BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:The value of high resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) in the recognition of pathologic changes of the lung parenchyma, especially in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, is well established. The importance of these findings in regard to the inflammatory activity is not sufficiently documented, also because a direct histologic correlation is seldom possible.

METHOD:In a prospective study twenty-one patients with suspected or known sarcoidosis were evaluated. The diagnostic work up comprised the clinical examination, lung function tests, the radiological evaluation, including GH-CT, and bronchoscopy for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial biopsy.

RESULTS:The comparison of the HR-CT findings, like pathologic appearance of the bronchovascular bundle and intraparenchymal nodules, with serologic and BAL-parameters yielded high correlation coefficients with the total cell count in BAL and sIL-2R, and moderate correlations with the lavage lymphocyte count and the activity markers, like T4/T8 ratio, IL-2R and HLA-DR expression.

CONCLUSION:As a non invasive method, HR-CT depicts pathologic findings of the lung parenchyma which are associated with the inflammatory activity of sarcoidosis.

背景与目标： 目的 : 高分辨率计算机断层扫描 (hr-ct) 在识别肺实质的病理变化，特别是在结节病的诊断中的价值已得到充分确立。这些发现在炎症活性方面的重要性尚未得到充分证明，这也是因为很少有直接的组织学相关性。
方法 : 在一项前瞻性研究中，对21例疑似或已知结节病患者进行了评估。诊断工作包括临床检查，肺功能检查，放射学评估 (包括gh-ct) 以及支气管镜检查 (用于支气管肺泡灌洗 (BAL) 和经支气管活检)。
结果 : hr-ct结果的比较，像支气管血管束和实质内结节的病理外观一样，血清学和BAL参数与BAL和sIL-2R的总细胞计数具有高相关系数，与灌洗淋巴细胞计数和活性标志物 (如T4/T8比率) 具有中等相关性，IL-2R和hla-dr表达。
结论 : 作为一种非侵入性方法，hr-ct描述了与结节病的炎症活性相关的肺实质的病理发现。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: AIM:To report the patterns and sites of 18-FDG uptake in patients of presumed ocular tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The clinical and investigational findings of 11 patients were reviewed retrospectively. These included 6 males and 5 females with a mean age of 46.2 years. 21 eyes were included in the data analysis. Clinical presentations include 15 eyes with anterior uveitis, 2 eyes with retinal vasculitis, 2 eyes with panuveitis and 2 eyes with multifocal choroidopathy. RESULTS:Two distinct patterns of systemic uptake emerged. Pattern 1: No detectable systemic uptake (4 patients). Pattern 2: Detectable systemic uptake. a. Chest disease only (2 patients). b. Disseminated pattern, uptake seen at multiple sites (4 patients). c. Extrapulmonary only (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS:Ocular tuberculosis may often be part of a wider disseminated disease.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:To measure the dimensions of aqueous outflow structures and to investigate associations with intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular biometry parameters in an older British population. METHOD:Fifty-two participants from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk eye study underwent imaging using the Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomographer with an anterior segment module. Pseudophakic participants and those known or suspected to have glaucoma were excluded, leaving 46 participants for analysis. Schwalbe's line (SL), scleral spur (SS), Schlemm's canal (SC) diameter and the trabecular meshwork cross-sectional area (TM cross-sectional area (CSA)) were identified and traced using ImageJ software. IOP was measured using the Ocular Response Analyser. Ocular biometry was measured by partial coherence interferometry. RESULTS:The mean (SD) subject age was 65.7 years (5.6). The SL and SS were identifiable in all nasal and temporal scans. The mean SL-SS distance was 800 μm (104) nasally and 808 μm (102) temporally. Repeatability of SS-SL, SS-SC, SC and TM CSA was good to excellent, and reproducibility fair to good. Nasal SL-SS distance was inversely associated with anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p=0.007, -116 μm per mm ACD, R(2)=0.18). Multiple linear regression showed nasal TM CSA was significantly associated with age and IOP (age: p=0.025, 0.007 mm(2) per decade of age; IOP: p=0.029, -0.0012 mm(2) per mm Hg, R(2)=0.23). CONCLUSIONS:Aqueous outflow structures can be measured by optical coherence tomography, and their dimensions vary significantly with ocular biometric characteristics and IOP. Further investigation is required to determine associations between outflow structure sizes in different populations and pathologies, including ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-mediated analyte diffusion on permeability of normal, benign, and cancerous human lung tissue in vitro and to find more effective sonophoretic (SP) delivery in combination with the optical clearing agents (OCAs) method to distinguish normal and diseased lung tissues. The permeability coefficients of SP in combination with OCAs diffusion in lung tissue were measured with Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). 30% glucose and SP with a frequency of 1 MHz and an intensity of 0.80  W/cm2 over a 3 cm probe was simultaneously applied for 15 min. Experimental results show that the mean permeability coefficients of 30% glucose/SP were found to be (2.01±0.21)×10(-5)  cm/s from normal lung (NL) tissue, (2.75±0.28)×10(-5)  cm/s from lung benign granulomatosis (LBG) tissue, (4.53±0.49)×10(-5)  cm/s from lung adenocarcinoma tumor (LAT) tissue, and (5.81±0.62)×10(-5)  cm/s from lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissue, respectively. The permeability coefficients of 30% glucose/SP increase approximately 36.8%, 125.4%, and 189.1% for the LBG, LAT, and LSCC tissue compared with that for the NL tissue, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in permeability coefficients of 30% glucose/SP between LBG and NL tissue (p<0.05), between LAT and NL tissue (p<0.05), and between LSCC and NL tissue (p<0.05). The results suggest that the OCT functional imaging technique to combine an ultrasound-OCAs combination method could become a powerful tool in early diagnosis and monitoring of changed microstructure of pathologic human lung tissue.

