• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2001

The quantification analysis of renal scintigraphy is strongly affected by the location, shape and size of region of interest(ROI). When ROIs are drawn manually, these ROIs are not reproducible due to the operators' subjective point of view, and may lead to inconsistent results even if the same data were analyzed. In this study, the effect of the ROI variation on the analysis of renal scintigraphy when the ROIs are drawn manually was investigated, and in order to obtain more consistent results, methods for automated ROI definition were developed and the results from the application of the developed methods were analyzed. Relative renal function, glomerular filtration rate and mean transit time were selected as clinical parameters for the analysis of the effect of ROI and the analysis tools were designed with the programming language of IDL5.2. To obtain renal scintigraphy, $^{99m}$Tc-DTPA was injected to the 11 adults of normal condition and to study the inter-operator variability, 9 researchers executed the analyses. The calculation of threshold using the gradient value of pixels and border tracing technique were used to define renal ROI and then the background ROI and aorta ROI were defined automatically considering anatomical information and pixel value. The automatic methods to define renal ROI were classified to 4 groups according to the exclusion of operator's subjectiveness. These automatic methods reduced the inter-operator variability remarkably in comparison with manual method and proved the effective tool to obtain reasonable and consistent results in analyzing the renal scintigraphy quantitatively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.378-388
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• 2001

Purpose: In this study, we developed a new method for the determination of renal depth with anterior and posterior renal scintigrams in a dual-head gamma camera, considering the attenuation factor $e^{-{\mu}x}$ of the conjugate-view method. Material and Method: We developed abdomen and kidney phantoms to perform experiments using Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid ($^{99m}Tc$-DMSA). The phantom images were obtained by dual-head gamma camera equipped with low-energy, high-resolution, parallel-hole collimators (ICONf, Siemens). The equation was derived from the linear integration of omission ${\gamma}$-ray considering attenuation from the posterior abdomen to the anterior abdomen phantom surface. The program for measurement was developed by Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0. Results : Renal depths of the phantoms were derived from the derived equations and compared with the exact geometrical values. Differences between the measured and the calculated values were the range of 0.1 to 0.7 cm ($0.029{\pm}0.15cm,\;mean{\pm}S.D.$). Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of the derived equations for renal depth measurements, combined with quantitative planar imaging using dual-head gamma camera, could provide more accurate results for individual variation than the conventional method.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2013

Currently, commercially available phantom can reproduce and evaluate only a static situation, the study is incomplete research on phantom and system which is can confirmed functional situation in the kidney by time through dynamic phantom and blood flow velocity, various difference according to the amount of radioactive. Therefore, through this study, it has produced the dynamic kidney phantom to reproduce images through the dynamic flow of the kidney, it desires to evaluate the usefulness of nuclear medicine imaging. The production of the kidney phantom was fabricated based on the normal adult kidney, in order to reproduce the dynamic situation based on the fabricated kidney phantom, in this study, it was applied the volume pump that can adjust the speed of blood flow, so it can be integrated continuously radioactive isotopes in the kidney by using $^{99m}Tc$-pertechnate. Used the radioactive isotope was supplied through the two pump. It was confirmed the changes according to the infusion rate, radioactive isotopes and the different injection speeds on the left and right, analysis of the acquired images was done by drawn five times ROI in order to check the reproducibility of each on the front and rear of the kidney and bladder. Depending on the speed of injection, radioisotope was a lot of integrated and emissions up when adjusting the pressure of the pump as 30 stroke, it was the least integrated and emissions up when adjusting as 40 stroke. The integration of the left & right kidney was not reached in the amount of the highest when adjusting as 10 stroke. In the changes according to the amount of the radioactive isotope, 0.6 mCi(22.2 MBq), 0.8 mCi (29.6 MBq)was showed up similar tendency but, in the result of the different injection 0.8 mCi, it was showed up counts close to double of 0.6 mCi. In the result of the differently injection speed of the left & right kidney, as a result of different conditions that injection speed was 20 stroke through left kidney phantom, the injection speed was 30 stroke through right kidney phantom, it was enough difference in the resulting image can be easily distinguished with the naked eye. Through this study, the results showed that the dynamic kidney phantom system is able to similarly reproduce renogram in the actual clinical practice. Especially, the depicted over time for the flow to be excreted through the kidney into the bladder was adequately reproduce, it is expected to be utilized as basic data to check the quality of the dynamic images. In addition, it is considered to help in the field of functional imaging and quality control.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.3-9
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• 2013

