic imaging ; Hepatomegaly ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Liver ; drug effects ; Lymphoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tuberculosis, Hepatic ; diagnosis ; Whole Body Imaging

Abstract:Objective To evaluate the clinical application of CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the diagnosis and treatment of colonic carcinoma. Methods We collected 30 patients pathologically proven to have colonic carcinomas as examined by CTVE and electronic colonoscopy (EC), correlating the CTVE and EC images respectively with surgical pathology in three aspects: tumor morphological features, degree of circumferential bowel wall involvement and longitudinal extent of tumor. Results CTVE imaging of colonic carcinomas showed morphological features: polypoid pattern (11 patients), ulcerative pattern (11), and infiltrative pattern (8); degree of circumferential bowel wall involvement: less than 1/2 (4 patients), from 1/2 to 3/4 (6), and more than 3/4 (20); and their longitudinal extent: 1.0-3.0?cm (7 patients), 31-5.0?cm (10), and 5.1-11.0?cm (13). Correlation of CTVE and EC with surgical pathology was found. Comparison of CTVE with surgical pathology showed tumor morphological features: concordant (26 patients), and disconcordant (4); degree of circumferential bowel wall involvement: concordant (25), disconcordant (5); and longitudinal extent of the tumor: concordant (23), disconcordant (7). Comparison of EC with surgical pathology showed tumor morphological features: concordant (22 patients), disconcordant (8); degree of circumferential bowel wall involvement: concordant (28), disconcordant (2); and longitudinal extent of the tumor: concordant (14), disconcordant (3), and undefined by EC (13). Conclusions The images obtained by CTVE in colonic carcinoma are similar to those obtained by EC. CTVE is an excellent alternative to EC for patients who cannot tolerate EC and for cases with incomplete EC.

BACKGROUNDData of classical inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) of amino acids, organic acids and fatty acid oxidation are largely lacking in Hong Kong, where mass spectrometry-based expanded newborn screening for IEM has not been initiated. The current study aimed to evaluate the approximate incidence, spectrum and other characteristics of classical IEM in Hong Kong, which would be important in developing an expanded newborn screening program for the local area.

METHODSThe laboratory records of plasma amino acids, plasma acylcarnitines and urine organic acids analyses from year 2005 to 2009 inclusive in three regional chemical pathology laboratories providing biochemical and genetic diagnostic services for IEM were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSAmong the cohort, 43 patients were diagnosed of IEM, including 30 cases (69%) of amino acidemias (predominantly citrin deficiency, hyperphenylalaninemia due to 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency and tyrosinemia type I), 5 cases (12%) of organic acidemias (predominantly holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency) and 8 cases (19%) of fatty acid oxidation defects (predominantly carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency). The incidence of classical IEM in Hong Kong was roughly estimated to be at least 1 case per 4122 lives births, or 0.243 cases per 1000 live births. This incidence is similar to those reported worldwide, including the mainland of China. The estimated incidence of hyperphenylalaninemia was 1 in 29 542 live births.

CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate that it is indisputable for the introduction of expanded newborn screening program in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong is a metropolitan city, a comprehensive expanded newborn screening program and referral system should be available to serve the neonates born in the area.

Acids ; urine ; Amino Acids ; blood ; Carnitine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; urine ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry