Radioactive Seed Localization of Breast Lesions: an Adequate Localization Method Without Seed Migration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Radioactive Seed Localization of Breast Lesions: an Adequate Localization Method Without Seed Migration ORIGINAL ARTICLE Radioactive Seed Localization of Breast Lesions: An Adequate Localization Method without Seed Migration Tanja Alderliesten, PhD,* Claudette E. Loo, MD,* Kenneth E. Pengel, MSc,* Emiel J. Th. Rutgers, MD, PhD, Kenneth G. A. Gilhuijs, PhD,* and Marie-Jeanne T. F. D. Vrancken Peeters, MD, PhD *Department of Radiology; and Department of Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute – Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL), Amsterdam, The Netherlands n Abstract: Preoperative localization is important to optimize the surgical treatment of breast lesions, especially in nonpal- pable lesions. Radioactive seed localization (RSL) using iodine-125 is a relatively new approach. To provide accurate guid- ance to surgery, it is important that the seeds do not migrate after placement. The aim of this study was to assess short-term and long-term seed migration after RSL of breast lesions. In 45 patients, 48 RSL procedures were performed under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. In the first 12 patients, the lesion was localized with two markers: an iodine-125 seed and a refer- ence marker. In 33 patients, 36 RSL procedures were performed using a single iodine-125 seed. All patients received control mammograms after seed placement and prior to surgery. In the patients with two markers, migration was defined as the differ- ence in the largest distance between the markers observed in the mammograms. For single-marked lesions, migration was assessed by comparing distances between anatomical landmarks in the mammograms. RSL was successful in all patients. Seeds were in-situ for 59.5 days on average (3–136 days). The detection rate during surgery was 100%. Overall, an average seed migration of 0.9 mm (standard deviation 1.0 mm) was observed. Neither differences in lesion type, nor days in situ, type of surgery or radiologic localization method were found to have impact on seed migration. RSL is an accurate preoperative localization method for breast lesions with negligible seed migration, independent of time in-situ. n Key words: breast-conserving surgery, image-guided localization, iodine-125, migration, radioactive seed localization reast cancer is the most common type of cancer (a) patients with nonpalpable ductal carcinoma in situ Bin women. More than one million women world- (DCIS); (b) patients with small invasive lesions; and wide are newly diagnosed with breast cancer each (c) patients who have a (near) complete response to year. neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All three patient groups Currently, breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is pre- are increasing, partly because of the aging population ferred to mastectomy when feasible. Because incom- combined with improved breast-cancer screening tech- plete excision of the lesion is a significant risk factor nology and partly because of the more wide-spread for local recurrence and local recurrence is associated use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. with higher mortality (1,2), it is important to mini- For the excision of nonpalpable lesions, a preopera- mize incomplete surgery. Especially nonpalpable tive localization by the radiologist is essential. Preop- breast cancer poses, however, major challenges to BCS erative localization of breast cancer is typically in this respect. The incidence of incomplete excision performed using wire-guided localization (WGL) or of nonpalpable breast cancer is higher than that of using the radioguided occult lesion localization palpable breast cancer (3,4). There are three groups of (ROLL) technique (5–12). In WGL, one or multiple patients in whom nonpalpable lesions are found: wires are placed in or surrounding the lesion to serve as a guiding tool for the surgeon. ROLL is based on 99m Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Marie-Jeanne T. F. D. an intra-lesional injection of technetium-99m ( Tc) Vrancken Peeters, The Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwen- labeled nanocolloid. Excision of the lesion is per- hoek Hospital, Department of Surgery, P.O. Box 90203, 1006 BE Amster- formed with the aid of a gamma probe that registers dam, The Netherlands, or e-mail: [email protected]. the radioactivity of the injected nanocolloid. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2011.01155.x More recently, radioactive seed localization (RSL) Ó 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., 1075-122X/11 The Breast Journal, Volume 17 Number 6, 2011 594–601 has been proposed (13). RSL involves implanting RSL of Breast Lesions: No Seed Migration • 595 radioactive iodine-125 seeds into the lesion prior to ‘‘double-marked’’ group. The remaining patients were surgery. Similar to the ROLL procedure, a gamma assigned to the ‘‘single-marked’’ group. probe provides intra-operative guidance to locate and excise the lesion with the radioactive seed. A potential RSL & Radiologic Localization advantage of RSL over ROLL is that the seed provides Mammography and ultrasound of the breast were a small point source of radioactivity enabling accurate performed in all patients. Patients in whom the lesion guidance during surgery. RSL has been compared with was visible at ultrasonography underwent an ultra- WGL and was strongly favored over WGL (14,15). In sound-guided RSL. For this procedure, a Philips iU22 these studies, RSL was performed up to 5 days prior (Philips Healthcare, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) or a to surgery. Seed migration was not the focus of these GE ⁄ Kretz Volusion 730 (GE Medical Systems, Zipf, studies. As a result, little is known about the ability of Austria) ultrasonography unit was used. In the the seeds to migrate over longer periods of time remaining patients, stereotactic RSL was performed (5 months), e.g., when RSL is applied prior to neo- guided by X-ray mammography (XM) (Model adjuvant chemotherapy. Also, little is known which ASY-00072; Lorad Medical Systems, Danbury, CT). procedures during treatment are more likely to cause Single-packed iodine-125 seeds were used for the seed migration. Knowledge of these factors may aid to RSL procedures (Figs. 1 and 2). At the time of place- optimize the surgical margins in BCS. ment, the seeds contained on average 0.13 mCi The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate (range: 0.03–0.21 mCi) of iodine-125. After occluding seed migration after RSL for surgery of nonpalpable the tip of a 10 cm long 18 gauge needle (item no. breast lesions, taking multivariate factors into account 15810020, Bard Peripheral Vascular – Biopsy, Tempe, including time in-situ of the iodine-125 seed. AZ) with sterile bone wax (knochenwachs W30; Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon GmbH, Germany), the radioactive seed was placed into the needle with twee- MATERIALS AND METHODS zers. Confirmation of placement of the seed in the tip of the needle was obtained via measurement with a Patient Data scintillation detector (Type 540, Mini Instruments; Between January 2008 and February 2009, 45 Stratec Services BV, Houten, The Netherlands). patients received surgery after implantation of iodine- For patient comfort, we applied local anesthesia. 125 seeds (STM1251; Bard Brachytherapy, Carol Subsequently, the radiologist placed the tip of the Stream, IL). All procedures were performed according needle in the center of the lesion. This was performed to accepted clinical indications. The radioactive seeds under ultrasound or stereotactic mammography guid- were placed for different clinical indications: prior to ance. When imaging confirmed that the tip of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 22), prior to wide needle (with iodine-125 seed and loosely placed stylet) local excision (WLE) for nonpalpable DCIS or infil- was in the center of the lesion, the seed was deployed trating ductal carcinoma (IDC) (n = 20), a diagnostic by fully advancing the stylet. After withdrawal of the excision biopsy (n = 2), and re-excision (n = 1) for needle, both the needle and the breast were residual DCIS. Patients who demonstrated favorable investigated with a scintillation detector to confirm response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, resulting in that the seed was placed in the breast. residual lesion smaller than 3 cm, received BCS. Oth- ers underwent mastectomy. In the first 12 patients, lesions were localized with both an iodine-125 seed and a standard O-twist-mar- ker (OTM3.OS, [diameter of ring: 3 mm, needle length: 13.7 cm, 18 gauge], Bard Peripheral Vascular – Biopsy, Tempe, AZ) to exclude potential unexpected large shifts. The markers were inserted during the same radiologic examination. In the following 33 patients, the breast lesion was localized by an iodine- Figure 1. Photograph of three iodine-125 seeds (STM1251) man- 125 seed only. All patients in whom the lesion was ufactured by Bard Brachytherapy, (Carol Stream, IL). Copyright CR localized with two markers were assigned to the Bard. 596 • alderliesten et al. Figure 2. Product design of an iodine-125 seed. The seed has a nominal length of 4.5 mm and a nominal width of 0.8 mm. The copper layer is coated with iodine-125. The seed has a gold core and is encased in titanium. The seed has flat ends. Copyright CR Bard. To confirm correct placement and to monitor the distance between the two markers after placement potential seed migration, all patients received and after surgery. Patients in whom the initial distance mammograms (MLO and CC view) at two different between the two markers exceeded 10 mm were trans- times: (a) directly after RSL; (b) prior to surgery ferred to the group of single-marked lesions. In these (either on the day before surgery or on the day of sur- patients, differences in distance between the markers gery). For patients in the double-marked group, addi- could not be reliably attributed to seed migration tional X-ray images were acquired of the excision alone, but could also be caused by deformation of the specimen (in two orthogonal directions) after surgery. tissue in between due to differences in breast compres- sion during mammography. This threshold was empir- Surgery ically derived based on the observations of the During surgery a handheld gamma detector radiologists.
