Macroscopic and histopathological study of the placenta: an essential resource in litigation processes

The pathological study of the placenta is of upmost importance in cases of unexplained fetal/perinatal loss and often these carry litigation implications. Integrating pathological findings and the underlying pathophysiological processes, leading to placental lesions, is fundamental for the evaluation of poor fetal and perinatal outcomes and to distinguish from cases of true negligence.

Pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of Alpinia speciosa

Alpinia speciosa Schum or A. nutans is a plant of the Zingiberanceae family, Known popularly as "colony" (colônia) and used as a diuretic and to control hypertensión. We have determinated the concentration of Na+ and K+ found in the alcoholic extract and in the tea concoction. They contained 51.0mEq Na+, and 132 mEq K+ in the extract, and 0,0 mEq of Na+ and 26 mEq K+ in the tea. Phytochemical analysis of the leaves demonstrated the presence of catecquic tanins, phenols and alkaloids, and also some essential oils. When injected intra-peritoneally the hydroalcoholic extract, in range of 100 a 1400 mg/Kg, (or 2500-18000 mg/Kg orally) produced in mice: writhing, psychomorot excitation, hypokinesis and pruritus. The LD50 by ip was 0.760 + or - 0.126 g/Kg and 10.0 + or - 2.5 g/Kg by oral administration for the hydroalcoholic extract. Subacute toxicity made injecting daily for 30 days the LD10 in rats caused an increase in transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase, whereas other parameters such as nlood glucose, urea and creatinine were normal. A histopathological analysis of liver, spleen, gut, lung and heart showed no alterations. The drug also produced a prolongation of the sleeping time. The hydroalcoholic extract induced int he rat and in the dog a dose-dependent fall in blood pressure in doses of 10 to 30 mg/Kg. In isolated atria the extract induced a reduction of the frequnecy and in the inotropic responses. Neither the extract nor the tea had an effect on the diuresis of the rat.

Experimental evaluation of an electromechanical artificial urinary sphincter in an animal model.

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: The AMS 800 urinary control system is the gold standard for the treatment of urinary incontinence due to sphincter insufficiency. Despite excellent functional outcome and latest technological improvements, the revision rate remains significant. To overcome the shortcomings of the current device, we developed a modern electromechanical artificial urinary sphincter. The results demonstrated that this new sphincter is effective and well tolerated up to 3 months. This preliminary study represents a first step in the clinical application of novel technologies and an alternative compression mechanism to the urethra. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness in continence achievement of a new electromechanical artificial urinary sphincter (emAUS) in an animal model. To assess urethral response and animal general response to short-term and mid-term activation of the emAUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The principle of the emAUS is electromechanical induction of alternating compression of successive segments of the urethra by a series of cuffs activated by artificial muscles. Between February 2009 and May 2010 the emAUS was implanted in 17 sheep divided into three groups. The first phase aimed to measure bladder leak point pressure during the activation of the device. The second and third phases aimed to assess tissue response to the presence of the device after 2-9 weeks and after 3 months respectively. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry evaluation of the urethra was performed. RESULTS: Bladder leak point pressure was measured at levels between 1091 ± 30.6 cmH2 O and 1244.1 ± 99 cmH2 O (mean ± standard deviation) depending on the number of cuffs used. At gross examination, the explanted urethra showed no sign of infection, atrophy or stricture. On microscopic examination no significant difference in structure was found between urethral structure surrounded by a cuff and control urethra. In the peripheral tissues, the implanted material elicited a chronic foreign body reaction. Apart from one case, specimens did not show significant presence of lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leucocytes, necrosis or cell degeneration. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the absence of macrophages in the samples. CONCLUSIONS: This animal study shows that the emAUS can provide continence. This new electronic controlled sequential alternating compression mechanism can avoid damage to urethral vascularity, at least up to 3 months after implantation. After this positive proof of concept, long-term studies are needed before clinical application could be considered.

Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Evaluation of Anterior Extension of Retinoblastomas : A Clinico-Pathological Study

Purpose: Extension of retinoblastoma cells anterior to the vitreous surface is a criteria used to categorize retinoblastomas in Group E. In some cases, the assessment of anterior chamber invasion is readily visible by slit lamp examination, but in other cases, invasion of the posterior chamber is clinically difficult to determinate. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) allows high-resolution images of the anterior segment and structures normally hidden from clinical visualization such as ciliary body, zonule or posterior chamber. This prompted us to evaluate the value of UBM in the assessment of posterior and anterior chamber involvement in patients with peripheral extending retinoblastomas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all retinoblastoma cases that underwent enucleation in our institution from 1.1996 till 12.2009 in which UBM ( 35-MHz or 50-MHz) evaluation was available. The UBM results were compared with the histopathological data. Results: From 1.1996 till 12.2009, 146 enucleations were performed in our institution. UBM information was available in 18 cases. There were 8 males and 10 females. The mean age was 4 years old. UBM allowed correct assessement of posterior chamber invasion in 15 cases (13 cases with retinoblastoma in the posterior chamber and 2 cases without retinoblastoma in the posterior chamber). There was a significant correlation between the presence of retinoblastoma cells in the posterior chamber detected by UBM and the histopathological confirmation of posterior chamber involvement (p=0,0008). The sensitivity of UBM in the assessment of posterior chamber invasion by retinoblastoma was 81% and the specificity 100%. UBM allowed correct assessment of anterior chamber invasion in 13 cases. The sensitivity of UBM for this purpose was 50% and the specificity 60 %. Conclusions: In selected cases of advanced retinoblastoma, UBM appears to represent a valuable tool in the evaluation of the precise extension of the disease. Although our series encompasses only a limited number of cases, the sensitivity and specificity of UBM in the assessment of retinoblastoma anterior extension is interesting. Further prospective multi-centered clinical studies would be necessary to better delineate the utility of this method in the precise categorization of retinoblastoma anterior extension

Preliminar evaluation of cytokines in the hepatitis C-schistosomiasis co-infection

Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis is usually performed by histopathological examination of biopsies. However, this is an invasive and potentially dangerous procedure. Several studies have proposed serum biological markers of hepatic fibrosis. This communication evaluates the use of serum cytokines as markers of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis C, schistosomiasis, and co-infection.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy evaluation of anterior extension in retinoblastoma: a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: Extension of retinoblastoma cells into the posterior chamber is a criterion for group E according to the international classification of intraocular retinoblastoma. Currently, the anterior extension of retinoblastoma is based on the presence of tumour cells in the anterior chamber assessed by biomicroscopy. AIM: To determine the value of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in the assessment of posterior chamber involvement in advanced retinoblastoma. METHODS: Retrospective review of all retinoblastoma cases enucleated at the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital from January 1996 to December 2009 for which UBM (35 MHz) evaluation was available. The patients' records were reviewed for patient and tumour features and histopathological findings. UBM findings were compared with histopathological features. RESULTS: UBM documentation was available in 31 cases. Retinoblastoma was detected by UBM in the posterior chamber in 18 cases and was absent in 13 cases while histopathological analysis demonstrated its presence in the posterior chamber in 22 cases and its absence in 9 cases. Among the 18 UBM-positive cases, 7 had biomicroscopic detectable involvement of the anterior chamber. There was a significant correlation between echodensities consistent with retinoblastoma on UBM in the posterior chamber and histopathological tumorous involvement of the posterior chamber (p=0.0001). The sensitivity of UBM in the assessment of posterior chamber invasion by retinoblastoma was 81% and the specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: In selected cases of advanced retinoblastoma, UBM appears to represent a valuable tool in the precise evaluation of anterior extension of disease, with good sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of posterior chamber involvement. UBM may provide useful criteria governing the indication for enucleation.

