• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.171-175
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• 2008

Purpose: There have been something difficulties in locating focuses and quantitative analysis in case of pediatric patients because of the relatively small body compared to adults. This author of this study, therefore, evaluated the usefulness of DFOV (Display Field Of View) according to its changes in PET/CT image reconstruction by means of the phantom experiment and pediatric patients examination. Materials & Methods: 0.023 MBq/cc of $^{18}F$-FDG was put into the uniform NU2-94 phantom, and then emission scan was acquired for 10 minutes. For reconstruction, DFOV values were changed to 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, and 25 cm respectively. As for patient images, 20 patients who were diagnosed as the one or suspicion of the children tumor are targeted from Oct 2007 to Jan 2008. For image reconstruction, 50 cm was the basis of DFOV, and the value was adjusted to DFOV 45 cm to 25 cm respectively. In the phantom and the reconstruction image of pediatric patients, the changes in pixel size and $SUV_{max}$ according to DFOV changes were analyzed. Results: As DFOV decreased to 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, and 25 cm by means of the phantom, the pixel size was changed to 3.906, 3.515, 3.125, 2.734, 2.343, and 1.953 mm respectively. Besides, as a result of reconstruction DFOV in images of pediatric patients to 50, to 25 cm, the different values of $SUV_{max}$ are shown as 3.3, 7.3, 12, 14, 18% and 2.6, 4.3, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0% on respectively when 50 cm was the standard. Conclusion: In $SUV_{max}$ using the phantom, as DFOV decreased every 5 cm, the mean value gradually increased. With 50 cm as the standard, the increase rates were 3.7, 6.5, 11.2, 19.5, and 32.1% respectively. As for pediatric patients image too, as DFOV decreased, the rates increased as in the phantom experiment. In image reconstruction, since DFOV decrease regardless of matrix size change reduced the pixel size, the image quality can be improved. This would be more useful than reconstruction and enlarge images of pediatric patients in the same way of examining adults. However, when the value of 35 cm DFOV was applied, this may result in truncated artifact, and thus the application should be properly controlled. Change of DFOV may produce better image for pediatric patients, but changes of SUV values according to DFOV change should be considered in reading.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.41-46
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• 2011

Purpose: The result of exam using an imaging device is very closely related with the image quality. Moreover, this image quality can be changed according to the condition of image acquisition and evaluation method. In this study, we evaluated the image quality according to the difference of pre-set method in PET/CT image. Materials & Methods: PET/CT Discovery STe16 (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA), Chest PET phantom (Experiment 1) and 94 NEMA phantom (Experiment 2) were used. Phantom were filled with $^{18}F$-FDG maintaining hot sphere and background ratio to 4:1. In the case of experiment 1, we set the radio activity concentration on 3.5, 6.0, 8.6 kBq/mL. In the case of experiment 2, we set the radio activity concentration on 3.3, 5.5, 7.7, 9.9, 12.1, 16.5 kBq/mL. All experiments were performed with the time-set method for 2 minutes 30 seconds per frame and the count-set method with one hundred million counts in 3D mode after CT transmission scan. For the evaluation of the image quality, we compared each results by using the NECR and SNR. Results: In the experiment 1, both the NECR and SNR were increased as radioactivity concentration getting increased. The NECR was shown as 53.7, 66.9, 91.4. and SNR was shown as 7.9, 10.0, 11.7. Both the NECR and SNR were increased in time-set method. But the count-set method's pattern was not similar with the time-set method. The NECR was shown as 53.8, 69.1, 97.8, and SNR was shown as 14.1, 14.7 14.4. The SNR was not increased in count-set method. In experiment 2, results of both the NECR and SNR were shown as 45.1, 70.6, 95.3, 115.6, 134.6, 162.2 and 7.1, 8.8, 10.6, 11.5, 12.7, 14.0. These results were shown similar patten with the experiment 1. Moreover, when the count-set method was applied, the NECR was shown as 42.1, 67.3, 92.1, 112.2, 130.7, 158.7, and SNR was shown as 15.2, 15.9, 15.6, 15.4, 15.5, 14.9. The NECR was increased but SNR was not shown same pattern. Conclusion: Increment of administered radioactivity improves the quality of image unconcerned with the pre-set method. However, NECR was not influenced by increment of total acquisition counts through simple increasing scan duration without increment of administered activity. In case of count-set method, the SNR was shown similar value despite of increment of radioactivity. So, the administered activity is more important than the scan duration. And we have to consider that evaluation of image quality using only SNR may not be appropriate.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

