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European Urology Apr 2020Accurate staging of high-risk localised, advanced, and metastatic prostate cancer is becoming increasingly more important in guiding local and systemic treatment.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Gallium-68 Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography in Advanced Prostate Cancer-Updated Diagnostic Utility, Sensitivity, Specificity, and Distribution of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-avid Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
CONTEXT
Accurate staging of high-risk localised, advanced, and metastatic prostate cancer is becoming increasingly more important in guiding local and systemic treatment. Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) has increasingly been utilised globally to assess the local and metastatic burden of prostate cancer, typically in biochemically recurrent or advanced disease. Following our previous meta-analysis, a high-volume series has been reported highlighting the utility of Ga-PSMA PET in this setting.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to update reported predictors of positive Ga-PSMA PET according to prior therapy and proportion of positivity in various anatomical locations with sensitivity and specificity profiles.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We performed critical reviews of MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Libraries, and Web of Science databases in July 2018 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Quality assessment was performed using Quality Assessment if Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Meta-analyses of proportions were performed using a random-effect model. Summary sensitivity and specificity values were obtained by fitting bivariate hierarchical regression models.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 37 articles including 4790 patients were analysed. For patients with biochemical recurrence, positive Ga-PSMA PET scans increased with higher pre-PET prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. For PSA categories 0-0.19, 0.2-0.49, 0.5-0.99, 1-1.99, and ≥2ng/ml, the percentages of positive scans were 33%, 45%, 59%, 75%, and 95%, respectively. No significant differences in positivity were noted between Gleason sums ≤7 and ≥8. Significant differences in positivity after biochemical recurrence in the prostate bed were noted between radical prostatectomy (22%) and radiotherapy (52%) patients. On per-node analysis, high sensitivity (75%) and specificity (99%) were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Ga-68-PSMA PET improves detection of metastases with biochemical recurrence, particularly at low pre-PET PSA levels of >0.2ng/ml (33%) and 0.2-0.5ng/ml (45%). Ga-68-PSMA-PET produces favourable sensitivity and specificity profiles on meta-analysis of pooled data. This analysis highlights different anatomic patterns of metastatic spread according to PSMA PET in the primary and biochemically recurrent settings.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography is now an established imaging technique that has been developed in response to inadequacies in standard of care imaging modalities to improve the detection of metastatic disease in prostate cancer, particularly in the setting of disease recurrence. To date, this imaging modality in the setting of primary staging is controversial, given the paucity of data. In light of the growing body of evidence, we summarised the data to date to provide clinicians with an overview of this imaging modality.
Topics: Antigens, Surface; Edetic Acid; Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Staging; Oligopeptides; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 30773328
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2019.01.049 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Jun 2023There is uncertainty about which diagnostic strategy for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) provides better outcomes. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
There is uncertainty about which diagnostic strategy for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) provides better outcomes.
PURPOSE
To compare the effect on clinical management and subsequent health effects of alternative diagnostic strategies for the initial assessment of suspected stable CAD.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized clinical trials comparing diagnostic strategies for CAD detection among patients with symptoms suggestive of stable CAD.
DATA EXTRACTION
Three investigators independently extracted study data.
DATA SYNTHESIS
The strongest available evidence was for 3 of the 6 comparisons: coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) versus invasive coronary angiography (ICA) (4 trials), CCTA versus exercise electrocardiography (ECG) (2 trials), and CCTA versus stress single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) (5 trials). Compared with direct ICA referral, CCTA was associated with no difference in cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction (relative risk [RR], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.52 to 1.35]; low certainty) but less index ICA (RR, 0.23 [CI, 0.22 to 0.25]; high certainty) and index revascularization (RR, 0.71 [CI, 0.63 to 0.80]; moderate certainty). Moreover, CCTA was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction compared with exercise ECG (RR, 0.66 [CI, 0.44 to 0.99]; moderate certainty) and SPECT-MPI (RR, 0.64 [CI, 0.45 to 0.90]; high certainty). However, CCTA was associated with more index revascularization (RR, 1.78 [CI, 1.33 to 2.38]; moderate certainty) but less downstream testing (RR, 0.56 [CI, 0.45 to 0.71]; very low certainty) than exercise ECG. Low-certainty evidence compared SPECT-MPI versus exercise ECG (2 trials), SPECT-MPI versus stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (1 trial), and stress echocardiography versus exercise ECG (1 trial).
