• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis. 99mTc-MDP bone scan and SPECT were done in 27 patients, total 54 temporomandibular joints were examined with clinical examination, plain radiography. 42 TMJs were osteoarthritis and 12 TMJs were normal case, clinically diagnosed. We compared osteoarthritis group and control group of bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot). thus we compared before and after treatment of bone scan(SUR) and bone SPECT(hot spot) according to history, contributing factor, symptom degree, treatment, treatment period. The obtained results were as follows. 1. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity of osteoarthritis group were higher than control group(P<0.05, P<0.01). 2. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were decreased after treatment at TMJ with osteoarthritis(P<0.01). 3. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were decreased at treatment group with splint(P<0.01, P<0.05). 4. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were decreased at Chronic group(P<0.01, P<0.05). 5. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were decreased at low noise NAS(<6) group(P<0.01,P<0.05). 6. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were decreased at TMD patient with parafunctional habit and without trauma history, psychosocial factor. 7. Bone scan(SUR) and SPECT(hot spot) activity were higher at before treatment required more treatment period.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.504-510
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• 1995

Avascular necrosis(AVN) of bone can be resulted from various causes that distrub vascular supply to bone tissue, including steroid therapy after renal transplantation. In this study, we determine the prevalence of the avascular necrosis of bone after renal transplantation and compare the role of the bone scan, SPECT and MRI. In 301 patients with transplanted kidney, the prevalence of avascular necrosis was deter-mined clinically. Site of bone necrosis was evaluated by clinical symptom, bone scan, SPECT and MRI. Bone scan was done in all patients with AVN. Bone SPECT and MRI were done in six cases; and MRI was done in two cases. The prevalence of AVN was 3.3% (10/301), and the site of AVN was 16 femoral heads in 10 patients (bilateral: 60%) and bilateral calcaneal tuberosity in one patient. Bone scan showed typical AVN (cold area with surrounding hot uptake) in 13 lesions, only hot uptake in three lesions (including two calcaneal tuberosities), decreased uptake in one lesion, and normal in one lesion. Decreased uptake and normal lesion showed an equivacal cold area without surrounding hot uptake on SPECT. A symptomatic patient with positive bone SPECT showed normal finding on MRI. The prevalence of AVN of bone after renal transplantation was 3.3%, and whole body bone scan showed multiple bone involvement. Two symptomatic hip Joints without definite lesion on whole body bone scan or MRI showed cold defect on SPECT. Therefore, we conclude that bone SPECT should be perfomed in a symptomatic patient with negative bone scan or MRI in case with high risk of AVN after renal transplantation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.388-394
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• 1997

Temporomandibular (TM) joint Pain results from many etiologic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of Bone SPECT in patients with TM joint pain. The subjects were 34 patients with TM joint pain. All patients underwent plain radiography, planar bone scan, and Bone SPECT The intensity of radioisotope uptake at TM joint was graded into three; no increased uptake above the background activity as grade 0, uptake similar to occipital bone as grade I, and uptake similar to maxillary sinus as grade II. Clinical findings and therapeutic methods were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (80%) out of 34 patients with TM joint pain had increased uptake in bone SPECT. Twenty-one (78%) out of 27 patients had increased uptake in the mandibular condyle and remaining six patients (22%) had uptake in the mandibular and maxillary arch, which proved to be dental problem. Seven patients (21%) out of 34 were grade as 0, four (12%) were grade I, 23 (68%) were grade II. Four patients with grade I had clicking sound and symptoms which were subsided with medication in all cases. Among 23 patients with grade II, 7 patients had clicking sound and 14 patients underwent medication and decompression therapy. With Planar bone scan, 11 cases (32%) had increased uptake in TM joint area. Plain radiography revealed narrowing, distension, erosion and limitation of TM joint in 16 cases (47%). Bone SPECT can be valuable for screening and managing the patients with TM joint pain. Patients with grade II needed intensive treatment such as joint aspiration. However degree of the radioisotope uptake did not well correlated with clinical symptoms.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of both planar and SPECT imagings by comparing the results with the clinical and other imaging modalities findings. Materials and Methods: A total of 578 joints with TMJ complaints were examined using planar scintigraphy and SPECT. The planar scintigraphy and SPECT findings were analyzed and compared to the clinical findings of pain, clicking, crepitus and limitation of mouth opening. Moreover we compared the accuracy of the planar scintigraphy and SPECT methods with the one of the panoramic, transcranial, tomographic and MR imaging methods. Results: The planar scintigraphy and SPECT methods showed a high sensitivity of 0.76-0.84 and low specificity of 0.25-0.45 toward the clinical findings: pain, clicking, crepitus and mouth opening restriction. Simple radionuclide uptake ratio was high in each group of patients with pain, crepitus, limitation of mouth opening (p < 0.05) complaints, in each group with positive bone changes on panoramic, transcranial or tomographic images, and in disc displaced group. Conclusion: Although both planar and SPECT imagings have limited specificity, these techniques are sensitive for detection of internal derangement of the TMJ.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.134-139
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• 2014