Clinical evaluation of a method for detecting superficial surgical transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder by light-induced fluorescence of protoporphyrin IX following the topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In bladder cancer, conventional white light endoscopic examination of the bladder does not provide adequate information about the presence of "flat" urothelial lesions such as carcinoma in situ. In the present investigation, we examine a new technique for the photodetection of such lesions by the imaging of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence following topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several hours after bladder instillation of an aqueous solution of ALA in 34 patients, a Krypton ion laser or a filtered Xenon arc-lamp was used to excite PpIX fluorescence. Tissue samples for histological analysis were taken while observing the bladder wall either by means of a video camera, or by direct endoscopic observation. RESULTS: A good correlation was found between the PpIX fluorescence and the histopathological diagnosis. On a total of 215 biopsies, 143 in fluorescent and 72 in nonfluorescent areas, all visible tumors on white light cytoscopy appeared in a bright red fluorescence with the photodetection technique. In addition, this method permitted to discover 47 unsuspected carcinomatous lesions on white light observation, among which 40% were carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSION: PpIX fluorescence induced by instillation into the bladder of 5-ALA is an efficient method of mapping the mucosa in bladder carcinoma.

Evaluation of the antitumoral effect sunitinib eluting beads in VX2 liver tumour in a rabbit model.

Background: We demonstrated that DC Bead (Biocompatibles UK, Ltd) could be loaded with sunitinib and injected intra-arterially in the rabbit without unexpected toxicity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antitumoral effect of sunitinib eluting beads in the VX2 tumor model of liver cancer. Methods: VX2 tumors were implanted in the left liver lobe of New-Zealand white rabbits. Animals were assigned to 3 groups: Group 1 (n=6) received 1.5mg of sunitinib loaded in 0.05ml of 100-300um DC Bead, group 2 (n=5) received 0.05ml of 100-300um DC Bead, group 3 (n=5) received 0.05ml NaCl 0.9% in the left hepatic artery. One animal in each group was sacrificed at 24 hours and the others were followed for survival until day 15. Liver enzymes were measured daily. In group 1, plasmatic sunitinib concentration were measured daily by LC MS/MS tandem mass spectroscopy. At day 15 all living animals were sacrificed. After sacrifice, the livers were harvested for determination of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity by western blot and histopathological examination. Results: In group 1, no animals died during follow-up. In group 2, 2 animals died during follow-up on day x. In control group 3, 3 animals died during follow up on day x. In group 1 plasmatic sunitinib levels remained under therapeutic concentration throughout the experiment. Very high concentrations of sunitinib were measured in the liver tissue 24 and 15 days after embolization. Inhibition of the phosphorylation of the RTK was demonstrated at 24h and 15 days in groups 1. Sunitinib eluting beads seemed to penetrate in the tumor more effectively and there was more necrosis around the beads than their bland counterparts. Conclusions: Administration of sunitinib eluting beads in VX2 carrying rabbits resulted invery high drug concentrations at the site of embolization with minimal systemic passage. Despite the very high tissular sunitinib concentration we did not observe any additional toxicity with loaded beads. Sunitinib eluting beads inhibit the activation of RTK's triggered by ischemia and seem to prolong survival of the treated animals. Therefore we consider that local treatment with sunitinib may provide a promising approach for the treatment of liver cancer.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum : evaluation of diagnostic criteria based on molecular data

