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Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic
Imaging: A Correlative Approach
Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic
Imaging: A Correlative Approach
Edited by
Ali Gholamrezanezhad, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology, Keck School of Medicine
Universityof Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
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from this title is available at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
The right of Ali Gholamrezanezhad, Majid Assadi, and Hossein Jadvar to be identified as the authors of the editorial material in this work has
been asserted in accordance with law.
Registered Offices
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
For details of our global editorial offices, customer services, and more information about Wiley products visit us at www.wiley.com.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some content that appears in standard print versions
of this book may not be available in other formats.
Trademarks: Wiley and the Wiley logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United
States and other countries and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
To my family especially my mother, Maryam, my wife, Moloud, my sons, Arian and Aiden. For their endless sacrifices they
have made to make my life most rewarding
Majid Assadi
To those contributed to my education and excellence, especially my mother (the best teacher I have ever had), Fatemeh, my
brother, Hadi, my wife, Farzaneh, and my son, Adrian
and
To my patients, those who I served with the deepest gratitude and appreciation.
Ali Gholamrezanezhad
vii
Contents
List of Contributors x
Preface xvii
1 Introduction to Correlative Imaging: What Radiologists and Nuclear Medicine Physicians Should
Know on Hybrid Imaging 1
Prathamesh V. Joshi, Alok Pawaskar, and Sandip Basu
4 Radiopharmaceuticals 133
Ferdinando Calabria, Mario Leporace, Rosanna Tavolaro, and Antonio Bagnato
6 PET Imaging in Gliomas: Clinical Principles and Synergies with MRI 194
Riccardo Laudicella, C. Mantarro, B. Catalfamo, P. Alongi, M. Gaeta, F. Minutoli, S. Baldari, and Sotirios Bisdas
23 Osteoporosis: Diagnostic Imaging and Value of Multimodality Approach in Differentiating Benign Versus
Pathologic Compression Fractures 659
Daniela Garcia, Shambo Guha Roy, and Reza Hayeri
68
30 Ga-FAPI, a Twin Tracer for 18F-FDG in the Era of Evolving PET Imaging 814
Reyhaneh Manafi-Farid, GhasemAli Divband, HamidReza Amini, Thomas G. Clifford, Ali Gholamrezanezhad,
Mykol Larvie, and Majid Assadi
Index 871
x
List of Contributors
Akram Al-Ibraheem
Sarah L. Averill
Department of Nuclear Medicine, King Hussein Cancer
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine,
Center, Amman, Jordan
Iowa City, IA, USA
Iowa City Veterans Administration Healthcare System,
Ahmed Aljizeeri
Iowa City, IA, USA
King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Antonio Bagnato
King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia “Mariano Santo” Hospital, Cosenza, Italy
S. Baldari B. Catalfamo
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological
and Functional Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Unit, and Functional Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Unit,
University of Messina, Messina, Italy University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Saum Ghodoussipour
Murat Fani Bozkurt
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hacettepe University
Brunswick, NJ, USA
Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of
New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
P. Ferrari
Department of Medical Physics, Central Hospital of
Ali Gholamrezanezhad
Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Brandon K. K. Fields
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern
Edoardo Giacomello
California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e
Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
Russell Flato
Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, Jordan S. Gross
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA Department of Radiology, University of California, Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
A. Fracchetti
Department of Medical Physics, Central Hospital of Mariano Grosso
Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy Regional Center of Nuclear Medicine, Department of
Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in
Marco Frigo Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine,
University of Padua, Padua, Italy Amit Gupta
Radiology, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering,
Jerry W. Froelich Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine,
Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Cleveland, OH, USA
Cancer Imaging Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer
Hiroyuki Fujii Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
Department of Radiology, National Center of Neurology Diagnostic Radiography, University Hospital Cleveland
and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
List of Contributors xiii
Giuseppe Visconti
Plastic Surgery, Lymphedema Center, A. Gemelli Hospital,
Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy
xvii
Preface
Medical imaging has come a long way since the discovery diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, addressing all
of X-rays by Wilhelm Rontgen, for which he received the major organ systems and major diseases (cardiovascular,
Nobel Prize in 1901. For over a century, medical imaging neurologic, oncologic, infection, and inflammation, in
has evolved remarkably with discoveries and the develop- both adults and children). In all chapters, there is emphasis
ment of innovative technologies which in combination on correlative imaging and how one imaging modality
with major strides in understanding the biology of health complements another in a synergistic way. As appropriate,
and disease have contributed significantly to the concept of the reader is introduced to the relevant anatomy and physi-
precision health and precision medicine. These milestones ology. Modern topics of radiomics, AI/DL, and theranos-
include, but are not limited to, the discovery of radioactiv- tics are discussed. This image-rich book will appeal to
ity and positron and technical developments of the radi- physicians, allied healthcare professionals, and trainees
otracer concept, cyclotron, computed tomography (CT), (medical students, residents, fellows). The editors regret
ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), any potential errors and omissions and commit to remedy
single photon computed tomography (SPECT), and posi- any shortcomings in any future editions.
tron emission tomography (PET). Advances in computer We dedicate this book to the memory of Sanjiv “Sam”
technology have also provided opportunities for sophisti- Gambhir, MD, PhD, Chair of Radiology at Stanford
cated incorporation of radiomics, artificial intelligence, University. Sam was our mentor, friend, and colleague. He
and deep learning (AI/DL) algorithms in medical imaging. was larger than life with deep intellect, contagious gener-
Over the past decade, it has become clear that hybrid imag- osity, and remarkable humility. The entire scientific com-
ing (e.g. PET/CT, PET/MRI, SPECT/CT) provides a broader munity and indeed humanity itself lost a glorious soul
view of disease that was unavailable previously. For exam- from his untimely passing in July 2020.
ple, it is now recognized that a small lymph node may har-
bor a tumor while a large lymph node may be benign. Ali Gholamrezanezhad
Another example is visualization of tumor infiltration in Clinical Radiology, University of Southern California,
marrow space without concordant structural abnormali- Los Angeles, CA, USA
ties. Such comprehensive information provides opportuni-
Majid Assadi
ties for enhanced imaging assessment of the patient, which
Nuclear Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical
has been demonstrated to impact clinical management and
Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
improve patient outcome.
The editors of this book have assembled an international Hossein Jadvar
team of expert imaging specialists to compile comprehen- Radiology, Urology, and Biomedical Engineering,
sive coverage of correlative imaging in the domains of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
1
Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach, First Edition. Edited by Ali Gholamrezanezhad,
Majid Assadi, and Hossein Jadvar.
© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published 2023 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
2 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
Table 1.1 Overview of the salient attributes of important tomographic imaging modalities.
Principle Three-dimensional Computer-generated image of local Combined X-ray Strong magnetic field
distribution of radioactive tracer distribution in transmission source and radio waves to
positron-emitting tissues produced through the detection and detector system create detailed
labeled radiotracers of single-photon emissions from rotating around the images of the organs
radionuclides introduced into the body subject to generate and tissues within
in the form of SPECT radiotracers tomographic images the body
The tracer/ Positron-emitting Gamma-ray-emitting Iodine-containing Gadolinium-based
contrast used radio-pharmaceuticals radio-pharmaceuticals contrast medium contrast agents
Resolution ++ + +++ +++
Functional +++ ++ + ++
assessment
Radiation ++ + +++ None
exposure
Allergy/acute No No Yes Yes
side effects
Measurable PET tracer − Attenuation value/ Apparent diffusion
parameter/ uptake/standardized Hounsfield unit coefficient/mm2/s
quantification uptake value
unit
CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET, positron emission tomography; SPECT, single-photon emission
tomography.
Correlative imaging has been in practice in the form of used tracer at present is the 18F-labeled glucose analogue
comparative imaging for many years, a typical example of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and it is the workhorse of
this being the “hot spot” observed in bone scans interpreted PET-CT imaging at present.
as metastatic or degenerative based on comparing it with Though most commonly utilized in oncological imaging,
MRI or CT of the same bone. However, now fusion imaging FDG-PET has many other nononcological applications
techniques such as SPECT-CT, PET-CT, and PET-MRI have now: dementia, myocardial viability, and infection imaging
emerged as most widely accepted form of correlative imag- to name a few. Hence FDG is utilized here as example to
ing. Conventionally, SPECT and PET had been domains of demonstrate PET tracer characteristics to radiologists.
nuclear physicians while CT and MR had been the radiolo-
● Principle of FDG PET imaging
gist’s forte. With the advent and rapid success of fusion
Enhanced glucose metabolism of cancer cells (primarily
imaging there is a need for combined knowledge of both
dependent on anaerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect)
nuclear medicine and radiology for accurate interpretation
forms the fundamental basis of FDG PET/CT imaging of
of fusion imaging findings. In the next section, we aim to
malignancies. The increased glucose utilization by the
familiarize nuclear physicians and radiologists with the
malignant cells is characterized by high expression of glu-
basic principles of tomographic techniques utilized in
cose transporters (GLUTs, namely GLUT1 and GLUT3)
correlative/fusion imaging.
and upregulation of hexokinase activity [4].
Glucose is taken up by tumor cells by facilitated transport
Positron Emission Tomography–Computed (via GLUT) and then undergoes glycolysis with the forma-
tion of pyruvate under aerobic conditions. However, under
Tomography
hypoxic conditions (such as in a necrotic tumor), glucose is
metabolized under anaerobic conditions with resultant
PET-CT: What a Radiologist Should Know about PET
increased tumor lactate levels. FDG is a radiopharmaceuti-
Basics of PET-CT cal (RP) analog of glucose that is taken up by metabolically
Positron Emission Tomography active tumor cells using facilitated transport similar to that
PET is a tomographic technique that measures the three- used by glucose (Figure 1.1). Despite the chemical differ-
dimensional distribution of positron-emitter labeled radi- ences, cellular uptake of FDG is similar to that for glucose.
otracers. PET allows noninvasive quantitative assessment of FDG passes the cellular membrane through facilitated
biochemical and functional processes. The most commonly transport mediated by the GLUTs, of which more than 14
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 3
CELL
CYTOPLASM
hexokinase
GLUCOSE GLUCOSE GLUCOSE-6-PO4
GLUT Glusose-6-
receptors glycolysis
phosphatase
CELL
CYTOPLASM
hexokinase
F-18 FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE FDG FDG-6-PO4
(FDG)
GLUT Glusose-6-
receptors glycolysis
phosphatase
Figure 1.1 Mechanism of FDG uptake and metabolic trapping inside the cell.
different isoforms have been identified in humans, differing urine, lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, salivary glands,
in their tissue distribution and affinity for glucose. GLUT1 and testes (Figure 1.2). Breast, uterus, ovary, and thymus
is the most common glucose transporter in humans and is, can show variable FDG uptake.
together with GLUT3, overexpressed in many tumors [5–7].
Like glucose, it undergoes phosphorylation to form FDG-6- Causes of Physiological FDG Uptake and Normal
phosphate; however, unlike glucose, it does not undergo Variants Mimicking Pathology
further metabolism. At the same time, expression of the As increased FDG uptake is not limited to malignant tis-
enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase is usually significantly sues alone, for the appropriate interpretation of FDG
decreased in the malignant cells, and FDG-6-phosphate PET-CT imaging the interpreting radiologist needs to be
thus undergoes only minimal dephosphorylation, hence aware of the physiological causes of FDG uptake as well as
becoming “metabolically trapped” in cancer cells [8]. The commonly encountered physiological variants [10–15].
distribution of FDG in normal organs and pathological Table 1.2 summarizes and enumerates the different
lesions is detected by PET scanners. physiological causes and sites of FDG uptake that can
mimic disease and the suggested interventions to reduce
● Preparation for FDG-PET and scan acquisition
them.
Patients are advised to fast and not consume beverages,
except for water, for at least 4–6 hours before the admin- ● Quantification of FDG uptake and SUV
istration of FDG to decrease physiologic glucose levels While interpreting a PET-CT scan, it is the relative tissue
and to reduce serum insulin levels to near basal levels. uptake of FDG (or any other PET RP) that is of interest to
Oral hydration with water is encouraged. Intravenous the reporting physician. Visual analysis is sufficient in
fluids containing dextrose or parenteral feedings also most cases, but the standardized uptake value (SUV) is a
should be withheld for 4–6 hours [9]. FDG is injected commonly used measure of FDG uptake and it is routinely
intravenously and the PET scan is typically acquired mentioned in PET-CT reports. The basic expression for
50–90 minutes after FDG injection. SUV is [16]
● Normal biodistribution and physiological variants
r
Physiological FDG uptake is seen in the brain, myocar- SUV
a w
dium, liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, kidneys and
4 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
(a) (b)
Brain
Heart
Liver Spleen
Kidney
Bone marrow
Urinary
bladder
Testes
Figure 1.2 A typical example of the physiological distribution of FDG uptake in a conventional vertex-to-mid thigh whole-body PET
study. (a) Maximum intensity projection (MIP) image of a PET scan. (b) Three columns depicting (left to right) trans-axial PET only,
trans-axial CT only, and trans-axial fused PET-CT images of physiological distribution.