Purpose: Currently commercially available phantom can reproduce and evaluate only a static situation, the study is incomplete research on phantom and system which is can confirmed functional situation in the kidney by time through dynamic phantom and blood flow velocity, various difference according to the amount of radioactive. Therefore, through this study, it has produced the dynamic kidney phantom to reproduce images through the dynamic flow of the kidney, it desire to evaluate the usefulness of nuclear medicine imaging. Materials and Methods: The production of the kidney phantom was fabricated based on the normal adult kidney, in order to reproduce the dynamic situation based on the fabricated kidney phantom, in this study it was applied the volume pump that can adjust the speed of blood flow, so it can be integrated continuously radioactive isotopes in the kidney by using $^{99m}Tc-pertechnate$. Used the radioactive isotope was supplied through the two pump. It was confirmed the changes according to the infusion rate, radioactive isotopes and the different injection speeds on the left and right, analysis of the acquired images was done by drawn ten times ROI in order to check the reproducibility of each on the front and rear of the kidney and bladder. Results: Under the same conditions infusion rate 40 mL/min fixed to adjust the pressure of the pump when the radiopharmaceuticals between 2-3 minutes in the most integrated in the kidney phantom was excreted inthe bladder. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), respectively, by each device SYMBIA 1,091 mL/min, FORTE 1,232 mL/min, ARGUS 1,264 mL/min, INFINIA 1,302 mL/min in that there isno statistically significant difference was found, Tmax values and T1/2 values stars from all equipment with no statistically significant difference was found. CV values of the coefficient of variation less than 5% was found to be repeatable, and to 2.67% of the lowest SYMBIA appeared, INFINIA was the highest in the 4.86%. Conclusion: Through this study, the results showed that the dynamic kidney phantom system is able to similarly reproduce renogram in the actual clinical. Especially, the depicted over time for the flow to be excreted through the kidney into the bladder was adequately reproduce, it is expected to be utilized as basic data to check the quality of the dynamic images. In addition, it is considered to help in the field of functional imaging and quality control.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2001

Purpose: In this study, we developed a new software tool for the analysis of renal scintigraphy which can be modified more easily by a user who needs to study new clinical applications, and the appropriateness of the results from our program was studied. Materials and Methods: The analysis tool was programmed with IDL5.2 and designed for use on a personal computer running Windows. For testing the developed tool and studying the appropriateness of the calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA was administered to 10 adults in normal condition. In order to study the appropriateness of the calculated mean transit time (MTT), $^{99m}Tc-DTPA\;and\;^{99m}Tc-MAG3$ were administered to 11 adults in normal condition and 22 kidneys were analyzed. All the images were acquired with ORBITOR. the Siemens gamma camera. Results: With the developed tool, we could show dynamic renal images and time activity curve (TAC) in each ROI and calculate clinical parameters of renal function. The results calculated by the developed tool were not different statistically from the results obtained by the Siemens application program (Tmax: p=0.68, Relative Renal Function: p:1.0, GFR: p=0.25) and the developed program proved reasonable. The MTT calculation tool proved to be reasonable by the evaluation of the influence of hydration status on MTT. Conclusion: We have obtained reasonable clinical parameters for the evaluation of renal function with the software tool developed in this study. The developed tool could prove more practical than conventional, commercial programs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2014

