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An objective visualization and quantification of pain-generating processes in the periphery would alter pain diagnosis and represent an important paradigm shift in pain research. Positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand [11C]-D-deprenyl has shown an elevated uptake in painful inflammatory arthritis and whiplash-associated disorder. However, D-Deprenyl’s molecular binding target and uptake mechanism in inflammation and musculoskeletal injuries are still unknown. The present thesis aimed to gain insight into the mechanisms of D-deprenyl binding and uptake and to verify whether pain-associated sites and inflammation in acute musculoskeletal injury could be visualized, objectively quantified and followed over time with [11C]-D-deprenyl PET-computed tomography (PET/CT).

To identify the D-deprenyl binding target, a high-throughput analysis and competitive radioligand binding studies were performed. D-deprenyl inhibited monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity by 55%, MAO-B activity by 99% and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by 70%, which identified these enzymes as higher-affinity targets. Furthermore, radioligand receptor binding assays pointed favorably towards the concept of MAO-B as the primary target. To investigate the biochemical characteristics of the binding site, we used radioligand binding assays to assess differences in the binding profile in inflamed human synovial membranes exhibiting varying levels of inflammation. D-deprenyl bound to a single, saturable population of membrane-bound protein in synovial membrane homogenates and the level of inflammation correlated with an increase in D-deprenyl binding affinity.

To verify whether D-deprenyl can visualize pain-generating processes, patients with musculoskeletal injuries were investigated and followed-up with [11C]-D-deprenyl PET/CT. In the study of eight patients with ankle sprain, the molecular aspects of inflammation and tissue injury could be visualized, objectively quantified and followed over time with [11C]-D-deprenyl PET/CT. The pain coexisted with increased [11C]-D-deprenyl uptake. In the study of 16 whiplash patients, an altered [11C]-D-deprenyl uptake in the cervical bone structures and facet joints was associated with subjective pain levels and self-rated disability.

To further evaluate D-Deprenyl’s usefulness as a marker of inflammation, three PET tracers were compared in an animal PET/CT study. Preliminary findings showed that [11C]-D-deprenyl had an almost identical uptake pattern when compared with [11C]-L-deprenyl. The two deprenyl enantiomers showed no signs of specific binding or trapping and therefore may not be useful to study further in models of inflammatory pain, surgical pain, or both.

This thesis demonstrates that D-deprenyl visualizes painful inflammation in musculoskeletal injuries and that the probable underlying mechanism of [11C]-D-deprenyl uptake is binding to MAO.

Developing radiation delivery systems for optimisation of absorbed dose to the target without normal tissue toxicity requires advanced calculations for transport of radiation. In this thesis absorbed dose and fluence in different radiotherapy applications were calculated by using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.

In paper I-III external neutron activation of gadolinium (Gd) for intravascular brachytherapy (GdNCB) and tumour therapy (GdNCT) was investigated. MC codes MCNP and GEANT4 were compared. MCNP was chosen for neutron capture reaction calculations. Gd neutron capture reaction includes both very short range (Auger electrons) and long range (IC electrons and gamma) products. In GdNCB the high-energetic gamma gives an almost flat absorbed dose delivery pattern, up to 4 mm around the stent. Dose distribution at the edges and inside the stent may prevent stent edge and in-stent restenosis. For GdNCT the absorbed dose from prompt gamma will dominate over the dose from IC and Auger electrons in an in vivo situation. The absorbed dose from IC electrons will enhance the total absorbed dose in the tumours and contribute to the cell killing.

In paper IV a model for calculation of inter-cluster cross-fire radiation dose from β-emitting radionuclides in a breast cancer model was developed. GEANT4 was used for obtaining absorbed dose. The dose internally in cells binding the isotope (self-dose) increased with decreasing β-energy except for the radionuclides with substantial amounts of conversion electrons and Auger electrons. An effective therapy approach may be a combination of radionuclides where the high self-dose from nuclides with low β-energy should be combined with the inter-cell cluster cross-fire dose from high energy β-particles.

In paper V MC simulations using correlated sampling together with importance sampling were used to calculate spectra perturbations in detector volumes caused by the detector silicon chip and its encapsulation. Penelope and EGSnrc were used and yielded similar results. The low energy part of the electron spectrum increased but to a less extent if the silicon detector was encapsulated in low z-materials.

The aims of this work were to image and analyze the needle behavior at automated core biopsy, to investigate the clinical utility of an alternative core biopsy technique using a semiautomated gun in breast and axillary lesions, and also to compare core biopsy with surgical specimens in malignant breast lesions regarding histologic features and hormone receptor expression.

In two experimental studies, using butter and silicon phantoms, respectively, the needle pass was imaged and its dynamic behavior studied. It was shown that the needle took a curved course in phantoms. It deviated to the same side as where the tip lay, and the degree of the curvature increased with increasing hardness of the phantoms. Our experimental methods can be applied for imaging of needle behavior and thereby improvement of needle configuration.

In two clinical studies, a semiautomated gun was used for large needle core biopsy of breast and axillary lesions in two series of 145 and 21 patients, respectively. The sensitivity of the method for diagnosis of malignancy was 87% (108/124), and in 37% (31/83) of cases the full length of the needle notch was filled with specimen. No injury to the neurovascular structures of the axillary area was observed. It was concluded that the semiautomated gun can be used as an alternative to the automated gun when the size and location of the lesion render use of the automatic device uncertain or dangerous, e.g., in small breast lesions or lesions located in the axilla.

In a series of 129 cases of breast cancer, comparison of core biopsy and surgical specimens showed that core biopsy provided enough information on the histologic type and grade of the lesions. Also, there was moderate to high concordance between the two methods for assessment of progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors (Spearman`s kappa 0.67 and 0.89, respectively).

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in the majority of primary prostate tumors and in prostatic lymph node and bone metastases. Several GRPR antagonists were developed for SPECT and PET imaging of prostate cancer. We previously reported a preclinical evaluation of the GRPR antagonist [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 (based on [D-Phe⁶, Sta¹³, Leu¹⁴-NH₂]BBN(6-14)) which bound to GRPR with high affinity and had a favorable biodistribution profile in tumor-bearing animal models. In this study, we aimed to prepare and test kits for prospective use in an early-phase clinical study. The kits were prepared to allow for a one-pot single-step radiolabeling with technetium-99m pertechnetate. The kit vials were tested for sterility and labeling efficacy. The radiolabeled by using the kit GRPR antagonist was evaluated in vitro for binding specificity to GRPR on PC-3 cells (GRPR-positive). In vivo, the toxicity of the kit constituents was evaluated in rats. The labeling efficacy of the kits stored at 4 °C was monitored for 18 months. The biological properties of [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26, which were obtained after this period, were examined both in vitro and in vivo. The one-pot (gluconic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, stannous chloride, and maSSS-PEG₂-RM26) single-step radiolabeling with technetium-99m was successful with high radiochemical yields (>97%) and high molar activities (16–24 MBq/nmol). The radiolabeled peptide maintained its binding properties to GRPR. The kit constituents were sterile and non-toxic when tested in living subjects. In conclusion, the prepared kit is considered safe in animal models and can be further evaluated for use in clinics.

Background: Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is an important target for imaging of prostate cancer. The wide availability of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and the generator-produced ^99mTc can be utilized to facilitate the use of GRPR-targeting radiotracers for diagnostics of prostate cancers.

Methods: Synthetically produced mercaptoacetyl-Ser-Ser-Ser (maSSS)-PEG₂-RM26 and mercaptoacetyl-Ser-Glu-Ser (maSES)-PEG₂-RM26 (RM26 = d-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH₂) were radiolabeled with ^99mTc and characterized in vitro using PC-3 cells and in vivo, using NMRI or PC-3 tumor bearing mice. SPECT/CT imaging and dosimetry calculations were performed for [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26.