where r is the radioactivity activity concentration (kBq/ml) utilized as a marker of change in the metabolic activity of
measured by the PET scanner within a region of interest pathology and hence it is important to reproduce the scan
(ROI), a is the decay-corrected amount of injected radiola- conditions during the follow-up PET-CT scan performed
beled FDG (kBq), and w is the weight of the patient (g), for response evaluation.
which is used as a surrogate for distribution volume of
tracer. If all the injected FDG is retained and uniformly dis-
What Nuclear Medicine Physicians Need
tributed throughout the body, the SUV everywhere will be
to Know about CT
1 g/ml regardless of the amount of FDG injected or patient
size [17, 18]. Commonly SUVmax of lesions (maximum PET alone is limited by poor anatomic detail, and correla-
SUV) is provided in reports, which is the SUV of most avid tion with some other form of imaging, such as CT, is desir-
voxel in ROI. able for differentiating normal from abnormal radiotracer
The reproducibility of SUV measurements depends on uptake [8]. Hence PET-CT morpho-metabolic imaging
the reproducibility of clinical protocols, for example dose emerged as an ideal single investigation for oncology prac-
infiltration, time of imaging after 18F-FDG administration, tice. However, this also mandates the nuclear physician to
type of reconstruction algorithms, type of attenuation have adequate knowledge of the CT component of imaging
maps, size of the ROI, and changes in uptake by organs as well as the various interventions employed in CT
other than the tumor [9]. SUV or SUVmax values are often acquisition.
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 5
Table 1.2 Characteristics and causes of physiological uptake of FDG and methods to circumvent them.
Causes/sites of
FDG uptake Physiology behind FDG uptake PET-CT appearance Interventions to reduce uptake
Brown adipose Nonshivering thermogenesis FDG uptake in fat density Making patients wear warm
tissue (BAT) requires glucose for glycolysis as a (−150 to −50 HU) in neck, clothing and providing a
source of adenosine triphosphate, shoulder, and paraspinal regions blanket in the waiting suite
which in turn is utilized in fatty (Figure 1.3) to avoid cold-induced BAT
acid oxidation activation.
Less common in perirenal,
BAT is innervated by the perigastric regions Premedication with
sympathetic nervous system and beta-blockers or diazepam
expresses beta-adrenergic receptors, FDG uptake in BAT is more
which are stimulated by cold common in younger patients,
females > males
Vocal cords Phonation-related laryngeal muscle Symmetrically increased FDG If the region of interest is the
contraction uptake in both vocal cords larynx, the patient should be
(Figure 1.4) instructed to avoid talking
after FDG injection
Myocardium Glucose as substrate for energy Variable, focal or diffuse without Fasting before FDG PET-CT
(GLUT1 and insulin-sensitive corresponding morphologic (4–12 hours)
GLUT4) abnormality on CT High-fat, low-carbohydrate
diet before scan
Premedication with
unfractionated heparin
before FDG injection
Thymus Physiological uptake in pediatric Inverted V-shaped/butterfly pattern The uptake has a diffuse
patients (especially in of anterior mediastinal uptake on characteristic pattern: no
postchemotherapy setting, known the transaxial view and absence of specific intervention
as “thymic rebound”) lesion on corresponding CT
(Figure 1.5)
Lactating Due to secretory hyperplasia and Bilateral breast reveal diffuse FDG The uptake has a diffuse
breasts the increased expression of GLUT-1 uptake, but if infant is suckling characteristic pattern: no
unilateral breast only that side can specific intervention
show diffuse FDG uptake
(Figure 1.6)
Urinary system FDG excretion in urine Usually does not affect scan Dual point/delayed postvoid
interpretation imaging with or without
Focal retention in kidneys/ureter/ diuretic intervention
urinary bladder can mimic
pathology
Ovary FDG uptake in corpus luteal cyst Ovoid FDG uptake with smooth Correlation with menstrual
margins or a rim of FDG uptake history
with a photopenic center
(Figure 1.7)
Endometrium FDG in menstrual flow FDG uptake in endometrium in a If being evaluated for
diffuse uniform pattern gynecological pathology,
(Figure 1.8) PET-CT scan should be
scheduled in the
postmenstrual phase
Colon Related to bowel motility Typically heterogeneous and can Uptake pattern: no
The uptake in cecum and right vary in distribution from mild focal interventions
colon could be result of higher to diffuse uptake
lymphocytes in these regions Often, there is higher uptake
within the cecum and right colon
(Continued)
6 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
Causes/sites of
FDG uptake Physiology behind FDG uptake PET-CT appearance Interventions to reduce uptake
Spinal cord Inadequate clearance of FDG from The physiological FDG uptake is
the artery of Adamkiewicz, which visualized in the cervical spinal
originates on the left side of the cord peaking at C4 level, and in the
aorta between the T9 and T11 lower thoracic spinal cord peaking
vertebral segments at the T11–T12 segments
Increased cross-sectional area of (Figure 1.9)
the spinal cord
Skeletal Exercise induces glucose uptake in If related to exercise, usually Patients should avoid
muscles skeletal muscles symmetrical FDG uptake in strenuous exercise for
Labored breathing can increase muscles with no abnormal 48–72 hours before
FDG uptake in intercostal muscles enhancement or lesion on CT scheduled scan
and diaphragm If related to meal/insulin diffuse Fasting status should be
In postmeal state, insulin increases FDG uptake in skeletal muscles confirmed before FDG
GLUT (GLUT-4) mediated skeletal (usually also accompanied with injection
muscle glucose uptake cardiac FDG uptake)
If related to labored breathing,
intercostal muscles and diaphragm
reveal symmetrical increased FDG
uptake (Figure 1.10)
BAT, brown adipose tissue; FDG, fluorodeoxyglucose; GLUT1, glucose transporter 1; GLUT4, glucose transporter 4; PET-CT, positron emission
tomography/computed tomography.
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 1.3 (a) FDG uptake in brown adipose tissue in bilateral cervical (red arrows), paraspinal, and perirenal regions as shown in
MIP image, (b) transaxial PET-only image of the neck region, (c) transaxial CT-only image, and (d) fused PET-CT image.