LIMITATION
Most comparisons primarily rely on a single study, many studies were underpowered to detect potential differences in direct health outcomes, and individual patient data were lacking.
CONCLUSION
For the initial assessment of patients with suspected stable CAD, CCTA was associated with similar health effects to direct ICA referral, and with a health benefit compared with exercise ECG and SPECT-MPI. Further research is needed to better assess the relative performance of each diagnostic strategy.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
None. (PROSPERO: CRD42022329635).
Topics: Humans; Coronary Artery Disease; Coronary Angiography; Myocardial Infarction; Computed Tomography Angiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
PubMed: 37276592
DOI: 10.7326/M23-0231 -
European Urology Oncology Jun 2022In the past 10 yr, several agents based on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for positron emission tomography imaging have been introduced in clinical practice... (Review)
Review
[Ga]Ga-PSMA Versus [F]PSMA Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Staging of Primary and Recurrent Prostate Cancer. A Systematic Review of the Literature.
CONTEXT
In the past 10 yr, several agents based on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for positron emission tomography imaging have been introduced in clinical practice for the management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa).
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the available data in the literature to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of [Ga]Ga-PSMA and [F]PSMA in different settings of PCa.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic literature search was made by using two main databases. Only studies published in the past 5 yr (2016-2021) in the English language with >20 enrolled patients were selected. Two reviewers independently appraised each article using a standard protocol. All the studies were analysed using a modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for diagnostic test studies.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
The systematic evaluation was made in 12 papers. Based on the quality assessment, the analysed studies demonstrated different methodologies. Three papers focused on the head-to-head comparison between F- and [Ga]Ga-PSMA (n = 123 patients). A matched-pair comparison between F- and [Ga]Ga-PSMA was reported in three papers, including 715 patients. The remaining papers used indiscriminately either Ga-PSMA or [F]PSMA (n = 1.157 patients). [F]PSMA-1007 is superior to [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 for the identification of local recurrence (less activity close to the bladder for [F]PSMA-1007). Nonspecific/equivocal bone lesions are often recognised at [F]PSMA-1007. [F]DCFPyL is more reproducible for the identification of lymph nodes, and it shows fewer equivocal skeletal lesions and higher inter-reader agreement on skeletal lesions.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite a large body of literature on PSMA radiopharmaceutical agents labelled with Ga or F, there are limited head-to-head or matched-pair comparative data. Certain clinical indications could trigger a preference, whilst caution is needed in interpreting potential false-positive findings, especially with [F]PSMA-1007. Given the excellent performance of all accessible radiopharmaceuticals, the availability of specific tracers will likely guide choice.
PATIENT SUMMARY
In this systematic review, we analysed the currently available literature focused on [Ga] and [F]-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen. Our purpose is to identify which tracers would be correctly employed for the management of patients with prostate cancer.
