M Weiss1, S Landrock, J Wallmichrath, R G H Baumeister, P Bartenstein, A Frick. 1. Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Mayo Weiss, Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 München , E-Mail: mayo.weiss@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine whether the additional use of SPECT/CT-technique improves the diagnostic value of planar lymphoscintigraphy in patients presenting with lymphatic transport disorders. PATIENTS, METHODS: For a defined period of two years 36 consecutive patients (27 women, 9 men; age 27-87 years) were included in our study. In addition to planar scintigraphy further acquisition of the affected extremities or of the trunk was performed using SPECT/CT-technique. In total, 48 anatomic lymph drainage areas were prospectively analysed by planar scintigraphy and tomographic SPECT/CT. RESULTS: In 28/48 cases (58%) the SPECT/CT-imaging provided relevant additional information before treatment compared to planar technique; among them 27 regarding the exact anatomic localization of lymphatic transport disorders and 8 cases in which the dimension of the lymphatic transport disorders were estimated to a greater extent than in single use of planar lymphoscintigraphy. In 3 cases SPECT/CT provides differential diagnosis of lymph nodes versus lymphoceles. In none of the cases lymph vessels or lymph vessel grafts could be demonstrated by the morphological CT-component. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally to planar lymphoscintigraphy, SPECT/CT specifies anatomical correlation of lymphatic transport disorders and thus the assessment of the extension of the pathology. Furthermore, SPECT/CT dissipates overlapping of anatomic structures by tomographic acquisition and enables differential diagnosis of lymph nodes versus lymphoceles.
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine whether the additional use of SPECT/CT-technique improves the diagnostic value of planar lymphoscintigraphy in patients presenting with lymphatic transport disorders. PATIENTS, METHODS: For a defined period of two years 36 consecutive patients (27 women, 9 men; age 27-87 years) were included in our study. In addition to planar scintigraphy further acquisition of the affected extremities or of the trunk was performed using SPECT/CT-technique. In total, 48 anatomic lymph drainage areas were prospectively analysed by planar scintigraphy and tomographic SPECT/CT. RESULTS: In 28/48 cases (58%) the SPECT/CT-imaging provided relevant additional information before treatment compared to planar technique; among them 27 regarding the exact anatomic localization of lymphatic transport disorders and 8 cases in which the dimension of the lymphatic transport disorders were estimated to a greater extent than in single use of planar lymphoscintigraphy. In 3 cases SPECT/CT provides differential diagnosis of lymph nodes versus lymphoceles. In none of the cases lymph vessels or lymph vessel grafts could be demonstrated by the morphological CT-component. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally to planar lymphoscintigraphy, SPECT/CT specifies anatomical correlation of lymphatic transport disorders and thus the assessment of the extension of the pathology. Furthermore, SPECT/CT dissipates overlapping of anatomic structures by tomographic acquisition and enables differential diagnosis of lymph nodes versus lymphoceles.
Entities:
Keywords:
SPECT/CT; hybrid imaging; lymphatic transport disorder; oedema; planar lymphoscintigraphy
Authors: Mayo Weiss; Ruediger G H Baumeister; Andreas Frick; Jens Wallmichrath; Peter Bartenstein; Axel Rominger Journal: Korean J Radiol Date: 2015-01-09 Impact factor: 3.500