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 7
(a) (b)
Figure 1.4 (a) Transaxial CT-only image of vocal cords. (b) The fused PET-CT image of the same region shows symmetrical increased
FDG uptake in bilateral vocal cords (arrows). This patient was groaning due to painful skeletal secondaries, resulting in
hypermetabolism in the vocal cords.
Principle of CT
The CT scanner creates cross-sectional images by project-
ing a beam of X-rays through one plane of an object
(patient) from defined angle positions performing one rev-
olution. These X-rays are generated by a rotating X-ray tube
(Figure 1.11). As the X-rays pass through the patient‚ some
of them are absorbed, while some are scattered and others
are transmitted. The process of X-ray attenuation refers to
the intensity reduction involving those X-rays which are
scattered or absorbed. X-rays which are attenuated due to
the interactions with the object do not reach the X-ray
detector. Photons transmitted through the object at each
angle are collected on the detector and visualized by com-
puter, creating a complete reconstruction of the patient.
The three-dimensional (3D) gray value data structure
gained in this way represents the electron density distribu-
tion in the area of interest [19].
Figure 1.5 (a) MIP image of PET-CT of a 10-year-old boy The ability of matter to attenuate X-rays is measured in
showing physiological FDG uptake in the thymus (black arrows). Hounsfield units (HU). By definition, water is assigned a
(b) Hypermetabolism in the soft tissue neoplasm in the occipital
density value of 0 HU and air a value of −1000 HU.
region (red arrow).
Attenuation values for most soft tissues fall within
30–100 HU. Notable exceptions are lungs, with attenuation
Computed Tomography
values approaching −1000 HU (due to high air content),
Although the potential applications of X-rays in medical and mineralized tissues such as bone, with attenuation val-
imaging diagnosis were clear from the beginning, the ues of approximately 1000 HU [21].
implementation of the first X-ray CT system was made in
1972 by Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield (Nobel prize winner
Intravenous and Oral Contrast in CT Scanning
in 1979 for Physiology and Medicine), who constructed the
prototype of the first medical CT scanner and is considered Intravenous Contrast
the father of CT. After this, CT was immediately welcomed Differences in the CT attenuation of healthy tissue
by the medical community and has often been referred to and pathology can improve the quality of the images
8 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 1.6 (a) MIP image of PET-CT showing FDG uptake in bilateral breasts of a nursing mother (red arrows), (b) transaxial FDG PET
of breast region, (c) CT of breast region and (d) fused PET-CT of breast region.
(a) (b)
Figure 1.7 (a) CT image of pelvic region and (b) fused PET-CT of same region showing increased FDG uptake in a corpus luteal cyst in
the left adnexal region (arrow).
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 9
(a) (b)
Figure 1.8 FDG PET-CT of a 27-year-old female. (a) Transaxial CT of pelvic region and (b) fused PET-CT image of pelvic region
revealing FDG uptake in fluid in the endometrial cavity (arrow) corresponding to menstruation.
Figure 1.9 (a) Sagital CT, (b) PET, and (c) fused PET-CT images revealing physiological FDG uptake in the cervical spinal cord (arrows).
(d) Transaxial CT, (e) PET, and (f) fused PET-CT images showing focal FDG uptake at the T11-T12 level in the spinal cord (arrows).
10 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
(a) (b)
(c)
Figure 1.10 (a) In a carcinoma larynx patient, the MIP image of FDG PET-CT reveals a hypermetabolic lesion in the neck
corresponding to the site of primary malignancy (black arrow). (b) Fused PET-CT image shows increased FDG uptake in the intercostal
muscles and diaphragmatic crura (white arrows). (c) Transaxial CT of the same region. The augmented FDG uptake in these muscles of
respiration was the result of labored breathing due to narrowing of the airway caused by the laryngeal malignancy.
CT Protocols in PET-CT
Protocol1: When CT is used for attenuation correction and localization only (not
intended as a clinically diagnostic CT scan)
A whole-
body
diagnostic CT
Deep
(with shallow
inspiration
breathing),
thoracic CT,
with 45 seconds
CT with 20 seconds PET
delay after
topogram delay from acquisition
thoracic CT
beginning of
(in
IV contrast
equilibrium
infusion
or venous
phase of
contrast)
Figure 1.14 Staging FDG PET-CT of a 53-year-old female diagnosed with locally advanced carcinoma of the left breast (blue arrow)
with metastatic lesion in body of D7 vertebra (red arrow). The following components of PET-CT are seen: (a) maximum intensity
projection (MIP) image, (b) trans-axial PET only image, (c) coronal PET only image, (d) sagittal PET only image, (e) trans-axial CT only
image, (f) coronal CT only image, (g) sagittal CT only image, (h) trans-axial PET-CT fusion image, (i) coronal PET-CT fusion image,
(j) sagittal PET-CT fusion image
Artifacts in PET-CT Fusion Efforts have been made to minimize such image degra-
dation by the generation of a respiratory motion cor-
Recent PET-CT scanners allow excellent fusion of the PET rected or four-dimensional PET-CT during which the
and CT images and thus improve lesion localization and PET data are acquired in synchronization with respira-
interpretation accuracy. Moreover, the employment of the tory motion [30].
CT data for attenuation correction has led to high patient 2) Attenuation correction artifacts: The presence of high-
throughput [29]. Although PET-CT imaging offers many density material in the patient’s body either in the form
advantages, this dual-modality imaging also poses some of high-density material like bone cement or venous
technical challenges due to a few artifacts. The reader inter- pooling of intravenous contrast/barium from previous
preting PET-CT scans needs to be aware of these limitations. studies in bowel loops can result in artifactual FDG
The artifacts can be broadly divided into following uptake due to exaggerated attenuation correction at
categories: these sites. A clinical example is shown in Figure 1.16.