Topics: Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 35367165
DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2022.03.004 -
Theranostics 2023Recent studies suggest that Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superiority over F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of various cancer types, especially in gastric cancer (GC). By... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Recent studies suggest that Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superiority over F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of various cancer types, especially in gastric cancer (GC). By comprehensively reviewing and analysing the differences between Ga-FAPI and F-FDG in GC, some evidence is provided to foster the broader clinical application of FAPI PET imaging. In this review, studies published up to July 3, 2023, that employed radionuclide labelled FAPI as a diagnostic radiotracer for PET in GC were analysed. These studies were sourced from both the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Our statistical analysis involved a bivariate meta-analysis of the diagnostic data and a meta-analysis of the quantitative metrics. These were performed using R language. The meta-analysis included 14 studies, with 527 patients, of which 358 were diagnosed with GC. Overall, Ga-FAPI showed higher pooled sensitivity (0.84 [95% CI 0.67-0.94] 0.46 [95% CI 0.32-0.60]), specificity (0.91 [95% CI 0.76-0.98] 0.88 [95% CI 0.74-0.96]) and area under the curve (AUC) (0.92 [95% CI 0.77-0.98] 0.52 [95% CI 0.38-0.86]) than F-FDG. The evidence showed superior pooled sensitivities of Ga-FAPI PET over F-FDG for primary tumours, local recurrence, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and peritoneal metastases. Furthermore, Ga-FAPI PET provided higher maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumour-to-background ratios (TBR). For bone metastases, while Ga-FAPI PET demonstrated slightly lower patient-based pooled sensitivity (0.93 1.00), it significantly outperformed F-FDG in the lesion-based analysis (0.95 0.65). However, SUVmax (mean difference [MD] 1.79 [95% CI -3.87-7.45]) and TBR (MD 5.01 [95% CI -0.78-10.80]) of bone metastases showed no significant difference between Ga-FAPI PET/CT and F-FDG PET/CT. Compared with F-FDG, Ga-FAPI PET imaging showed improved diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of GC. It can be effectively applied to the early diagnosis, initial staging, and detection of recurrence/metastases of GC. Ga-FAPI may have the potential of replacing F-FDG in GC in future applications.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Gallium Radioisotopes; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 37649615
DOI: 10.7150/thno.88335 -
Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic... Dec 2023Knowledge of ectopic insulinomas comes from single cases. We performed a systematic review through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, eLibrary and ScienceDirect of all...
Knowledge of ectopic insulinomas comes from single cases. We performed a systematic review through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, eLibrary and ScienceDirect of all cases reported in the last four decades. We also describe one unreported patient. From 28 patients with ectopic insulinoma, 78.6% were female and mean age was 55.7 ± 19.2 years. Hypoglycaemia was the first symptom in 85.7% while 14.3% complained of abdominal pain or genital symptoms. Median tumour diameter was 27.5 [15-52.5] mm and it was localised by CT (73.1%), MRI (88.9%), [Ga]Ga-DOTA-exedin-4 PET/CT (100%), Ga-labelled-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analogue PET/TC (100%), somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (40%) and endoscopic ultrasound (50%). Ectopic insulinomas were located at duodenum (n = 3), jejunum (n = 2), and one respectively at stomach, liver, appendix, rectum, mesentery, ligament of Treitz, gastrosplenic ligament, hepatoduodenal ligament and splenic hilum. Seven insulinomas were affecting the female reproductive organs: ovary (n = 5), cervix (n = 2) and remaining tumours were at retroperitoneum (n = 3), kidney (n = 2), spleen (n = 1) and pelvis (n = 1). 89.3% underwent surgery (66.7% surgery vs. 33.3% laparoscopy) and 16% underwent an ineffective pancreatectomy. 85.7% had localized disease at diagnosis and 14.3% developed distant metastasis. Median follow-up time was 14.5 [4.5-35.5] months and mortality was reported in 28.6% with median time until death of 60 [5-144] months. In conclusion, ectopic insulinomas are presented as hypoglycaemia with female preponderance. Functional imaging [Ga]Ga-DOTA-exedin-4 PET/CT and Ga-labelled-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analogue PET/TC have very high sensitivity. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of extra-pancreatic insulinomas when classic diagnostic tests and intraoperative pancreas exploration failed to locate the tumour.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Gallium Radioisotopes; Hypoglycemia; Insulinoma; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Somatostatin
PubMed: 37434098
DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09824-2 -
Rheumatology International May 2023Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease in patients over 50 years of age with pain and prolonged morning stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles...