背景与目标： : 这项研究的目的是评估超声介导的分析物扩散对体外正常，良性和癌性人肺组织通透性的影响，并找到与光学清除剂 (OCAs) 结合更有效的超声电泳 (SP) 递送方法，以区分正常和患病的肺组织。用傅里叶域光学相干断层扫描 (fd-oct) 测量SP与OCAs扩散在肺组织中的渗透系数。在3厘米探针上同时施加频率为1 MHz且强度为0.80   W w/cm2的30% 葡萄糖和SP 15分钟。实验结果表明，30% 葡萄糖/SP对正常肺 (NL) 组织的平均渗透系数为 (2.01 ± 0.21)× 10(-5)  cm cm/s，肺良性肉芽肿 (LBG) 组织 (2.75 ± 0.28)× 10(-5)  cm/s，肺腺癌肿瘤 (LAT) 组织 (4.53 ± 0.49)× 10(-5)  cm/s，和 (5.81 ± 0.62)× 10(-5)  cm cm/s分别来自肺鳞状细胞癌 (LSCC) 组织。与NL组织相比，LBG、LAT和LSCC组织的30% 葡萄糖/SP的渗透系数分别增加约36.8% 、125.4% 和189.1%。LBG与NL组织之间 (p<0.05)，LAT与NL组织之间 (p<0.05) 以及LSCC与NL组织之间 (p<0.05) 的30% 葡萄糖/SP的渗透系数差异有统计学意义。结果表明，OCT功能成像技术结合超声-OCAs组合方法可以成为早期诊断和监测病理性人肺组织微观结构变化的有力工具。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: STUDY DESIGN:Lung volumes and thoracic anatomy were measured from low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans preoperatively and 2 years following thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to assess changes in lung volume after TASF surgical correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:AIS patients are known to have decreased pulmonary function as a consequence of their spinal and ribcage deformity. Several studies have evaluated changes in pulmonary function clinically after scoliosis correction surgery showing varied results. To date, there have been no published studies using CT to evaluate lung volume changes following TASF. METHODS:Twenty-three female AIS patients with both pre- and 2 years postoperative low-dose CT scans were selected from an ethically approved, historical databank. Three-dimensional lung volumes were reconstructed to determine anatomical lung volumes. Right and left lung volumes, total lung volume, and right-to-left lung volume ratio were obtained as well as hemithoracic symmetry, to indicate the extent of thorax deformity. Cobb angle, rib hump, levels fused in surgery, and patient height were used for correlation analysis with the lung volume results. RESULTS:Left lung volume, total lung volume, and hemithoracic ratio all increased significantly 2 years after surgery. There was no significant change in right-to-left lung volume ratio (P = 0.36). Statistical regression found significant positive correlation between lung volume changes, reduction in Cobb angle, increase in height, and improvement in hemithoracic symmetry ratio. CONCLUSION:TASF resulted in a statistically significant increase in lung volume following surgery, as well as improvement in the symmetry of the thoracic architecture; however, the postoperative lung volumes remained in the lower 50th percentile relative to females without thoracic deformity. Furthermore, change in lung volume was significantly correlated with changes in Cobb angle, hemithoracic asymmetry, and increased patient height, which are important consequences of thoracic deformity correction surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:3.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Using a topography-dependent tomographic scheme, the seismic velocity structure of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau, including the uplifted Longmenshan (LMS) orogenic belt, is accurately imaged in spite of the extreme topographic relief in the LMS region and thick sedimentary covers in the neighbouring Sichuan Basin. The obtained image shows a high-resolution upper crustal structure on a 500 km-long profile that is perpendicular to the LMS. The image clearly shows that the crystalline basement was uplifted within the LMS orogenic belt, and that the neighbouring Songpan-Ganzi Terrane was covered by a thick flysch belt, with evidence of near-surface thrust faults caused by convergence between Eastern Tibet and the Sichuan Basin. The indication that the lower crust beneath the LMS was folded and pushed upwards and the upper crust was removed by exhumation, supports the concept of a lower crustal channel flow beneath Eastern Tibet. The image also reveals that the destructive Wenchuan earthquake of year 2008 occurred in the upper crust, directly at the structural discontinuity between Eastern Tibet Plateau and the Sichuan Basin.

