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V Rufini

Publications and source records attributed to V Rufini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[123I]MIBG scintigraphy in neuroblastoma: a comparison between planar and SPECT imaging.

The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of SPECT imaging with [123I]MIBG in patients with neuroblastoma (NB). Twenty-two children were studied (11 males and 11 females: age range: newborn to 11 years). A total of 39 studies were performed in different clinical phases. Both planar (at 24 and occasionally 48 hours) and SPECT (at 24 hours) imaging were performed in all cases. Planar studies gave a sensitivity of 87.5% (evidence of the disease in 21 of 24 studies performed in children with known NB lesions) and a specificity of 93.3% (true negative results in 14 of 15 studies performed in disease-free patients). In the same patients SPECT gave a sensitivity of 95.8% (23 of 24 positive studies and a specificity equal to that of planar scanning. In 5 of 21 studies positive at planar scanning SPECT showed 9 additional lesions. In conclusion, [123I]MIBG SPECT imaging compared to planar scanning can demonstrate a greater number of lesions. Its use seems to be indicated mainly in cases in which diagnostic assessment is difficult, such as small residual tumors or in the follow up of children no longer in therapy, in whom it can lead to an early diagnosis of relapse.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

Use of [123I]MIBG to assess cardiac adrenergic innervation: experience in hypertensive cardiopathy and left ventricular aneurysms.

[123I]MIBG has been proposed as a suitable tracer of the adrenergic system of the heart. The aims of this study was to investigate the adrenergic functional status of the heart in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and to evaluate the distribution of neuroadrenergic terminals in patients with left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) presenting complex arrhythmias. We studied 21 patients (4 normals, 11 with LVH and hypertension, and 6 with previous myocardial infarction, LVA and complex arrhythmias) who underwent series of [123I]MIBG planar scans (from 0.5 to 24 hours p.i.) and SPECT scans using both [123I]MIBG and 201Tl. Data quantification was performed by calculating the heart/mediastinum ratio (planar scan) and the percent uptake in 5 myocardial regions (SPECT scan). No significant differences between normals and hypertensive patients were found either in the heart/mediastinum ratio or in the regional distribution of [123I]MIBG and 201Tl. In hypertensive patients the uptake of [123I]MIBG was significantly higher than that of 201Tl in the septal wall while in the lateral and inferior walls it was significantly lower. In patients with anteroapical myocardial infarction (MI), the size of the [123I]MIBG defect was slightly smaller than the 201Tl defect; moreover a constant, severe [123I]MIBG defect was observed in the inferior walls whereas 201Tl uptake was normal. We conclude that while in hypertensive patients adrenergic innervation seems to be slightly impaired as compared to myocardial perfusion, in patients with MI a large area of functional or anatomical denervation may be detected despite the preserved perfusion and viability; this mismatch may be the trigger of complex arrhythmias.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

Use of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in pneumology.

Norepinephrine (NE) is one of the many biologically active substances that are metabolized by the lung. The norepinephrine uptake in the lung has been widely investigated in animal studies in order to detect abnormalities of the endothelial cells. 131I- or 123I-labelled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a radioactive tracer that shares several metabolic pathways with NE; it has been used instead NE or both in animal and in human studies for the same purposes. It has been definitely demonstrated that MIBG lung uptake following intravenous administration is a reliable marker of minimal endothelial cell lesions and it allows one to investigate several conditions involving damage to the lung vasculature such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, post-actinic lung fibrosis or chemotherapic lung toxicity. MIBG could also potentially be used as a tracer of the neuroadrenergic system of the airways, once it has been deposited in the whole branches of the bronchial tree. With this in mind we evaluated the feasibility of the administration of MIBG in radioaerosol form. We first performed a chromatographic study on [123I]MIBG aliquots aerosolized for variable lengths of time (2-30 minutes). Radiochemical purity was always over 96%, thus demonstrating that aerosolization does not significantly modify the stability of the tracer. We then compared both the lung clearance curves and the scintigraphic images in two groups of normal subjects who respectively underwent [123I]MIBG and 99mTc-DTPA radioaerosol dynamic scintigraphy. We found that MIBG clearance to be significantly lower than that of DTPA (135 +/- 32 minutes versus 69 +/- 27 minutes, p < 0.01), probably due to its being trapped in the adrenergic nerve endings of the airways. The pulmonary distribution of both tracers was homogeneous, as demonstrated by the correspondence of the values for the aerosol penetration index in both groups of subjects. Such results warrant further research and pharmacologic tests.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