A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) study is a test that uses radioactive materials or tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) and a computer to see how well the kidneys are working. Asan Medical Center analyzed and compared data between kidney depth, acquired from kidney donors' CT image and acquired from Gates method's GFR value that are calculated by Tonnesen equation. This study was able to confirm that kidney depth measured from CT image was higher than the Gates Method's GFR value, which was calculated by Tonnessen equation; the direct relationship among pathologic results is confirmed. Particularly, kidney donor whose kidney was at the pelvic area had direct relationship with other clinical results. During the GFR test, it is necessary to confirm the location of kidney has no change with reference of CT image. If kidney depth is manually corrected using CT image when we measures GFR of deformed or horse-shoe kidney, it would be possible to acquire the compatible value which is equivalent to clinical result. There would be a possible issue of appropriateness that whether the applied GFR using CT image's kidney depth has clinical validity. In case of a pediatric patient, the GFR derived from Tonnesen was quiet underestimated while manual method and Gordon stay in normal range. Which results may be correct among them? There have been many reports about kidney depth, to be an accurate index of GFR in children. As one of the study performers, we should contemplate what the best option for pediatric patients would be.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.244-254
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• 2002

Purpose: This study investigated the differences between technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) and technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99m HMPAO) uptake in the normal brain by means of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed age and sex matched 53 cases of normal brain SPECT. Thirty-two cases were obtained with Tc-99m ECD and 21 cases with Tc-99m HMPAO. There were no abnormal findings on brain MRIs. All of the SPECT images were spatially transformed to standard space, smoothed and globally normalized. The differences between the Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images were statistically analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM'99) software. The differences bgetween the two groups were considered significant ant a threshold of corrected P values less than 0.05. Results: SPM analysis revealed significantly different uptakes of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO in the normal brains. On the Tc-99m ECD SPECT images, relatively higher uptake was observed in the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes, in the basal ganglia and thalamus, and in the superior region of the cerebellum. On the Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images, relatively higher uptakes was observed in subcortical areas of the frontal region, temporal lobe, and posterior portion of inferior cerebellum. Conclusion: Uptake of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPO in the normallooking brain was significantly different on SPM analysis. The selective use of Tc-99m ECD of Tc-99m HMPAO in brain SPECT imaging appears especially valuable for the interpretation of cerebral perfusion. Further investigation is necessary to determine which tracer is more accurate for diagnosing different clinical conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.299-306
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• 1990

골 신티그라피에서 신장이 희미하게 보이거나 전혀 안보이게 되는(이하 신장 영상 비출현이라 함) 원인 질환을 파악하고, 또 골 신티그라피에서 골전이가 발견된 여러 악성종양에서 신장 영상 비출현의 빈도 및 신장 영상 비출현의 소견을 보이는 여러 악성종양의 골전이 범위를 관찰하기 위하여, 서울대학교 병원에서 최근 6년간 시행한 골 신티그람 중 신장 영상 비출현의 소견을 보이는 889개를 재검토하였다. 신장영상 비출현의 원인 질환으로는 신부전이 대부분을 차지하였으나(816/889 : 91.8%), 신장 질환이 없는 경우에서는 광범위한 골전이가 가장 많았으며 (53/889 : 6.0%), 그 원발부위는 전립선암 (19/53 : 35.8%), 위암(14/53 : 26.4%), 유방암(5/53 : 9.4%), 폐암(4/53 : 7.5%) 신세포암(2/53 : 3.8%), 방광암(1/53 : 1.9%), 원발부위 미상(8/53 : 15.1%)으로 전립선암과 위암이 가장 많았다. 특히 강직성 척추염 4예, 류마토이드 관절염 3예, 성인형의 골화석증 1예에서 신장 영상 비출현의 소견을 보여 이채로왔으며, 이 밖에 원발성 부갑상선 기능항진증 및 그레이브스병이 각 1예씩 있었으며 원인을 알 수 없는 경우가 10예 있었다. 전립선암 140예중 골 신티그라피에서 골전이가 발견된 예는 108예(77.1%), 이중 신장 영상 비출현의 소견을 보이는 예는 19예(19/108, 17 6%)이었으며, 위암에서는 각각 328예, 162예(49.4%), 14예 (8.6%), 유방암에서는 각각 1754예, 730예 (41.6%), 5예(0.7%), 폐암에서는 각각 1105예, 596예(53.9%), 4예(0.7%), 방광암에서는 각각 247예, 110예(44.5%), 1예(0.9%)로 전립선암에서 신장 영상 비출현의 빈도가 가장 높았으며, 특히 위암에서 골전이 및 신장 영상 비출현의 빈도가 높아 주목되었다. 골전이 및 신장 영상 비출현의 소견을 보이는 악성종양 환자의 골 신티그람 53개중 44개 (83.0%)에서 척추 및 늑골에 미만성, 또는 다발성 침습이 관찰되었다. 또 골전이 부위를 두개골, 척추, 견대부, 늑골, 골반, 사지의 근위부 장골의 6개 부위로 나누어 분석할 경우 49개(92.5%)에서 3부위 이상에 전이가 발견되었고, 35개(66.0%)에서 4부위 이상에 전이가 발견되었으며, 5부위 이상, 6개 부위에 모두 전이가 발견된 것은 각각 20개 (37 7%), 11개(20.8%)이었다. 이상의 성적으로 보아 악성종양 환자의 골 신피그라피에서 신장 영상의 비출현은 종양의 광범위한 골전이를 간접적으로 시사하는 소견으로 생각된다. 여러 악성종양중 전립선암에서 신장 영상 비출현의 빈도가 가장 높았으며, 특히 위암에서 골전이 및 신장 영상 비출현의 빈도가 높음은 주목할 만한 것이라 하겠다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2021

