• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2024

Purpose: ¹⁸F-FET, a radiopharmaceutical based on a Tyrosine amino acid derivative using the Sodium-Potassium Pump-independent Transporter (System L) for non-invasive evaluation of primary, recurrent, and metastatic brain tumors, exhibits distinct characteristics. Unlike the widely absorbed ¹⁸F-FDG in both tumor and normal brain tissues, ¹⁸F-FET demonstrates specific uptake only in tumor tissue while almost negligible uptake in normal brain tissue. This study aims to compare and evaluate the usefulness of ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-FET Brain PET/CT quantitative analysis in brain tumor diagnosis. Materials and Methods: In 46 patients diagnosed with brain gliomas (High Grade: 34, Low Grade: 12), Brain PET/CT scans were performed at 40 minutes after ¹⁸F-FDG injection and at 20 minutes (early) and 80 minutes (delay) after ¹⁸F-FET injection. SUV_max and SUV_peak of tumor areas corresponding to MRI images were measured in each scan, and the SUV_max-to-SUV_peak ratio, an indicator of tumor prognosis, was calculated. Differences in SUV_max, SUV_peak, and SUV_max-to-SUV_peak ratio between ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-FET early/delay scans were statistically verified using SPSS (ver.28) package program. Results: SUV_max values were 3.72±1.36 for ¹⁸F-FDG, 4.59±1.55 for ¹⁸F-FET early, and 4.12±1.36 for ¹⁸F-FET delay scans. The highest SUV_max was observed in ¹⁸F-FET early scans, particularly in HG tumors (4.85±1.44), showing a slightly more significant difference (P<0.0001). SUV_peak values were 3.33±1.13 for ¹⁸F-FDG, 3.04±1.11 for ¹⁸F-FET early, and 2.80±0.96 for ¹⁸F-FET delay scans. The highest SUV_peak was in ¹⁸F-FDG scans, while the lowest was in ¹⁸F-FET delay scans, with a more significant difference in HG tumors (P<0.001). SUV_max-to-SUV_peak ratio values were 1.11±0.09 for ¹⁸F-FDG, 1.54±0.22 for ¹⁸F-FET early, and 1.48±0.17 for ¹⁸F-FET delay scans. This ratio was higher in ¹⁸F-FET scans for both HG and LG tumors (P<0.0001), but there was no statistically significant difference between ¹⁸F-FET early and delay scans. Conclusion: This study confirms the usefulness of early and delay scans in ¹⁸F-FET Brain PET/CT examinations, particularly demonstrating the changes in objective quantitative metrics such as SUV_max, SUV_peak, and introducing the SUV_max-to-SUV_peak ratio as a new evaluation metric based on the degree of tumor malignancy. This is expected to further contributions to the quantitative analysis of Brain PET/CT images.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.398-400
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• 2001

The authors report a case of unsuspected myocardial ischemia detected during CoDe FDG PET (coincidence detection fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomogram) which was performed for the evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule. Camera-based FDG PET without attenuation correction often reveals false defect in the inferior wall of the left ventricle in normals due to excessive attenuation. However, this asymptomatic patient had increased uptake in the inferior wall suggesting ischemic myocardium. The scan finding was confirmed by Tl-201 myocardial SPECT and coronary angiogram. The patient then underwent successful PTCA of mild RCA and right ventricular branch followed by right upper lobectomy for small cell lung cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2013

Purpose: Recently, there is an increase of the number of hospitals using auto dispenser to reduce occupational radiation exposure when drawing up of the $^{18}F-FDG$ dose (5.18 MBq/kg) in a syringe from the dramatic high activity of $^{18}F-FDG$ multidose vial. The aim of this study is to confirm that using auto dispenser actually reduces the radiation exposure for technologists. Also we analyzed the reproducibility of auto dispenser to find optimized dispensing method for the device. Materials and Methods: We conducted three experiments. Comparison of radiation exposure on chest and hands: The chest and hands exposure dose received by technologists during the injection were measured by electronic personal dosimeter (EPD) and ring TLD respectively. Reproducibility of dispensed volume: We draw up the normal saline into 5 and 2 mL syringe using auto dispenser by changing the volume from 1 to 15 mm for 5 times in the same setting of the volume. The weight of 5 normal saline dispensed from the device at same volume was measured using micro balance and calculated standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Reproducibility of dispensed radioactivity: We dispensed 362.6 $MBq{\pm}10%$ of $^{18}F-FDG$ in 5 and 2 mL syringes from the multidose vial of different specific activity. In the same setting of volume, we repeated dispensing for 4 times and compared standard deviation and coefficient of variation of radioactivity between 5 syringes. Results: There was significant difference in the average of chest exposure dose according to the dispensing methods (P<0.05). Also, when dispensing $^{18}F-FDG$ in manual method, exposure dose was 11.5 times higher in right hand and 4.8 times higher in left hand than in auto method. In the result of reproducibility of dispensed volume, standard deviation and coefficient of variation shows decline as the dispensing volume increases. As a result of reproducibility of dispensed radioactivity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation increases as the specific activity increases. Conclusion: We approved that the occupational radiation exposure dose of technologists were reduced when dispensing $^{18}F-FDG$ using auto dose dispenser. Secondly, using small syringes helps to increase reproducibility of auto dose dispense. And also, if you lower the specific activity of $^{18}F-FDG$ in multidose vial below 915-1,020 MBq/mL, you can use auto dispenser more effectively keeping the coefficient of variation lower than 10%.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.419-421
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• 2008