RÉSUMÉ EN FRANCAIS : Introduction: Le pseudoxanthome élastique (PXE) est une maladie génétique. Les mutations responsables ont été localisées au niveau du gène codant le transporteur transmembranaire ABC-C6. Des calcifications pathologiques des fibres élastiques de la peau, des yeux et du système cardiovasculaire en sont la conséquence. Buts: Evaluer les critères diagnostiques actuels du PXE en se basant sur les données moléculaires. Méthodes: 142 sujets provenant de 10 familles avec une anamnèse familiale positive pour le PXE ont été investiguées sur le plan clinique, histopathologique et génétique. Résultats: 25 sujets se sont avérés être homozygotes pour le gène PXE muté. 23 d'entre eux ont présenté les manifestations cliniques et histopathologique typiques. Les deux autres souffraient d'une élastose et d'une dégénérescence maculaire si importante qu'un diagnostic de PXE ne pouvait pas être confirmé cliniquement. 67 sujets se sont révélés être des porteurs hétérozygotes et 50 ne présentaient pas de mutation. De ces 117 sujets, 116 n'ont montré aucune lésion cutanée ou ophtalmique pouvant correspondre au PXE. Un seul des sujets sans mutation a présenté une importante élastose solaire ainsi qu'une cicatrisation de la rétine, imitant les lésions typiques du PXE. Quatre des 67 sujets hétérozygotes ont eu une biopsie de peau, dont les analyses histopathologique se sont avérées normales. Conclusion: Dans notre cohorte de patients, le PXE était transmis exclusivement de façoh autosomique récessive. La corrélation retrouvée entre le génotype et le phénotype a permis de confirmer les critères diagnostiques majeurs actuels. Le diagnostic clinique peut être difficile, voir impossible, chez des patients atteints d'une élastose solaire importante et/ou d'une dégénérescence maculaire étendue. Dans ces cas, un test moléculaire est nécessaire afin de confirmer le diagnostic de PXE. A notre connaissance, notre étude présentée ici est le premier travail comparant des données cliniques à des données moléculaires dans le domaine du PXE. ABSTRACT : Background: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a genetic disorder due to mutations in the gene encoding the transmembrane transporter protein adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC)-C6, resulting in calcifications of elastic fibers in the skin, eyes and cardiovascular system. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic criteria for PXE based on molecular data. Methods: Of 10 families with a positive history of PXE 142 subjects were investigated for clinical symptoms, histological findings and genetic haplotype analysis. Results: Of these, 25 subjects were haplotypic homozygous for PXE and 23 had typical clinical and histopathological manifestations. Two of the 25 patients showed such marked solar elastosis and macular degeneration that PXE could not be confirmed clinically. Sixty-seven subject were haplotypic heterozygous carriers and 50 haplotypic homozygous unaffected. Of these 117 subjects, 116 showed no cutaneous or ophthalmologic signs of PXE. In one of the 50 haplotypic homozygous unaffected patients important solar elastosis and scaring of the retina mimicked PXE lesions. Only four of the 67 haplotypic heterozygous carriers had biopsies of nonlesional skin; all were histopathologically normal. Conclusions: In our patients, PXE presents as an autosomal recessive genodermatosis. Correlation of haplotype and phenotype confirmed actual major diagnostic criteria. In patients with marked solar elastosis and/ or severe macular degeneration clinical diagnosis can be impossible and molecular testing is needed to confirm the presence of PXE. To the best of our knowledge our large study compares for the first time clinical findings with molecular data.

In vivo evaluation of the anti-tumoral effect of sunitinib eluting beads in the rabbit VX2 tumor model

Purpose: To study the anti-tumoral effect of sunitinib eluting beads in the rabbit VX2 tumor modelMaterials: VX2 tumor were implanted in the left liver lobe of New-Zealand white rabbits. Seven animals received 0.2ml of DC Beads loaded with 6mg of sunitinb (group 1), 6 animals received 0.2ml of DC Beads (group 2) and 6 animals received NaCl 0.9% intra arterially in the left hepatic artery. One animal in each group was sacrificed at 24 hours and the others were left to survive. Liver enzyme were measured daily. In group 1 plasmatic sunitinib concentration were measured daily by LC MS/MS tandem mass spectroscopy. At day 15 all living animals were sacrficed. After sacrifice, or premature euthanasia the livers were harvested for determination of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity by western blot and histopathological examination.Results: In group 1, no animal died during follow-up. In group 2 and 3, respectively 2 and 3 animals died during follow-up. In group 1 plasmatic sunitinib level remained under therapeutic concentration during the whole experiment. There was an evident lack of phosphorylation of the RTK In group 1 and there was an augmentation of the RTK phosphorylation in group 2 at 24 hours. No difference in RTK activity was noticable at 15 days. From the histopathological point of view it was unpossible to differentiate treatment induced from spontaneous necrosis of tumors.Conclusions: Administration of sunitinib eluting Beads in VX2 carrying rabbits inhibits the activation of RTK's triggered by ischemia. It also seems to prolong survival of the treated animals.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of swine with spontaneous influenza A infection in Brazil, 2009-2010