3) Beam hardening artifact: This artifact appears as multiple
1) Motion artifacts (respiratory or patient related): Although linear bands of abnormal attenuation traversing a body
the CT and PET acquisitions are performed without part adjacent to high-attenuation objects, such as metal
changing the patient position, voluntary or involuntary prosthesis, dental fillings, chemo ports, and pacemakers.
movements of patient can result in misregistration of Patients need to be instructed to remove metallic objects
PET and CT images. Most commonly such misregistra- before scan acquisition and a note should be made of
tion artifacts are observed in lesions of the lungs and fixed/in situ metallic prosthesis/implants. An example is
liver. An example is shown in Figure 1.15. shown Figure 1.17. Some implants/prosthesis can result
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 1.15 50-year-old male, known smoker, referred for characterization of a solitary pulmonary nodule in the basal region of the
lower lobe of the right lung. (a) A focus of increased FDG uptake is noted (red arrow), which does not correspond to any morphological
abnormality in fused PET-CT (b) and CT only (c). The acquisitions were repeated with shallow breathing to minimize the lung motion
and the second set of images (d)–(f) reveal focal FDG uptake in a 14 × 14 mm sized nodule in the basal region of the lower lobe of the
right lung (blue arrow), suspicious of neoplastic pathology.
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 1.16 MIP image of FDG PET-CT of a 36-year-old female for staging lymphoma. The focal uptake observed in the right axillary
region (black arrows in (a) and (b), and white arrow in (c)) was artifactual due to pooling of intravenous contrast material in the right
subclavian vein. The high density of contrast (red arrow in (d)) resulted in high attenuation correction and resultant artifactual FDG
uptake in the PET image.
14 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
in false-positive PET findings due to changes in attenua- with arms down, such as in the case of head and neck
tion correction factors. malignancy. When a patient extends beyond the CT FOV,
A similar artifact can be seen when the PET-CT scan is the extended part of the anatomy is truncated and conse-
acquired with the hands on the sides of the trunk and quently is not represented in the reconstructed CT image.
hence the easiest way to prevent this artifact is to per- Truncation also produces streaking artifacts at the edge
form the scan with arms up or down, depending on of the CT image, resulting in an overestimation of the
clinical indication. attenuation coefficients used to correct the PET data.
4) Truncation artifact: Truncation artifacts in PET-CT are This increase in attenuation coefficients creates a rim of
due to the difference in size of the FOV between the CT high activity at the truncation edge (see the example in
(50 cm) and PET (70 cm) tomographs [31]. These artifacts Figure 1.18), potentially resulting in misinterpretation of
are frequently seen in large patients or patients scanned the PET scan [32]. Therefore, in PET-CT imaging, it is
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 1.17 Beam hardening artifact caused by a metallic implant in the right femur, seen as linear bands of abnormal attenuation
(arrows in (a)–(c)). No artifact is noted in the PET-only image (d).
Figure 1.18 Truncation artifact in a large patient resulting in the rim of FDG uptake in PET image (a, arrow), loss of information in CT
only image (b), and FDG uptake without morphological data in fused PET-CT (c, arrow).
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 15
crucial that technologists carefully position the patient at chyma (see the example in Figure 1.19). Such uptake
the center of the FOV and with arms above the head to can be the result of iatrogenic FDG micro-embolus at
reduce truncation artifacts [29]. the time of injection [33] and when such a finding can
5) Radiopharmaceutical related: Although relatively rare, affect management of a patient, a follow-up scan can
focal FDG uptake (or other PET radiotracer uptake) be performed to avoid false-positive interpretation. In
without any CT demonstrable lesion needs to be the next section, few clinical case examples present
interpreted with caution, especially in lung paren- (Figures 1.20–1.22).
Figure 1.19 Focal FDG uptake seen in the PET image (a, arrow) and fused PET-CT (b) does not correspond to any nodule/lesion in the
corresponding CT trans-axial slice of the right lung (c). Such a pattern can be the result of an iatrogenic micro-embolus of FDG caused
during injection.
(d) (e)
Figure 1.20 A 28-year-old male recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for staging FDG PET-CT evaluation. The supra-
diaphragmatic and infra-diaphragmatic lymphadenopathy was apparent on CT and was suggestive of stage III NHL. However, the
hypermetabolism in spleen (a and c, arrow) and left iliac bone (e, arrow) could be appreciated in PET and fused PET-CT images and
hence indicated splenic as well as bone marrow involvement, upstaging disease to stage IV. Note that in the CT-only images (b) and
(d) the spleen and left iliac bone appear unremarkable.
16 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
Table 1.3 PET beyond FDG: the important contemporary tracers and their clinical applications.
(a) (b)
Pancreatic duct
Figure 1.21 A 56-year-old male complained of chronic, intermittent abdominal pain and recent onset jaundice, nausea. Ultrasonography
revealed an overdistended gall bladder without any calculus. FDG PET-CT was performed with suspicion of pancreatico-biliary neoplastic
pathology. (a) The contrast-enhanced CT revealed a dilated pancreatic duct and common bile duct, the “double duct sign” (white arrow),
indicating pathology in ampullary region. However, on contrast-enhanced CT alone no obvious morphological lesion could be identified
in the ampullary/duodenal region. However, in the FDG PET images, focal hypermetabolism is seen in the right lumbar region of the
abdomen. When the PET and CT images are fused (b), the hypermetabolism corresponds to the ampullary region of the duodenum (green
arrow) and indicates an ampullary lesion obstructing the pancreatic and common bile ducts. On endoscopy, an ulcerated lesion was found
in the second part of the duodenum, which revealed ampullary carcinoma on histopathology.
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 17
(e) (f)
Figure 1.22 Pre- and postchemotherapy FDG PET-CTs of a metastatic carcinoma rectum. The pretherapy PET-CT MIP (a), fused PET-CT
(c), and CT-only (d) images reveal FDG avid hepatic metastasis. Posttreatment images (b), (e), and (f) reveal complete metabolic
response, as seen by resolution of FDG uptake and partial morphological regression, as seen by the reduction in the size of the lesion.
Figure 1.23 MIP image of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT for evaluation of biochemical recurrence of prostate carcinoma in a 61-year-old
male. Increased PSMA expression seen in pelvic region (a, black arrow). (b) CT and fused PET-CT reveal increased PSMA expression in
perirectal lymph nodes (white arrows). (d) Scan pattern suggests metastatic lymphadenopathy as a cause of rising PSA levels.
(d) (e)
Figure 1.24 MIP image of 68Ga DOTA-Nal3-octreotide PET-CT images of a 51-year-old male patient with clinical suspicion of
neuroendocrine tumor. He complained of recurrent vomiting and abdominal pain, and was found to have substantially elevated serum
chromogranin A levels. (b) Transaxial CT image and (c) fused PET-CT revealed increased somatostatin receptor expression in a small
nodular lesion in the second part of the duodenum (white arrow). (d) Transaxial CT revealed enlarged perilesional lymph node.