The false-positive FDG uptakes on head and neck areas are common due to benign lesion, iatrogenic and physiologic changes. The Schneiderian papilloma is uncommon benign tumor arising from the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. The findings of paranasal papilloma on conventional modality such as CT and MRI are non-specific and they could be confused with inflammatory polyp or retention cyst. Despite of benign tumor, the papilloma usually shows locally aggressive growth with malignant potential, therefore the FDG can be actively accumulated in this lesion. We describe the case of 18F-FDG PET/CT finding in a 77-year-old woman who demonstrates oncocytic papilloma in maxillary sinus.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.100-103
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• 2010

Purpose: $^{18}F$-FDG wholebody PET is to evaluate the tumor using glucose metabolism. The blood glucose level is important factor that affects on a result of examination. High glucose levels may interfere with tumor targeting due to competitive inhibition of FDG uptake by D-glucose. The blood glucose level measurement test strips used in the blood glucose measurement are classified into the capillary blood measurement test strips and general purpose measurement test strips that can measure the venous blood and capillary blood altogether depends on cases. The purpose of the study was to compare the blood glucose measurements between simultaneously obtained capillary and venous blood samples using the capillary blood measurement test strips, general purpose measurement test strips. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 subjects (32 males, 14 females) with a mean age of $57.3{\pm}12.3$ years were enrolled. The blood glucose estimation was performed with a Optium Xceed Glucometer (Abbott). Simultaneous capillary and venous blood samples were obtained from each subject. The blood glucose levels were measured using the capillary blood measurement test strips and general purpose measurement test strips. The capillary and venous measurements were compared using a pared t-test. Results: The mean capillary and venous glucose values using the general purpose measurement test strips were $95.2{\pm}12.4$ mg/dL and $104.1{\pm}14.4$ mg/dL, giving a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the mean values for the capillary and venous glucose samples (9.0 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI) -11.2 to -6.7). The mean capillary and venous glucose values using the capillary blood measurement test strips were $91.5{\pm}13.6$ mg/dL and $108.6{\pm}16.2$ mg/dL, giving a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the mean values for the capillary and venous glucose samples (16.6 mg/dL; 95% CI -20.2 to -13.0). Conclusion: When measuring the blood glucose level before $^{18}F$-FDG PET examination, since the incorrect blood glucose level can be measured, it should note to measure the blood glucose level of the venous blood by the capillary blood measurement test strips. Therefore the measurement variation can be reduced to fulfill the standardized measurement procedure with the suitable measurement test strips, the preparation of the PET examination will be able to be clearly confirmed. In addition, the standardized procedure of the following measurement on the area which is same at all times the blood area in the blood glucose measurement among a capillary or a vein will be needed.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.427-433
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• 2013

Recently, 18F-FDG PET based CT scan was a critical examination that the after, before plan diagnosis and treatment of tumors. But, due to the distortion of SUV that should be proportional to the metabolic rate of glucose in the tumor, the other measurement methods are being on study. In this study, compared the degree of distortion of SUV that according to the volume of the tumor analysis ROI and VOI using the NEMA IEC Phantom. The results, the SUVmax, mean value are rapidly decreased with threshold value 500 mm2 interval of the ROI analysis, 1500 mm3 interval of the VOI analysis. When compared SUVmax value SUVmean, ROI and VOI analysis VOI measurements was 1.077 times higher SUVmax was 0.981 times highe compared to the value of the ROI measurement. Compare MTV, SUV 2.0 as measured by the volume of the VOI to Volume showed a slightly higher results(Volume / MTV = $93.4 %{\pm}14.8 %$). Considering the above results, Tumor evaluation by 18F-FDG PET / CT scan Consider each threshold value should be analyzed due to larger SUV's Distortion depending on the size of the tumor. VOI analysis is recommended. because it showed the VOI analysis is higher than the ROI analysis SUVmax and lower SUVmean due to VOI analysis than once as a measure of the wider area as measured ROI analysis. MTV (R2 = 0.999), a result close to the actual size of the tumor. but, more research is needed in this regard, because SUV according to the standards of value are affected.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.319-323
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• 2012

