Applying Pix2pix to Translate Hyperemia in Blood Pool Image into Corresponding Increased Bone Uptake in Delayed Image in Three-Phase Bone Scintigraphy

Artificial Delayed-phase Technetium-99m MIBI Scintigraphy From Early-phase Scintigraphy Improves Identification of Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Lesions in Patients With Hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to generate and validate artificial delayed-phase technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy (aMIBI) images from early-phase technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy (eMIBI) images.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with hyperparathyroidism who underwent dual-phase technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy at 2 centers. The patients were divided into a training set (n = 980), an internal test set (n = 100), and an external test set (n = 253). The generation of aMIBI images from eMIBI images was performed using an unpaired image-to-image translation method. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curves (AUCs) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of aMIBI and eMIBI images in identifying hyperfunctioning parathyroid lesions in both the internal and external test sets. In addition, an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic model combining aMIBI and clinical data was evaluated.

RESULTS

The AUCs of aMIBI images were significantly higher than those of eMIBI images (internal test set: 0.944 vs 0.658, P < 0.001; external test set: 0.900 vs 0.761, P < 0.001). The performance of the AI-assisted diagnostic models combining aMIBI images and clinical data was significantly better than those of the aMIBI-only models in both the internal (AUC: 0.974 vs 0.944, P = 0.020) and external (AUC: 0.953 vs 0.900, P < 0.001) test sets.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic performance of aMIBI images in identifying hyperfunctioning parathyroid lesions was significantly superior to that of eMIBI images in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Models combining aMIBI images with clinical information enhanced the diagnostic performance even further.

Application of Nuclear Medicine Techniques in Musculoskeletal Infection: Current Trends and Future Prospects

Nuclear medicine has become an indispensable discipline in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal infections. Radionuclide tests serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for patients suspected of having osteomyelitis, spondylodiscitis, or prosthetic joint infections. The choice of the most suitable imaging modality depends on various factors, including the affected area, potential extra osseous involvement, or the impact of previous bone/joint conditions. This review provides an update on the use of conventional radionuclide imaging tests and recent advancements in fusion imaging scans for the differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal infections. Furthermore, it examines the role of radionuclide scans in monitoring treatment responses and explores current trends in their application. We anticipate that this update will be of significant interest to internists, rheumatologists, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation physicians, and other specialists involved in musculoskeletal pathology.