technetium-tc-99m-tetrofosmin and Bone-Neoplasms

Bone scan with Tc-99m (technetium) diphosphonate is sensitive, but non-specific for musculoskeletal tumors. Tl-201 (thallium), Tc-99m-sestamibi, Tc-99m-tetrofosmin, and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) can visualize tumors more specifically and are therefore useful in orthopedic oncology. However, cartilaginous tumors are characterized by histological and biological features, which potentially impair specific radionuclide imaging. A case of a patient with a low-grade primary chondrosarcoma of the femur and a false negative Tl-201 scan is presented. Tc-99m-based tumor-localizing compounds (sestamibi, tetrofosmin), as well as metabolic and receptor-imaging radiopharmaceuticals have also been reported to fail in low-grade chondrosarcomas imaging. Low cellularity, mitochondrial specialization and the presence of an efflux membrane pump may contribute to poor imaging. A negative Tl-201 or Tc-99m-sestamibi scan should be interpreted with caution, when the possibility of a chondrosarcoma is not negligible.

Topics: Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Chondrosarcoma; Female; Femoral Neoplasms; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Thallium Radioisotopes

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) overexpression has been shown to be correlated with resistance to chemotherapy in patients with malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of 99mTc-tetrofosmin as a functional imaging agent reflecting Pgp expression in these tumors.. Twenty eight patients with various malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors were studied. Radionuclide angiography with 99mTc-tetrofosmin was done first and planar images were acquired at 15 min and 90 min postinjection. Vascular phase was evaluated visually on dynamic images, metabolic state was evaluated both visually and quantitatively on planar images. Quantitative analysis was performed by the calculation of tetrofosmin uptake in the lesion against background and percent washout rate (WR%) of the tracer. Immunohistochemical analysis of Pgp was performed on biopsy specimens and the degree of expression was graded from 0 to 3.. There was a positive correlation between the Pgp score and the washout rate of tetrofosmin (r = 0.73, p = 0.000). The mean washout rate of tetrofosmin from the lesions with Pgp expression (31.81 +/- 6.72) was found to be significantly higher than those of without Pgp expression (21 +/- 3.49) (p = 0.000). No statistically significant correlation was found between 15 min and 90 min uptake ratios (UR) of tetrofosmin and Pgp score (r = -0.10, p = 0.6 and r = -0.21, p = 0.2, respectively). When the cut-off value of 24.5 (according to ROC-analysis) for the washout rate was used to discriminate the lesions with and without Pgp expression, the test yielded a sensitivity value of 87.5% with a specificity of 100%.. In malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors, 99mTc-tetrofosmin uptake were not related to Pgp overexpression. Pgp overexpression was found to be correlated with the washout rate of the tracer. 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy with washout analysis may not only be a useful method for evaluating Pgp overexpression but also its function.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Biomarkers, Tumor; Bone Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Soft Tissue Neoplasms; Statistics as Topic

The aims of this study were to assess the role of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in the diagnosis of malignant vs. benign musculoskeletal tumours and to determine the relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and tetrofosmin uptake in malignant lesions. Forty-six patients (32 malignant, 14 benign) with various musculoskeletal lesions were studied. Each patient underwent (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate three-phase bone scanning initially. At least 2 days later, dynamic and static (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scans were obtained. The tetrofosmin scans were evaluated by visual and quantitative analysis. The count ratio of the lesion to the contralateral normal area (uptake ratio, UR) was calculated from the region of interest drawn on the tetrofosmin scan. The lesions were then resected by open biopsy to obtain a histopathological diagnosis. P-glycoprotein levels were determined immunohistochemically in 22 of 32 malignant lesions. A significant difference between the mean UR values of benign and malignant lesions was found (1.36 +/- 0.47 vs. 3.35 +/- 2.08, P = 0.000). Visual analysis showed an accuracy of 85%, and the accuracy of the quantitative analysis was 87% with the threshold level of UR as 1.76. When perfusion findings were added to the evaluation criteria, the accuracies of visual and quantitative analysis were increased to 87% and 89%, respectively. The relationship between the levels of P-glycoprotein and the UR values of tetrofosmin was not statistically significant (r = -0.235, P = 0.2). In addition, the mean UR value of the patients with P-glycoprotein expression was not statistically different from that of the patients without P-glycoprotein expression (3.01 +/- 1.48 vs. 4.27 +/- 2.90, P = 0.297). In conclusion, visually significant tetrofosmin uptake and increased perfusion in a musculoskeletal lesion strongly suggest that the lesion is malignant (positive predictive value, 96%). P-glycoprotein expression was not found to be a major factor interfering with 30 min tetrofosmin uptake in a malignant musculoskeletal lesion. However, the relatively high false-negative rate among negative results (28%) limits the value of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy as a single diagnostic tool in differentiating between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumours.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Bone Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Neoplasms; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Predictive Value of Tests; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Regional Blood Flow; Reproducibility of Results; Soft Tissue Neoplasms