Objective: To explore the feasibility of shrinking field technique after 40 Gy radiation through 18F-FDG PET/CT during treatment for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: In 66 consecutive patients with local-advanced NSCLC, 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning was performed prior to treatment and repeated after 40 Gy. Conventionally fractionated IMRT or CRT plans to a median total dose of 66Gy (range, 60-78Gy) were generated. The target volumes were delineated in composite images of CT and PET. Plan 1 was designed for 40 Gy to the initial planning target volume (PTV) with a subsequent 20-28 Gy-boost to the shrunken PTV. Plan 2 was delivering the same dose to the initial PTV without shrinking field. Accumulated doses of normal tissues were calculated using deformable image registration during the treatment course. Results: The median GTV and PTV reduction were 35% and 30% after 40 Gy treatment. Target volume reduction was correlated with chemotherapy and sex. In plan 2, delivering the same dose to the initial PTV could have only been achieved in 10 (15.2%) patients. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed regarding doses to the lung, spinal cord, esophagus and heart. Conclusions: Radiotherapy adaptive to tumor shrinkage determined by repeated 18F-FDG PET/CT after 40 Gy during treatment course might be feasible to spare more normal tissues, and has the potential to allow dose escalation and increased local control.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.325-330
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• 2003

Purpose: We describe a 54-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who suddenly presented with chorea and had positive antiphospholipid antibodies. F-18 FDG PET showed abnormally increased glucose metabolism in bilateral putamen and primary motor cotex. Tc-99m ECD SPECT also showed abnormally increased regional cerebral blood flow in bilateral putamen. She was treated with corticosteroid and aspirin after which the symptoms improved. Four months later, follow up F-18 FDG PET showed improvement with resolution of hypermetabolism in bilateral putamen. This case suggests that striatal hypermetabolism is associated with chorea in SLE.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2009

Purpose: The present study was aimed to examine the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent neck dissection to treat oral cancer were subjected for examination. The cervical node metastasis was evaluated by means of clinical examination, CT scan, PET, and histologic examination. By comparing the results of each examination modality with those of histologic examination, it's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. Results: The oral cancer was more frequent in males with a ratio of 2.14:1. The sixth decade showed the highest incidence in age distribution with mean of $56{\pm}16$. Histologic findings showed that squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (15 patients), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3), malignant melanoma (2), and adenoid cystic carcinoma and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (1 each), in order. In most cases, wide surgical excision of the primary cancer and neck dissection was performed, followed by reconstruction with free flaps when necessary. When comparing the results of each examination modality with those of the histologic examination, clinical examination showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value at 11%, 85%, 33%, and 58%, respectively. CT scans showed at 67%, 77%, 67%, and 77%, while $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT at 78%, 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that PET is more useful, compared with clinical examination and CT scans, in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.384-393
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• 2017

Purpose: The tumor microenvironment is known to be associated with the metabolic activity of cancer cells and local immune reactions. We hypothesized that glucose metabolism measured by 2-deoxy-2-($^{18}F$)fluoro-D-glucose ($^{18}F-FDG$) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) ($^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT) would be associated with local immune responses evaluated according to the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 patients who underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT prior to gastrectomy. In resected tumor specimens, TIL subsets, including cluster of differentiation (CD) 3, CD4, CD8, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), and granzyme B, were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was calculated as: ($10{\times}serum$ albumin value)+($0.005{\times}peripheral$ lymphocyte counts). Additionally, the maximum standard uptake value ($SUV_{max}$) was calculated to evaluate the metabolic activity of cancer cells. Results: The $SUV_{max}$ was positively correlated with larger tumor size (R=0.293; P=0.029) and negatively correlated with PNI (R=-0.407; P=0.002). A higher $SUV_{max}$ showed a marginal association with higher CD3 (+) T lymphocyte counts (R=0.227; P=0.092) and a significant association with higher Foxp3 (+) T lymphocyte counts (R=0.431; P=0.009). No other clinicopathological characteristics were associated with $SUV_{max}$ or TILs. Survival analysis, however, indicated that neither $SUV_{max}$ nor Foxp3 held prognostic significance. Conclusions: FDG uptake on PET-CT could be associated with TILs, especially regulatory T cells, in gastric cancer. This finding may suggest that PET-CT could be of use as a non-invasive tool for monitoring the tumor microenvironment in patients with gastric cancer.