• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2003

Purpose: Accurate evaluation of metastatic cervical lymph nodes plays a decisive role in the treatment and prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of FDG-PET for diagnosis of cervical metastasis in the head and neck cancer by comparing with the conventional imaging study. Materials and Methods: The subjects on this study were 30 patients (24 males and 6 females, aged 39 to 76, mean 57.1) diagnosed as pathologic-proven squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. All patients underwent preoperative FDG-PET, CT(n=27) or MRI (n=3). Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Using pathologic reports as a golden standard, the results of FDG-PET were compared with conventional imaging study (CT/MRI) in the evaluation of cervical metastasis. Results: Thirty patients had five different primary sites which were tongue (11), supraglottis (10), glottis (6), hypopharynx (2) and tonsil (1). A total of 40 neck dissections were performed unilaterally in 20 patients and bilaterally in 10 patients. Of these, 16 showed pathologically positive for lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET for the diagnosis of cervical metastasis was 75% and 100% respectively, compared with conventional imaging of 56.3% and 95.8%, respectively. The difference of sensitivity was not statistically significant (p=0.453). Of 5 cases with small metastatic node (<1cm), 3 were detected on PET detected correctly but none were detected by CT. Conclusion: FDG-PET was more accurate than conventional imaging study in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, especially detection of small metastatic node. FDG-PET might be useful adjunct to conventional image in the preoperative evaluation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.86-89
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The KOTRON-13 cyclotron was developed in South Korea and was introduced to regional cyclotron centers to produce short-lifetime medical radioisotopes. However, this cyclotron has limited capacity to produce carbon-11 isotope so far. We herein study how to develop and optimize an effective carbon-11 target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron by changing cooling system, combing with fluorine-18 target and evaluating beam currents. Materials and Method: To develop the optimal carbon-11 target and an effective cooling system, we designed the carbon-11 target system by Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program and considered the cavity pressure during irradiation at target grid. In this investigation, we evaluated the yield of carbon-11 production at different beam currents and the stability of the operation of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron. Results: The production of carbon-11 was enhanced from about 1.700 mCi ($50{\mu}A$) to 2,000 mCi ($60{\mu}A$) on the carbon-11 target which developed by seoul national university bundang hospital (SNUBH) and Samyoung Unitech. Additionally, the cooling condition was showed stable to produce carbon-11 under high beam current. Conclude: The carbon-11 target system of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron was successfully developed and improved carbon-11 production. Consequently, the operation of carbon-11 target system was highly effective and stable compare with other commercial cyclotrons. Our results are believed that this optimal carbon-11 target system will be helpful for the routine carbon-11 production in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron.

• Proceedings of the Korean Information Science Society Conference
• /
• 2006.06b
• /
• pp.376-378
• /
• 2006

본 논문에서는 소동물 양전자방출단층촬영 영상(Positron Emission Tomography, PET) 내 종양영역을 자동분할하고 분할된 윤곽선주변의 기하학적 위험구간에 따른 종양의 형태특성을 분석하기 위한 방법을 제시한다. PET 영상내 검출된 종양영역의 신뢰성을 위해 위음성(False negative, FN) 및 위양성(False positive, FP)의 위험구간을 같이 제공하는 것이 필요하다. 따라서, 방사선 특이적 특성이 반영된 명암값을 기반으로 Fuzzy C-Means(FCM) 클러스터링을 수행하여 종양영역을 자동 분할한다. 분활된 종양영역의 위험구간은 클러스터 간 공유되는 영역의 소속값을 이용하여 위음성, 위양성을 계산한다. 또한, 임의의 소속값 임계치 변화를 통해 위험구간의 변화에 따른 종양의 형태적 특성변화를 관측한다. 이러한 지역적 변화의 관측을 통해 위험구간의 형태학적 위치를 판단할 수 있어 위험구간에 따른 추가적인 잔여 암의 위치 및 형태 파악을 용이하게 한다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.3
• /
• pp.453-472
• /
• 2022

Over the past decades, the immense clinical need for early detection methods and treatments for dementia has become a priority worldwide. The advances in PET biomarkers play increasingly important roles in understanding disease mechanisms by demonstrating the protein pathology underlying dementia in the brain. Amyloid-β and tau deposition in PET images are now key diagnostic biomarkers for the Alzheimer's disease continuum. The inclusion of biomarkers in the diagnostic criteria has achieved a paradigm shift in facilitating early differential diagnosis, predicting disease prognosis, and influencing clinical management. Furthermore, in vivo images showing pathology could become prognostic as well as surrogate biomarkers in therapeutic trials. In this review, we focus on recent developments in radiotracers for amyloid-β and tau PET imaging in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Further, we introduce their potential application as future perspectives.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 2002

The measured attenuation correction with transmission (Tx) scans produced quantitatively accurate images. However, it was not clear for optimal emission (Ex) and Tx scan time in PET imaging. This study was to evaluate acceptable Ex and Tx scan time by simulating clinical situations using various phantoms. Cylindrical and NEMA phantom were used for $^{18}$ F-PET scan using 2D protocol in GE Advance PETTM scanner. Cylindrical phantom was filled with 136 MBq 18F, and five regions of interests (ROI) were drawn on 23 slices. NEMA phantom had three inserts containing water, air and polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE). Outside of these inserts were filled with 309 MBq of $^{18}$ F, and total 12 ROIs were drawn on 23 slices. Scans were carried out according to five Ex scan times: 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min, and nine Tx scan times: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min. Images were reconstructed using measured attenuation correction, and ROI analyses were performed for all images, and mean, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation and percent errors were calculated. For cylindrical phantom study, ROI mean and SD were decreased as Ex and Tx time increased. Coefficients of variation were kept constant, when Tx was greater than 10 min. The amount of error decreased for the increment of Ex time from 10 min to 15 min was almost the same to that from 15 min to 30 min. In NEMA phantom Tx 15 min showed the lowest er개r level when the percent errors for three inserts were summed for all of the Ex times. This study suggested that Ex 15 min and Tx 15 min were acceptable as optimal scan time for the scanning protocol and the dose of radiopharmaceuticals used in these phantom study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.313-318
• /
• 2019