99mTc tetrofosmin scintimammography has been shown to be an accurate diagnostic test in patients with a symptomatic breast lesion and for whom a non-diagnostic mammogram has been obtained. Since a physical examination and conventional imaging modalities have their limitations in the detection of recurrent breast cancer, and survival is related to the extent of recurrent disease, complementary imaging modalities are warranted.. To evaluate the role of 99mTc tetrofosmin scintimammography in detecting the recurrence of loco-regional breast cancer.. Fifty-four patients underwent 55 scintimammography studies because either there were clinical indications of breast metastases, or there was a recurrence of metastases in the chest wall, and/or an evaluation of axillary, parasternal, supraclavicular and/or infraclavicular lymph node metastases was required. Planar breast imaging was performed 10 min after intravenous injection of 700 MBq 99mTc tetrofosmin.. 99mTc tetrofosmin scintimammography was diagnostic in 50 of the 55 studies. An unknown lung metastasis was detected in one patient, and an unknown bone metastasis of the sternum was detected in another. Tumour involvement remained undetected in one neck node metastasis. Three patients had false positive scintimammography results, with 99mTc tetrofosmin uptake in an axillary, infraclavicular and parasternal lymph node, respectively. A fourth patient showed 99mTc tetrofosmin uptake in the scar, which appeared to be an inflammatory lesion, proven by a histopathological biopsy and 1 year clinical follow-up.. 99mTc tetrofosmin scintimammography accurately detected 100% of the local recurrences independently of the extent of the preceding surgical intervention. The sensitivity and specificity of the technique for the detection of regional recurrent disease were 93% and 90%, respectively. These results are substantially higher than those of other imaging modalities.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; False Positive Reactions; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Lung Neoplasms; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Mastectomy; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Thoracic Wall

The authors describe a 42-year-old man with insular thyroid carcinoma. In this patient, iodine-131 (I-131) and technetium-99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin imaging were performed to investigate residual thyroid tissue and metastatic foci of tumor. Both I-131 and Tc-99m tetrofosmin images showed metastatic foci, but Tc-99m tetrofosmin imaging revealed the lesions better than did the I-131 scan. Tc-99m tetrofosmin imaging does not require withholding of thyroid hormone suppression and can be used for follow-up evaluation of patients with insular thyroid carcinoma.

Topics: Adult; Bone Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Male; Neoplasm, Residual; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Soft Tissue Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroidectomy; Whole-Body Counting

Technetium 99mTc(TF), non-specific tumor-searching tracer was evaluated for its ability to detect distant metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and its reliability in the follow-up of DTC. Whole body scintigraphy (wbs) was performed 20-30 min after intravenous injection of 740 MBq 99mTc tetrofosmin by means of a dual-head gamma-camera (followed by spot images if needed) in 61 patients (pts) with DTC; 52 pts with distant metastases in 131I whole body scintigraphy (34) or in other methods (x-ray, CT, ultrasound) (7) or with negative 131I whole body scan and elevated thyroglobulin (11). In the group of 52 pts with signs of neoplasm dissemination, 36 showed positive TF whole body scan (69%), 16 (31%) pts were TF-negative. 23 of 34 131I positive wbs were also TF positive (68%), 11 out of 34 were TF negative (32%). In a group of 7 pts with metastases in x-ray, CT or ultrasound 4/7 were positive (57%), 3/7 were TF negative (18%). In a control group of 11 persons (2 diseases-free, 9 with DTC in clinical remission) TF whole body scans were negative in all cases.. Technetium 99mTc tetrofosmin is clinically useful for detecting distant metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and deserves complementary clinical application in follow-up in such patients.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Reproducibility of Results; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Adult; Bone Neoplasms; Chondrosarcoma; Female; Humans; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Scapula

