The presence of an incidental finding, defined as an abnormality which is unrelated to the initial scanning indication, is widely increases due to the access to new devices and imaging modalities. This growing number of incidental findings can lead to additional medical care including unnecessary tests nevertheless, in a minority of patients, can lead to diagnosis of an important and unexpected condition that could be crucial for the patient. We reported three cases in which nuclear medicine imaging, performed for different reasons and showed a relevant and unexpected pathology. In the case 1, a bone scan, performed in a 66 aged woman for breast cancer staging, allowed the diagnosis of a uterine fibroma. In the case 2, a HMPAO labeled-WBC scintigraphy performed because of a suspect of osteomyelitis, showed a remarkable heart-shaped photopenic area, highly suggestive of cardiac global dilatation. In the case 3, a 62 aged man referred to bone scintigraphy for the staging of recent diagnosed lung cancer. The bone scan allowed the diagnosis of a meningioma. Therefore, the occurrence of incidental findings could lead to reveal relevant abnormalities for the diagnostic pathway.
Nuclear Medicine is an integral part of modern healthcare. The use of radioactive nuclides tagged biomolecules, evaluating their distribution in human bodies by SPECT or PET systems, provides longitudinal sets of volumetric and quantitative images that can be used to diagnose a wide range of disease and/or assess response to disease specific treatments [1].
Ra-223 dichloride is a first-in-class alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical recently introduced into clinical practice for treatment of men with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) and symptomatic bone metastases. Due to the proven benefit on Overall Survival and the favorable toxicity profile, Ra-223 therapy is gaining widespread use in both US and Europe. In this article, we describe the routinary management of patients undergoing Ra-223 treatment in our Institution.
Currently, Ra-223 therapy is indicated for 6 intravenous injections (55 kBq per kg of body weight) administered every 28 days. In comparison to other radiopharmaceuticals, Ra-223 handling and administration do not need any additional training for authorized users. Due to the minimal external dose rate emission, Ra-223 dichloride can be delivered in an outpatient setting. Moreover, no particular precautions other than standard hygiene measures must be taken by patients’ family members or caregivers. Ra-223 therapy is associated to a favorable hematologic toxicity profile, while non-hematologic adverse events are generally mild and easy to manage.
Given the favorable toxicity profile of this treatment, clinical trials are currently ongoing to evaluate efficacy and safety of Ra-223 treatment in combination or sequence with recently approved drugs such as abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide and sipuleucel-T. In addition, the recent interest in Ra-223 bone lesion dosimetry could open the way to a dosimetric-based therapeutic approach with Ra-223. In this new scenario, results of these promising clinical trials may help clarifying the optimal sequencing of new therapeutic possibilities for metastatic CRPC and the appropriate eligibility criteria for Ra-223 treatment in oncologic patients.
The history of the origin of the medical uses of Radioiodine (RAI) has been compromised by false narratives as recently as June 2023 in the “Thyroid “article “Radioactive Iodine: A Living History”. Primary sources document Dr. Saul Hertz (1905 - 1950) as solely conceiving of the medical uses of RAI, being the first and foremost to develop the experimental data, bringing RAI from bench to bedside, and extending the use of radionuclides to diagnose and/or treat cancer and other conditions. Dr Hertz predicted and worked toward conquering cancer with other radionuclides. Saul Hertz overcame the racism of his time, a world war interrupting his first clinical study, a strong pushback from the surgeons, and unethical medical publishing practices. Today, Nuclear Medicine, Radiopharmacy, Medical Physics, and other specialties are collaborating and actively building on Saul Hertz’s enduring foundational work.
In 2017, I submitted a manuscript to the journal Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine belonging to Heighten Science Publications Corporation. Within one week I already received the response from the editor. All processing steps were really fast so in terms of a speedy publication I can particularly recommend the journal Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine. The responsible contact person of the journal was always available, which gives a trustworthy impression to the author. Also the peer review process was clear and constructive. So from my experience with Heighten Science Publications Corporation I can recommend publishing there.
University of Tubingen, Germany
Yvonne Mast
Thank you very much for accepting our manuscript in your journal “International Journal of Clinical Virology”. We are very thankful to the esteemed team for timely response and quick review process. The editorial team of International Journal of Clinical Virology is too cooperative and well-mannered during the publication process. We are hopeful to publish many quality papers in your journal and I suggest the International Journal of Clinical Virology to all of my colleagues, researchers and friends to publish their research here.
Abdul Baset
"An amazing experience with the Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health. Very fast blind review with pertinent corrections and suggestions. I highly recommand both the journal and the editor."
Chaimae Khairoun
I would like to thank JPRA for taking this decision. I understand the effort it represents for you. I'm truly happy to have the paper published in JPRA. And I'll certainly consider JPRA for my next publications as I was satisfied of the service provided, the efficiency and promptness of the interactions we had.
Emmanuel BUSATO
“The choice to submit the forensic case study to the Journal of Addiction Therapy and Research was dictated by the match between the content and the potential readership. The publication process proved to be expedient and we were provided with constructive feedback from reviewers. The final article layout is attractive and conforms to standards. All-in-all, it has been a rewarding process.”
Ph.D, Boston University Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Knowledge Research Institute, Inc., 2131 Reflection Bay Drive, Arlington, Texas 76013, USA
Elisabeth H. Wiig
The Journal Clinical Nephrology provides a good opportunity for readers to stay updated in the field of clinical nephrology. Additionally - it provides a good opportunity for authors to publish their work.
1. Publication of the accepted manuscripts is sufficiently rapid.
2. The trust factor between the journal and me, as an author, is very important and well preserved.
3. Peer review process very rapid and effective.
Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Israel
Leonid Feldman
It was a great experience publishing through JCICM. The article has reached out to several institutions. Appreciate your professional work. Hope to work with you again
Anas Wardeh
Great, thank you! It was very efficient working w/ your group. Very thorough reviews (i.e., plagiarism, peer, etc.). Would certainly recommend that future authors consider working w/ your group.
David W Brett
Many thanks for publishing my article in your great journal and the friendly and hassle-free publication process, the constructive peer-review, the regular feedback system, and the Quick response to any queries.
Azab Elsayed Azab
Dear colleagues! I am satisfied with our cooperation with you. Your service is at a high level. I hope for a future relationship. Let me know if I can get a paper version of the magazine with my articles from you. I see them on the Internet.
If you are already a member of our network and need to keep track of any developments regarding a question you have already submitted, click "take me to my Query."