Swine influenza (SI) is caused by the type A swine influenza virus (SIV). It is a highly contagious disease with a rapid course and recovery. The major clinical signs and symptoms are cough, fever, anorexia and poor performance. The disease has been associated with other co-infections in many countries, but not in Brazil, where, however, the first outbreak has been reported in 2011. The main aim of this study was to characterize the histological features in association with the immunohistochemical (IHC) results for influenza A (IA), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in lung samples from 60 pigs submitted to Setor de Patologia Veterinária at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (SPV-UFRGS), Brazil, during 2009-2010. All of these lung samples had changes characterized by interstitial pneumonia with necrotizing bronchiolitis, never observed previously in the evaluation of swine lungs in our laboratory routine. Pigs in this study had showed clinical signs of a respiratory infection. Swine samples originated from Rio Grande do Sul 31 (52%), Santa Catarina 14 (23%), Paraná 11 (18%), and Mato Grosso do Sul 4 (7%). Positive anti-IA IHC labelling was observed in 45% of the cases, which were associated with necrotizing bronchiolitis, atelectasis, purulent bronchopneumonia and hyperemia. Moreover, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, alveolar and bronchiolar polyp-like structures, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) hyperplasia and pleuritis were the significant features in negative anti-IA IHC, which were also associated with chronic lesions. There were only two cases with positive anti-PCV2 IHC and none to PRRSV. Therefore, SIV was the predominant infectious agent in the lung samples studied. The viral antigen is often absent due to the rapid progress of SI, which may explain the negative IHC results for IA (55%); therefore, IHC should be performed at the beginning of the disease. This study has shown how important a careful histological evaluation is for the diagnosis. Since 2009, a new histological feature of swine pneumonia in animals with respiratory clinical signs has been observed in samples from pigs with clinical respiratory disease submitted to SPV-UFRGS. In addition, the results proved the importance of histological evaluation for swine herd health management.

Clinical and parasitological evaluation of pour-on fluazuron and ivermectin for treating canine demodicosis

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of pour-on formulations of fluazuron and ivermectin in different therapeutic protocols for treatment of demodicosis by means of quantifying mites with skin scraping, histological and clinical evaluation in dogs. Eighteen dogs with skin scrapings positive for Demodex canis were evaluated, divided into three groups. All the animals were treated every 14 days, completing 6 treatments for each animal (days 0, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70). In group 1, pour-on 2.5% fluazuron was used at the dose of 20mg/kg; in the group 2 pour-on 2.5% fluazuron at a dose of 20 mg/kg in association with pour-on 0.5% ivermectin at the dose of 0.6mg/kg; and in group 3, pour-on 0.5% ivermectin alone was used, at the dose of 0.6mg/kg. The treatment was evaluated and monitored through skin scrapings and clinical follow-up of the lesions every 14 days for 84 days, and through histopathological examination at the end of each treatment protocol. The success rate was defined as the percentage of dogs in each group that had negative skin scrapings after the treatment: this was 16.67% for group 1, and 50% for groups 2 and 3. The reduction in mite counts reached effectiveness of 67.66%, 88.99% and 84.29% for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The Wilcoxon test showed that there was a significant difference between the number of mites before and after treatment in groups 2 and 3. The histopathological examination revealed that only group 1 showed no significant difference in the intensity of infestation between days 0 and 84. Clinically, there was no significant difference between the evaluation before and after treatment in the three groups. pour-on 2.5% fluazuron and pour-on 0.5% ivermectin were not effective for treating canine demodicosis, either in association or as single therapy, when applied every 14 days for a period of 70 days. Quantification of mites using skin scrapings and histological evaluation proved to be ineffective, either one as sole therapeutic evaluation parameters, for canine demodicosis.