The treatment of neuroblastoma with [131I]MIBG at diagnosis.

The potential role [131I]MIBG therapy in untreated, inoperable cases of neuroblastoma (NB) in children was evaluated. Six children, aged 10 months-5 years, were treated at diagnosis. Five (4 stage III and 1 stage IV NB) underwent [131I]MIBG treatment alone (single doses ranging from 2.9 to 6.1 GBq of high specific activity [131I]MIBG. In one case (stage IV NB) [131I]MIBG was preceded by Cisplatin administration (20 mg/m2/day) given over a 5 day period. The results obtained in the first 5 cases were as follows: 1 complete response still lasting after 5 years; 1 partial and 1 minor response allowing further surgery and chemotherapy; 2 stabilization of the disease. The treatment was well tolerated with minimal toxicity. However, apart from the first case all these children relapsed and subsequently died. Therefore [131I]MIBG therapy (9.1 GBq given in 2 courses) combined with Cisplatin as a "radiosensitizer" was used in the sixth case, a patient with widespread bone metastases and massive bone marrow involvement. A very good partial response was obtained in this case. Further surgery (of the primary NB) and multidrug chemotherapy was then possible. In conclusion, [131I]MIBG therapy at diagnosis appears to be effective, low toxic treatment of NB; when integrated with Cisplatin its efficacy seems to improve even more.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

Treatment with meta-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine and cisplatin in stage IV neuroblastoma.

Metastatic neuroblastoma (NB) continues to have a dismal prognosis. NB is a radiosensitive tumor. Owing to its high concentration in the NB lesions, Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) has the potential for specifically delivering very large radiation doses to the malignant cells. Encouraging results have been reported with [131I]MIBG used alone in patients resistant to conventional therapy and at diagnosis. We report the first attempts to explore the integration of this new treatment modality with chemotherapy. Among the drugs effective in NB, cisplatin was chosen because of its high degree of activity against NB, its mild hematologic toxicity and the known synergism between cisplatin and radiation. Four patients, 3 with relapsed, heavily pre-treated, progressive stage IV NB, and 1 with stage IV NB at diagnosis, all with a good [131I]MIBG uptake, were investigated with the combined therapy. Two complete remissions and one partial remission were observed in the relapsed patients 4-6 weeks following only one single course of both cisplatin and [131I]MIBG at the "standard" dosage. The only toxicity was hematologic, which was significant and relatively long-lasting, but was not associated with any serious infections or bleeding tendency. The general condition of these patients during the entire study period was excellent. The 4th patient, investigated at diagnosis with a modified less intensive treatment, obtained a partial remission with a mild hematologic toxicity. The provisional conclusion of this preliminary study is that this new form of combined therapy appears very effective in heavily pretreated relapsed patients with progressive disease, and could also be investigated in refractory patients and in patients at diagnosis.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1995