99mTc-tetrofosmin, Thallium-201-chloride (201Tl) and 99mTc-MIBI imagings were performed in a patient with malignant thymoma. Tracer uptake in the primary tumor was demonstrated. The tumor-to-background ratios of planar and SPECT imagings were 1.60 and 1.98 for 99mTc-tetrofosmin, 1.12 and 2.09 for 201Tl, and 1.19 and 1.80 for 99mTc-MIBI, respectively. In another patient 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 201Tl imagings were performed. Not only the primary tumor but also the direct invasions and metastatic lesions (bone metastases) were clearly detected. The tumor-to-background ratios of planar and SPECT imagings were 2.31 and 2.78 for 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 2.45 and 3.58 for 201Tl, respectively. In 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy we acquired delayed images, and the tumor-to-background ratios of planar and SPECT delayed images were 1.20 and 1.86, the retention ratios were -1.11 and -0.92 and the retention indices were -48.1 and -33.1, respectively. Our preliminary results suggest that 99mTc-tetrofosmin is useful in detecting not only the primary tumor but also metastatic lesions from malignant thymoma.

Topics: Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Thallium Radioisotopes; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The purpose of this study was to assess the detectability of metastatic lesions by 99Tcm-tetrofosmin in differentiated thyroid cancer, and to compare the results with those obtained using 201Tl-chloride and tracer doses of 131I. Twenty-four thyroidectomized patients with metastases were studied. There were 34 metastases, including 16 lung, nine lymph node and nine bone. Radiological studies (chest X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), serum thyroglobulin assays and histopathological examinations were performed to verify the presence of metastases with positive uptake of the three radionuclides. Increased accumulation of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin was observed in 11 of 16 (68.8%) lung metastases, eight of nine (88.9%) lymph node metastases and eight of nine (88.9%) bone metastases. Increased accumulation of 201Tl and 131I was observed in 11 of 16 (both) (68.8%) lung metastases, eight (88.9%) and three (33.3%), respectively, of lymph node metastases and eight (88.9%) and nine (100%), respectively, of bone metastases. The detectability of thyroid cancer metastases using 99Tcm-tetrofosmin, 201Tl and 131I was 79.4%, 79.4% and 67.6%, respectively. The combined detectabilities of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 131I and of 201Tl and 131I were both 88.2%. 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 201Tl imaging were found to be more sensitive than 131I for the detection of differentiated thyroid cancer metastases, particularly for regional lymph node. The combination of 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and 131I imaging may be a more sensitive and effective method for detecting metastases in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Papillary; Diagnostic Errors; Female; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thallium Radioisotopes; Thyroid Neoplasms

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT) is malignancy derived from the parafollicular cells (or C-cells) of the thyroid. It is usually sporadic, although it is familial in some cases. Several scintigraphic procedures can provide information regarding the primary and metastatic foci of the tumour. We performed whole-body scanning to establish the pathology of MCT using 201Tl, 99Tcm(V)DMSA and 99Tcm-MIBI in 14 patients, and found average sensitivities of 73%, 82% and 81%, respectively. Moreover, we also scanned three patients with 99Tcm-tetrofosmin and identified two of four pathological foci as well as residual thyroid tissue. The sensitivities of 201Tl, 99Tcm(V)DMSA and 99Tcm-MIBI were 100%, 100% and 85% in identifying lymphadenopathies; 40%, 50% and 71% for soft tissue foci; 100% and 100% for foci in pulmonary parenchyma; and 100%, 66% and 100% for recurrences in thyroid gland. Although 99Tcm(V)DMSA identified all bony metastases in three patients (100%), 99Tcm-MIBI detected only two of three foci (66%) and 201Tl none. 201Tl, 99Tcm-MIBI and 99Tcm-tetrofosmin accumulated in residual thyroid tissue, but 99Tcm(V)DMSA did not, as expected. We conclude that these agents were complementary, since they had different sensitivities in different tissues. The tumour-seeking properties of tetrofosmin are to be evaluated in a larger series.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers, Tumor; Bone Neoplasms; Calcitonin; Carcinoma, Medullary; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Prospective Studies; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Soft Tissue Neoplasms; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Thallium Radioisotopes; Thyroid Neoplasms