Results: Peptides were radiolabeled with high yields (>98%), demonstrating GRPR specific binding and slow internalization in PC-3 cells. [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 outperformed [^99mTc]Tc-maSES-PEG_2-RM26 in terms of GRPR affinity, with a lower dissociation constant (61 pM vs 849 pM) and demonstrating higher tumor uptake. [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 had tumor-to-blood, tumor-to-muscle, and tumor-to-bone ratios of 97 ± 56, 188 ± 32, and 177 ± 79, respectively. SPECT/CT images of [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 clearly visualized the GRPR-overexpressing tumors. The dosimetry estimated for [^99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 showed the highest absorbed dose in the small intestine (1.65 × 10⁻³ mGy/MBq), and the effective dose is 3.49 × 10⁻³ mSv/MBq.

Conclusion: The GRPR antagonist maSSS-PEG₂-RM26 is a promising GRPR-targeting agent that can be radiolabeled through a single-step with the generator-produced ^99mTc and used for imaging of GRPR-expressing prostate cancer.

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), highly expressed in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), is an established therapeutic target. Theranostic PSMA-targeting agents are widely used in patient management and has shown improved outcomes for mCRPC patients. Earlier, we optimized a urea-based probe for radionuclide visualization of PSMA-expression in vivo using computer modeling. With the purpose to develop a targeting agent equally suitable for radionuclide imaging and therapy, the agent containing DOTA chelator was designed (BQ7876). The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that Lu-177-labeled BQ7876 possesses target binding and biodistribution properties potentially enabling its use for radiotherapy.<bold>Methods:</bold> BQ7876 was synthesized and labeled with Lu-177. Specificity and affinity of [Lu-177]Lu-BQ7876 to PSMA-expressing PC3-pip cells was evaluated and its processing after binding to cells was studied. Animal studies in mice were performed to assess its biodistribution in vivo, target specificity and dosimetry. [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617 was simultaneously evaluated for comparison.<bold>Results:</bold> BQ7876 was labeled with Lu-177 with radiochemical yield >99%. Its binding to PSMA was specific in vitro and in vivo when tested in antigen saturation conditions as well as in PSMA-negative PC-3 tumors. The binding of [Lu-177]Lu-BQ7876 to living cells was characterized by rapid association, while the dissociation included a rapid and a slow phase with affinities K-D1 = 3.8 nM and K-D2 = 25 nM. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration for Lu-nat-BQ7876 was 59 nM that is equal to 61 nM for Lu-nat-PSMA-617. Cellular processing of [Lu-177]Lu-BQ7876 was accompanied by slow internalization. [Lu-177]Lu-BQ7876 was cleared from blood and normal tissues rapidly. Initial elevated uptake in kidneys decreased rapidly, and by 3 h post injection, the renal uptake (13 +/- 3%ID/g) did not differ significantly from tumor uptake (9 +/- 3%ID/g). Tumor uptake was stable between 1 and 3 h followed by a slow decline. The highest absorbed dose was in kidneys, followed by organs and tissues in abdomen.<bold>Discussion:</bold> Biodistribution studies in mice demonstrated that targeting properties of [Lu-177]Lu-BQ7876 are not inferior to properties of [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617, but do not offer any decisive advantages.

One novel option for treating metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer is radionuclide therapy targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), e.g. [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617. Overexpression of HER2 has been found in 80% of metastatic cases of prostate cancer. Previous research showed that HER2 is elevated post irradiation in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Co-treating with anti-HER2 antibody Trastuzumab gave less proliferation of irradiated tumor cells in vitro, and when using radionuclide therapy, also in vivo. The aim of this study is to determine whether the same holds true in PSMA-expressing PC-3 PIP cells using [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617 radionuclide therapy. PC-3 PIP and 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells were tested in vitro, treated with 6 Gy of x-rays with or without Trastuzumab incubation. We measured uptake of HER2-targeting affibody [Ga-68]Ga-ABY-025 and cell survival, e.g. using the WST-1 assay. Three groups (n=10 each) of male nude Balb/c mice were inoculated with PC-3 PIP xenograft tumors and treated with just [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617 (20 MBq), [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617 (20 MBq) and Trastuzumab (4 x 5 mg/kg), or left untreated. Tumor sizes and animal survival was observed. In vitro, x-ray irradiation did reduce survival in 22Rv1 but not PC-3 PIP cells, and there was no significant effect of Trastuzumab treatment. Cells expressed HER2 but not significantly elevated post irradiation. In vivo, mice co-treated with Trastuzumab had significantly longer survival than untreated mice, but not than only [Lu-177]Lu-PSMA-617. Staining of tumor sections showed similar HER2 and PSMA expression across groups. In conclusion, these results give no support for any benefit from co-treatment with anti-HER2 antibody for PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy.

The bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical Xofigo (Radium-223 dichloride) has demonstrated both extended survival and palliative effects in treatment of bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer. The alpha-particle emitter Ra-223, administered as Ra-223 dichloride, targets regions undergoing active bone remodeling and strongly binds hydroxyapatite found in bone. However, the mechanisms mediating toxicity and properties of Ra-223 binding to hydroxyapatite are not fully understood. In the current study, we show that the alpha-particles originating from the Ra-223 decay chain produce a track-like distribution of the DNA damage response proteins 53BP1 and ɣH2AX and induce high amounts of clustered DNA double-strand breaks in prostate cancer cell nuclei. The Ra-223 treatment inhibited growth of prostate cancer cells, grown in 2D- and 3D- models in vitro, independent of prostate cancer cell type and androgen receptor variant 7 (ARv7) expression. The rapid binding with a high affinity of Ra-223 to bone structures was verified in an in silico assay (K_D= 19.2 ± 6.5 e-18) and almost no dissociation was detected within 24 hours. Importantly, there was no significant uptake of Ra-223 in cells. Further, we demonstrate the importance of the local dose-distribution of this treatment; there was more than 100-fold increase in cell killing when Ra-223 was attached to the bone-like hydroxyapatite structure, compared to when the radioactivity was distributed in the cell growth media. However, independent of the exposure condition, the high cell killing efficacy of the Ra-223 was attributed to the clustered DNA damaged sites induced by the released α-particles.

Purpose: Clinical outcome after traumatic diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is difficult to predict. Three MRI techniques were compared in demonstrating acute brain lesions.  Relationship of the anatomical distribution of the lesions in combination with clinical prognostic factors to outcome after 6 months was evaluated.  

Methods and Materials: Thirty patients, aged 16-60 years (mean 31.2 years) with severe DAI (Glasgow Motor Score = GMS < 6) were examined with MRI at 1.5T within one week after the injury. A diffusion-weighted (DW) sequence (SE-EPI, b value 1000 s/mm²⁾, a T2*-weighted gradient echo (T2*GRE) sequence and a susceptibility-weighted (SWI) sequence were evaluated by two independent reviewers with short and long neuroradiological experiences. Clinical outcome was assessed with Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOSE) after ≥ 6 months.

Results: Interreviewer agreement for DAI classification was very good (ҡ 0.82 – 0.91) with all three sequences. SWI visualized more lesions than the T2*GRE or DW sequence.  In univariate analysis, number of DW lesions in the deep gray matter area including the internal capsules, number of SWI lesions in the mesencephalon, age, and GMS at admission and discharge correlated significantly with poor outcome.  Multivariate analysis only revealed an independent relation with poor outcome for age (p = 0.011) and lesions in the mesencephalic region including crura cerebri, substantia nigra and tegmentum on SWI (p = 0.032).

Conclusion: SWI is the most sensitive technique to visualize lesions in DAI. Age over 30 years and hemorrhagic mesencephalic lesions anterior to the tectum are indicators of poor long-term outcome in DAI.

