Radiology seminars

En el diagnóstico médico por imágenes muchas veces los desarrollos técnicos se han concentrado en mejorar la calidad de las imágenes en términos de resolución espacial y/o temporal, lo cual muchas veces ha incrementado considerablemente los costos de estas prestaciones. Sin embargo, mejor resolución espacial y/o temporal de las imágenes médicas, no se traducen necesariamente en mejores diagnósticos o en diagnósticos más tempranos, y en algunos casos, nuevas capacidades diagnósticas no han demostrado un impacto en reducir la mortalidad asociada a las patologías. En esta presentación discutiremos como el impacto de las nuevas tecnologías en salud debe ser medido en términos del resultado clínico del paciente o la población afectada más que en parámetros asociados a la "calidad" de las imágenes.

Identifying a structural brain lesion on MRI is the most important factor that correlates with seizure freedom after surgery in patients suffering from drug-resistant focal epilepsy. By providing better image contrast and higher spatial resolution, structural MRI at 7 Tesla (7T) can lead to lesion detection in about 25% of patients presenting with negative MRI at lower fields. In addition to a better detection/delineation/phenotyping of epileptogenic lesions, higher signal at ultra-high field also facilitates more detailed analyses of several functional and molecular alterations of tissues, susceptible to detect epileptogenic properties even in absence of visible lesions. These advantages but also the technical challenges of 7T MRI in practice will be presented and discussed.

On Wednesday, November 30th, at noon ET / 6PM CET, we will host Alexandre Boutet and Erik H. Middlebrooks. Alexandre Boutet, MD, PhD, is a neuroradiology fellow at the University of Toronto, and will tell us about “How to become an integral part of the functional neurosurgery team as a radiologist”. Erik H. Middlebrooks, MD, is a Professor and Consultant of Neuroradiology and Neurosurgery and the Neuroradiology Program Director at Mayo Clinic. Beside his scientific presentation about “Bridging the Gap from Research to Clinical Decision Making in Epilepsy Neuromodulation”, he will also give us a glimpse at the “Person behind the science”. The talks will be followed by a shared discussion. You can register via talks.stimulatingbrains.org to receive the (free) Zoom link!

Bispidines (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) and their derivatives act as bifunctional chelators (BFC), combining the advantages of multidentate macrocyclic and acyclic ligands e.g. high kinetic inertness, rapid radiolabelling under mild conditions. This bicyclic chelator system shows a great diversity in terms of its denticity and type of functional groups, yielding a wide range of multidentate ligands that can bind a variety of different metal ions. In addition, they allow a facile functionalisation of targeting molecules such as peptides, peptidomimetics, and bispeci􀄀c antibodies. Herein, examples of various bispidine complexes labelled with [64Cu]Cu2+, [111In]In3+, [ 177Lu]Lu3+ or [ 225Ac]Ac3+ will be presented which provide a picture of how different substituents in􀄁uence the coordination mode. Target-speci􀄀c radiolabelled bispidine-based conjugates (e.g. peptides, antibody fragments, antibodies) investigated in vivo by positron emission or single-photon emission computed tomography will be presented and discussed in terms of their suitability for nuclear medicine applications.

The peripheral airways are technically challenging to assess and have been overlooked in the assessment of chronic respiratory diseases such as Asthma, in both the clinical and research space. Evidence of the importance of the small airways in Asthma is building, and small airways dysfunction is implicated in poor Asthma control, airway hyperresponsiveness, and exacerbation risk. The aim of this research was to complete comprehensive global, regional, and spatial assessments of airway function and ventilation in Asthma using physiological and MRI techniques. Specific ventilation imaging (SVI) and Phase resolved functional lung imaging (PREFUL) formed the spatial assessments. SVI uses oxygen as a contrast agent and looks at rate of change in signal to assess ventilation heterogeneity, PREFUL is a completely contrast free technique that uses Fourier decomposition to determine fractional ventilation.

Monash Biomedical Imaging is part of the new $71.2 million Australian Precision Medicine Enterprise (APME) facility, which will deliver large-scale development and manufacturing of precision medicines and theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for industry and research. A key feature of the APME project is a high-energy cyclotron with multiple production clean rooms, which will be located on the Monash Biomedical Imaging (MBI) site in Clayton. This strategic co-location will facilitate radiochemistry, PET and SPECT research and clinical use of theranostic (therapeutic and diagnostic) radioisotopes produced on-site. In this webinar, MBI’s Professor Gary Egan and Dr Maggie Aulsebrook will explain how the APME will secure Australia’s supply of critical radiopharmaceuticals, build a globally competitive Australian manufacturing hub, and train scientists and engineers for the Australian workforce. They will cover the APME’s state-of-the-art 30 MeV and 18-24 MeV cyclotrons and radiochemistry facilities, as well as the services that will be accessible to students, scientists, clinical researchers, and pharmaceutical companies in Australia and around the world. The APME is a collaboration between Monash University, Global Medical Solutions Australia, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. Professor Gary Egan is Director of Monash Biomedical Imaging, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function and a Distinguished Professor at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University. He is also lead investigator of the Victorian Biomedical Imaging Capability, and Deputy Director of the Australian National Imaging Facility. Dr Maggie Aulsebrook obtained her PhD in Chemistry at Monash University and specialises in the development and clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals. She has led the development of several investigational radiopharmaceuticals for first-in-human application. Maggie leads the Radiochemistry Platform at Monash Biomedical Imaging.

Molecular imaging using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has become a major biomedical imaging technology. Its application towards characterisation of biochemical processes in disease could enable early detection and diagnosis, development of novel therapies and treatment evaluation. The technology is underpinned by the use of imaging probes radiolabelled with short-lived radioisotopes which can be specific and selective for biological targets in vivo e.g. markers for receptors, protein deposits, enzymes and metabolism. My talk will focus on the increasing development and application of PET imaging to clinical research in neurodegenerative diseases, for which it can be applied to delineate and understand the various pathological components of these disorders.