Purpose As medical radiation exposures on patients are being social issues an interest in a relief of radiation exposures on patients is increasing. Further, there are many cases where some patients among who are getting PET/CT tests choose to get implanted with metal artifacts in their bodies. This study is to find out effects of presence or absence of metal artifacts when dose change or CT attenuation correction for the relief of radiation exposures are applied using phantoms through changes in standard uptake value (SUV). Materials and Methods GE company's Discovery 710 machine was used for PET/CT test equipments. We used NEMA IEC body phantoms. We also used screw and mesh cage made of titanium which are used in real clinical processes for the metal artifacts. Two experiments were conducted: One is to test and measure repeatedly about SUV about differences in CT attenuation corrections according to dose changes and another is to do the same procedure for SUV about the presence and absence of the metal artifacts. We injected $^{18}F-FDG$ into NEMA IEC body phantoms with a TBR ratio of 4:1 and then put the metal material into the transformation phantoms. Once a scanning for the metal artifacts was done we eliminated the metal artifacts and went on non-metal artifacts. For the each two experiments, we scanned repeatedly with CT kVp (140, 120, 100, 80) and mA (120, 80, 40, 20, 10) for an experimental condition. For PET, we reconstructed each with standard AC (STD) technique and quantitation achieved cnsistently QAC) technique among CT attenuation correction methods. We conducted a comparative analysis on measured average values and variations which were measured through repeated measure of SUV of region 1, 2, 3 spheres for each conditions of non-metal /metal scan. Results For each kVp, 120, 80, 40 (mA) of non/metal (screw, mesh cage) showed low frequency of fluctuation rates of above 2%. In 20, 10 mA above 2% of fluctuation rates appeared in high frequency. Also, when we compared the fluctuation rates of STD and QAC techniques in non/metal (screw, mesh cage) tests QAC technique showed about 1-10% of differences for each conditions compared to STD technique. In addition, metal types did not have significant effects on fluctuation rates. Conclusion We confirmed that SUV fluctuation rates for both STD and QAC techniques increase as dosage is lower. We also found that the SUV of PET data was maintained steadily in a low dosage for QAC technique when compared with STD technique. Hence, when the low dosage is used for the relief of radiation exposures on patients QAC technique may be exploited helpfully and this could be applied in the same way for patients with metal artifacts implanted in their bodies.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was administered to the body for examination and treatment, high-energy radioactive isotope(F-18, I-131) in vitro discharge experiments. Increasing exposed dose of radiation to health professionals is caused by the increase of PET/CT use and a radioactive isotope. Therefore, the high-energy isotope F-18 and I-131 after administration about using Metabolite excretion was studied. As a results of this study, patients had plenty of fluids for testing and treatment alone administered radiopharmaceuticals can be more than twice as fast excretion induced emissions. Also was able to get a better image space to reduce the dose rate.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.3-8
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• 2016

Purpose SUV is one of the parameters that assist diagnosis in origin, metastasis and staging of cancer. Specially, it is important to compare SUV before and after chemo or radiation therapy to find out effectiveness of treatment. Storing PET data which has no quantitative change is needed for SUV comparison. However, there is a possibility to loss the data in external hard drive or MINIpacs that are managed by department of nuclear medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate SUV and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) among reconstructed data (R-D) in workstation, R-D and re-sliced data (S-D) in PACS. Materials and Methods Data of 20 patients (aged $60.5{\pm}8.3y$) underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ PET (Biograph truepoint 40, mCT 40, mCT 64, mMR, Siemens) study were analysed. $SUV_{max}$, $SUV_{peak}$ and MTV were measured in liver, aorta and tumor after sending R-D in workstation, R-D and S-D in PACS to syngo.via software. Results R-D of workstation and PACS showed the same value as mean $SUV_{max}$ in liver, aorta and tumor were $2.95{\pm}0.59$, $2.35{\pm}0.61$, $10.36{\pm}6.15$ and $SUV_{peak}$ were $2.70{\pm}0.51$, $2.07{\pm}0.43$, $7.67{\pm}3.73$(p>0.05) respectively. Mean $SUV_{max}$ of S-D in PACS were decreased by 5.18%, 7.22%, 12.11% and $SUV_{peak}$ 2.61%, 3.63%, 10.07%(p<0.05). Correlation between R-D and S-D were $SUV_{max}$ 0.99, 0.96, 0.99 and $SUV_{peak}$ 0.99, 0.99, 0.99. And 2SD in balnd-altman analysis were $SUV_{max}$ 0.125, 0.290, 1.864 and $SUV_{peak}$ 0.053, 0.103, 0.826. MTV of R-D in workstation and PACS show the same value as $14.21{\pm}12.72cm^3$(p>0.05). MTV in PACS was decreased by 0.12% compared to R-D(p>0.05). Correlation and 2SD between R-D and S-D were 0.99 and 2.243. Conclusion $SUV_{max}$, $SUV_{peak}$, MTV showed the same value in both of R-D in workstation and PACS. However, there was statistically difference in $SUV_{max}$, $SUV_{peak}$ of S-D compare to R-D despite of high correlation. It is possible to analyse reliable pre and post SUV if storing R-D in main hospital PACS system.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2009