Objective: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is not well defined. This study investigated the occurrence of increased ICP and whether clinical factors and lesion localization on MRI were associated with increased ICP in patients with DAI.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with severe TBI (median age 24 years, range 9–61 years), who had undergone ICP monitoring and had DAI on MRI, as determined using T2*-weighted gradient echo, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences, were enrolled. The proportion of good monitoring time (GMT) with ICP > 20 mm Hg during the first 120 hours postinjury was calculated and associations with clinical and MRI-related factors were evaluated using linear regression.

Results: All patients had episodes of ICP > 20 mm Hg. The mean proportion of GMT with ICP > 20 mm Hg was 5%, and 27% of the patients (14/52) spent more than 5% of GMT with ICP > 20 mm Hg. The Glasgow Coma Scale motor score at admission (p = 0.04) and lesions on DWI sequences in the substantia nigra and mesencephalic tegmentum (SN-T, p = 0.001) were associated with the proportion of GMT with ICP > 20 mm Hg. In multivariable linear regression, lesions on DWI sequences in SN-T (8% of GMT with ICP > 20 mm Hg, 95% CI 3%–13%, p = 0.004) and young age (−0.2% of GMT with ICP > 20 mm Hg, 95% CI −0.07% to −0.3%, p = 0.002) were associated with increased ICP.

Conclusions: Increased ICP occurs in approximately one-third of patients with severe TBI who have DAI. Age and lesions on DWI sequences in the central mesencephalon (i.e., SN-T) are associated with elevated ICP. These findings suggest that MR lesion localization may aid prediction of increased ICP in patients with DAI.

Abbreviations: ADC = apparent diffusion coefficient; CPP = cerebral perfusion pressure; DAI = diffuse axonal injury; DWI = diffusion-weighted imaging; EVD = external ventricular drain; GCS = Glasgow Coma Scale; GMT = good monitoring time; GOSE = Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended; ICC = intraclass correlation coefficient; ICP = intracranial pressure; MAP = mean arterial blood pressure; NICU = neurointensive care unit; SN-T = substantia nigra and mesencephalic tegmentum; SWI = susceptibility-weighted imaging; TBI = traumatic brain injury; T2*GRE = T2*-weighted gradient echo.

The widespread use of medical imaging contributes to the increased detection of incidentally detected small renal tumors, a majority which are often indolent masses found in elderly patients with preexisting chronic kidney disease. In Sweden, partial nephrectomy with minimal invasive surgical approach is the current standard for removing these tumors, although another option is percutaneous image-guided tumor ablation that allows treatment of elderly patients with comorbidities for who surgery is a risk. Due to the lack of long-term follow-up studies and prospective randomized trials, ablation is still considered an alternative option to surgery in Sweden. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate treatment of T1 renal tumors with CT guided radiofrequency (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA).

Factors affecting the efficacy rate of complete tumor ablation with RFA after a single session were evaluated (Paper I). Optimal electrode placement and a long tumor distance to the collecting system were associated with an increased primary efficacy. Renal tumor RFA was compared with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN: Papers II-III): both methods had comparable secondary efficacy rates, but RFA involved several treatment sessions. Total session times and hospitalization times were shorter and complications less frequent for RFA than for LPN (Paper II). After treatment, renal function impact was assessed by evaluation of both renal function quantity and quality through determination of the split renal function (SRF: Paper III). Standard renal function measurements were assessed and both RFA and LPN were nephron sparing when treating small renal tumors and did not affect creatinine or GFR. However, LPN involved greater SRF reduction in the affected kidney than RFA. Initial experience with microwave ablation was evaluated and this new ablation technique demonstrated high efficacy rates with fewer complications, and was comparable with the mid-term results of now established ablation techniques (Paper IV).

In conclusion, CT guided RFA and MWA are safe and effective treatments for the removal of T1 renal tumors. This thesis provides further insights into the field of thermal ablation of small renal masses, which can aid future treatment selection and patient management.

Background

Thermal ablation (TA) with radiofrequency (RFA) or cryoablation (CA) are established treatments for small renal masses (≤4 cm). Microwave ablation (MWA) has several potential benefits (decreased ablation time, less susceptibility to heat-sink, higher lesion temperatures than RFA) but is still considered experimental considering the available small-sample studies with short follow-up.

Purpose

To evaluate technique efficacy and complications of our initial experience of renal tumors treated using percutaneous MWA with a curative intent.

Material and Methods

A total of 105 renal tumors (in 93 patients) were treated between April 2014 and August 2017. MWA was performed percutaneously with computed tomography (CT) guidance under conscious sedation (n=82) or full anesthesia. Patients were followed with contrast-enhanced CT scans at six months and yearly thereafter for a minimum of five years. The mean follow-up time was 2.1 years. The percentage of tumors completely ablated in a single session (primary efficacy rate) and those successfully treated after repeat ablation (secondary efficacy rate) were recorded. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as complications were collected retrospectively.

Results

The median patient age was 70 years and median tumor size was 25 mm. Primary efficacy rate was 96.2% (101/105 tumors). After including two residual tumors for a second ablation session, secondary efficacy was 97.1% (102/105). Periprocedural complications were found in 5.2% (5/95) sessions: four Clavien-Dindo I and one Clavien-Dindo IIIa. One postprocedural Clavien-Dindo II complication was found.

Conclusion

MWA has high efficacy rates and few complications compared to other TA methods at a mean follow-up of two years.

Background: Comparable oncological outcomes have been seen after surgical nephrectomy and thermal ablation of renal tumors recently. However, periprocedural outcome needs to be assessed for aiding treatment decision.

Purpose: To compare efficacy rates and periprocedural outcome (technical success, session time, hospitalization time, and complications) after renal tumor treatment with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Material and Methods: The initial experience with 49 (treated with LPN) and 84 (treated with RFA) consecutive patients for a single renal tumor (diameter ≤ 5 cm, limited to the kidney) during 2007-2014 was evaluated. Patient and tumor characteristics, efficacy rates, and periprocedural outcome were collected retrospectively. The stratified Mantel Haenzel and Van Elteren tests, adjusted for tumor complexity (with the modified R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score [m-RNS]), were used to assess differences in treatment outcomes.

Results: Primary efficacy rate was 98% for LPN and 85.7% for RFA; secondary efficacy rate was 93.9% for LPN and 95.2% for RFA; and technical success rate was 87.8% for LPN and 100% for RFA. Median session (m-RNS adjusted P < 0.001; LPN 215 min, RFA 137 min) and median hospitalization time were longer after LPN (m-RNS adjusted P < 0.001; LPN 5 days, RFA 2 days). Side effects were uncommon (LPN 2%, RFA 4.8%). Complications were more frequent after LPN (m-RNS adjusted P < 0.001; LPN 42.9%, RFA 10.7%).

Conclusion: Both methods achieved equivalent secondary efficacy rates. RFA included several treatment sessions, but session and hospitalization times were shorter, and complications were less frequent than for LPN. The differences remained after adjustment for renal tumor complexity.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be used to treat renal masses in patients where surgery is preferably avoided. As tumor size and location can affect ablation results, procedural planning needs to identify these factors to limit treatment to a single session and increase ablation success.

PURPOSE: To identify factors that may affect the primary efficacy of complete renal tumor ablation with radiofrequency after a single session.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Percutaneous RFA (using an impedance based system) was performed using computed tomography (CT) guidance. Fifty-two renal tumors (in 44 patients) were retrospectively studied (median follow-up, 7 months). Data collection included patient demographics, tumor data (modified Renal Nephrometry Score, histopathological diagnosis), RFA treatment data (electrode placement), and follow-up results (tumor relapse). Data were analyzed through generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS: Primary efficacy rate was 83%. Predictors for complete ablation were optimal electrode placement (P = 0.002, OR = 16.67) and increasing distance to the collecting system (P = 0.02, OR = 1.18). Tumor size was not a predictor for complete ablation (median size, 24 mm; P = 0.069, OR = 0.47), but all tumors ≤2 cm were completely ablated. All papillary tumors and oncocytomas were completely ablated in a single session; the most common incompletely ablated tumor type was clear cell carcinoma (6 of 9).