背景与目标： : 采用地形相关的层析方案，尽管LMS地区地形起伏极端，邻近的四川盆地沉积覆盖层较厚，但仍准确成像了包括隆升龙门山 (LMS) 造山带在内的青藏高原东部地震速度结构。所获得的图像显示了垂直于LMS的500   km长轮廓上的高分辨率上地壳结构。图像清楚地表明，LMS造山带内的结晶基底隆起，邻近的松潘-甘孜地体被厚的飞石带覆盖，有西藏东部和四川盆地之间的会聚引起的近地表逆冲断层的证据。LMS下方的下地壳被折叠并向上推动，而上地壳被挖掘出的迹象支持了西藏东部下方的下地壳通道流的概念。该图像还揭示了2008年汶川破坏性地震发生在上地壳上，直接发生在青藏高原东部和四川盆地之间的结构不连续处。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Early detection and staging of lung cancer is important in initiating rapid treatment and improving prognosis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have a high resolution and are able to reveal structural abnormalities, but still have problems differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Lesion size is used as a distinguishing parameter but definite diagnosis still relies on invasive procedures. Positron emission tomography (PET) is based on imaging of biochemical processes in vivo. PET is unique by disclosing metabolic differences between benign and malignant disease, e.g. glucose utilization. Here, the role of PET in diagnosis and (re)-staging of lung cancer as well as monitoring of therapy response will be reviewed.