Purpose: The PET/CT has a clear distinction on the lesion of the functional image by adding anatomical information. It also could reduce the examination time using CT data as the attenuation-correction. When the stomach was contracted from a fast, it could bring a misinterpretation of the cancer of the lesion with a presence of physiological $^{18}F$-FDG uptake in stomach and it occasionally would bring an additional scan to confirm. To complement this shortcoming, the method that the patients had water before the examination to extend the stomach had been attempted. However, a short excretion time of the stomach did not give sufficiently extended image of the stomach. Then the patients had additional water and had the examination again. Therefore, the noticed fact is that the stomach excretion time depends on calories, protein content, and the level of carbohydrate. In this study, we use an orange juice to evaluate the extension of the stomach and usefulness of it. Materials and Methods: PET/CT scan were obtained on total 150 of patient from February 2008 to October2008, There were 3 groups in this study and each group had 50 patients. First group drank nothing, Second group drank water and third group drank orange juice. The patients (man 25, female 25) not drinking are the age of 30~71 years old (average: 54), the patients (man: 25, female: 25) drinking water (400 cc) are the age of 28~71 years old (average: 54) and the patients (man: 25, female: 25) drinking orange juice (400 cc) are the age of 32~74 years old (average: 56). The patients were fasted in 6-8 hours before the test, the patients were not diabetic. $^{18}F$-FDG 370~555 MBq were injected intravenously. The patients were in stable position for 1 hour, than the image was obtained. The patients drank water and other patients drank orange juice before Whole body scan. The image scan started from mid-femur to skull base. The emission scan acquired for three minutes per bed and the images were reconstructed. Stomach extension analysis is measured from vertical and horizontal length. Results: Stomach Extension was described as the vertical length of the Non Drink Group was $1.20{\pm}0.50\;cm$, horizontal length was $1.4{\pm}0.53\;cm$, the vertical length of the Water Drink Group was $1.67{\pm}0.63\;cm$, horizontal length was $1.65{\pm}0.77\;cm$, the vertical length of Orange juice Drink Group was $3.48{\pm}0.77\;cm$, horizontal length was $3.66{\pm}0.77\;cm$ in coronal image. Stomach Extension was described the vertical length of the Non Drink Group was $2.03{\pm}0.62\;cm$, horizontal length was $1.69{\pm}0.68\;cm$, the vertical length of Water Drink Group was $5.34{\pm}1.62\;cm$, horizontal length was $2.45{\pm}0.72\;cm$, the vertical length of Orange juice Drink Group was $7.74{\pm}1.62\;cm$, horizontal length was $3.57{\pm}0.77\;cm$ in transverse image. The Stomach Extension has specific differences (p<0.001). The SUVs shows the Non Drink Group were measured as Liver $2.52{\pm}0.42$, Lung $0.51{\pm}0.14$, the Water Drink Group were measured as Liver $2.47{\pm}0.38$, Lung $0.50{\pm}0.14$, Orange juice Drink Group were measured as Liver $2.47{\pm}0.38$, Lung $0.50{\pm}0.14$. The SUVs did not have specific differences (p>0.759). Conclusions: There was not a large difference of SUV in three groups. When the patients drank Orange juice and water, the range extension of stomach was higher than without drinking nothing and it was possible to acquire fully extended images. Therefore, it will be possible that unnecessary additional stomach scans will be reduced by drinking orange juice before the examination so that the patients' claim from uncomfortable and long period of fast will be minimized.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2018

Purpose $^{18}F-FDG$, which is commonly used in PET-CT examinations, is low in capacity and it is difficult to keep the amount of radioactivity busy when the specific activity is high, increasing the amount of space dose and radioactive contamination in the distribution room. Therefore, while evaluating the actual dose administered to patients during the manual dispense process, the medical institution intends to assess the usefulness of the auto dispenser by comparing the differences from the actual dose administered to the patient using the new automatic dispense. Materials and Methods From July 2016 to December 2016, 846 patients were manually administered by workers using $^{18}F-FDG$ and $^{18}F-FDG$ 906 patients were using auto dispenser from July 2017 to December 2017. Results Capacity administered to patients during the manual dispense averaged $35.41{\pm}27.79%$ compared to the recommended dose, and the auto dispenser process showed a small difference of $-2.15{\pm}3.99%$ compared to the recommended dose(p<0.05). Conclusion Working people did not have to touch radioactive medicines directly while they were busy in the auto dispenser, and because of the availability of other tasks far away, the time and distance to receive the exposure were also advantageous. It is believed that future use by many medical institutions will not only reduce the dose to patients but also help reduce the exposure dose to workers.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2010