Radiolabeled somatostatin analog scintigraphy in medullary thyroid carcinoma and carcinoid tumor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a recently developed radiolabelled somatostatin analog (111In-pentetreotide) for the detection and localization of both medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and carcinoid tumors, and to compare the results obtained with the results of 99mTc(V)-DMSA, and radioiodinated MIBG imaging. 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy was performed in 9 patients with MTC and in 9 patients with carcinoid tumor. Whole body and SPECT studies were performed at 4 and 24 hours post-injection. SMS scintigraphy gave a positive result in 5 out of 7 patients with proven MTC lesions, and in 7 out of 9 patients with known lesions of carcinoid tumor. It gave a negative result in 2 MTC patients with high levels of calcitonin but with no evidence of disease at conventional diagnostic modalities. The scintigraphic results were comparable with those obtained with 99mTc(V)-DMSA in MTC and were superior to those of radioiodinated MIBG in both MTC and carcinoid tumors. When compared with the modifications of calcitonin levels brought about by the acute administration of octreotide ("Octeotride test"), these correlated well in 8 out of 9 patients studied.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1994

A simplified determination of glomerular filtration rate with 99Tcm-DTPA.

Using 99Tcm-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) an acceptable estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be obtained in adult patients by the equation GF (ml/min) = (0.14 x W + 5) x 1000 x k, where W is the 'ideal' body mass (kg) and k the slope determined by two plasma samples. This has been verified in comparison with the results of the Russell (two samples) and Christensen (one sample) methods in 50 patients. The procedure, which does not require determination of the injected dose, could be useful in patients undergoing sequential renal scintigraphy with 99Tcm-DTPA, for example, to check a doubtful value of glomerular filtration obtained by external counting.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Determination of glomerular filtration rate with 99mTc-DTPA in clinical practice.

In order to assess the practical reliability of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determination with 99mTc-DTPA and plasma sampling, the authors compared the results obtained with 51Cr-EDTA and 99mTc-DTPA in 50 patients using five easily applied methods (two double-plasma-sample methods and three single-plasma-sample methods), and two kits with different compositions. It was observed that: 1) there is no difference between the results obtained with the two different kits. 2) Compared with 51Cr-EDTA the 99mTc-DTPA overestimates the result by about 2 mL/min: precision is slightly lower with 99mTc-DTPA than with 51Cr-EDTA but is sufficient for practical use. 3) The method recommended by the authors on the basis of this experience is the Russell's method with two samples. 4) The simplified methods with one sample give comparable results to the Russell's method for GFR levels between 50 and 115 mL/min, while the results are unsatisfactory below 50 mL/min. 5) Among the single-sample methods, the authors suggest that of Christensen and Groth. 6) A preliminary estimate of GFR (from the serum creatinine level, for instance) is useful for the choice between double-plasma-sample methods and simplified methods. In conclusion, the authors consider that the estimation of GFR with 99mTc-DTPA can be performed efficiently in clinical practice even when operating in absolutely routine conditions.

Chromium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1994

Nuclear medicine imaging in pediatric oncology.

Nuclear medicine imaging techniques, whether applied in the initial diagnosis or in assessing the response to therapy, are indispensable in the evaluation of malignant diseases that afflict infants and children. The major role of these techniques (bone, 67Ga and 201Tl scintigraphy, imaging with labeled leucocytes, immunoscintigraphy) is that of complementing, in an essential manner, other first choice diagnostic investigations (radiological, bioptic, etc.) such as in evaluating malignant skeletal tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, lymphomas, leukemia and histiocytosis X. Nevertheless, due to their high tissue specificity and/or diagnostic reliability, 99mTc-MDP (or analogues) imaging in the screening of bone metastases, 123/131I-MIBG scintigraphy in the diagnosis and management of neuroblastoma and 131I whole body scan in staging postoperatively differentiated thyroid cancers are proposed as first choice modalities. Well established (131I therapy) or recently developed (131I-MIBG therapy and radioimmunotherapy) therapeutic modalities are available today to be either integrated with or to substitute the conventional treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and neuroblastoma.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1994

[Contribution of nuclear medicine to the diagnosis of silent adrenal masses].