Recommended publications
  • Nuclear Technology Reivew for 2002
    GC GC(46)/INF/5 16 July 2002 International Atomic Energy Agency GENERAL Distr. GENERAL CONFERENCE Original: ENGLISH Forty-sixth regular session Item 15 of the provisional agenda (GC(46)/1) NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2002 1. In response to requests by Member States, the Secretariat produces a comprehensive Nuclear Technology Review every two years, with a shorter supplement in the intervening years. The present report is the second comprehensive compilation giving a global perspective on nuclear technologies for both power and non-power applications. 2. The NTR-2002 contains an Executive Summary and then reviews the following areas: Fundamentals of Nuclear Development; Nuclear Power, Fuel Cycle and Waste Management; Applications for Food, Water and Health; and Applications for Environment and Sustainable Industrial Processes. 3. The document has been modified to take account, to the extent possible, of specific comments by the Board and other comments received from Member States. For reasons of economy, this document has been printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly requested to bring their copies of documents to meetings. GC(46)/INF/5 Page 2 NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2002 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 PART I. FUNDAMENTALS OF NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT 7 I-1. NUCLEAR, ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR DATA 7 I-2. RESEARCH REACTORS, ACCELERATORS AND RADIOISOTOPES 9 I-2.1. Research Reactors 9 I-2.2. Accelerators 11 I-2.3. Radioisotopes 13 I-3. NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTATION 14 I-4. NUCLEAR FUSION 15 PART II. NUCLEAR POWER, FUEL CYCLE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT 17 II-1. THE GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER PICTURE 17 II-1.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Intraoperative Gamma Probe Detection of Bone Invasive
    Intraoperative and Postoperative Gamma Detection of Somatostatin Receptors in Bone Invasive “En Plaque” Meningiomas Emmanuel GAY, MD; Jean Philippe VUILLEZ, MD, PhD; Olivier PALOMBI, MD; Pierre Yves BRARD, MD; Pierre BESSOU, MD and Jean Guy PASSAGIA, MD. Department of Neurosurgery (EG, OP, JGP), Department of Nuclear Medecine (JPhV, PYB) and Departement of Neuroradiology (PB), University Hospital Grenoble, France. This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Neurosurgery: July 2005 - Volume 57 - Issue 1 - pp 107-113 E. GAY Corresponding author: Emmanuel GAY, MD Department of Neurosurgery (Pr A.L. Benabid) CHU Grenoble BP217 38043 Grenoble Cedex 09 FRANCE Tel: 33 476 76 54 71 Fax: 33 476 76 58 13 Email: [email protected] 2 E. GAY Intraoperative and Postoperative Gamma Detection… Abstract: Objective: Scintigraphy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogue ([111In-DTPA] octreotide), detects the somatostatin receptors that are found in vitro in all meningiomas. Previous studies have proved the benefit of radioimmunoguided surgery with a handheld gamma probe, for the assessment and the removal of neuroendocrine tumors. We conducted a study to determine whether intraoperative radiodetection of somatostastin receptors is feasible and could increase the probability of complete meningioma resection, especially for bone invasive “en plaque” meningiomas that are difficult to control surgically. Methods: Eighteen patients with “en plaque” sphenoid wing and skull convexity meningiomas were studied for pre and post-operative somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. In 10 of them, intraoperative radiodetection using a handheld gamma probe was performed 24 hours after the intravenous administration of [111In-DTPA] octreotide. This procedure was combined with a computer-aided navigation system.