CONCLUSION: Optimal electrode placement and a long distance from the collecting system are associated with an increased primary efficacy of renal tumor RFA. These variables need to be considered to increase primary ablation success. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of RFA on histopathologically different renal tumors.

Purpose Preclinical, or asymptomatic, Alzheimer's disease (AD) refers to the presence of positive AD biomarkers in the absence of cognitive deficits. This research concept is being applied to define target populations for clinical drug development. In a prospective community-recruited cohort of cognitively intact older adults, we compared two amyloid imaging markers within subjects: F-18-flutemetamol and C-11-Pittsburgh compound B (PIB). Methods In 32 community-recruited cognitively intact older adults aged between 65 and 80 years, we determined the concordance between binary classification based on F-18-flutemetamol versus C-11-PIB according to semiquantitative assessment (standardized uptake value ratio in composite cortical volume, SUVRcomp) and, alternatively, according to visual reads. We also determined the correlation between F-18-flutemetamol and C-11-PIB SUVR and evaluated how this was affected by the reference region chosen (cerebellar grey matter versus pons) and the use of partial volume correction (PVC) in this population. Results Binary classification based on semiquantitative assessment was concordant between F-18-flutemetamol and C-11-PIB in 94 % of cases. Concordance of blinded binary visual reads between tracers was 84 %. The Spearman correlation between F-18-flutemetamol and C-11-PIB SUVRcomp with cerebellar grey matter as reference region was 0.84, with a slope of 0.98. Correlations in neocortical regions were significantly lower with the pons as reference region. PVC improved the correlation in striatum and medial temporal cortex. Conclusion For the definition of preclinical AD based on F-18-flutemetamol, concordance with C-11-PIB was highest using semiquantitative assessment with cerebellar grey matter as reference region.

The relevance of gas-phase protein structure to its solution structure is of the utmost importance in studying biomolecules by mass spectrometry. D-Amino acid substitutions within a minimal protein. Trp-cage. were used to correlate solution-phase properties as measured by circular dichroism with solution/gas-phase conformational features of protein cations probed via charge state distribution (CSD) in electrospray ionization. and gas-phase features revealed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The gas-phase features were additionally supported by force-field molecular dynamics simulations. CD data showed that almost any single-residue D-substitution destroys the most prominent CD feature of the "native" all-L isomer, alpha-helicity. CSD was able to qualitatively assess the degree of compactness of solution-phase molecular structures. CSD results were consistent with the all-L form being the most compact in solution among all studied stereoisomers except for the D-Asn(1) isomer. D-substitutions of the aromatic Y(3), W(6) and Q(5) residues generated the largest deviations in CSD data among single amino acid substitutions. consistent with the critical role of these residues in Trp-cage stability. Electron capture dissociation of the stereoisomer dications gave an indication that some gas-phase structural features of Trp-cage are similar to those in solution. This result is supported by MDS data oil five of the studied stereoisomer dications in the gas-phase. The MDS-derived minimum-energy structures possessed more extensive hydrogen bonding than the solution-phase structure of the native form, deviating from the latter by 3-4 angstrom and were not 'inside-out' compared to native structures. MDS data could be correlated with CD data and even with ECD results. which aided in providing a long-range structural constraint for MDS. The overall conclusion is the general resemblance, despite the difference on the detailed level, of the preferred structures in both phases for the mini protein Trp-cage.

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique of which the usage has increased a lot during the last decades. The technique requires the patient to lay completely still in the narrow space during a long time, which causes anxiety for some patients. This results in canceled and postponed examinations and causes stress for the radiographers together with economic consequences for the society.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the most common reasons for anxiety when undergoing an MRI-scan and to compare differences between two hospitals. The study will also evaluate the patients experiences of the communication and information given by the radiographers before and during an MRI-scan. 

Method: An empirical quantitative method was chosen. The authors designed a questionnaire that was distributed to the patients after their MRI-scan at Uppsala University Hospital or Enköping Hospital.

Results: The main reason for anxiety was the fear of what the scan might reveal. Other reasons were the narrow space in the MRI and the requirement to be completely still during the scan. Most of the patients felt calmer by the given communication and information, or declared it had no influence on their anxiety levels. The comparison between the two hospitals resulted in no significant difference (p>0,05). 

Conclusion: The results from each hospital were very similar to each other and no significant difference was discovered. Overall, the patients became calmer by the communication and information given before and during the examination.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of magnetic resonance system-and patient-induced susceptibility distortions from a 3T scanner on dose distributions for prostate cancers.

Methods and Materials: Combined displacement fields from the residual system and patient-induced susceptibility distortions were used to distort 17 prostate patient CT images. VMAT dose plans were initially optimized on distorted CT images and the plan parameters transferred to the original patient CT images to calculate a new dose distribution.

Results: Maximum residual mean distortions of 3.19 mm at a radial distance of 25 cm and maximum mean patient-induced susceptibility shifts of 5.8 mm were found using the lowest bandwidth of 122 Hz per pixel. There was a dose difference of <0.5% between distorted and undistorted treatment plans. The 90% confidence intervals of the mean difference between the dCT and CT treatment plans were all within an equivalence interval of (-0.5, 0.5) for all investigated plan quality measures.

Conclusions: Patient-induced susceptibility distortions at high field strengths in closed bore magnetic resonance scanners are larger than residual system distortions after using vendor-supplied 3-dimensional correction for the delineated regions studied. However, errors in dose due to disturbed patient outline and shifts caused by patient-induced susceptibility effects are below 0.5%.

Lung field segmentation is the first step towards the development of any computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system for interstitial lung diseases (ILD) observed in chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images. If the segmentation is not done efficiently it will compromise the accuracy of CAD system. In this paper, a deep learning-based method is proposed to localize several interstitial lung disease patterns (ILD) in HRCT images without performing lung field segmentation. In this paper, localization of several ILD patterns is performed in image slice. The pretrained models of ZF and VGG networks were fine-tuned in order to localize ILD patterns using Faster R-CNN framework. The three most difficult ILD patterns consolidation, emphysema, and fibrosis have been used for this study and the accuracy of the method has been evaluated in terms of mean average precision (mAP) and free receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curve. The model achieved mAP value of 75% and 83% on ZF and VGG networks, respectively. The result obtained shows the effectiveness of the method in the localization of different ILD patterns.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an algorithm to segment and obtain an estimate of total intracranial volume (tICV) from computed tomography (CT) images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six CT examinations from 18 patients were included. Ten patients were examined twice the same day and eight patients twice six months apart (these patients also underwent MRI). The algorithm combines morphological operations, intensity thresholding and mixture modelling. The method was validated against manual delineation and its robustness assessed from repeated imaging examinations. Using automated MRI software, the comparability with MRI was investigated. Volumes were compared based on average relative volume differences and their magnitudes; agreement was shown by a Bland-Altman analysis graph.

RESULTS: We observed good agreement between our algorithm and manual delineation of a trained radiologist: the Pearson's correlation coefficient was r = 0.94, tICVml[manual] = 1.05 × tICVml[automated] - 33.78 (R(2) = 0.88). Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of 31 mL and a standard deviation of 30 mL over a range of 1265 to 1526 mL.

CONCLUSIONS: tICV measurements derived from CT using our proposed algorithm have shown to be reliable and consistent compared to manual delineation. However, it appears difficult to directly compare tICV measures between CT and MRI.

KEY POINTS: • Automated estimation of tICV is in good agreement with manual tracing. • Consistent tICV estimations from repeated measurements demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm. • Automatically segmented volumes seem less variable than those from manual tracing. • Unbiased and automated tlCV estimation is possible from CT.

Radionuclide molecular imaging is an emerging multidisciplinary technique that is used in modern medicine to visualise diseases at cellular and molecular levels. This thesis is based on five papers (I-V) and focuses on the development of site-specific radiolabelled recombinant anti-HER2 Affibody molecules and preclinical evaluations in vitro and in vivo of the labelled conjugates. This work is part of a preclinical development of an Affibody molecule-based tracer for molecular imaging of HER2 expressing tumours.