99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial imaging was performed in a 62-year-old woman who had undergone standard radical mastectomy for right breast cancer 6 years ago. Although the result was negative for the ischemic heart disease, it showed abnormal accumulation corresponding to the bone metastases in the spine. We believe that 99mTc-tetrofosmin imaging is helpful in detecting bone metastases from breast cancer.

Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Mastectomy, Radical; Middle Aged; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Spinal Neoplasms; Tissue Distribution; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the reliability of the new nonspecific tumor-searching tracer tetrofosmin in the postoperative follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) during TSH suppressive thyroid hormone treatment.. Whole-body scintigraphy was performed in 114 patients under TSH suppressive L-T4 treatment 20 min after intravenous injection of 370 MBq 99mTc-tetrofosmin by means of a dual-head gamma camera followed by three-dimensional SPECT in case of suspicious tracer uptake. The results of serum thyroglobulin, ultrasonography of the neck, 131I whole-body scintigraphy, chest radiograph, transmission CT or MRI, and bone scintigraphy were also available.. A group of 68 patients without thyroid remnants who were tumor free and had no history of metastases or tumor recurrence showed a negative 99mTc-tetrofosmin whole-body scan. Another 24 patients (papillary carcinoma pT1NOMO) were also in complete remission, but had sonographically proven remnants (echonormal). Sixteen of them (67%) exhibited 99mTc-tetrofosmin accumulation in the thyroid bed, which corresponded excellently to the localization of the remnant. The third group comprises seven cases of local recurrence confirmed by histopathology after reoperation or by cytology after fine-needle aspiration where tetrofosmin scintigraphy clearly revealed relapse of malignancy in all cases. A total of 17 patients had distant metastases (11 pulmonary, 3 bone, 2 bone and pulmonary, 1 bone and soft tissue) discovered by different modalities, resulting in 44 lesions to be evaluated. Of the 23 radioiodine negative metastases, 17 were detected by tetrofosmin (74%), whereas all 21 radioiodine accumulating lesions also showed tetrofosmin positive scans. The overall sensitivity of 99mTc-tetrofosmin in detecting distant metastatic lesions was 86%. Four additional cases with radioiodine-negative disseminated lung metastases showed diffuse pulmonary tetrofosmin uptake.. Technetium-99m-tetrofosmin is a promising tracer to detect malignant recurrence and distant metastases in the follow-up of DTC without the necessity of thyroid hormone withdrawal.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Papillary; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Prospective Studies; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thyroid Neoplasms

Technetium-99m-MIBI was initially developed for heart studies but it can also be used to depict tumors, predict multidrug resistance and evaluate chemotherapy. Recently, 99mTc-tetrofosmin, which exhibits similar physical properties, has been launched for heart studies. Tumor uptake and prediction of multidrug resistance have also been reported regarding the latter tracer. A comparison of these two tracers regarding the detectability of musculoskeletal sarcoma has been made.. Twenty patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma of the extremities or pelvis underwent planar examination after the administration of 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin with an interval of 2-7 days. The tumor activity was compared with one ipsilateral and one contralateral background region.. There was a small, but not significant, difference in favor of 99mTc-MIBI with regard to both background regions.. Technetium-99m-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin can both be used to visualize musculoskeletal sarcomas. The choice may depend on which agent is used routinely for myocardial studies in the laboratory.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Neoplasms; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sarcoma; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi

A 79-year-old male with follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the lung, bone and lymph nodes was subjected to whole-body scintigraphy using technetium-99m tetrofosmin and 99mTc-sestamibi. Both agents delineated the metastatic lesions and the two image qualities were comparable. We believe that 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 99mTc-sestamibi images may be helpful in localizing metastatic foci and substitute for thallium-201 in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Organophosphorus Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Thyroid Neoplasms