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An investigation of the contribution of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography to the diagnosis of skeletal metastases using bone scan in the African context

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Planar bone scintigraphy is highly sensitive but it may not be sensitive enough
to detect subtle lesions in complex bony structures such as the spine. The
accurate anatomic localisation of lesions in regions such as this is also limited
using planar images. Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
results in a higher lesion contrast resulting in an improved sensitivity for the
detection of subtle lesions. SPECT also enables improved lesion localisation,
often valuable in distinguishing benign from malignant disease in the spine.
A number of previous studies have demonstrated that the addition of SPECT of
the spine significantly enhances the value of bone scintigraphy for the detection
of bone metastases compared to planar imaging alone. These studies were
however not done in the African context where patients typically present with
more advanced disease.
In a retrospective study of 576 patients with known primary tumors sent to our
institution for bone scintigraphy for the diagnosis of bone metastases, we
evaluated 119 patients in whom both planar imaging and SPECT were
obtained. The studies were graded for the probability of metastatic disease, and
the number of spinal lesions was determined with and without SPECT. The
influence of adding SPECT on the interpretation of the study was determined in
terms of the reported probability of metastatic disease, the exclusion and confirmation of metastatic disease, the decisiveness of interpretation, and the
number of spinal lesions.
The addition of SPEeT resulted in a statistically significant change in the
interpretation of studies, although the actual numbers of patients affected were
relatively small. SPEeT resulted in a more decisive interpretation of bone
scintigraphy. There was a significant increase in the number of spinal lesions
detected after the addition of SPEeT.
It was concluded that although the use of SPEeT is ideal, acceptable results
could be achieved using planar imaging alone in this patient population. This is
particularly relevant in the African context, where SPEeT is often unavailable or
scarce and in great demand. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Planare beenflikkergrafie is hoogs sensitief, maar moontlik nie sensitief genoeg
om subtiele letsels in ingewikkelde beenstrukture soos die werwelkolom aan te
toon nie. Akkurate anatomiese lokalisasie van letsels in die genoemde strukture
is beperk wanneer slegs planare beelde gebruik word. Enkelfoton-uitstraling
Rekenaartomografie (EFERT) lewer 'n hoër letsel kontras, wat 'n verbeterde
sensitiwiteit vir die opsporing van subtiele letsels tot gevolg het. EFERT lei ook
tot verbeterde letsel lokalisasie, wat dikwels van waarde is om onderskeid
tussen benigne en maligne siekte in die werwelkolom te tref.
Reeds met 'n aantal vorige studies is aangetoon dat die toevoeging van
EFERT van die werwelkolom die waarde van beenflikkergrafie in die opsporing
van beenmetastases beduidend verhoog bo dié van planare beelding alleenlik.
Hierdie studies is egter nie in omstandighede eie aan Afrika gedoen nie, waar
pasiënte kenmerkend met gevorderde siekte voordoen.
In In terugskouende studie van 576 pasiënte met bekende primêre tumore, wat
na ons instelling verwys is vir beenflikkergrafie om beenmetastases op te spoor,
het ons 119 pasiënte, wat beide planare beelding en EFERT ondergaan het,
ge-evalueer. Die studies is gegradeer volgens die waarskynlikheid vir
metastatiese siekte, en die hoeveelheid werwelkolom letsels, met en sonder
EFERT, is bepaal. Die invloed van EFERT op die vertolking van die studie is
bepaal in terme van die waarskynlikheid van metastatiese siekte, die
bevestiging en uitskakeling daarvan, die beslistheid van vertolking, en die
hoeveelheid werwelkolom letsels.
Die toevoeging van EFERT het tot 'n statisties beduidende verandering in die
vertolking van studies gelei, alhoewel die werklike getal pasiënte wat hierdeur
geraak is, relatief min was. EFERT het 'n meer besliste vertolking van
beenflikkergrafie tot gevolg gehad. Daar was 'n beduidende toename in die
hoeveelheid werwelkolom letsels wat opgespoor is na die toevoeging van
EFERT.
Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat, alhoewel die gebruik van EFERT wenslik is,
aanvaarbare resultate met slegs die gebruik van planare beelding in hierdie
pasiënt bevolkingsgroep verkry kan word. Dit is veral van belang in Afrikaomstandighede,
waar EFERT dikwels onbeskikbaar of skaars is, en ook in groot
aanvraag is.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53279
Date12 1900
CreatorsElmadani, Ahmed Elkhidir
ContributorsWarwick, James M., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nuclear Medicine.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format77 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

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