    [Show full text]
  • (EANM) Acceptance Testing for Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation
    Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2010) 37:672–681 DOI 10.1007/s00259-009-1348-x GUIDELINES Acceptance testing for nuclear medicine instrumentation Ellinor Busemann Sokole & Anna Płachcínska & Alan Britten & on behalf of the EANM Physics Committee Published online: 5 February 2010 # EANM 2010 Keywords Quality control . Quality assurance . requirement that acceptance testing be performed should Acceptance testing . Nuclear medicine instrumentation . be included in the purchase agreement of an instrument. Gamma camera . SPECT. PET. CT. Radionuclide calibrator. This agreement should specify responsibilities regarding Thyropid uptake probe . Nonimaging intraoperative probe . who does acceptance testing, the procedure to be followed Gamma counting system . Radiation monitors . when unsatisfactory results are obtained, and who supplies Preclinical PET the required phantoms and software. A specific time slot must be allocated for performing acceptance tests. Introduction Acceptance and reference tests These recommendations cover acceptance and reference tests that should be performed for acceptance testing of Acceptance tests are performed to verify that the instrument instrumentation used within a nuclear medicine department. performs according to its specifications. Each instrument is These tests must be performed after installation and before supplied with a set of basic specifications. These have been the instrument is put into clinical use, and before final produced by the manufacturer according to standard test payment for the device. These recommendations
    [Show full text]
  • Paper RADIOACTIVE SEED LOCALIZATION with I for NONPALPABLE LESIONS PRIOR to BREAST LUMPECTOMY AND/OR EXCISIONAL BIOPSY
    Paper RADIOACTIVE SEED LOCALIZATION WITH 125I FOR NONPALPABLE LESIONS PRIOR TO BREAST LUMPECTOMY AND/OR EXCISIONAL BIOPSY: METHODOLOGY, SAFETY, AND EXPERIENCE OF INITIAL YEAR Lawrence T. Dauer,*† Cynthia Thornton,† Daniel Miodownik,* Daniel Boylan,* Brian Holahan,* Valencia King,‡ Edi Brogi,§ Monica Morrow,** Elizabeth A. Morris,† and Jean St. Germain* INTRODUCTION AbstractVThe use of radioactive seed localization (RSL) as an alternative to wire localizations (WL) for nonpalpable breast IMPROVEMENTS IN imaging techniques and increasing rates lesions is rapidly gaining acceptance because of its advantages of screening mammograms have resulted in the increased for both the patient and the surgical staff. This paper exam- ines the initial experience with over 1,200 patients seen at a detection of nonpalpable breast lesions that require locali- comprehensive cancer center. Radiation safety procedures for zation prior to surgery to allow excision for complete his- radiology, surgery, and pathology were implemented, and ra- tological evaluation or as part of breast-conserving therapy dioactive material inventory control was maintained using an (Harris et al. 1981; Homer 1983; Cady et al. 1996; Montrey intranet-based program. Surgical probes allowed for discrimina- tion between 125I seed photon energies from 99mTc administered for et al. 1996; Bartelink et al. 2001; Skinner et al. 2001; Hooley sentinel node testing. A total of 1,127 patients (median age et al. 2012; Nederend et al. 2012). Breast image-guided of 57.2 y) underwent RSL procedures with 1,223 seeds im- localization is performed on nonpalpable lesions after Y planted. Implanted seed depth ranged from 10.3 107.8 mm. marker clips are left in the breast following image-guided The median length of time from RSL implant to surgical excision was 2 d.