The role of adrenal scintigraphy in the noninvasive characterization of silent adrenal masses was investigated in 40 patients. The mass had been detected by US or CT performed in the evaluation of non-malignant extra-adrenal diseases (25 cases) or during staging or follow-up of a malignant extra-adrenal neoplasm (15 cases). In all cases radio-cholesterol scintigraphy (74 MBq i.v. of 131I-6 beta-iodomethylnorcholesterol in 19 cases; 11 MBq i.v. of 75Se-6 beta-selenomethylnorcholesterol in 21 cases) was performed; in 7 cases also 131I-MIBG scan (18.5-37 MBq i.v.) was carried out. When compared with CT data, radiocholesterol scintigraphy (standard or after suppression with dexamethasone) showed: concordant uptake (increased uptake of radiocholesterol on the side of the adrenal mass) in 24/26 patients with adrenal cortical adenoma; discordant uptake (absent or decreased uptake on the side of the adrenal mass) in 12 patients: 5 with adrenal metastases and 7 with non-adenomatous benign space-occupying lesions (2 ganglioneuromas, 1 post-traumatic hemorrhagic lesion, 3 adrenal cysts, 1 myelolipoma); indeterminate uptake (symmetric bilateral uptake) in 4 patients: 2 with a small adenoma, 1 with adrenal metastasis and 1 with a "false incidentaloma" (hepatic regenerative nodule). The results confirm the utility of radiocholesterol scintigraphy in demonstrating the benignity of adrenal lesions (particularly in identifying adrenocortical adenomas) and assess its place among the procedures used to characterize silent adrenal masses. The possible use of MIBG scintigraphy is also discussed.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Critical observations on neuroblastoma treatment with 131-I-metaiodobenzylguanidine at diagnosis.

Results of treatment with 131-I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131-I-MIBG) in patients with resistant neuroblastoma appear encouraging if one considers that most of the patients had far advanced, intensively pre-treated disease. To further explore the potential role of this new drug in untreated patients, we treated 3 children with stage III neuroblastoma. All three of our cases received 131-I-MIBG at relatively low dose with the complete disappearance of the tumor mass in case 1, whereas in cases 2 and 3 CT scan showed a significant reduction of the tumor mass and, interestingly enough, no evidence of 131-I-MIBG uptake of a tracer dose in the remaining tumor. Particularly, in case 2, the persistence and subsequent progression of part of the tumor mass without 131-I-MIBG uptake after a therapeutic dose of 131-I-MIBG, which apparently destroyed the 131-I-MIBG-positive cell population, clearly suggest heterogeneity at diagnosis, with a dual neuroblastoma cell population, one with 131-I-MIBG uptake and the other without. Besides the biological implications of the 131-I-MIBG uptake heterogeneity in neuroblastoma at diagnosis, our findings suggest that in stage III neuroblastoma patients even a relatively small dose of 131-I-MIBG administered at diagnosis is sufficient to destroy either the primary tumor completely (case 1) or the part of the tumor (case 2 and 3) which shows 131-I-MIBG uptake, without any significant hematologic toxicity. Furthermore, a single course of 131-I-MIBG at the dosage employed does not appear to jeopardize the subsequent use of chemotherapy. In conclusion, if our data are confirmed by further investigation, 131-I-MIBG may be included as a front line drug shortly followed by chemotherapy in future treatment strategies of advanced neuroblastoma without or with minimal bone marrow infiltration.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed1993

Incidentally discovered adrenal masses: a functional and morphological study.