Papers I and II report the evaluation of the Affibody molecule Z_HER2:2395-C, site-specifically labelled with the radiometals ¹¹¹In (for SPECT) and ⁵⁷Co (as a surrogate for ⁵⁵Co, suitable for PET applications) using a thiol reactive DOTA derivative as a chelator. Both conjugates demonstrated very suitable biodistribution properties, enabling high contrast imaging just a few hours after injection.

Papers III and IV report the development and optimization of a technique for site-specific labelling of Z_HER2:2395-C with ^99mTc using an N₃S chelating peptide sequence. ^99mTc-Z_HER2:2395-C demonstrated high and specific tumour uptake and rapid clearance of non-bound tracer from the blood, resulting in high tumour-to-non-tumour ratios shortly after injection, enabling high contrast imaging. In addition, in the study described in paper IV, freeze-dried kits previously developed for ^99mTc-labelling were optimised, resulting in the development of a kit in which all the reagents and protein needed for labelling of Z_HER2:2395-C with ^99mTc were contained in a single vial.

Paper V reports the evaluation of an anti-HER2 Affibody molecule, ABY-025, with a fundamentally re-engineered scaffold. Despite the profound re-engineering, the biodistribution pattern of ¹¹¹In-ABY-025 was very similar to that of two variants of the parental molecule.

It seems reasonable to believe that these results will also be applicable to Affibody molecules towards other targets. Hopefully, this work will also be helpful in the development of other small proteinaceous tracers.

The biodistribution of 300 nm polystyrene particles in A549 lung epithelial cells has been studied with confocal Raman spectroscopy. This is a label-free method in which particles and cells can be imaged without using dyes or fluorescent labels. The main drawback with Raman imaging is the comparatively low spatial resolution, which is aggravated in heterogeneous systems such as biological samples, which in addition often require long measurement times because of their weak Raman signal. Long measurement times may however induce laser-induced damage. In this study we use a super-resolution algorithm with Tikhonov regularization, intended to improve the image quality without demanding an increased number of collected pixels. Images of cells exposed to polystyrene particles have been acquired with two different step lengths, i.e., the distance between pixels, and compared to each other and to corresponding images treated with the super-resolution algorithm. It is shown that the resolution after application of super-resolution algorithms is not significantly improved compared to the theoretical limit for optical microscopy. However, to reduce noise and artefacts in the hyperspectral Raman images while maintaining the spatial resolution, we show that it is advantageous to use short mapping step lengths and super-resolution algorithms with appropriate regularization. The proposed methodology should be generally applicable for Raman imaging of biological samples and other photo-sensitive samples.

Background Magnetic resonance imaging exams is becoming more common and therefore the use of gadolinium-based contrast media increases. However, gadolinium retention is a relatively newly discovered phenomenon, and its impact on the human body is still unknown.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper understanding of what gadolinium retention is and how it affects the human body, and which implementations radiographers may have to do to adapt the care according to new research within the field.

Method This study is a systematic literary review. The data collection was made from the databases PubMed and CINAHL. Only scientific studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, for example that they were peer-reviewed and primary published, were included. The articles that answered the questions were quality reviewed and the articles that achieved medium or high quality were analysed.

Results The result of this study shows thar accumulated gadoliniumretention can arise after repeated administrations of gadolinium-based contrast media. No adverse effects in the human body have been demonstrated. To reduce the risk of accumulating gadoliniumretention several studies recommend reducing the dosage and to be cautious when administrating.

Conclusion Gadoliniumretention can be seen as an increased signal intensity, mainly in dentate nucleus and globus palladius in the human brain after multiple administration of gadolinium-based contrast media. Its adverse effects on the human body are still unknown and more research is needed on how radiographer can adapt the care thereafter.

Background/Aims: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is becoming clinical routine for management of neuroendocrine tumours. The number of PRRT cycles is correlated with treatment effect but theoretically limited by off-target radiation damage to kidneys and bone marrow. New imaging biomarkers for assessment of PRRT tissue damage would enable evaluation of novel renal and bone marrow protective agents, as well as personalised PRRT treatment regiments. Methods: Mice treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT or vehicle were examined at baseline and following treatment with [18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) and technetium-99m-mercapto-acetyl-tri-glycine ([99mTc]Tc-Mag3) single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) to assess dynamic changes in bone marrow proliferation and renal function, respectively. Results: Bone marrow proliferation as assessed by [18F]FLT was decreased 2 days after PRRT treatment, but not vehicle, compared to baseline (target-to-background ratio [TBRmax] baseline:1.69 ± 0.29 vs. TBRmax PRRT: 0.91 ± 0.02, p < 0.01). Renal function as assessed by [99mTc]Tc-Mag3 SPECT was similarly decreased 2 days following PRRT compared to vehicle (fractional uptake rate [FUR] vehicle: 0.030 ± 0.014 s–1 vs. FUR PRRT: 0.0051 ± 0.0028 s–1, p < 0.01). Conclusion: [18F]FLT PET and [99mTc]Tc-Mag3 SPECT are promising techniques for assessing bone marrow and renal injury from [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT and may potentially improve patient management by allowing evaluation of protective interventions as well as enabling personalised PRRT treatments.

Background Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality commonly used for studies of internal body structures and very useful for detailed studies of body composition. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a fully automatic image registration framework for inter-subject CT slice registration. The aim was also to use the results, in a set of proof-of-concept studies, for voxel-wise statistical body composition analysis (Imiomics) of correlations between imaging and non-imaging data.Methods The current study utilized three single-slice CT images of the liver, abdomen, and thigh from two large cohort studies, SCAPIS and IGT. The image registration method developed and evaluated used both CT images together with image-derived tissue and organ segmentation masks. To evaluate the performance of the registration method, a set of baseline 3-single-slice CT images (from 2780 subjects including 8285 slices) from the SCAPIS and IGT cohorts were registered. Vector magnitude and intensity magnitude error indicating inverse consistency were used for evaluation. Image registration results were further used for voxel-wise analysis of associations between the CT images (as represented by tissue volume from Hounsfield unit and Jacobian determinant) and various explicit measurements of various tissues, fat depots, and organs collected in both cohort studies.Results Our findings demonstrated that the key organs and anatomical structures were registered appropriately. The evaluation parameters of inverse consistency, such as vector magnitude and intensity magnitude error, were on average less than 3 mm and 50 Hounsfield units. The registration followed by Imiomics analysis enabled the examination of associations between various explicit measurements (liver, spleen, abdominal muscle, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), thigh SAT, intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), and thigh muscle) and the voxel-wise image information.Conclusion The developed and evaluated framework allows accurate image registrations of the collected three single-slice CT images and enables detailed voxel-wise studies of associations between body composition and associated diseases and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Body composition (BC) is an important factor in determining the risk of type 2-diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Computed tomography (CT) is a useful imaging technique for studying BC, however manual segmentation of CT images is time-consuming and subjective. The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate fully automated segmentation techniques applicable to a 3-slice CT imaging protocol, consisting of single slices at the level of the liver, abdomen, and thigh, allowing detailed analysis of numerous tissues and organs.

METHODS: The study used more than 4000 CT subjects acquired from the large-scale SCAPIS and IGT cohort to train and evaluate four convolutional neural network based architectures: ResUNET, UNET++, Ghost-UNET, and the proposed Ghost-UNET++. The segmentation techniques were developed and evaluated for automated segmentation of the liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, bone marrow, cortical bone, and various adipose tissue depots, including visceral (VAT), intraperitoneal (IPAT), retroperitoneal (RPAT), subcutaneous (SAT), deep (DSAT), and superficial SAT (SSAT), as well as intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT). The models were trained and validated for each target using tenfold cross-validation and test sets.