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory joint disease in patients over 50 years of age with pain and prolonged morning stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles and neck. The lack of specific clinical findings, laboratory signs, biomarker and established imaging methods makes it difficult to diagnose patients with this disease. The aim of the systematic review is to present the literature data on the use of imaging methods for early diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in PMR. At the same time, the advantages, disadvantages and contraindications of each method are considered. A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus up to June 2022. Studies were selected that met the following criteria: (1) English language publications in peer-reviewed journals, (2) cohort or case-control studies and a series of more than five clinical cases, (3) studies of newly diagnosed or suspected PMR patients according to classification criteria or expert opinion, (4) imaging evaluation of articular, extraarticular and vascular impairment in PMR. Out of a total of 1431 publications, 61 articles were selected, which differed in the imaging techniques used: radiography (5), scintigraphy (4), magnetic resonance imaging (14), PET/CT (14) and ultrasound (24). Prevalence of extraarticular involvement (tendons, entheses and bursae) was identified in patients with PMR. In a significant number of cases, subclinical vasculitis of the large vessels was found, confirming the common pathogenetic pathways of the two diseases. The diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic potential of imaging methods in PMR has been relatively poorly studied and remains to be clarified.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Polymyalgia Rheumatica; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Giant Cell Arteritis; Pain; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 36853338
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05284-8 -
Journal of Neurology May 2023To evaluate the difference of tau burden between patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and healthy controls (HCs) or other neurodegenerative diseases using... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the difference of tau burden between patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and healthy controls (HCs) or other neurodegenerative diseases using tau-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
METHODS
A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was performed for tau-PET studies in PSP patients, up to April 1, 2022. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of tau tracer uptake were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analysis based on the type of tau tracers, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were conducted.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies comprising 553 PSP, 626 HCs, and 406 other neurodegenerative diseases were included. Compared with HCs, PSP patients showed elevated tau binding in basal ganglia, midbrain, dentate nucleus, cerebellar white matter, and frontal lobe with decreasing SMD (SMD: 0.390-1.698). Compared with Parkinson's disease patients, increased tau binding was identified in the midbrain, basal ganglia, dentate nucleus, and frontal and parietal lobe in PSP patients with decreasing SMD (SMD: 0.503-1.853). PSP patients showed higher tau binding in the subthalamic nucleus (SMD = 1.351) and globus pallidus (SMD = 1.000), and lower binding in the cortex and parahippocampal gyrus than Alzheimer's disease patients (SMD: - 2.976 to - 1.018). PSP patients showed higher midbrain tau binding than multiple system atrophy patients (SMD = 1.269).
CONCLUSION
Tau PET imaging indicates different topography of tau deposition between PSP patients and HCs or other neurodegenerative disorders. The affinity and selectivity of tracers for 4R-tau and the off-target binding of tracers should be considered when interpreting the results.
Topics: Humans; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive; tau Proteins; Basal Ganglia; Parkinson Disease; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 36633672
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11556-3 -
European Urology Focus Sep 2022Staging, restaging, and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma (UC) is challenging due to suboptimal accuracy of standard of care imaging modalities. Prostate-specific... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Staging, restaging, and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma (UC) is challenging due to suboptimal accuracy of standard of care imaging modalities. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging may serve to improve characterisation of UC.
