Detection of Pulmonary Embolism with Gallium-68 Macroaggregated Albumin Perfusion PET/CT: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

• Published in: Contrast media and molecular imaging Vol. 2020; no. 2020; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Bir, Ferda, Uğur, Ayşe, Çayır, Mustafa Çağdaş, Gültekin, Aziz, Yuksel, Dogangun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2020; Hindawi; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Albumins; Animal models; Computed tomography; Defects; Drug dosages; Embolism; Gallium; Labeling; Lobes; Medical research; Nuclear medicine; Perfusion; Positron emission; Pulmonary arteries; Pulmonary embolisms; Rabbits; Scanning electron microscopy; Sensitivity analysis; Single photon emission computed tomography; Studies; Tomography; Veins & arteries; Ventilation; United States > US; India
• ISSN: 1555-4309; 1555-4317
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/5607951

This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of detecting pulmonary embolism (PE) using the Technegas SPECT/CT combined with 68Ga PET/CT in a rabbit model. One hour after artificial PE (n = 6) and sham (n = 6) models were created, Technegas SPECT/CT ventilation and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT perfusion scan (V/Q scan) were performed. Ventilation imaging was performed first on all cases. Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT images were evaluated by a nuclear medicine physician who recorded the presence, number, and location of PE on a per-lobe basis. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT for detecting PE were calculated using a histopathological evaluation as a reference standard. A total of 60 lung lobes were evaluated in 12 rabbits, and PE was detected in 20 lobes in V/Q scans and histopathological analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for both the Technegas SPECT/CT and 68Ga-MAA PET/CT V/Q scans. Technegas/68Ga-MAA V/Q scans have good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the detection of PE in this animal model study.