(e) Increased somatostatin expression was seen in the enlarged perilesional lymph node (blue arrow). Biopsy of the duodenal lesion
revealed grade 1 neuroendocrine tumor.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 1.25 (a) and (b) MIP images of 18F-fluoro-DOPA PET-CT of a 1-month-old baby with recurrent severe hypoglycemia due to
congenital hyperinsulinism. This rare and grave condition is the result of islet cell hyperplasia, which can be either focal or diffuse.
(c) and (d) Transaxial fused PET-CT images reveal diffuse radioactive dopamine uptake was noted in the pancreas, marked with arrows,
suggestive of diffuse islet cell hyperplasia. In the focal type only partial pancreatectomy of the hyperfunctioning focus is performed,
while in the diffuse type a near-total pancreatectomy may be required.
Introduction to Correlative Imaging 19
Source of radioactivity
(Patient)
the target organ may be collected about a particular patho- i) Combined SPECT-CT images have the best of both
physiological process. However, at the same time, what- worlds. They have all the anatomical information lack-
ever little morphological information is obtained by ing in SPECT images and functional information lack-
background tracer activity diminishes significantly. Hence ing in CT images. CT also helps in proper localization
nuclear medicine techniques often lack anatomical land- of tracer uptake to ultimately help in correct diagnosis
marks. Also, there is definite loss of data in the planar and treatment.
imaging due to the attenuation of gamma rays coming ii) Not only this, CT attenuation maps are used for
from organs deep inside the body. attenuation correction and this improves the quality
SPECT entails 3D reconstruction of tracer distribution of SPECT images. There are many applications of
within the patient body with the help of data collected by SPECT-CT that are well established clinically. As
rotating detectors around the patient body. This helps to new advanced systems are becoming widely available,
achieve better anatomical information, for example in further improving the accuracy of image fusion and
the case of bone scan or myocardial perfusion imaging. shortening acquisition times, the newer applications
CT scanning, on the other hand, is a 3D reconstruction of are becoming more evident. Apart from applications
X-ray attenuation value maps providing morphological in oncology, interesting uses of SPECT-CT are seen
details like size, shape, and location. Use of contrast in the areas of minimally invasive surgery and cardi-
agent in CT primarily provides information about perfu- ology. We shall start our treatise with some technical
sion and the changes in perfusion pattern occurring in information about these systems before going into
various disease processes. However, CT often does not the clinical applications.
provide any information on the functional or metabolic
status of organs in the body. Many disease processes
show pathophysiological changes much before morpho- SPECT–CT System Information
logical changes are manifested. Also, in presence of ana-
tomical distortions secondary to various treatments, Combining SPECT and CT images acquired from differ-
anatomical imaging interpretations are difficult and ent standalone machines has often been challenging. This
often uncertain because of changes in symmetry and per- is because usually the studies are acquired on different
fusion pattern. dates, on different machines by different operators using
Hence it is of vital importance to understand that different protocols. This creates differences in the posi-
nuclear medicine (SPECT) and anatomical imaging (CT) tion of the patient body, extremities as well as spinal cur-
are not competitive to each other, but in fact complimen- vatures, as table positions may differ with different
tary in nature. The fundamental advantages of this are as systems. Furthermore, it is not possible to match respira-
follows: tory, cardiac motion, and position of stomach, intestines,
20 Radiology-Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging: A Correlative Approach
and urinary system at different time frames. Software form at the very beginning of emission and transmission
fusion techniques have been developed which can regis- CT, most notably the work by Kuhl, Hale, and Eaton, who
ter and fuse images from multiple sources [39, 40], but obtained the first trans-axial transmission CT scan of a
they are best suited for correlating images from rigid struc- patient’s thorax using their Mark II brain SPECT scanner
tures such as the brain [41] and skeleton [42, 43]. However, in the mid-1960s [50]. However, use of transmission imag-
for thorax and abdomen, due to inherent movement of ing with an external radionuclide transmission source was
internal organs, software fusion has remained challeng- introduced for attenuation correction in SPECT [51, 52]
ing. Data sets from two fundamentally different imaging and PET [53, 54] only in the 1980s. In this system, external
modalities with different spatial resolution and with few transmission scanning was used with SPECT to perform
common landmarks make it further complicated. A sys- both attenuation correction and anatomical localization.
tem offering same geometry for acquisition of SPECT and However, a transmission scan provides poor quality
CT images almost simultaneously, such as SPECT-CT anatomical details and contrast resolution, hence these
scanning, offers much better data sets for fusion. Here the systems never grew into routine applications. Over the last
patient remains on the same table and in the same posi- decade or so, combined SPECT-CT scanners have become
tion while undergoing SPECT and CT acquisitions sepa- commercially available which acquire data from SPECT
rated by a few minutes. and CT on the same gantry. The patient remains in same
The practical advantages of SPECT-CT fusion imaging position and on the same table, which is then sequentially
are multifold: moved from one modality to another. The final data
acquired is then transferred to a single computer which
i) These systems are able to superimpose functional
does data correction, image reconstruction, integration,
information from nuclear medicine data sets onto ana-
and display and allows analysis for better diagnosis.
tomical information from CT scans, greatly improving
The early SPECT-CT systems tried simultaneous acqui-
the confidence of the reporting diagnostician.
sition of SPECT and CT data [55, 56], but the problem
ii) These systems are able to facilitate attenuation correc-
with a simultaneous SPECT-CT acquisition system was in
tion of SPECT data with patient-specific attenuation
designing a common detector with sufficient temporal
maps acquired from CT [44, 45]. Because of this, there
and energy resolution to discriminate the primary radio-
is improvement in the spatial resolution, contrast, and
nuclide photons from both the X-ray signal and the scat-
signal-to-noise ratio of the image.
ter of the radionuclide photons. This problem remains
iii) There is improvement in the functional data quality
unsolved. The “modern” SPECT-CT system was originally
aided by CT, which shows great promise in quantifica-
developed by Hasegawa et al. at the University of
tion of RP uptake [46, 47]. This is very useful for (i)
California, San Francisco in the mid-1990s [45]. These
better radiation dosimetry [48, 49] and (ii) monitoring
systems have SPECT and CT gantries in tandem (in-line)
response to therapy.
which can acquire patient data sequentially and send it to
The concept of combining structural and functional the same computer for further fusion and processing
information was conceived and implemented in prototype (Figure 1.27).
SPECT-CT gantry
By John Malcolm.