背景与目标： 肺癌的早期发现和分期对于开始快速治疗和改善预后至关重要。计算机断层扫描 (CT) 和磁共振 (MR) 成像具有高分辨率，能够揭示结构异常，但在区分良性和恶性病变方面仍然存在问题。病变大小用作区分参数，但明确的诊断仍依赖于侵入性操作。正电子发射断层扫描 (PET) 基于体内生化过程的成像。PET通过揭示良性和恶性疾病 (例如葡萄糖利用) 之间的代谢差异而独特。在这里，将回顾PET在肺癌的诊断和 (再) 分期以及监测治疗反应中的作用。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as conventional imaging modalities, are the preferred methodology for tumor, nodal and systemic metastasis (TNM) staging. However, all the noninvasive techniques in current use are not sufficiently able to identify primary tumors and even unable to define the extent of metastatic spread. In addition, relying exclusively on macromorphological characteristics to make a conclusion runs the risk of misdiagnosis due mainly to the intrinsic limitations of the imaging modalities themselves. Solely based on the macromorphological characteristics of cancer, one cannot give an appropriate assessment of the biological characteristics of tumors. Currently, positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) are more and more widely available and their application with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) in oncology has become one of the standard imaging modalities in diagnosing and staging of tumors, and monitoring the therapeutic efficacy in hepatic malignancies. Recently, investigators have measured glucose utilization in liver tumors using (18)F-FDG, PET and PET/CT in order to establish diagnosis of tumors, assess their biologic characteristics and predict therapeutic effects on hepatic malignancies. PET/CT with (18)F-FDG as a radiotracer may further enhance the hepatic malignancy diagnostic algorithm by accurate diagnosis, staging, restaging and evaluating its biological characteristics, which can benefit the patients suffering from hepatic metastases, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

背景与目标： : 计算机断层扫描 (CT) 和磁共振成像 (MRI) 作为常规成像方式，是肿瘤，淋巴结和全身转移 (TNM) 分期的首选方法。然而，目前使用的所有非侵入性技术都不足以识别原发性肿瘤，甚至无法确定转移扩散的程度。此外，仅依靠宏观形态特征得出结论存在误诊的风险，这主要是由于成像方式本身的内在局限性。仅根据癌症的宏观形态特征，就无法对肿瘤的生物学特征进行适当的评估。目前，正电子发射断层扫描/计算机断层扫描 (PET/CT) 越来越广泛，它们与 (18)F-氟脱氧葡萄糖 (18) f-fdg) 在肿瘤学中的应用已成为诊断和分期的标准成像方式之一。肿瘤，并监测肝恶性肿瘤的治疗效果。最近，研究人员使用 (18) f-fdg，PET和PET/CT测量了肝脏肿瘤中的葡萄糖利用率，以建立肿瘤的诊断，评估其生物学特征并预测对肝脏恶性肿瘤的治疗效果。以 (18) f-fdg为放射性示踪剂的PET/CT可通过准确的诊断、分期、复查和评价其生物学特性，进一步提高肝恶性肿瘤的诊断算法，使肝转移瘤、肝细胞癌和胆管癌患者受益。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: INTRODUCTION:New diagnostic tools such as the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and topographic angiography (TAG) were introduced into clinical ophthalmology during the last years giving the examiner new insights into anatomical and functional aspects of macular disease. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of the new imaging methods have been evaluated in patients with serous (sPED) and fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachments (fPED) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS:TAG, using fluorescein angiography (FA), provides a three-dimensional profile of the fluorescein pattern based on the analysis of a set of 32 confocal images over a depth of 4 mm. RTA and OCT provide cross-sectional images of the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium-choriocapillary complex as well as retinal thickness data encoded in a false color map. We compared and evaluated these modalities in 15 patients with fPED and 15 patients with sPED secondary to AMD. RESULTS:In patients with classic fPED, TAG detected neovascular structures and delineated their configuration. In sPEDs, pooling of extravascular fluid was detected in a dome-shaped configuration. OCT provided detailed information on the neurosensory retina's structures but failed to detect the neovascular membrane in fPED. Mapping the retinal thickness, RTA and OCT both failed to detect the PED and showed typical algorithm error-based patterns. CONCLUSION:TAG OCT and RTA are useful imaging modalities in the evaluation of AMD cases. TAG visualizes the vascular configuration, dynamic perfusion, and leakage changes. OCT and RTA are able to complementarily document intra-, subretinal, and sub-RPE fluid accumulation secondary to CNV. However, OCT seems to be more efficient in imaging AMD-related pathologies than RTA, as this modality is often compromised by intra- or subretinal structural abnormalities. Nevertheless, all modalities may provide further valuable insight into AMD pathogenesis, enhance diagnostic quality, and improve the assessment of therapeutic effects.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVE:To use the improved resolution available with 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in vivo to localize the cochlear implant electrode array within the basal turn. STUDY DESIGN:Sixty-four-slice MDCT examinations of the temporal bones were retrospectively reviewed in 17 patients. Twenty-three implants were evaluated. SETTING:Tertiary referral facility. PATIENTS:All patients with previous cochlear implantation evaluated at our center between January 2004 and March 2006 were offered a computed tomographic examination as part of the study. In addition, preoperative computed tomographic examinations in patients being evaluated for a second bilateral device were included. INTERVENTION:Sixty-four-slice MDCT examination of the temporal bones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Localization of the electrode array within the basal turn from multiplanar reconstructions of the cochlea. RESULTS:Twenty-three implants were imaged in 17 patients. We were able to localize the electrode array within the scala tympani within the basal turn in 10 implants. In 3 implants, the electrode array was localized to the scala vestibuli. Migration of the electrode array from scala tympani to scala vestibuli was observed in three implants. Of the 7 implants in which localization of the electrode array was indeterminate, all had disease entities that obscured the definition of the normal cochlear anatomy. CONCLUSIONS:Sixty-four-slice MDCT with multiplanar reconstructions of the postoperative cochlea after cochlear implantation allows for accurate localization of the electrode array within the basal turn where normal cochlear anatomy is not obscured by the underlying disease process. Correlating the position of the electrode in the basal turn with surgical technique and implant design could be helpful in improving outcomes.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Iterative reconstruction has a wide spectrum of proven advantages in the field of conventional X-ray absorption-based computed tomography (CT). In this paper, we report on an algebraic iterative reconstruction technique for grating-based differential phase-contrast CT (DPC-CT). Due to the differential nature of DPC-CT projections, a differential operator and a smoothing operator are added to the iterative reconstruction, compared to the one commonly used for absorption-based CT data. This work comprises a numerical study of the algorithm and its experimental verification using a dataset measured at a two-grating interferometer setup. Since the algorithm is easy to implement and allows for the extension to various regularization possibilities, we expect a significant impact of the method for improving future medical and industrial DPC-CT applications.