OBJECTIVE
To appraise available literature regarding cellular, imaging, and prognostic implications of PSMA for UC.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic review was performed considering all available literature (including conference abstracts) published from 1990 to 2020 and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines following registration in PROSPERO (CRD42020186744). All relevant texts relating to immunohistochemical analysis and PSMA-based imaging in UC were included and collated. Additionally, FOLH1 (gene encoding PSMA) expression according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analysed as well as according to consensus and TCGA molecular classification subtypes and subsequently compared with clinical outcomes.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
PSMA expression across UC tumour tissue was heterogeneous (0-100%) but appeared to decrease with increased grade and stage. The TCGA analysis demonstrated loss of FOLH1 expression with increasing T stage (p = 0.0180) and N stage (p = 0.0269), and reduced FOLH1 expression was associated with worse disease-free survival. PSMA expression in UC neovasculature was variable but mostly increased (44-100%). Eleven reports of PSMA-based imaging for UC were identified, reporting on 18 patients. PSMA positron emission tomography (PET) imaging was positive in 17 out of 18 patients. The included literature review data were limited by mostly low-quality, retrospective studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Tissue PSMA, or FOLH1 expression, may inversely be associated with pathological and survival outcomes in localised UC. PSMA PET imaging may improve detection of metastatic disease and response to systemic therapy due to PSMA expression in neovasculature. Available evidence is limited; thus, larger, prospective studies are required to confirm early results and define populations that benefit most.
PATIENT SUMMARY
In this systematic review, we assess the potential role of prostate-specific membrane antigen in urothelial cancer. We found that its utility is in expression of blood vessels surrounding metastasis. We conclude that it may be beneficial in detecting metastasis and response to systemic therapies.
Topics: Male; Humans; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Prostate; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
PubMed: 34429271
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2021.07.016 -
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology Sep 2021Parotid incidentalomas on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging are rare. A systematic review was performed to assess their...
OBJECTIVE
Parotid incidentalomas on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging are rare. A systematic review was performed to assess their aetiology and association with scanning indication, and to develop an evidence-based algorithm for their management.
METHODS
A literature search was performed on 25 August 2020 using the keywords 'incidentaloma', 'incidental finding', 'parotid', 'parotid gland', 'salivary gland' and 'head and neck'. Articles were reviewed by two authors before their inclusion.
RESULTS
Forty articles were included, totalling 558 incidentalomas. The mean incidence was 0.74 per cent. Lung cancer was the most common imaging indication. The most common aetiologies were cystadenolymphoma, pleomorphic salivary adenoma and metastases. Only cystadenolymphoma (p = 0.015) and pleomorphic salivary adenoma (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with a primary malignancy (lung). The most common further investigations were aspiration cytology, ultrasound imaging and core biopsy, usually prior to parotidectomy.
CONCLUSION
If appropriate, parotid incidentalomas should be followed up with flexible endoscopy, skin examinations, and head and neck examinations. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy provides higher accuracy, avoiding repeat sampling and excision biopsy.
Topics: Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Incidence; Incidental Findings; Parotid Gland; Parotid Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 34308809
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215121002036 -
Gland Surgery Dec 2021There are many studies on diagnostic imaging of thyroid nodules, among which radionuclide scanning imaging has been proven to be very effective in identifying malignant...
BACKGROUND
There are many studies on diagnostic imaging of thyroid nodules, among which radionuclide scanning imaging has been proven to be very effective in identifying malignant lesions of thyroid nodules and is now widely used in the clinical detection of thyroid nodules.
METHODS
Studies on radionuclide imaging in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules were searched in multiple Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and The Cochrane Library as of July 1, 2021. The search terms included "clinical experiment", "thyroid nodule", "radionuclide imaging", "thyroid mass", "thyroid masses", "postoperative pathology", and "histopathology". The basic information and evaluation indicators in the literature were screened and extracted. Subsequently, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13 software provided by the Cochrane system. In addition, forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were drawn.
RESULTS
Seven randomized controlled trails (RCTs) were included in this study. The radionuclide imaging of thyroid nodule showed the area under SROC curve of 0.38. The combined diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 0.89] and 0.36 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.59), respectively. The combined positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR were 0.66 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.87) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.95), respectively. In addition, the combined diagnostic odds ratio (OR) was 4.45 (95% CI: 0.25, 10.57).
DISCUSSION
In this study, meta-analysis was used to confirm the application value of radionuclide imaging in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. In the future, the value of radionuclide imaging in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules should be compared with other imaging detection methods.
PubMed: 35070895
DOI: 10.21037/gs-21-766