Nowadays, there is a wide array of imaging studies available for the evaluation of coronary artery disease, each with its particular indications and strengths. Cardiac single photon emission tomography is mostly used to evaluate myocardial perfusion, having experienced recent marked improvements in image acquisition. Cardiac PET has its main utility in perfusion imaging, atherosclerosis and endothelial function evaluation, and viability assessment. Cardiovascular computed tomography has long been used as a reference test for non-invasive evaluation of coronary lesions and anatomic characterization. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is currently the reference standard for non-invasive ventricular function evaluation and myocardial scarring delineation. These specific strengths have been enhanced with the advent of hybrid equipment, offering a true integration of different imaging modalities into a single, simultaneous and comprehensive study.
Primary intraosseous meningiomas (PIMs) are rare tumors that present with a variable radiological appearance and a clinical behavior that is considerably different from that of intracranial meningiomas. Treatment of PIMs consists of complete resection, which may be difficult to achieve due to the lack of clear tumor margins on conventional imaging studies. PET/CT using 68Ga-DOTA–conjugated peptides has been used for the diagnosis and treatment planning of different types of meningiomas due to these tracers’ affinity to somatostatin receptors, which are found in most meningiomas. However, this imaging modality’s use as an intraoperative adjunct has not been reported for PIMs. In this technical note, the authors describe a [68Ga-DOTA0-Tyr3]octreotide (68Ga-DOTATOC)-PET/CT–guided resection of a PIM. In this case, the area of increased uptake in the 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT study extended well beyond the tumor margins identified on MRI. The patient’s pathology report confirmed the presence of tumor cells within peripheral bone, which macroscopically appeared normal. The authors propose 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT as a valuable adjunct in the surgical management of PIMs and offer a reasonable justification for its use based on current evidence. Its use for intraoperative image guidance may aid neurosurgeons in achieving a complete resection, thus minimizing the risk of recurrence of this complex pathological entity.
OBJECTIVEThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the modification of surgical practice worldwide. Medical centers have been adapted to provide an efficient arrangement of their economic and human resources. Although neurosurgeons are not in the first line of management and treatment of COVID-19 patients, they take care of patients with neurological pathology and potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, the authors describe their institutional actions against the pandemic and compare these actions with those in peer-reviewed publications.METHODSThe authors conducted a search using the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from the beginning of the pandemic until July 11, 2020, using the following terms: “Neurosurgery,” “COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2,” “reconversion/modification,” “practice,” “academy,” and “teaching.” Then, they created operational guidelines tailored for their institution to maximize resource efficiency and minimize risk for the healthcare personnel.RESULTSAccording to the reviewed literature, the authors defined the following three changes that have had the greatest impact in neurosurgical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: 1) changes in clinical practices; 2) changes in the medical care setting, including modifications of perioperative care; and 3) changes in the academic teaching methodology.CONCLUSIONSThe Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez” is one of the major referral centers for treating highly complex neurosurgical pathologies in Mexico. Its clinical and neurosurgical practices have been modified with the implementation of specific interventions against the spread of COVID-19. These practical and simple actions are remarkably relevant in the context of the pandemic and can be adopted and suited by other healthcare centers according to their available resources to better prepare for the next event.
Purpose To summarize the physical principles, imaging method, available tools for and the clinical value of quantitative perfusion evaluation with cardiac PET as well as future aims in the field in a narrative review. Results Cardiac positron-emission tomography (PET) currently constitutes the reference standard for non-invasive quantitative evaluation of myocardial blood flow. This added modality provides useful information beyond standard semi-quantitative myocardial perfusion evaluation. A description of how the different phases of PET studies are interpreted is provided, as well as a short depiction of the most commonly used radiotracers and the main characteristics affecting their clinical utility. The diagnostic and prognostic utility concerning myocardial perfusion quantified in absolute terms is discussed and the additional contribution of the increasingly spread hybrid equipment is summarized. Conclusion PET myocardial perfusion represents an excellent noninvasive technique for the evaluation of known or suspected ischemic heart disease, and its clinical application should widen in the near future. The clinical value of PET quantitative perfusion is expected to improve patient outcomes and optimize therapeutic decisions, which constitute key elements for the future of cardiovascular medicine.
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