Solitary pulmonary nodule corresponds to a common radiographic finding, which is frequently detected incidentally. The investigation of this entity remains complex, since characteristics of benign and malignant processes overlap in the differential diagnosis. Currently, many strategies are available to evaluate solitary pulmonary nodules with the main objective of characterizing benign lesions as best as possible, while avoiding to expose patients to the risks inherent to invasive methods, besides correctly detecting cases of lung cancer so as the potential curative treatment is not delayed. This first part of the study focuses on the epidemiology, the morfological evaluation and the methods to determine the likelihood of cancer in cases of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodule.

Sildenafil had a protective effect in rat kidneys subjected to normothermic I/R, demonstrated by scintigraphy and histomorphometry.

A solitary pulmonary nodule is a common, often incidental, radiographic finding. The investigation and differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules remain complex, because there are overlaps between the characteristics of benign and malignant processes. There are currently many strategies for evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules. The main objective is to identify benign lesions, in order to avoid exposing patients to the risks of invasive methods, and to detect cases of lung cancer accurately, in order to avoid delaying potentially curative treatment. The focus of this study was to review the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules, to discuss the current role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography, addressing its accuracy and cost-effectiveness, and to detail the current recommendations for the examination in this scenario.

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the influence of total gastrectomy, with and without a jejunal pouch, on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical Technetium-99m pertechnetate ((99m)TcO(4)(-)). A quantitative biodistribution study was performed on the 30th postoperative day in Wistar rats, using the Wizard PerkinElmer gamma counter. The percentage of injected radioactivity of (99m)TcO(4)(-) per gram of tissue (% ATI/g) in Roux-en-Y total gastrectomy rats was lower in the lung, brain, and femur, compared to the sham rats (p <.05). In the jejunal pouch rats, the%ATI/g was higher than in the jejunum of sham rats (p <.05). The biodistribution was higher in the lung, brain, and femur of Roux-en-Y pouch rats than in Roux-en-Y rats (p <.05). Serum levels of cobalamin, phosphorus, and calcium were lower in gastrectomized than in sham rats (p <.05). No significant histological change was observed in the jejunum of Roux-en-Y rats. In the jejunal pouch, we found vascular ingurgitation, inflammation, submucosal, and muscular wall hypertrophy and widening of the villi. In conclusion, total gastrectomy in rats affected the biodistribution of (99m)TcO(4)(-) to important organs, mainly when a Roux-en-Y reconstruction without a pouch was performed. Moreover, the operation caused biodistribution-related metabolic changes.