To improve the sensitivity, a detector using a block scintillator was developed. In the pixelated scintillator, a reflector is located between pixels to move the light generated from the scintillator to the photosensor as much as possible, and sensitivity loss occurs in the reflector portion. In order to improve the sensitivity and to have the characteristics of the pixelated scintillator, the block scintillator was processed into a scintillator in pixel form through three-dimensional laser engraving. The energy spectra and energy resolution of each pixel were measured, and sensitivity analysis of block and pixel scintillator was performed through GATE simulation. The measured global energy resolution was 20.7%, and the sensitivity was 18.5% higher than that of the pixel scintillator. When this detector is applied to imaging devices such as gamma camera and positron emission tomography, it will be possible to shorten the imaging time and reduce the dose of patient by using less radiation source.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.5
• /
• pp.1204-1209
• /
• 2020

Cases of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the thoracic aorta are rare, and usually present with embolic events, renovascular hypertension, or back pain. Mural-based undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas that present as ruptured saccular aneurysms are extremely rare and are difficult to differentiate from mycotic aneurysms or penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers. Herein, we report a case of histopathologically proven undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma arising from the wall of the descending thoracic aorta that manifested as a mass after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for the treatment of a ruptured saccular aneurysm. We present findings obtained by CT and PET to provide helpful information for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of future cases.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.293-301
• /
• 2019

Soft tissue masses of the extremities and torso are a common problem encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. Although these soft tissue masses are often benign, orthopaedic surgeons need to recognize the key features differentiating benign and malignant masses. An understanding of the epidemiology and clinical presentation of soft tissue masses is needed to develop a practical approach for evaluation and surgical management. Size and depth are the two most important factors on which triage decisions should be based. In a differential diagnosis of a tumor, it is important to know the characteristics of the soft tissue mass through detailed history taking and physical examinations before the diagnostic procedures. A variety of imaging studies, such as simple radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, bone scan, and angiography can be used to diagnose tumors. Know the ledge of advantages and disadvantages of each imaging study is essential for confirming the characteristics of the tumor that can be observed in the image. In particular, ultrasonography is convenient because it can be performed easily in an outpatient clinic and its cost is lower than other image studies. On the other hand, the accuracy of the test is affected by the skill of the examiner. A biopsy should be performed to confirm the tumor and be performed after all imaging studies have been done but before the final treatment of soft tissue tumors. When a biopsy is to be performed, careful attention to detail with respect to multidisciplinary coordination beforehand, cautious execution of the procedure to minimize complications, and expedient follow-up and referral to a musculoskeletal oncologist when appropriate, are essential.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2013

Objectives: There are a lot of studies that analyze the interaction between the emotion of disgust and the functional brain images using fMRI and PET. But studies using sLORETA (standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography) almost do not exist. The aim of this research is to explore the relationship of the emotion of disgust and the cortical activation using sLORETA analysis. Methods: Forty five healthy young adults ($27.1{\pm}2.6$ years) participated in the study. While they were watching 4 neutral images and 4 disgusting images associated with mutilation selected from the international affective picture system (IAPS), participants' EEGs were taken for 30 seconds per one picture. Through these obtained EEG data, sLORETA analysis was performed to compare EEGs associated with neutral and negative images. Results: During looking for visual disgusting stimulus, all participants reported unpleasantness, arousal and stress. In sLORETA analysis, the decrease of current density in theta wave was shown at left frontal superior gyrus (BA10) and middle gyrus (BA10, 11). This voxel cluster consists of a total of 11 voxels and the threshold of t value indicating statistically significant decreases in the current density (p<0.05) was -1.984. There were no differences between male and female in the degree of being disgusted by the stimuli. Conclusion: This finding may suggest that the activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex might be associated with regulating disgust emotion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.935-942
• /
• 2021

Involuntary movement of internal organs by respiration is a factor that greatly affects the results of radiotherapy and diagnosis. In this study, a moving phantom was fabricated to simulate the movement of an organ or a tumor according to respiration, and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan images were acquired under various respiratory simulating conditions to analyze the movement range of the tumor movement by respiration, the level of artifacts according to the size of the tumor and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Based on Windows CE 6.0 as the operating system, using electric actuator, electric actuator positioning driver, and programmable logic controller (PLC), the position and speed control module was operated normally at a moving distance of 0-5 cm and 10, 15, and 20 reciprocations. For sphere diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28, and 37 mm at a delay time of 100 minutes, 80.4%, 99.5%, 107.9%, 113.1%, 128.0%, and 124.8%, respectively were measured. When the moving distance was the same, the difference according to the respiratory rate was insignificant. When the number of breaths is 20 and the moving distance is 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm, as the moving distance increased at the sphere diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28, and 37 mm, the ability to distinguish images from smaller spheres deteriorated. When the moving distance is 5 cm compared to the still image, the maximum values of the standard intake coefficient were 18.0%, 23.7%, 29.3%, 38.4%, 49.0%, and 67.4% for sphere diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28, and 37 mm, respectively.