Short-term evaluation of non-absorbable microgranular hydroxyapatite infiltration in the guinea pig subepidermal abdominal region

Non-absorbable microgranular hydroxyapatite was infiltrated into the subepidermal abdominal region of guinea pigs in order to assess the possibility of using this material to correct deficiencies in orbital volume. Microgranular hydroxyapatite (2.0 ml) was subepidermally infiltrated into the abdominal region of 20 guinea pigs. The animals were divided into four experimental groups of 5 animals each, which were killed 7 (G1), 15 (G2), 30 (G3) and 60 (G4) days after infiltration. The area and the largest and smallest diameters of the nodules formed by infiltration were evaluated at the site of infiltration and histological examination was performed. The mean granuloma area was similar in all groups. Histopathological examination showed that the material remained isolated from surrounding tissues by a pseudocapsule that became denser throughout the experiment. A host reaction started with young fibroblastic tissue that evolved to dense tissue until cartilaginous tissue was formed in G4, progressively advancing towards the center of the granuloma from G1 to G4. Non-absorbable microgranular hydroxyapatite is an inert material that was well tolerated by the animals studied, with maintenance of the infiltrated volume, and may perhaps be useful to fill anophthalmic cavities.

Morphometric evaluation of nitric oxide synthase isoforms and their cytokine regulators predict pulmonary dysfunction and survival in systemic sclerosis

Because histopathological changes in the lungs of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are consistent with alveolar and vessel cell damage, we presume that this interaction can be characterized by analyzing the expression of proteins regulating nitric oxide (NO) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) synthesis. To validate the importance of alveolar-vascular interactions and to explore the quantitative relationship between these factors and other clinical data, we studied these markers in 23 cases of SSc nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (SSc-NSIP). We used immunohistochemistry and morphometry to evaluate the amount of cells in alveolar septa and vessels staining for NO synthase (NOS) and PAI-1, and the outcomes of our study were cellular and fibrotic NSIP, pulmonary function tests, and survival time until death. General linear model analysis demonstrated that staining for septal inducible NOS (iNOS) related significantly to staining of septal cells for interleukin (IL)-4 and to septal IL-13. In univariate analysis, higher levels of septal and vascular cells staining for iNOS were associated with a smaller percentage of septal and vascular cells expressing fibroblast growth factor and myofibroblast proliferation, respectively. Multivariate Cox model analysis demonstrated that, after controlling for SSc-NSIP histological patterns, just three variables were significantly associated with survival time: septal iNOS (P=0.04), septal IL-13 (P=0.03), and septal basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; P=0.02). Augmented NOS, IL-13, and bFGF in SSc-NSIP histological patterns suggest a possible functional role for iNOS in SSc. In addition, the extent of iNOS, PAI-1, and IL-4 staining in alveolar septa and vessels provides a possible independent diagnostic measure for the degree of pulmonary dysfunction and fibrosis with an impact on the survival of patients with SSc.

Evaluation of 99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) as an agent for pancreas tumor detection in mice

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is important in oncology because of its high mortality rate. Deaths may be avoided if an early diagnosis could be achieved. Several types of tumors overexpress gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPr), including pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, a radiolabeled peptide derivative of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may be useful as a specific imaging probe. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14)as an imaging probe for Capan-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Xenographic pancreatic tumor was developed in nude mice and characterized by histopathological analysis. Biodistribution studies and scintigraphic images were carried out in tumor-bearing nude mice. The two methods showed higher uptake by pancreatic tumor when compared to muscle (used as control), and the tumor-to-muscle ratio indicated that99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14)uptake was four-fold higher in tumor cells than in other tissues. Scintigraphic images also showed a clear signal at the tumor site. The present data indicate that99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14)may be useful for the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.