The French experience of PSMA PET for the diagnosis of biological recurrence of prostate cancer

PSMA PET can only be performed in France in the context of a temporary authorization for use (ATU) granted by the ANSM only in the event of biological recurrence of prostate cancers with a normal or equivocal Fucyclovine or Choline PET scan. We present the experience of the Léon Bérard cancer centre and report on the experience of 3 other French centres that have published their results obtained within the framework of this ATU. Despite the absence of histological comparison of our results, the evidence of suspicious lesions on PSMA PET examination may induce changes in patient management in almost 2/3 of the patients. This is consistent with the already abundant results in the literature, which show a clear superiority of PSMA PET over Choline PET for the diagnosis of biological recurrence of prostate cancer.     

Apport de la TEP/TDM au 18F-FDG dans le suivi des endocardites infectieuses sur prothèses valvulaires non opérées

Introduction

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge; ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT has seen increasing use and has been incorporated in the latest ESC endocarditis guidelines. Follow-up by PET/CT has never been studied. The aim was to study the use of PET/CT to help predicting recurrences after full antibiotic treatment.

Valeur pronostique du curage ganglionnaire prophylactique dans le cancer différencié de la thyroïde

Objective

Although the efficacy of total thyroidectomy as the first step in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) management is well proven, it is always a matter of controversy whether prophylactic lymph node dissection improves prognosis and survival in DTC patients without suspicion of lymph node metastases either clinically or radiologically. The aim of this work is to study relapse rates in patients according to the initial presentation and type of surgery performed, in order to analyze the prognostic impact of lymph node dissection.

Patients and methods

One hundred and thirty patients with DTC were classified according to clinical presentation and type of surgery performed. They were monitored for six years to watch for recurrence.

Results

In patients with no clinical evident lymph nodes, the relapse rate was lower among patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in one step with prophylactic lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

Based on the results of other studies, and on our department experience of thyroid cancer management and monitoring, we strongly advocate careful and systematic exploration of the central lymph node compartments with exploration of the lateral side of the lesion if in doubt.     

Biochemical composition of crustacean zooplankton and their grazing on phytoplankton and ciliated protozoans in a recently founded reservoir (Sahela, Morocco

In order to assess the impact of crustacean zooplankton on phytoplankton and protozoan ciliates in the Sahela reservoir under semi-arid climate, we conducted experiments during the period from July to December 1999 at the deepest point in the lake (15 m). Samplings and measurements were carried out in diffusion chambers submerged in situ over a period of 7 h without (control chambers) and with (experimental chambers) crustacean zooplankton. During these experiments, counts were conducted on phytoplankton and ciliates to determine the abundance and the mortality of these organisms due to zooplankton in each diffusion chambers at t = 0 and t = 7 h of incubation. The study showed that the growth rates of phytoplankton and ciliates populations varied between 0.02 and 0.05 h-1 and from 0.01 to 0.07 h-1, respectively. The mortality caused by zooplankton grazing fluctuated from 0.07 to 0.2 h-1 of phytoplankton and from 0.01 to 0.2 h-1 of ciliates. These mortalities were significantly and positively correlated with the growth rates (r = 0.8; p < 0.02; n = 9). Moreover, the heavy predation by the crustacean zooplankton was exerted on small-sized phytoplankton and ciliates and we demonstrated the relationships between protozoans and zooplankton for the transfer of matter and energy in aquatic food webs. Furthermore, the crustacean zooplankton metabolism was different, whether zooplankton was present in diffusion chambers or in the lake.