A Superscan is described as a ‘beautiful bone scan’. In a superscan, the uptake of 99mTc-Methelene Diphosphonate (MDP) is prominent in the skeleton relative to soft tissue with absent or faint visualisation of the kidneys. This finding could be misinterpreted as a normal bone scan. A ‘Sub-superscan’ is a term used for scan findings in which the up- take is atypical of a superscan, but the patient has extensive bone metastases, as presented in our case report.
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of SPECT-CT in differentiating metastatic and degenerative disease of the spine. Methods: Twenty-eight patients aged 50 years and above diagnosed with various cancers were referred for whole body (WB) planar bone scintigraphy. Those with a maximum three foci of tracer up- take in the spine were selected for the study. SPECT-CT of these areas of uptake was performed and the lesions were classified as degenerative, indeterminate or metastasis. A repeat study (WB planar bone scintigraphy and SPECT-CT) was performed between 3 to 12 months later. These areas of uptake were reassessed and compared with the first WB planar bone scintigraphy and SPECT-CT. The second SPECT-CT was used as the standard for the diagnosis. Results: Thirty-seven lesions in 28 patients were assessed. The sensitivity of the first WB planar bone scintigraphy, second WB planar bone scintigraphy and first SPECT-CT is 75%, 62.5% and 75% respectively. The specificity of the first WB planar bone scintigraphy, second WB planar bone scintigraphy and first SPECT-CT is 86%, 93%, 90% respectively. There was 2.7% of ‘indeterminate lesion’ in the first WB planar bone scintigraphy, 5.4% in the second WB planar bone scintigraphy, and 5.4% in the first SPECT-CT. The indeterminate lesions were resolved in the second SPECT-CT. Conclusion: SPECT- CT is useful in differentiating degenerative disease from metastatic lesions in the spine.
The use of computed tomography (CT) in emergency departments has increased over several decades, as physicians increasingly depend on imaging for diagnoses. Patients and medical personnel are put at risk due to frequent exposure to and higher levels of radiation, with very little evidence of improvements in outcomes. Here, we explore why CT imaging has a tendency to be overused in emergency departments and the obstacles that medical personnel face in ensuring patient safety. The solution requires cooperation from all emergency care stakeholders as well as the continuous education of doctors on how CT scans help in particular cases.
Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) for opiate dependence was first started in Malaysia in 2005. The service was initially provided by psychiatric clinics in hospitals and primary care clinics. Handling patients with opiate dependency especially in a primary care clinic is very challenging due to various constraints hence the success is doubtful. 143 patients from Tampin Health Clinic were recruited from November 2006 until March 2009. Retention rate in the program was high. Significant improvement was seen in the World Health Organization Quality Of Life score (WHOQOL-BREF) in all 4 domains done at baseline, 1st year and 2nd year in the program. After joining the program, there were no new blood borne virus infection for HIV and Hepatitis B and only 1 had Hepatitis C. Minimal number of patients were involved in new drug related offences while in the MMT program. Existing primary care clinics can be empowered to scale up this service in Malaysia.