RESULTS: The Dice scores on cross validation in SCAPIS were: ResUNET 0.964 (0.909-0.996), UNET++ 0.981 (0.927-0.996), Ghost-UNET 0.961 (0.904-0.991), and Ghost-UNET++ 0.968 (0.910-0.994). All four models showed relatively strong results, however UNET++ had the best performance overall. Ghost-UNET++ performed competitively compared to UNET++ and showed a more computationally efficient approach.

CONCLUSION: Fully automated segmentation techniques can be successfully applied to a 3-slice CT imaging protocol to analyze multiple tissues and organs related to BC. The overall best performance was achieved by UNET++, against which Ghost-UNET++ showed competitive results based on a more computationally efficient approach. The use of fully automated segmentation methods can reduce analysis time and provide objective results in large-scale studies of BC.

Barnen är oftast rädda och oroliga då de kommer till en röntgenundersökning på grund av att det är en främmande miljö utrustad med högteknologisk apparatur som är skrämmande för barnet. För att bemöta dessa barn behöver röntgensjuksköterskan ha kunskap och färdigheter om bemötande av barn. Ett bra samspel mellan röntgensjuksköterskan och barnen som bygger på ömsesidig tillit och respekt ger trygghet hos barnet och det kan samarbeta bättre under röntgenundersökningen. På en kort tid, ofta mindre än 5 minuter, måste en röntgensjuksköterska överföra viktig information om undersökningen till barnet. Därför är det viktigt för röntgensjuksköterskan att ha kunskap om gott bemötande av barn.

Background and Objective: Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy using sealed radiation sources inserted within or in the vicinity of the tumor of, e.g., gynecological, prostate or head and neck cancers. Accurate dose calculation is a crucial part of the treatment planning. Several reviews have called for clinical software with model-based algorithms that better take into account the effects of patient individual distribution of tissues, source-channel and shielding attenuation than the commonly employed TG-43 formalism which simply map homogeneous water dose distributions onto the patient. In this paper we give a comprehensive and thorough derivation of such an algorithm based on collapsed cone point-kernel superposition, and describe details of its implementation into a commercial treatment planning system for clinical use. Methods: A brachytherapy version of the collapsed-cone algorithm using analytical raytraces of the primary photon radiation followed by successive scattering dose calculation for once and multiply scattered photons is described in detail, including derivation of the corresponding set of recursive equations for energy transport along cone axes/transport lines and the coupling to clinical source modeling. Specific implementation issues for setting up of the calculation grid, handling of intravoxel gradients and voxels partly containing non patient applicator material are given. Results: Sample runs for two clinical cases are shown, one being a gynecological application with a tungsten-shielded applicator and one a breast implant. These two cases demonstrate the impact of improved dose calculation versus TG-43 formalism. Conclusions: Use of model-based dose calculation algorithms for brachytherapy taking the three-dimensional treatment geometry into account increases the dosimetric accuracy in planning and follow up of treatments. The comprehensive description and derivations provided gives a rigid background for further clinical, educational and research applications.

BACKGROUND: Iodine quantification using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is helpful in characterizing, and follow-up after treatment of tumors. Some malignant masses, for instance papillary renal cell carcinomas (p-RCC), are hard to differentiate from benign lesions because of very low contrast enhancement. In these cases, iodine concentrations might be very low, and it is therefore important that iodine quantification is reliable even at low concentrations if this technique is used.

PURPOSE: To examine the accuracy of iodine quantification and to determine whether it is also accurate for low iodine concentrations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six syringes with different iodine concentrations (0-30 mg I/mL) were scanned in a phantom model using a DECT scanner with two different kilovoltage and image reconstruction settings. Iodine concentrations were measured and compared to known concentration. Absolute and relative errors were calculated.

RESULTS: For concentrations of 1 mg I/mL or higher, there was an excellent correlation between true and measured iodine concentrations for all settings (R = 0.999-1.000; P < 0.001). For concentrations <1.0 mg I/mL, the relative error was greater. Absolute and relative errors were smaller using tube voltages of 80/Sn140 kV than 100/Sn140 kV (P < 0.01). Reconstructions using a 3.0-mm slice thickness had less variance between repeated acquisitions versus 0.6 mm (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Iodine quantification using DECT was in general very accurate, but for concentrations < 1.0 mg I/mL the technique was less reliable. Using a tube voltage with larger spectral separation was more accurate and the result was more reproducible using thicker image reconstructions.

Objective: To develop a consensus guideline for craniospinal target volume (TV) delineation in children and young adults participating in SIOPE studies in the era of high-precision radiotherapy. Methods and materials: During four consensus meetings (Cambridge, Essen, Liverpool, and Marseille), conventional field-based TV has been translated into image-guided high-precision craniospinal TV by a group of expert paediatric radiation oncologists and enhanced by MRI images of liquor distribution. Results: The CTVcranial should include the whole brain, cribriform plate, most inferior part of the temporal lobes, and the pituitary fossa. If the full length of both optic nerves is not included, the dose received by different volumes of optic nerve should be recorded to correlate with future patterns of relapse (no consensus). The CTVcranial should be modified to include the dural cuffs of cranial nerves as they pass through the skull base foramina. Attempts to spare the cochlea by excluding CSF within the internal auditory canal should be avoided. The CTVspinal should include the entire subarachnoid space, including nerve roots laterally. The lower limit of the spinal CTV is at the lower limit of the thecal sac, best visible on MRI scan. There is no need to include sacral root canals in the spinal CTV. Conclusion: This consensus guideline has the potential to improve consistency of craniospinal TV delineation in an era of high-precision radiotherapy. This proposal will be incorporated in the RTQA guidelines of future SIOPE-BTG trials using CSI.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-eclampsia, especially severe pre-eclampsia, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. However, ultrasound assessments of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) do not convincingly demonstrate this. The aim of this study was to assess whether the individual thickness of the CCA intima and media layers and calculation of intima/media ratio (I/M) indicate an increased cardiovascular risk in women with previous severe pre-eclampsia.

METHODS: The thicknesses of the CCA intima and media layers were obtained by non-invasive high-frequency ultrasound (22 MHz) in 42 women with previous severe pre-eclampsia and 44 women with previous normal pregnancies. A thick intima, thin media and high I/M are signs of a less healthy artery wall.

RESULTS: Women with previous severe pre-eclampsia had a thicker CCA intima and a higher I/M than women with previous normal pregnancies, also after adjustment for mean arterial pressure, body mass index and CCA-IMT (all p < 0.0001). CCA-IMT did not differ significantly between the groups. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, intima thickness and I/M clearly discriminated between women with and without previous pre-eclampsia (c value about 0.95), whereas CCA-IMT did not (c = 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS: Estimation of the individual CCA intima and media layers using high-frequency ultrasound and calculation of the I/M clearly demonstrated the well known increased cardiovascular risk in women with pre-eclampsia, whereas CCA-IMT did not. This method appears preferable to measuring CCA-IMT for imaging arterial effects and the increased cardiovascular risk in women with previous severe pre-eclampsia.

Background: Since the beginning of 2020, the world has contracted the covid-19 pandemic, which has a negative impact on employee well-being. According to several studies, the pandemic has resulted in negative side effects such as stress, depression and burnout. 

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate X-ray nurses' experiences of stress during the covid-19 pandemic and how the pandemic affects their work and health. 

Method: The study was conducted as a qualitative interview study with semi-structured interview questions, which 11 X-ray nurses took part in. The method for data analysis was a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. 

Results: Most of the participants experienced a high level of work-related stress during their work, which varied among the units. The factors that have most given rise to stress were the workload, the lack of knowledge, the work demands and the fear of becoming infected and passing on the disease. In addition, the stress has affected the participants both mentally and physically in different ways, but some participants were able to handle the stress. There was also more or less influence on the X-ray department regarding workload, care implementation and atmosphere, where the workload had been affected the most. 