背景与目标： : 在传统的基于x射线吸收的计算机断层扫描 (CT) 领域中，迭代重建具有广泛的已证明的优势。在本文中，我们报告了基于光栅的差分相衬CT (dpc-ct) 的代数迭代重建技术。由于dpc-ct投影的微分性质，与通常用于基于吸收的CT数据相比，在迭代重建中添加了微分算子和平滑算子。这项工作包括对算法的数值研究及其使用在两光栅干涉仪设置下测量的数据集的实验验证。由于该算法易于实现，并且可以扩展到各种正则化可能性，因此我们希望该方法对改善未来的医疗和工业dpc-ct应用产生重大影响。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Factors affecting the registration error (RE) and motion of focal hepatic lesions (FHLs) in image fusion of real-time ultrasonography (US) with computed tomography (CT) images were prospectively assessed by focusing on respiratory movement and FHL location. Real-time US and pre-acquired CT images at end-inspiration were fused with FHLs for 103 patients. Three-dimensional US data containing FHLs were obtained during end-inspiratory/expiratory phases. Multivariate analysis revealed that diaphragm motion (p < 0.001), chronic liver disease (p = 0.02) and the absolute difference in distance between the FHL and the central portal vein (CPV) during respiration (p = 0.03) were the independent factors that revealed the maximum effect on RE. In contrast, diaphragm motion (p < 0.001) and distance between the FHL and CPV at inspiration (p = 0.036) revealed the maximum effect on FHL motion. In conclusion, RE and FHL motion are affected by the degree of respiratory movement and the location of the FHL. Therefore, image fusion with CT images should be used with caution if the degree of respiratory motion is significant or if the FHL is located at the periphery of the liver.

