BMI was the strongest determinant of liver (18)F-FDG uptake, and the liver (18)F-FDG uptake of metabolic syndrome subjects was significantly higher than that of non-metabolic syndrome subjects. This result suggests that a subject with a high liver (18)F-FDG uptake should be screened for the metabolic syndrome.

MIBG myocardial scintigraphy was useful for predicting cardiac events and long-term mortality in NIDDM.

Objective-The mechanisms underlying abdominal aortic aneurysm development remain unknown. We hypothesized that acceleration of glucose metabolism with the upregulation of glucose transporters is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm development. Methods and Results-Enhanced accumulation of the modified glucose analogue 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose by positron emission tomography imaging in the human abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with protein expressions of glucose transporters-1 and -3, assessed by Western blot. The magnitude of glucose transporter-3 expression was correlated with zymographic matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. Intraperitoneal administration of glycolysis inhibitor with 2-deoxyglucose significantly attenuated the dilatation of abdominal aorta induced by periaortic application of CaCl 2 in C57BL/6J male mice or reduced the aneurysmal formation in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E knockout male mice. In monocytic cell line induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or ex vivo culture obtained from human aneurysmal tissues, 2-deoxyglucose abrogated the matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and interleukin-6 expression in these cells/tissues. Moreover, 2-deoxyglucose attenuated the survival/proliferation of monocytes and the adherence of them to vascular endothelial cells. Conclusion-This study suggests that the enhanced glycolytic activity in aortic wall contributes to the pathogenesis of aneurysm development. In addition, pharmacological intervention in glycolytic activity might be a potential therapeutic target for the disorder.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and role of technetium-99m tetrofosmin for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands to be referred for surgical treatment. Twenty-eight consecutive patients, including 25 primary and 3 secondary cases of hyperparathyroidism, were evaluated. (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin/(99m)Tc-pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy (TF/Tc) was performed on all patients, and the results were directly compared with those of (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI)/(99m)Tc-pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy (MIBI/Tc), (201)Tl/(99m)Tc-pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy (Tl/Tc), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US). In cases of single-gland disease, the sensitivities of TF/Tc, MIBI/Tc, Tl/Tc, MRI and US were 63.2%, 68.4%, 57.9%, 55.6% and 63.2%, respectively. In cases of multi-gland disease, the sensitivities of TF/Tc, MIBI/Tc, Tl/Tc, MRI and US were 41.7%, 41.7%, 37.5%, 58.3% and 54.2%, respectively. In cases of parathyroid adenoma, the sensitivities of TF/Tc, MIBI/Tc, Tl/Tc, MRI and US were 68.8%, 75.0%, 68.8%, 62.5% and 75.0%, respectively. In cases of parathyroid hyperplasia, the sensitivities of TF/Tc, MIBI/Tc, Tl/Tc, MRI and US were 40.7%, 40.7%, 33.3%, 53.8% and 48.1%, respectively. It is concluded that, for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands, (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin is as useful as (99m)Tc-MIBI and is more useful than (201)Tl.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 99mTc-MIBI and 123I subtraction scintigraphy for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands to be referred for surgical treatment. Thirty-nine consecutive patients, including 35 primary and four secondary cases of hyperparathyroidism, were evaluated. 99mTc-MIBI/123I subtraction scintigraphy (MIBI/I) was performed on all patients, and the results were compared with delayed images of 99mTc-MIBI (D-MIBI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US). The overall sensitivity of MIBI/I, MRI, US and D-MIBI was 55.9%, 43.4%, 50.8% and 39.0%, respectively. In cases of single-gland disease, the sensitivity of MIBI/I, MRI, US and D-MIBI was 62.1%, 48.3%, 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. In cases of multi-gland disease, the sensitivity of MIBI/I, MRI, US and D-MIBI was 50.0%, 37.5%, 46.7% and 36.7%, respectively. In cases of parathyroid adenoma, the sensitivity of MIBI/I, MRI, US and D-MIBI was 71.4%, 50.0%, 71.4% and 50.0%, respectively. In cases of parathyroid hyperplasia, the sensitivity of MIBI/I, MRI, US and D-MIBI was 55.2%, 42.3%, 50.0% and 39.7%, respectively. It is concluded that 99mTc-MIBI/123I subtraction is more useful than the delayed imaging of 99mTc-MIBI, MRI and US.

99mTc-HMPAO SPECT and SPM96 analysis demonstrated a significant rCBF decrease in the parietal lobe and part of the occipital lobe in patients with induced transient hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy. This phenomenon might contribute to understanding of the depressive state. Recovery of rCBF after thyroid hormone replacement was confirmed in some patients. However, rCBF improvement did not always occur in every patient during the follow up period. The reversibility of rCBF in transient hypothyroidism may be dependent on individual characteristics during a short-term period.

Chronic pain patients demonstrated abnormal rCBF distribution on both baseline and post SCS conditions. Increased rCBF of thalamus and precuneus under both conditions in the PR group and decreased rCBF of ACG under post SCS conditions in the GR group were characteristic patterns. Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT with 3D-SSP and SEE analysis is likely objective and effective in monitoring and evaluating therapeutic outcome by SCS in chronic pain. In addition, it provides information that is useful in the selection of SCS candidates.

PET/CT was the best modality for detecting metastases in postoperative DTC patients, although IWBS provided complementary information. Because PET/CT and DWI gave similar information (e.g., positivity) suggesting poor prognoses, the combination of IWBS and DWI might be the method of choice for monitoring postoperative DTC.