Conclusion: Work-related stress is experienced by most X-ray nurses. The factors that lead to this stress varied greatly between individuals. All participants claimed that stress has increased since the start of the covid-19 pandemic, and that increased workload is a factor in this. 

Background: Lower-dose cone-beam computed tomography protocols for image-guided radiotherapy may permit target localization while minimizing radiation exposure. We prospectively evaluated a lower-dose cone-beam protocol for central nervous system image-guided radiotherapy across a multinational pediatrics consortium.

Methods: Seven institutions prospectively employed a lower-dose cone-beam computed tomography central nervous system protocol (weighted average dose 0.7 mGy) for patients <= 21 years. Treatment table shifts between setup with surface lasers versus cone-beam computed tomography were used to approximate setup accuracy, and vector magnitudes for these shifts were calculated. Setup group mean, interpatient, interinstitution, and random error were estimated, and clinical factors were compared by mixed linear modeling.

Results: Among 96 patients, with 2179 pretreatment cone-beam computed tomography acquisitions, median age was 9 years (1-20). Setup parameters were 3.13, 3.02, 1.64, and 1.48 mm for vector magnitude group mean, interpatient, interinstitution, and random error, respectively. On multivariable analysis, there were no significant differences in mean vector magnitude by age, gender, performance status, target location, extent of resection, chemotherapy, or steroid or anesthesia use. Providers rated >99% of images as adequate or better for target localization.

Conclusions: A lower-dose cone-beam computed tomography protocol demonstrated table shift vector magnitude that approximate clinical target volume/planning target volume expansions used in central nervous system radiotherapy. There were no significant clinical predictors of setup accuracy identified, supporting use of this lower-dose cone-beam computed tomography protocol across a diverse pediatric population with brain tumors.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic value of nuclear imaging with F-18-FDG PET/CT (FDG PET/CT), combined In-111-WBC/(99)mTc-Nanocoll, and Tc-99m-HDP SPECT/CT (dual-isotope WBC/bone marrow scan) for patients with chronic problems related to knee or hip prostheses (TKA or THA) scheduled by a structured multidisciplinary algorithm.

Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients underwent imaging with Tc-99m-HDP SPECT/CT (bone scan), dual-isotope WBC/bone marrow scan, and FDG PET/CT. The final diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and/or loosening was based on the intraoperative findings and microbiological culture results and the clinical follow-up.

Results: The diagnostic performance of dual-isotope WBC/bone marrow SPECT/CT for PJI showed a sensitivity of 100% (CI 0.74-1.00), a specificity of 97% (CI 0.82-1.00), and an accuracy of 98% (CI 0.88-1.00); for PET/CT, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100% (CI 0.74-1.00), 71% (CI 0.56-0.90), and 79% (CI 0.68-0.93), respectively.

Conclusions: In a standardized prospectively scheduled patient group, the results showed highly specific performance of combined dual-isotope WBC/bone marrow SPECT/CT in confirming chronic PJI. FDG PET/CT has an appropriate accuracy, but the utility of its use in the clinical diagnostic algorithm of suspected PJI needs further evidence.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the coexistence of microhemorrhages (MHs) in white patients with acute spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) and acute ischemic stroke and to study the association with imaging findings of microangiopathy and various clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before examinations, informed consents were signed by either the patient or a relative. The study was carried out with the approval of the local ethics committee. MR imaging was performed in 90 patients with acute stroke: 45 with acute spontaneous IPHs (24 men and 21 women; median age, 65 and 68 years, respectively) and 45 age-matched control subjects without intracranial hemorrhages (26 men and 19 women; median age for both, 67 years), as determined at computed tomography. MR imaging included transverse T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo, transverse fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, transverse and coronal T2*-weighted gradient-echo, and, in 50 patients, diffusion-weighted sequences. Presence of MHs and signs of microangiopathy, such as T2 hyperintensities or lacunae, were recorded in the white and deep gray matter. The relationships between MH and IPH and between MH and T2 hyperintensities were analyzed by means of regression analysis. Different clinical features, such as arterial hypertension or diabetes, were registered and correlated with the image findings by means of regression analysis. RESULTS: MHs were found in 64% of patients with IPH (29 of 45) and 18% of control subjects (eight of 45). A statistically significant relationship between MH and IPH was determined (P < .001). Among the 29 patients with IPH and MH, 24 (83%) had T2 hyperintensities and 13 (45%) had lacunae; among the 16 patients without MH, seven (44%) had T2 hyperintensities and three (19%) had lacunae. A relationship between MH and occurrence and extent of T2 hyperintensities was also identified (P < .001). There was no clear relationship with the clinical data studied. CONCLUSION: The results support a correlation between the presence of imaging signs of cerebral microangiopathy, clinically silent MHs, and acute IPHs. RSNA, 2006.

The purpose of this work was to improve the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage with MRI, using, among others, T2*-w GE sequences. Various sequences were tested in rabbits at two magnetic field strengths. Then, the most effective technique was applied to stroke patients.

Experimental studies: The MR detectability of small experimental haematomas in the brain and of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces of 30 rabbits was evaluated. MRI examinations were performed at determined intervals. The last MR images were compared to formalin fixed brain sections and, in 16 rabbits, also to the histological findings. T2*-weighted GE sequences revealed all the intraparenchymal haematomas at 1.5 T, appearing strongly hypointense. Their signal patterns remained unchanged during the follow-up. Blood in the CSF spaces was best detected at 1.5T with T2*-weighted GE sequences during the first 2 days. FLAIR and SE sequences were rather insensitive.

Clinical studies: MR examinations were performed at 1.5T, including T1- and T2-w SE, FLAIR and T2*-w GE sequences. In the first clinical study, 66 intraparenchymal hematomas (IPH) of different sizes and ages were examined. T2*-w GE sequence was the most sensitive. On all the sequences, we found a big variety of signal patterns, without a clear relationship to the age of the hematomas.

In a second clinical study, MR examinations were performed to 83 patients with acute stroke: 43 presented acute IPH and 40 were used as controls. Old microhemorrhages (OMHs) were found in 60% of the patients with IPH, and in 15% of the controls.

Conclusion: T2*-weighted GE sequences are capable of revealing very small intraparenchymal hemorrhages at any stage, and blood in CSF spaces during at least the first 2 days. The age of IPHs cannot reliably be estimated with MRI. We have found a correlation between the presence of OMHs and acute intraparenchymal hematomas.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in up to 20% of breast cancer cases and is considered an important prognostic factor and a therapeutic target. With the introduction of HER2-targeted therapy, it was important to recognize patients who will likely benefit from such treatment. Immunohistochemistry staining performed on a tumor biopsy, with in situ hybridization to detect gene amplification if needed, is the current gold standard method for HER2 receptor quantification. However, in cases with multiple metastases, it is both unfeasible and impractical to perform multiple biopsies without risking higher morbidity. Molecular imaging with tracers specifically targeting HER2 receptors provides a non-invasive approach, which allows full body quantification without the serious side effects associated with invasive biopsies. The molecule of focus in this thesis work is Affibody Z_HER2:2891 (ABY-025) molecule that has a high affinity and selectivity towards HER2 receptors.

This thesis is based on four original articles. The first part focused on the aspect of breast cancer imaging using HER2-targeting gallium-labeled tracer ⁶⁸Ga-ABY-025 in positron emission tomography (PET) and its role in predicting breast cancer outcome. The second part was to investigate the effect of different risk factors on developing brain metastasis, the overall survival and the effect of HER2-targeted treatment on breast cancer brain metastasis based on Uppsala County cancer registry.

