- Research Article
- 10.1097/mnm.0000000000002107
PET computed tomography policy variations across the UK: a call for harmonisation and equity of access.
- Mar 02, 2026
- Nuclear medicine communications
- Sarah Amro + 2 more +2
Publications from 2021 to 2026
Showing 10 of 284 papers
PET computed tomography policy variations across the UK: a call for harmonisation and equity of access.
Dual crisis: environmental and economic unsustainability in NHS dry eye prescribing.
Introduction Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition affecting up to 14.
Improvements in FEV1 and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at 4 and 16 weeks on benralizumab are strongly associated with clinical remission at 1 year
<bold>Introduction:</bold> Remission is now an aspiration for asthma patients on biologics, although there is no agreed definition. Predicting the likelihood of remission at an early stage on treatment would improve precision therapy. <bold>Aims:</bold> To identify the characteristics at 4 and 16 weeks on treatment associated with remission at 1 year in a real-world asthma cohort on benralizumab. <bold>Methods:</bold> BenRex is a multicentre study of exacerbations on benralizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma. We defined remission at 1 year as meeting all of: no OCS for asthma (for maintenance/exacerbation); ACQ <1.5 and FEV1 ≥ 80% predicted and/or ≥ 10% higher than baseline FEV1% predicted. Forest plots of associations between early changes at 4 and 16 weeks and remission at 1 year were derived from logistic regression models. <bold>Results:</bold> 36 of 136 subjects (26.5%) met remission criteria. Subjects achieving remission were older (p=0.04). Male and female participants achieved remission at similar rates (p=0.84). Fig 1 shows predictors of remission using changes from baseline at 4 and 16 weeks. FEV1 and SGRQ improvement are strongly associated with subsequent remission. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> An improvement in FEV1 of ≥100 ml and SGRQ change of double the MCID at 4 and 16 weeks on benralizumab are strongly associated with clinical remission at one year. <fig><object-id>erj;66/suppl_69/PA4619/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>
Read moreP217 Predicting the risk of decompensation in patients with cirrhosis – a validated machine learning approach
A novel CIP2A and BCL-XL clinical diagnostic toolkit to predict disease progression and treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Abstract Biomarkers that predict disease progression and treatment-free remission (TFR) would be of significant clinical value in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). We have previously shown that CIP2A levels at diagnosis can identify patients at increased risk of progression. One mechanism by which CIP2A acts is through upregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-XL. In this study, we evaluated BCL-XL mRNA expression as a diagnostic biomarker using samples from the SPIRIT 2 and DESTINY clinical trials. In SPIRIT 2, which compared imatinib and dasatinib as first-line therapies, high BCL-XL expression was associated with treatment failure, poor early molecular response, and lower rates of MR2 and MR3 achievement in patients treated with imatinib. In the DESTINY trial, which assessed treatment de-escalation and discontinuation, BCL-XL expression was significantly higher in patients who experienced molecular relapse compared to those achieving sustained TFR. Notably, increases in BCL-XL were detectable 6 to 8 months prior to molecular relapse, suggesting it may serve as an early biomarker of unsuccessful TFR. We now propose a clinical diagnostic toolkit combining CIP2A and BCL-XL biomarkers to stratify CML patients by risk of disease progression and likelihood of achieving successful TFR.
Read moreBN SO16 - Gastro-gastric intussusception without any lead point – a case report and review of literature
Abstract Background Gastrogastric intussusception in a rare condition in adults. The underlying aetiologies include pathological lead points, anatomical abnormalities, previous foregut surgery or foreign body. The management of symptomatic gastrogastric intussusception in the absence of these aetiologies remains poorly defined and is highlighted by the paucity of evidence available for guidance. We present a case of idiopathic gastrogastric intussusception and a review of the literature. Method A 34-year-old male patient with a background of thrombocytopenia-absent radius (TAR) syndrome presented with recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Investigations with a CT abdomen revealed proximal gastrogastric intussusception. Subsequent endoscopy showed oedematous mucosa along the lesser curve and no pathological lead points or anatomical abnormalities. Histological findings were normal. Results The patient remained symptomatic despite a normal subsequent CT abdomen. A consensus decision was reached, and the patient was counselled for a laparoscopic gastropexy. Laparoscopic findings showed a central area of scar tissue circumferentially along the mid-body of the stomach highlighting the chronicity of the condition. No hiatal abnormalities were identified. A gastropexy was performed in two layers along the greater curvature of the stomach with non-absorbable interrupted sutures. The postoperative course was unremarkable. The patient remained asymptomatic on 6-week clinic follow up. Conclusion No previous case reports of idiopathic gastrogastric intussusception were identified on our literature search. It is our impression that this is the first such case-report to illustrate the diagnostic challenges of this rare, intermittently symptomatic condition and the successful management of it.
Read moreBuilding social equity and person-centred innovation into the end TB response.
Reducing systemic inequities in testing, access to care, social protection - and in the scientific process - is essential to end TB. Incorporating social science methods and expertise on inequity into the mainstream TB response would help ensure that political commitments to equity move beyond symbolic gestures. We convened a meeting between TB social scientists, people with lived experience, civil society and community members to discuss equity within the global TB response. Here, we propose five means by which a social science lens can strengthen equitable, person-centred responses and reconcile the public health significance of TB with the principles of social justice.
Read moreReal-world outcomes for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: screened patients for the BRAVO trial.
To report real-world outcomes for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HRNMIBC), including bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and radical cystectomy (RC), as randomised comparisons of these have not been possible. We detail consecutive participants screened for the BRAVO randomised controlled trial comparing RC with BCG (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number [ISRCTN]12509361). Patients were prospectively registered and case-note review used for outcomes. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included recurrence, progression, metastasis, and bladder cancer-specific survival. A total of 193 patients were screened, including 106 (54.9%) who received BCG, 43 (22.3%) primary RC, 37 (19.2%) 'other' treatment and seven (3.6%) hyperthermic intravesical mitomycin C. All-cause death occurred in 55 (28.5%) patients at median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 29.0 (19.5-42.0) months. In multivariable analysis, overall mortality was more common in older patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-5.13; Cox P = 0.004 for age >70 years), those recruited from district hospitals (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.3-0.95; P = 0.032) and those who did not undergo RC as their first treatment (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.17-3.99; P = 0.014). In all, 17 (8.8%) patients died from bladder cancer (BC) at median (IQR) of 22.5 (19-36.25) months. In multivariable analysis, BC-specific mortality was more common in older patients (HR 4.87, 95% CI 1.1-21.6; P = 0.037) and those with Tis/T1 disease (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.23-4.16; P = 0.008) but did not vary with initial treatment. Patients with HRNMIBC are at high-risk of mortality. Those choosing RC as their initial treatment have lower risks of mortality than others, although this may reflect fitness and selection.
Read moreLong-term outcomes of mastectomy with and without delayed breast reconstruction: A population cohort study
Coexistence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and calciphylaxis in a gadolinium-naïve, chronic haemodialysis patient
We present a case of a man in his 40s who was on haemodialysis for over 20 years presenting with rapidly progressive decline in mobility, associated with fixed flexion deformities of joints and peau d’orange appearance of skin together with areas of ulceration that was concerning for calciphylaxis. Skin biopsies were consistent with both nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and calciphylaxis. He has never had exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agent. His treatment included daily dialysis sessions, which were challenging due to vascular access issues and three times weekly sodium thiosulfate. He rapidly declined in hospital and died within 2 weeks of presentation while being treated for a hospital-acquired pneumonia.
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