    [Show full text]
  • Radioactive Materials Transportation and Incident Response
    RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION AND INCIDENT RESPONSE U.S. Department of Energy Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program Q&A About Incident Response 04/12 QA Phone Number Radio Frequency Law Enforcement ____________________________________ RADIOACTIVE Fire ___________________________________________ MATERIALS Medical ____________________________________________ TRANSPORTATION AND INCIDENT RESPONSE State Radiological Assistance ___________________________ Local Government Official ______________________________ Local Emergency Management Agency ___________________ State Emergency Management Agency ___________________ HAZMAT Team ______________________________________ Water Pollution Control ________________________________ CHEMTEL (Toll-free US & Canada) 1-800-255-3924 _________ CHEMTREC (Toll-free US & Canada) 1-800-424-9300 _______ CHEMTREC (Outside US) 1-703-527-3887 ________________ National Response Center (Toll-free US & Canada) 1-800-424-8802 ____________ In Washington, D.C. 1-202-267-2675 _____________________ Military Shipments (DoD) Call Collect 1-703-697-0218 _______ Other: ______________________________________________ Other: ______________________________________________ QQ&A About Incident Response NOTES TABLE OF CONTENTS What is radiation?.................................................................................... 2 ______________________________________________ What is radiation exposure? .................................................................... 3 ______________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Spectral Gamma Probe Analyses the Energy Spectrum of Gamma Radiation from Naturally Occurring Or Man-Made Isotopes in the Formation Surrounding a Borehole
    PROBES SPECTRAL GAMMA The Spectral Gamma probe analyses the energy spectrum of gamma radiation from naturally occurring or man-made isotopes in the formation surrounding a borehole. The probe corrects for temperature drift in real-time by matching the acquired spectrum to the base spectra of the main Probe Head natural emitters (potassium, uranium and thorium) determined during the tool master calibration. Available outputs are full-spectrum (static mode only) and continuous log measurements of elemental concentrations. Borehole corrections are available for casing thickness, borehole diameter, formation density and mud/fluid radioactivity for both centralized and side-walled tool positions. Principle of Measurement: Gamma photons produced by the decay of naturally occurring potassium, uranium, thorium and/or unstable man-made isotopes in the formation are detected by a large-volume gamma scintillation counter and converted to electrical pulses. The amplitude of the pulses depends on the photon energy. An analyzer within the probe separates the pulses into channels according to their amplitudes. Count-rates from groups of channels are converted in real-time by the surface software to concentrations of the originating elements using predetermined algorithms. SPECIFICATION: Features Large-volume scintillation detector for high sensitivity Temperature compensation ensures freedom from drift Measurements Uranium (ppm) Thorium (ppm) Potassium (%) Gross Gamma Full spectrum display 100keV – 3MeV Applications Minerals / Water / Engineering 1.72m Shale/Clay typing (67.7”) Correlation in complex situations Mineral detection Radioactive waste pollution measurement Lithology determination Operating Conditions Borehole type: open/cased, water/air filled Recommended Logging Speed: 1m/min Specifications Diameter: 48mm or 60mm Length: 1.72m (for both types) Weight: 7kg (60mm version) Temperature: 0-70°C Max.
    [Show full text]
  • Wprobe: Exploring New Frontiers in Radioguided Cancer Surgery
    Wireless gamma probe for radioguided Sentinel lymph Node (SLN) Localization WProbe: Exploring new frontiers in radioguided cancer surgery Precise . Comfortable . Easy Since 2007 ONCOVISION has been fully committed to help you improve your high standards in Minimally Invasive Radio- guided Surgery (MIRS) with an innovative radioguided technological platform that is revolutionizing the surgical management of malignancies such us breast cancer, melanoma, gynecological, urological and colorectal cancers, and parathyroid diseases. Sentinella and WProbe provide you the perfect combination, to be used together or independently, to guide you through even the most complex Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) localizations in the management of your cancer patients9. What is radioguided surgery and how does it work? The concept of the Sentinel Lymph Node However, the latest breakthrough in radiosurgery (SLN) as the first node to have metastatic is Sentinella, an intraoperative portable involvement if there has been lymphatic spread gammacamera (intraoperative imaging) that brings was proposed by Dr. R. Cabañas in 1977. real time imaging and greater sensitivity to the The first accepted technique to identify the SLN was OR improving the SNL technique and allowing using blue dye (intraoperative visualization); soon, the surgeon to visualize and reach out even the however, the use of radionuclides and intraoperative most hidden and deep hot nodes in cancer gamma probes (intraoperative counting) came procedures. The use of Sentinella is quickly on board as a complementary yet more reliable expanding to additional sophisticated and complex technique3. indications6. The intraoperative gamma probe technology with WProbe, is based on the injection in the tumor site of a radiopharmaceutical agent that emits gamma rays while it drains towards the lymphatic system.