Purpose: Partial volume effect (PVE) is the phenomenon to lower the accuracy of image due to low estimate, which is to occur from PET/CT 3D image acquisition. The more resolution is declined and the lesion is small, the more it causes a big error. So that it can influence the test result. Studied the optimum image reconstruction method by using variation of parameter, which can influence the PVE. Materials and Methods: It acquires the image in each size spheres which is injected $^{18}F$-FDG to hot site and background in the ratio 4:1 for 10 minutes by using NEMA 2001 IEC phantom in GE Discovey STE 16. The iterative reconstruction is used and gives variety to iteration 2-50 times, subset number 1-56. The analysis's fixed region of interest in detail part of image and compute % difference and signal to noise ratio (SNR) using $SUV_{max}$. Results: It's measured that $SUV_{max}$ of 10 mm spheres, which is changed subset number to 2, 5, 8, 20, 56 in fixed iteration to times, SNR is indicated 0.19, 0.30, 0.40, 0.48, 0.45. As well as each sphere's of total SNR is measured 2.73, 3.38, 3.64, 3.63, 3.38. Conclusion: In iteration 6th to 20th, it indicates similar value in % difference and SNR ($3.47{\pm}0.09$). Over 20th, it increases the phenomenon, which is placed low value on $SUV_{max}$ through the influence of noise. In addition, the identical iteration, it indicates that SNR is high value in 8th to 20th in variation of subset number. Therefore, to reduce partial volume effect of small lesion, it can be declined the partial volume effect in iteration 6 times, subset number 8~20 times, considering reconstruction time.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of study is to find accuracy of pocket dosimeter in measuring exposed dose in compared with survey meter and to compare exposed dose according as Nuclear medicine exams. Materials and Method: First, radiation dose to point source(185 MBq,370 MBq, ${\ldots}$, 1665 MBq, 1850 MBq) were measured in using a pocket dosimeter and a survey meter. Second, radiation dose to 12 patients injected $^{18}F$-FDG 370 MBq were measured in using a pocket dosimeter and a survey meter. Third, radiation dose to 10 patients injected $^{99m}Tc$-DPD 925 MBq were measured in using a pocket dosimeter and a surveymeter. Result: The average is $70.12{\pm}39.36{\mu}Sv/h$ in measurement of point source with Surveymeter and $5{\pm}3.06{\mu}Sv$ in measurement of point source with Pocket dosimeter. The average is $25.04{\pm}6.16{\mu}Sv/h$ in measurement of PET/CT patients with Surveymeter and $2.41{\pm}0.51{\mu}Sv$ in measurement of PET/CT with Pocket dosimeter. The average is $8.58{\pm}0.96{\mu}Sv/h$ in measurement of Bone Scan patients with Surveymeter and $1{\mu}Sv$ in measurement of Bone Scan patients with Pocket dosimeter. Significant difference found between Survey meter value and Pocket dosimeter value in all experimentation (p<0.001). Conclusion: Accoring to rusult Wearing Pocket dosimeter is usefulnee in manerage of exposed dose in nucler medicine exams.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.140-144
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• 2014

Purpose: The recent surge in breast carcinoma patients is reported in a variety of statistics. Breast cancer occurs mainly from duct and lobulus: 85% is from the breast ducts. The present study is aimed to distinguish the difference in $SUV_{max}$ changing over time by identifying the type of cancers attacking from the duct. Materials and Methods: The subjects of the study are 291 female breast cancer patients who have visited the present PET/CT center from July 1, 2012 to July 23, 2013. Based on the pathological results, 248 IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) patients and 43 DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) patients were selected. In the same manner as the general PET/CT scan (3.7 MBq/Kg), F-FDG was injected, followed by the primary test (Routine tests) after 1 hr, and the secondary test (Delay test) after another hr. $SUV_{max}$ was measured after setting ROI in the lesion based on the data from the two tests. Results: As the comparative result of the change in the lesion $SUV_{max}$ between the two groups, IDC group's $SUV_{max}$ showed M=7.11 and SD=5.405 in the primary test and increased M=7.11 and SD=5.405 in the secondary test (P<0.05); DCIS group's $SUV_{max}$ showed M=2.739, SD=1.229 in the primary test and increased M=2.614, SD=1.470 in the secondary test (P<0.05). Conclusion: As the comparative result of $SUV_{max}$ over time between the groups, IDC showed increased $SUV_{max}$ in the secondary test (Delay test) compared to the primary test (Routine test) (P=0.000); DCIS showed decreased $SUV_{max}$ in the secondary test (Delay test) compared to the primary test (Routine test) (P=0.039). It was confirmed through this study that the change in $SUV_{max}$ has occurred over time by the type of breast cancer (IDC or DCIS) occurring from the breast ducts. However, the onset of breast cancers (ILC, LCIS) from the lobulus was not discussed due to the lack of samples. Future research on the breast cancers from the lobulus is suggested.