To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
One native charm, than all the gloss of art.—Goldsmith.
Gentle reader! you, I doubt not, have seen many strange sights,
and have passed through a variety of eventful scenes. Perhaps you
have visited the Thames Tunnel, and there threaded your way under
ground and under water, or you may have witnessed Mr Green’s
balloon ascent, and seen him take an airing on horseback among the
clouds.
Perhaps, too, you have been an observer of human life in all its
varieties and extremes: one night figuring away at Almack’s with
aristocratic beauty, and the next footing it with a band of gipsies in
Epping Forest. But, pray tell me, have you ever seen an Orkney
Wedding? If not, as I have just received an invitation to one,
inclusive of a friend, you shall, if it so please you, accompany me to
that scene of rural hospitality.
In conformity with the custom of the country, I have sent off to the
young couple a pair of fowls and a leg of mutton, to play their parts
upon the festive board; and as every family contributes in like
manner, a general pic-nic is formed, which considerably diminishes
the expense incident to the occasion; although, as the festivities are
frequently kept up for three or four days by a numerous assemblage
of rural beauty and fashion, the young people must contrive to live
upon love, if they can, during the first year of their union, having
little else left upon which to subsist, except the fragments of the
mighty feast.
Well, then, away we go, and about noon approach the scene of
festivity,—a country-seat built in the cottage style, thatched with
straw, and flanked with a barn and a well-filled corn-yard, enclosed
with a turf-dyke.
The wedding company are now seen making their way towards the
place of rendezvous; and the young women, arrayed in white robes of
emblematic purity, exhibit a most edifying example of economy.
With their upper garments carried to a height to which the fashion of
short petticoats never reached even at Paris, they trip it away
barefooted through the mud, until they reach the banks of a purling
stream, about a quarter of a mile distant from the wedding-house.
Here their feet, having been previously kissed by the crystal waters,
and covered with cotton stockings, which in whiteness would fain vie
with the skin they enviously conceal, are inserted into shoes, in
whose mirror of glossy black the enamoured youth obtains a peep of
his own charms, while stooping down to adjust their ties into a love-
knot.
Immediately in front of the outer-door, or principal entrance of the
house, and answering the double purpose of shelter and ornament,
stands a broad square pile, composed of the most varied materials,
needless to be enumerated, and vulgarly denominated a midden,
around the base of which some half-dozen of pigs are acting the part
of miners, in search of its hidden treasures. It is separated from the
house by a sheet of water, tinged with the fairest hues of heaven and
earth, viz., blue and green, and over which we pass by a bridge of
stepping-stones.
And now, my friend, before entering the house, it may be as well to
consider what character you are to personate during the
entertainment; for the good people in these islands, like their
neighbours of the mainland of Scotland, take that friendly interest in
other people’s affairs, which the thankless world very unkindly
denominates impertinent curiosity.
If I pass you off as a lawyer, you will immediately be overwhelmed
with statements of their quarrels and grievances; for they are main
fond of law, and will expend the hard-earned savings of years in
litigation, although the subject-matter of dispute should happen to
be only a goose. You must not, therefore, belong to the bar, since, in
the present case, consultations would produce no fees.
I think I shall therefore confer upon you the degree of M.D., which
will do as well for the occasion as if you had obtained it by purchase
at the University of Aberdeen; although I am not sure that it also
may not subject you to some trouble in the way of medical advice.
And now having safely passed over the puddle, and tapped gently
at the door, our arrival is immediately announced by a grand musical
chorus, produced by the barking of curs, the cackling of geese, the
quacking of ducks, and the grunting and squeaking of pigs. After this
preliminary salutation, we are received by the bridegroom, and
ushered, with many kind welcomes, into the principal hall, through a
half open door, at one end of which we are refreshed with a picture of
rural felicity, namely, some sleek-looking cows, ruminating in
philosophical tranquillity on the subject of diet.
In the middle of the hall is a large blazing turf fire, the smoke of
which escapes in part through an aperture in the roof, while the
remainder expands in the manner of a pavilion over the heads of the
guests.
A door at the other end of the hall opens into the withdrawing-
room, the principal furniture of which consists of two large chests
filled with oat and barley meal and home-made cheeses, a concealed
bed, and a chest of drawers. Both rooms have floors inlaid with
earth, and roofs of a dark soot colour, from which drops of a
corresponding hue occasionally fall upon the bridal robes of the
ladies, with all the fine effect arising from contrast, and ornamental
on the principle of the patch upon the cheek of beauty.
Separated from the dwelling-house only by a puddle dotted with
stepping-stones stands the barn, which, from its length and breadth,
is admirably adapted for the purposes of a ball-room.
Upon entering the withdrawing-room, which the good people with
admirable modesty call the ben, we take our seats among the elders
and chiefs of the people, and drink to the health of the young couple
in a glass of delicious Hollands, which, unlike Macbeth’s “Amen,”
does not stick in our throats, although we are well aware that it never
paid duty, but was slily smuggled over sea in a Dutch lugger, and
safely stowed, during some dark night, in the caves of the more
remote islands.
The clergyman having now arrived, the company assembled, and
the ceremony of marriage being about to take place, the parties to be
united walk in, accompanied by the best man and the bride’s maid,—
those important functionaries, whose business it is to pull off the
gloves from the right hands of their constituents, as soon as the order
is given to “join hands,”—but this they find to be no easy matter, for
at that eventful part of the ceremony their efforts are long baffled,
owing to the tightness of the gloves. While they are tugging away to
no purpose, the bridegroom looks chagrined, and the bride is
covered with blushes; and when at last the operation is
accomplished, and perseverance crowned with success, the confusion
of the scene seems to have infected the parson, who thus blunders
through the ceremony:
“Bridegroom,” quoth he, “do you take the woman whom you now
hold by the hand, to be your lawful married husband?”
To which interrogation the bridegroom having nodded in the
affirmative, the parson perceives his mistake, and calls out, “Wife, I
mean.” “Wife, I mean,” echoes the bridegroom; and the whole
company are in a titter.
But, thank heaven, the affair is got over at last; and the bride being
well saluted, a large rich cake is broken over her head, the fragments
of which are the subject of a scramble among the bystanders, by
whom they are picked up as precious relics, having power to produce
love-dreams.