背景与目标： : 通过关注呼吸运动和FHL位置，前瞻性评估了实时超声 (US) 与计算机断层扫描 (CT) 图像融合中影响局灶性肝病灶 (FHLs) 的配准误差 (RE) 和运动的因素。将103例患者的实时US和吸气末采集的CT图像与FHLs融合。在吸气/呼气末阶段获得了包含FHLs的三维US数据。多因素分析显示，膈肌运动 (p < 0.001) 、慢性肝病 (p = 0.02) 和呼吸过程中FHL与门静脉中央 (CPV) 距离的绝对差异 (p = 0.03) 是显示对RE影响最大的独立因素。相反，隔膜运动 (p < 0.001) 和吸气时FHL和CPV之间的距离 (p = 0.036) 揭示了对FHL运动的最大影响。总之，RE和FHL运动受呼吸运动程度和FHL位置的影响。因此，如果呼吸运动程度明显或FHL位于肝脏外围，则应谨慎使用与CT图像的图像融合。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: STUDY OBJECTIVE:We determine the effect of the duration of emergency department (ED) observation on computed tomography (CT) rate for children with minor blunt head trauma. METHODS:We performed a prospective cohort study of children with blunt head trauma and a Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 14. We defined time from injury as the time from head injury to initial physician (emergency attending physician or fellow) assessment. For children who were observed in the ED before CT decisionmaking, we defined ED observation time as time from initial physician assessment to the decision whether to obtain a CT. After adjusting for time from injury, patient age, sex, physician type, and study month, we measured the effect of ED observation time on CT rate in each of the 3 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Traumatic Brain Injury risk groups. RESULTS:Of the 1,605 eligible patients, we enrolled 1,381 (86%). Of the enrolled patients, 676 (49%) were observed in the ED and 272 (20%) had a CT performed. After adjustment, every hour of ED observation time was associated with a decrease in CT rate for children in all 3 traumatic brain injury risk groups: high risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05 to 0.24), intermediate risk (adjusted OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.36), and low risk (adjusted OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.73). All 8 children with a significant traumatic brain injury had an immediate CT. CONCLUSION:For children with minor blunt head trauma, ED observation time was associated with a time-dependent reduction in cranial CT rate, with no delay in the diagnosis of a significant traumatic brain injury.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :In this article, we report an incident of transient neuropathy secondary to tooth movement involving the inferior alveolar nerve. This clinical report reflects the need to thoroughly examine potentially high-risk patients for neuropathy using advanced diagnostic tools such as cone-beam computed tomography when diagnosing and planning treatment.

背景与目标： : 在本文中，我们报告了继发于下牙槽神经的牙齿运动的短暂性神经病事件。本临床报告反映了在诊断和计划治疗时，需要使用先进的诊断工具 (例如锥形束计算机断层扫描) 彻底检查潜在的高危神经病患者。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVE:To determine whether single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is useful in the detection of prostate cancer bone metastases in the lumbar vertebrae. METHODS:Thirty-nine patients (12 with benign prostatic hyperplasia, 27 with prostate cancer) were considered and submitted to bone SPECT. All of them had increased uptake in lumbar vertebrae on bone scintigraphy. In those with prostate cancer, definitive diagnosis of bone metastases was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SPECT axial images were classified into five accumulation patterns: mosaic, large hot, diffuse, peripheral, and articular (or pediculate). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of bone SPECT were calculated. RESULTS:Overall, 116 vertebral lesions (49 metastatic, 67 degenerative) were studied. Mosaic, large hot and diffuse patterns were more frequently associated with metastatic lesions (84.2%, 70.3%, and 63.1% of the cases, respectively). On the other hand, peripheral and articular (or pediculate) patterns were mostly ascribed to degenerative lesions (100% and 87.5% of the cases, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of bone SPECT were 95.9% (47/49), 73.1% (49/67), 72.3% (47/65), and 96.1% (49/51), respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Bone SPECT provides better accuracy than bone scintigraphy in differential diagnosis of lumbar vertebral lesions from prostate cancer.

背景与目标：