    [Show full text]
  • Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil
    1 Welcome – Thanks for joining us. ITRC’s Internet-based Training Program Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil: Technology and Case Studies This training is co-sponsored by the US EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation Presentation Overview: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sites and some Superfund and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) sites are contaminated with radionuclides. Radioactive contamination is also an issue potentially faced by Homeland Security. Characterization of radionuclides is an expensive and time- consuming process. Using real-time technologies to complete initial screening and characterization of radionuclide contamination results in more timely and cost-effective characterizations. Real-time technologies can also direct excavation resulting in more timely and cost-effective cleanups. The result is earlier protection of human health and the environment. This training introduces state regulators, environmental consultants, site owners, and community stakeholders to ITRC's Technology Overview document Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil: Technology and Case Studies (RAD-4, 2006), created by ITRC's Radionuclides Team. This training provides information on the basics of real- time measurement systems (detector types and platforms, location control and mapping technologies, surface and subsurface applications and limitations), how the technologies and data are used (characterization, remediation
    [Show full text]
  • NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2012 NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2012 International Atomic Energy Agency International Atomic Energy
    NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2012 NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2012 International Atomic Energy Agency www.iaea.orgAtoms for Peace International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box 100 1400 Vienna, Austria Telephone:Atoms for(+43-1) Peace 2600-0 @ Fax: (+43-1) 2600-7 Email: [email protected] NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2012 The following States are Members of the International Atomic Energy Agency: AFGHANISTAN GHANA NIGERIA ALBANIA GREECE NORWAY ALGERIA GUATEMALA OMAN ANGOLA HAITI PAKISTAN ARGENTINA HOLY SEE PALAU ARMENIA HONDURAS PANAMA AUSTRALIA HUNGARY PAPUA NEW GUINEA AUSTRIA ICELAND PARAGUAY AZERBAIJAN INDIA PERU BAHRAIN INDONESIA PHILIPPINES BANGLADESH IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF POLAND BELARUS IRAQ PORTUGAL BELGIUM IRELAND QATAR BELIZE ISRAEL REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA BENIN ITALY ROMANIA BOLIVIA JAMAICA RUSSIAN FEDERATION BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA JAPAN SAUDI ARABIA BOTSWANA JORDAN SENEGAL BRAZIL KAZAKHSTAN SERBIA BULGARIA KENYA SEYCHELLES BURKINA FASO KOREA, REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE BURUNDI KUWAIT SINGAPORE CAMBODIA KYRGYZSTAN SLOVAKIA CAMEROON LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC SLOVENIA CANADA REPUBLIC SOUTH AFRICA CENTRAL AFRICAN LATVIA SPAIN REPUBLIC LEBANON SRI LANKA CHAD LESOTHO SUDAN CHILE LIBERIA CHINA LIBYA SWEDEN COLOMBIA LIECHTENSTEIN SWITZERLAND CONGO LITHUANIA SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC COSTA RICA LUXEMBOURG TAJIKISTAN CÔTE D’IVOIRE MADAGASCAR THAILAND CROATIA MALAWI THE FORMER YUGOSLAV CUBA MALAYSIA REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA CYPRUS MALI TUNISIA CZECH REPUBLIC MALTA TURKEY DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC MARSHALL ISLANDS UGANDA OF THE CONGO
    [Show full text]
  • SNMMI Nuclear Medicine Technology Competency Based Curriculum
    Nuclear Medicine Technology Competency- Based Curriculum Guide 5th Edition Introduction Competency-based education in nuclear medicine technology focuses on those elements necessary to become an entry-level nuclear medicine technologist. Emphasizing competencies communicates entry-level knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that the nuclear medicine technology curriculum must address and that employers can expect of graduates. Competency- based education allows more flexibility in pedagogical approaches to achieve these essential competencies. The competencies are divided into eight sections: 1. Radiation Safety 2. Instrumentation, Quality Control and Quality Assurance 3. Radiopharmacy and Pharmacology 4. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures 5. Patient Care 6. Professionalism and Interpersonal Communication Skills 7. Organization Systems-Based Practice 8. Research Methodology Each section lists the competencies that must be achieved by the entry level nuclear medicine technologist. The rigor of the nuclear medicine technologist entry-level competencies is such that a significant body of knowledge, skills, and experience is necessary to achieve them. This level of rigor is consistent with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging—Technologist Section’s (SNMMI-TS) recommendation that the entry-level degree for a nuclear medicine technologist should be at the baccalaureate level. The content listed under the competencies is intended to be used as a guide for what may be included in a program’s curriculum to achieve minimal competency in each area. The specific content listed should be used at the program’s discretion to meet individual curricular and accreditation needs. The content in its entirety is not considered mandatory, and other pedagogies may equally meet each program’s needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Simultaneous Acquisition of Ultrasound and Gamma Signals with a Single-Channel Readout
    sensors Communication Simultaneous Acquisition of Ultrasound and Gamma Signals with a Single-Channel Readout Muhammad Nasir Ullah 1,2,3, Yuseung Park 2,4 , Gyeong Beom Kim 2,4, Chanho Kim 2 , Chansun Park 1,2 , Hojong Choi 3,* and Jung-Yeol Yeom 1,2,4,5,* 1 Global Health-Tech Research Center, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seoul 02841, Korea; [email protected] (M.N.U.); [email protected] (C.P.) 2 Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seoul 02841, Korea; [email protected] (Y.P.); [email protected] (G.B.K.); [email protected] (C.K.) 3 Department of Medical IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 350-27 Gumi-daero, Gumi 39253, Korea 4 Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seoul 02841, Korea 5 School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seoul 02841, Korea * Correspondence: [email protected] (H.C.); [email protected] (J.-Y.Y.); Tel.: +82-54-478-7782 (H.C.); +82-2-3290-5662 (J.-Y.Y.) Abstract: We propose an integrated front-end data acquisition circuit for a hybrid ultrasound (US)- gamma probe. The proposed circuit consists of three main parts: (1) a preamplifier for the gamma probe, (2) a preprocessing analog circuit for the US, and (3) a digitally controlled analog switch. By exploiting the long idle time of the US system, an analog switch can be used to acquire data of both systems using a single output channel simultaneously. On the nuclear medicine (NM) gamma probe side, energy resolutions of 18.4% and 17.5% were acquired with the standalone system and with the proposed switching circuit, respectively, when irradiated with a Co-57 radiation source.
    [Show full text]
  • A Picture of Modern Tc-99M Radiopharmaceuticals: Production, Chemistry, and Applications in Molecular Imaging
    applied sciences Review A Picture of Modern Tc-99m Radiopharmaceuticals: Production, Chemistry, and Applications in Molecular Imaging Alessandra Boschi 1 , Licia Uccelli 2,3 and Petra Martini 2,4,* 1 Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; [email protected] 2 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; [email protected] 3 Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital, Via Aldo Moro, 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy 4 Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell’Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-0532-455354 Received: 15 May 2019; Accepted: 19 June 2019; Published: 21 June 2019 Abstract: Even today, techentium-99m represents the radionuclide of choice for diagnostic radio-imaging applications. Its peculiar physical and chemical properties make it particularly suitable for medical imaging. By the use of molecular probes and perfusion radiotracers, it provides rapid and non-invasive evaluation of the function, physiology, and/or pathology of organs. The versatile chemistry of technetium-99m, due to its multi-oxidation states, and, consequently, the ability to produce a variety of complexes with particular desired characteristics, are the major advantages of this medical radionuclide. The advances in technetium coordination chemistry over the last 20 years, in combination with recent advances in detector technologies and reconstruction algorithms, make SPECT’s spatial resolution comparable to that of PET, allowing 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals to have an important role in nuclear medicine and to be particularly suitable for molecular imaging.
    [Show full text]