We demonstrated that HER2-binding Affibody PET kinetics can be explained using a two-tissue compartment model and SUV values correlated well with the influx rates calculated using kinetic modeling, supporting its use to measure actual HER2 receptor binding. Phase II study demonstrated the potential of ⁶⁸Ga-ABY-025 PET to predict the treatment outcome more accurately compared to biopsy HER2-status that uses the traditional immunohistochemistry staining and in situ hybridization techniques. ⁶⁸Ga-ABY-025 PET provided accurate staging and reduced false positive ¹⁸F-FDG PET results in HER2-positive cases. HER2-positive molecular subtypes were associated with an increased risk of developing brain metastasis. Yet, longer survival times were observed in HER2-positive subtypes receiving HER2-targeted therapy.

Imaging using the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-binding tracer ⁶⁸Ga-labeled Z_HER2:2891-Cys-MMA-DOTA ([⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025) was shown to reflect HER2 status determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This single-center open-label phase II study investigated how [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 uptake corresponds to biopsy results and early treatment response in both primary breast cancer (PBC) planned for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and MBC. Methods: Forty patients with known positive HER2 status were included: 19 with PBC and 21 with MBC (median, 3 previous treatments). [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT, [¹⁸F]F-FDG PET/CT, and core-needle biopsies from targeted lesions were performed at baseline. [¹⁸F]F-FDG PET/CT was repeated after 2 cycles of therapy to calculate the directional change in tumor lesion glycolysis (Δ-TLG). The largest lesions (up to 5) were evaluated in all 3 scans per patient. SUVs from [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT were compared with the biopsied HER2 status and Δ-TLG by receiver operating characteristic analyses. Results: Trial biopsies were HER2-positive in 31 patients, HER2-negative in 6 patients, and borderline HER2-positive in 3 patients. The [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT cutoff SUV_max of 6.0 predicted a Δ-TLG lower than -25% with 86% sensitivity and 67% specificity in soft-tissue lesions (area under the curve, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.67-0.82]; P = 0.01). Compared with the HER2 status, this cutoff resulted in clinically relevant discordant findings in 12 of 40 patients. Metabolic response (Δ-TLG) was more pronounced in PBC (-71% [95% CI, -58% to -83%]; P < 0.0001) than in MBC (-27% [95% CI, -16% to -38%]; P < 0.0001), but [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 SUV_max was similar in both with a mean SUV_max of 9.8 (95% CI, 6.3-13.3) and 13.9 (95% CI, 10.5-17.2), respectively (P = 0.10). In multivariate analysis, global Δ-TLG was positively associated with the number of previous treatments (P = 0.0004) and negatively associated with [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT SUV_max (P = 0.018) but not with HER2 status (P = 0.09). Conclusion: [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT predicted early metabolic response to HER2-targeted therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. Metabolic response was attenuated in recurrent disease. [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT appears to provide an estimate of the HER2 expression required to induce tumor metabolic remission by targeted therapies and might be useful as an adjunct diagnostic tool.

Background: High expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) represents an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Anti-HER2 treatment requires a theragnostic approach wherein sufficiently high receptor expression in biopsy material is mandatory. Heterogeneity and discordance of HER2 expression between primary tumour and metastases, as well as within a lesion, present a complication for the treatment and require multiple biopsies. Molecular imaging using the HER2-targeting Affibody peptide ABY-025 radiolabelled with Ga-68-gallium for PET/CT is currently under investigation as a non-invasive tool for whole-body evaluation of metastatic HER2 expression. Initial studies demonstrated a high correlation between Ga-68-ABY-025 standardized uptake values (SUVs) and histopathology. However, detecting small liver lesions might be compromised by high background uptake. This study aimed to explore the applicability of kinetic modelling and parametric image analysis for absolute quantification of Ga-68-ABY-025 uptake and HER2-receptor expression and how that relates to static SUVs.

Methods: Dynamic Ga-68-ABY-025 PET of the upper abdomen was performed 0-45 min post-injection in 16 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Five patients underwent two examinations to test reproducibility. Parametric images of tracer delivery (K-1) and irreversible binding (K-i) were created with an irreversible two-tissue compartment model and Patlak graphical analysis using an image-derived input function from the descending aorta. A volume of interest (VOI)-based analysis was performed to validate parametric images. SUVs were calculated from 2 h and 4 h post-injection static whole-body images and compared to K-i.

Results: Characterization of HER2 expression in smaller liver metastases was improved using parametric images. K-i values from parametric images agreed very well with VOI-based gold standard (R-2 > 0.99, p < 0.001). SUVs of metastases at 2 h and 4 h post-injection were highly correlated with K-i values from both the two-tissue compartment model and Patlak method (R-2 = 0.87 and 0.95, both p < 0.001). Ga-68-ABY-025 PET yielded high test-retest reliability (relative repeatability coefficient for Patlak 30% and for the two-tissue compartment model 47%).

Conclusion: Ga-68-ABY-025 binding in HER2-positive metastases was well characterized by irreversible two-tissue compartment model wherein K-i highly correlated with SUVs at 2 and 4 h. Dynamic scanning with parametric image formation can be used to evaluate metastatic HER2 expression accurately.

Background and purpose: Recommendations for regional radiotherapy (RT) of sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive breast cancer are debated. We here report a RT quality assessment of the SENOMAC trial. Materials and Methods: The SENOMAC trial randomized clinically node-negative breast cancer patients with 1-2 SLN macrometastases to completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) or SLN biopsy only between 2015-2021. Adjuvant RT followed national guidelines. RT plans for patients included in Sweden and Denmark until June 2019 were collected (N = 1176) and compared to case report forms (CRF). Dose to level I (N = 270) and the humeral head (N = 321) was analyzed in detail.

Introduction: We present a beam model for Monte Carlo simulations of the IBA pencil beam scanning dedicated nozzle installed at the Skandion Clinic. Within the nozzle, apart from entrance and exit windows and the two ion chambers, the beam traverses vacuum, allowing for a beam that is convergent downstream of the nozzle exit. Materials and methods: We model the angular, spatial and energy distributions of the beam phase space at the nozzle exit with single Gaussians, controlled by seven energy dependent parameters. The parameters were determined from measured profiles and depth dose distributions. Verification of the beam model was done by comparing measured and GATE acquired relative dose distributions, using plan specific log files from the machine to specify beam spot positions and energy. Results: GATE-based simulations with the acquired beam model could accurately reproduce the measured data. The gamma index analysis comparing simulated and measured dose distributions resulted in > 95% global gamma index pass rates (3%/2 mm) for all depths. Conclusion: The developed beam model was found to be sufficiently accurate for use with GATE e.g. for applications in quality assurance (QA) or patient motion studies with the IBA pencil beam scanning dedicated nozzles.

Background Clinical suspicion of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is imprecise due to non-specific symptoms such as headache. The aim was to retrospectively assess the diagnostic value of nonenhanced CT (neCT) in patients with nontraumatic headache and clinically suspected CVST. Methods A retrospective consecutive series of patients referred 2013-2015 for radiology were evaluated. Eligible patients had nontraumatic headache and suspicion of CVST stated in the referral, investigated with CT venography (CTV) and nonenhanced CT (neCT). neCT scans were re-evaluated for the presence of CVST or other pathology. All CTVs were checked for the presence of CVST. The validation cohort consisted of 10 patients with nontraumatic CVT (2017-2019). Results Less than 1% (1/104) had a suspected thrombus on neCT, confirmed by subsequent CTV. The remaining 99% had a CTV excluding CVST. Eleven percent had other imaging findings explaining their symptoms. In the patient with CVST, the thrombosed dural sinus was high attenuating (maximum HU 89) leading to the suspicion of CVST confirmed by CTV. The validation cohort (n = 10) confirmed the presence of a high attenuating (HU > 65) venous structure in the presence of a confirmed thrombus in all patients presenting within 10 days (suspicion written in referral, 10%). Conclusions Despite clinical suspicion, imaging findings of CVST in nontraumatic headache are uncommon. Evaluating neCT for high attenuation in dural sinuses, followed by CTV for confirmation in selected cases seems reasonable. CVST should be recognized by all radiologists and requires a high level of awareness when reading neCT for other indications.