In the last two years we have examined 17 consecutive patients (11 females and 6 males, 20-66 years old) in whom an unsuspected adrenal mass was discovered by ultrasonography or computed tomography performed for unrelated reasons. Pathological diagnosis was available in 11 cases based on surgical excision in 9 (2 pheochromocytomas of 5 and 12 cm in diameter; 2 ganglioneuromas of 5 and 6 cm; and 5 benign cortical adenomas between 3 and 5 cm), autopsy in 1 (a disseminated malignant pheochromocytoma of 16 cm) and fine-needle biopsy in 1 (a pseudo-adrenal mass of 6 cm, that was a regenerative hepatic nodule). The remaining 6 non histologically diagnosed masses were less than 3 cm in diameter. Endocrine studies showed elevated urinary excretion of catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid and metanephrines in the pheochromocytomas and borderline high values in ganglioneuromas. A low plasma renin activity was encountered in 2 operated cortical adenomas and 3 non operated incidentalomas. In 2 of the latters aldosterone serum levels were elevated and the final diagnoses respectively were Conn's adenoma and dexamethasone-suppressible hyperaldosteronism with bilateral nodular hyperplasia. An inappropriate cortisol secretion was documented in a cortical adenoma removed. Radio-cholesterol scintiscan showed unilateral or increased uptake on the side of adrenal mass (concordant uptake) in the 5 benign cortical adenomas removed and in 4 non operated incidentalomas. A decreased uptake on the side of the adrenal mass (discordant uptake) was found in the 2 ganglioneuromas while an indeterminate bilateral uptake was found in the 2 remaining non operated incidentalomas and in the pseudo-adrenal mass.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗
PubMed1993

Thyrotoxicosis due to ectopic retrotracheal adenoma treated with radioiodine.

Ectopic thyroid tissue is rarely found in the cervical retrotracheal region and its functional autonomy with suppression of the normal gland can be considered unusual. We report a case of thyrotoxicosis in a patient who had no palpable goitre in the neck but was found to have a solitary toxic thyroid nodule behind the trachea. US and CT scanning confirmed that the nodule was retrotracheal and apparently was not continuous or contiguous with the normal thyroid gland. The toxic adenoma showed avid uptake of iodine-131 (131I), and using thallium-201-chloride (201Tl)-SPECT the normal thyroid gland together with the retrotracheal autonomous nodule was demonstrated. The patient underwent radiometabolic therapy with 666 MBq of 131I and a 131I scan performed 6 months later showed only the previously suppressed normal thyroid gland.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Autonomously functioning thyroid adenoma in a seven year old boy.

Hyperfunctioning thyroid adenoma is an extremely rare disorder in childhood. A case of a seven year old boy is reported. Clinical and laboratory findings were similar to those seen in adults. Recovery of thyroid function was prompt after ablative surgery and no substitutive therapy was required.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

Thyroid carcinoma mimicking a toxic adenoma.

A young woman with a thyroid papillary carcinoma behaving as an autonomously hyperfunctioning nodule is described. Only 17 similar patients have been seen in the past 25 years. It is emphasized that hyperthyroidism does not exclude malignant disease in hot nodules. This possibility suggests that all thyroid nodules, either cold or hot, require careful management. Therefore, in "at risk" cases, surgery could be the most useful treatment.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). 5 years of experience.

The authors' experience of more than 5 years in the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioiodinated MIBG in neural crest tumors is reported. 123I/131I-MIBG scintigraphy was performed in 158 patients: 75 suspected (24 proven) pheochromocytomas (pheos), 43 neuroblastomas (NB), 20 medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC), 6 ganglioneuromas, 5 carcinoids and 1 insulinoma. Eight cases of tumors not originating from the neural crest were also investigated. The diagnostic sensitivity of the method was above 90% both in pheos and NB (primary tumors and bone metastases). The examination was less effective in localizing MTC (sensitivity = 64.4% in primary or residual/recurrent tumors). The scintigraphic outcome was negative in ganglioneuromas, carcinoids and insulinoma. Specificity was very high (greater than 95%), and no false positive results were found in tumors not deriving from the neural crest. 131I-MIBG treatment was administered to four patients with malignant pheo, nine with NB and four with MTC. Therapy resulted in a complete response in one pheo, two NB and one MTC treated after surgery or at diagnosis (one NB); it gave partial response and prolonged remission in five advanced cases (one pheo, two NB and two MTC); it resulted in temporary stabilization of the disease in one pheo and two NBs; it was ineffective in four cases.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