Purpose This article studies the relationship between the length of a kidney measured by two scanning methods: Kidney Computed Tomography (CT) and ^99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. Kidney CT provides a better anatomic assessment, while ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan is superior in the kidney function test. Materials and Methods From January to December of 2019, two hundred patients who had Kidney CT and Tc^99m-DMSA renal scan were chosen for this study. SPSS17.0 was selected for statistical analysis. Results Due to the effect of the breathing and resolution of ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan, it showed the kidney's relatively longer length than the length of Kidney CT. For the same kidney, the length comparison among different brands' Gamma cameras was negligible. The length difference within the same age group did not show a noticeable discrepancy. However, there was a length difference between the radio technologists. Kidney CT and ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan indicated a strong positive correlation between the length of the left and right kidney. Conclusion It is necessary to establish a standardized measurement method for measuring kidney length using ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan. The kidney's functional changes and length changes are indications of Kidney diseases. Especially, pediatric patients tend to use ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan for assessing the kidney's shape and the function to avoid potential radiation exposure during the Kidney CT. Therefore, it is significant to provide not only the kidney's functional information but also an anatomic analysis, including the kidney's size, length, and location through the ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2003

It was reported that radiopharamaceuticals induced radiation adaptive response (RAR) in patients undergoing nuclear medicine imaging studies. Individual variations of RAR were not studied well. The purpose of this study was to evaluate individual variation of RAR in patients undergoing nuclear medicine imaging studies. Peripheral lymphocytes were collected from 23 patients undergoing $^{99m}Tc-diethylenetriamine$ pentaacetic acid $(^{99m}Tc-DTPA)$ renal scintigraphy, 18 patients undergoing $^{99m}Tc-methylene$ diphosphonate $(^{99m}Tc-MDP)$ bone scintigraphy and 21 patients undergoing $^{99m}Tc-tetrofosmin\;(^{99m}Tc-TF)$ scintigraphy were collected before and 4 hours after injection of radiopharmaceuticals. The lymphocytes were exposed to challenge dose of 2 Gy gamma rays using a cell irradiator. Numbers of ring-form (R) and dicentric (D) chromosomes were counted under the light microscope. and used to calculate the frequency of chromosomal aberration [Ydr=(D+R)/total number of counted lymphocytes]. Adaptation index (k) was defined 3s ratio of Ydr in conditioned lymphocytes over Ydr in unconditioned lymphocytes. Coefficients of variance of k in $^{99m}Tc-DTPA,\;^{99m}Tc-MDP\;and\;^{99m}Tc-TF$ were 35%, 34% and 21%, respectively k was not dependent upon age, sex, and underlying diseases. There was a wide variation of RAR induced by radiopharmaceuticals among patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures. It remains to be determined for causes of such variation.