And now the married pair, followed by the whole company, set off
to church, to be kirked, as the phrase is. A performer on the violin
(not quite a Rossini) heads the procession, and plays a variety of
appropriate airs, until he reaches the church-door. As soon as the
party have entered and taken their seats, the parish-clerk, in a truly
impressive and orthodox tone of voice, reads a certain portion of
Scripture, wherein wives are enjoined to be obedient to their
husbands. The service is concluded with a psalm, and the whole
party march back, headed as before by the musician.
Upon returning from church, the company partake of a cold
collation, called the hansel, which is distributed to each and all by
the bride’s mother, who for the time obtains the elegant designation
of hansel-wife. The refreshments consist of cheese, old and new, cut
down in large slices, or rather junks, and placed upon oat and barley
cakes,—some of the former being about an inch thick, and called
snoddies.
These delicate viands are washed down with copious libations of
new ale, which is handed about in a large wooden vessel, having
three handles, and ycleped a three-lugged cog.[18] The etherial
beverage is seasoned with pepper, ginger, and nutmeg, and
thickened with eggs and pieces of toasted biscuit.
18. Also called the Bride’s cog.—Ed.
These preliminaries being concluded, the company return to the
barn, where the music strikes up, and the dancing commences with
what is called the Bride’s Reel; after which, two or three young men
take possession of the floor, which they do not resign until they have
danced with every woman present; they then give place to others,
who pass through the same ordeal, and so on. The dance then
becomes more varied and general. Old men and young ones, maids,
matrons, and grandmothers, mingle in its mazes. And, oh! what
movements are there,—what freaks of the “fantastic toe,”—what
goodly figures and glorious gambols in a dance;—compared to which
the waltz is but the shadow of joy, and the quadrille the feeble effort
of Mirth upon her last legs.
Casting an eye, however, upon the various performers, I cannot
but observe that the old people seem to have monopolised all the airs
and graces; for, while the young maidens slide through the reel in the
most quiet and unostentatious way, and then keep bobbing opposite
to their partners in all the monotony of the back-step, their more
gifted grandmothers figure away in quite another style. With a length
of waist which our modern belles do not wish to possess, and an
underfigure, which they cannot if they would, even with the aid of
pads, but which is nevertheless the true court-shape, rendering the
hoop unnecessary, and which is moreover increased by the swinging
appendages of huge scarlet pockets, stuffed with bread and cheese,
behold them sideling up to their partners in a kind of echellon
movement, spreading out their petticoats like sails, and then, as if
seized with a sudden fit of bashfulness, making a hasty retreat
rearwards. Back they go at a round trot; and seldom do they stop
until their career of retiring modesty ends in a somersault over the
sitters along the sides of the room.
The old men, in like manner, possess similar advantages over the
young ones; the latter being sadly inferior to their seniors in address
and attitudes. Nor is this much to be wondered at, the young
gentlemen having passed most of their summer vacations at Davis’
Straits, where their society consisted chiefly of bears; whereas the old
ones are men of the world, having in early life entered the Company’s
service (I do not mean that of the East Indies, but of Hudson’s Bay),
where their manners must no doubt have been highly polished by
their intercourse with the Squaws, and all the beauty and fashion of
that interesting country.
Such of them as have sojourned there are called north-westers,
and are distinguished by that modest assurance, and perfect ease and
self-possession, only to be acquired by mixing frequently and freely
with the best society. Indeed, one would suppose that their manners
were formed upon the model of the old French school; and queues
are in general use among them—not, however, those of the small
pigtail kind, but ones which in shape and size strongly resemble the
Boulogne sausage.
And now, amidst these ancients, I recognise my old and very
worthy friend, Mr James Houston, kirk-officer and sexton of the
parish, of whom a few words, perhaps, may not be unacceptable.
His degree of longitude may be about five feet from the earth, and
in latitude he may extend at an average to about three. His
countenance, which is swarthy, and fully as broad as it is long,
although not altogether the model which an Italian painter would
select for his Apollo, would yet be considered handsome among the
Esquimaux; or, as James calls them, the Huskinese. His hair, which
(notwithstanding an age at which Time generally saves us the
expense of the powder-tax) is jet black, is of a length and strength
that would not shrink from comparison with that of a horse’s tail,
and hangs down over his broad shoulders in a fine and generous
flow. The coat which he wears upon this, as upon all other occasions,
is cut upon the model of the spencer; its colour, a “heavenly blue,”
varied by numerous dark spots, like clouds in a summer sky; while
his nether bulk is embraced by a pair of tight buckskin
“unmentionables.”
Extending from the bosom down to the knee he wears a leather
apron. This part of his dress is never dispensed with, except at
church; and though I have not been able to ascertain its precise
purpose with perfect certainty, I am inclined to think it is used as a
perpetual pinafore, to preserve his garments from the pollution of
soup and grease-drops at table.
The principal materials of his dress are, moreover, prepared for
use by his own hands: Mr Houston being at once sole proprietor and
operative of a small manufactory, consisting of a single loom; when
not employed at which, or in spreading the couch of rest in the
churchyard, he enjoys a kind of perpetual otium cum dignitate.
His chief moveables, in addition to the loom, consist of three
Shetland ponies and a small Orkney plough, by the united aid of
which he is enabled to scratch up the surface of a small estate, which
supplies him with grain sufficient for home consumption, but not for
exportation.
His peculiar and more shining accomplishments consist in the art
of mimicking the dance of every man and woman in the parish,
which he does with a curious felicity, and in executing short pieces of
music on that sweetest of lyres, the Jew’s harp.
Like most of his profession, he is a humorist; and though he has
long “walked hand-in-hand with death,” nobody enjoys life with a
keener relish at the festive board or the midnight ball, which he finds
delightful relaxations from his grave occupations during the day;
and yet even these latter afford him a rare and consolatory joy denied
to other men,—I mean that of meeting with his old friends, after they
have been long dead, and of welcoming, with a grin of recognition,
the skulls of his early associates, as he playfully pats them with his
spade, and tosses them into the light of day.
But it is in his capacity of kirk-officer that Mr Houston appears to
the greatest advantage, while ushering the clergyman to the pulpit,
and marching before him with an air truly magnificent, and an
erectness of carriage somewhat beyond the perpendicular, he
performs his important function of opening and shutting the door of
the pulpit, and takes his seat under an almost overwhelming sense of
dignity, being for the time a kind of lord high constable, with whom
is entrusted the execution of the law. And that he does not bear the
sword in vain is known to their cost, by all the litigious and
churchgoing dogs of the parish; for no sooner do they begin to growl
and tear each other, with loud yells, which they generally do, so as to