Detection of esophageal carcinoma using single photon emission computed tomography with technetium-99m tetrofosmin

Technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) alpha thallium-201 (Tl-201) and techneti um-99m methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (Tc-MIBI) competitor, being used as a ne w radiopharmaceutical for myocardial imaging was assessed to understand its value in detecting esophageal carcinoma (Eso-Ca). Forty patients with Eso- Ca underwent Tc-TF single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of th e chest. Meanwhile 15 controls also accepted Tc-TF SPECT of the chest for c omparison. Among the 40 patients Tc-TF chest SPFCT defected Eso-Ca in 33 (8 2.5%) but not in 7 (17.5%). In contrast all 15 normal controls (100.0%) had negative Tc-TF chest SPECT Defection sensitivities were higher for tumors located in the middle portion of the esophagus for epidermoid ca and for tu mors with poor differentiation when compared with tumors in the upper or lo wer portion for adenocarcinoma and tumors with moderate differentiation. Ho wever; the differences were not significant (p values < 0.05). Significantl y higher detection. sensitivity was found for tumors of larger size than fo r tumors of smaller size (p value < 0. 05). Our results suggest that Tc-TF chest SPECT is a helpful test for detecting Eso-Ca especially larger tumors .