Caroline Dartora

The general objective of the project is to implement a strategy for analyzing the radiomic signature in radiological images of X-rays and computed tomography, looking for differences between individuals positive for COVID-19 and other infectious and inflammatory lung diseases, correlating them with the outcomes of pneumonia. atypical and prognostic factors of severity.

The objective of this project is to use machine learning (also known as Machine Learning) and radiomics techniques to detect objects of interest and classify patterns in medical images of different modalities, in order to extract quantitative information that allows the interpretation doctor

This project aims to investigate patterns and evaluate brain connectivity throughout the aging process, using multimodal PET/CT/MR images.

Quantification of tumors using the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value, semi-quantitative estimate of normalized radioactivity concentration - in PET/CT scans with [18F]FDG) proves to be useful for diagnosis, staging, evaluation of response and follow-up of treatments in oncology, the point that this value was incorporated in the elaboration of the medical reports of the PET/CT studies. However, research indicates that there are several factors that cause variability in the SUV determination. The objective of this project is to implement a strategy for harmonizing acquisition protocols, reconstruction and analysis of PET/CT scans with [18F]FDG so that institutions serving the SUS are able to generate values (SUV) reproducible and with known accuracy. To this end, workshops will be held to qualify the technical staff of the nuclear medicine services involved regarding standardization of [18F]FDG PET/CT scan protocols and performance of the necessary quality control tests. In each service will be clinically available and relevant reconstruction parameters were investigated. The performance specifications that can be harmonized between the equipment and the appropriate reconstruction parameters to harmonize the quantification in each equipment analyzed. This strategy, based on European accreditation program EARL FDG-PET/CT Accreditation Program, will allow greater quantitative accuracy of the SUV for the diagnosis of tumors in PET/CT exams with [18F]FDG in different equipment, in addition to allowing the intercomparability of exams performed in different institutions that serve the SUS. It is intended to initially involve a limited number of reference services that serve the SUS in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo in the project, which will act as multipliers of the strategy of standardization and harmonization of protocols for the acquisition and processing of PET/CT exams with [18F]FDG in the country.

To stregthen the clinical applications of Nuclear Medicine in Brazil by means of developing new radiopharmaceuticals under GMP conditions and implementing quality management systems in nuclear medicine practices.

This project proposes to investigate the strengths and limitations of methods for quantifying dynamic PET neuroimages produced with short half-life radiopharmaceuticals, which eliminate the need for blood sampling throughout the entire acquisition, minimizing patient discomfort.