Purpose: Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) technique is a reconstruction method of CT image using statistical noise modeling which is known to reduce image noise and to preserve image quality despite reducing radiation dose. The aim of this study is to evaluate images using ASIR on bone SPECT/CT which is primarily performed in our hospital. Materials and Methods: We compared the images of applied ASIR (ASIR level: 20-80%) and none ASIR by changing the mA based on 120 kVp, 100 mA using Discovery NM/CT 670 (GE, U.S.A). First, we evaluated attenuation correction in SPECT image by changing the ASIR level using Anthropomorphic phantom. Second, we compared the contrast to noise ratio (CNR), image noise and spatial resolution in CT image using ACR phantom. Third, after selecting the ASIR level applicable patient using lower torso phantom, we examined 2 patients who followed up bone SPECT/CT and we performed blind test. Results: The degree of attenuation correction in SPECT image showed no significant difference between applied ASIR and none ASIR (P>0.05). When applied ASIR, the noise of CT image were reduced at least 17 up to 52% by changing the mA. The CNR of image with ASIR was maintained more than 0.8 at 40 mA (ASIR 60%) while those without ASIR showed 0.42 at standard 40 mA. In comparison of the high contrast object, we distinguished 12 line pairs/cm at 40 mA regardless of appling ASIR. Comparison of the patients image applied ASIR level 60% (40 mA) which found out by spine image of lower torso phantom showed no signigicant difference between applied ASIR and none ASIR in blind test. The CTDIvol and DLP for applied ASIR 60% showed decreased by 60%, 60% on average than using standard mA. Conclusion: The study show that the radiation dose in SPECT/CT using ASIR can be reduced despite degradation of SPECT and CT images. In addition, higher ASIR level could be possibly applied characteristics of SPECT/CT that region of interest is limited to bone.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.30-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The Boramae Hospital are currently using Wide beam reconstruction (WBR: UltraSPECT, Israel) to improve the resolution. The Xact-bone belongs to the WBR. It has been reported that Xact-bone helps us to improve image resolution and contrast. This study will be evaluated clinical usefulness of Xact-bone method. Materials and Methods: The usefulness evaluation of Xact-bone method was analyzed in resolution test and contrast ratio. The resolution test in Planar image were obtained from Full width at half maximum (FWHM) by using capillary tube. And the contrast ratio was obtained from Bone and Soft tissue (B/S) ratio values that were acquired from bone scan study of 50 patients before and after using the Xact-bone method. We prepared the Triple Line Source Phantom, NEMA IEC Body Phantom and Standard Jaszczak Phantom to acquire the FWHM and Contrast Ratio values of Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image. Subsequently we compared among the Filtered backprojection (FBP), Orderd subset expectation maximization (OSEM) and Xact-Bone image. Results: The results of the planar Xact-bone data improved resolution about 20% by using capillary tube. In addition it was improved B/S ratio about 15%. When using Triple Line Source Phantom, SPECT Xact-bone data improved resolution for both FBP, OSEM methods about 20% and 10%, respectively. Contrast ratio in each spheres has also been increased for both methods that using NEMA IEC body Phantom and Standard Jaszczak Phantom. Conclusion: When we were using Xact-bone method, we could see to improve the resolution and Contrast ratio as compared to do not use the Xact-bone method. Accordingly, by using WBR's Xact-bone method is expected to improve the image quality. However, when introducing new software, it is needed to match the characteristics of the hospital protocol and clinical application.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2010

Purpose: In Asan Medical Center we perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to evaluate cardiac event risk level for non-cardiac surgery patients. In case of patients with cancer, we check tumor metastasis using whole body bone scan and whole body PET scan and then perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to reduce unnecessary exam. In case of short term in patients, we perform $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT after whole body bone scan a minimum 16 hours in order to reduce hospitalization period but it is still the actual condition in which the evaluation about the affect of the crosstalk contamination due to the each other dissimilar isotope administration doesn't properly realize. So in our experiments, we try to evaluate crosstalk contamination influence on $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patient's data. Materials and Methods: From 2009 August to September, we analyzed 87 patients with $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. According to $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT yesterday whole body bone scan possibility of carrying out, a patient was classified. The image data are obtained by using the dual energy window in $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. We analyzed $^{201}Tl$ and $^{99m}Tc$ counts ratio in each patients groups obtained image data. We utilized anthropomorphic torso phantom in our experiment and administrated $^{201}Tl$ 14.8 MBq (0.4 mCi) at myocardium and $^{99m}Tc$ 44.4 MBq (1.2 mCi) at extracardiac region. We obtained image by $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT without gate method application and analyzed spatial resolution using Xeleris ver 2.0551. Results: In case of $^{201}Tl$ window and the counts rate comparison result yesterday whole body bone scan of being counted in $^{99m}Tc$ window, the difference in which a rate to 24 hours exponential-functionally notes in 1:0.114 with Ventri (GE Healthcare, Wisconsin, USA), 1:0.249 after the bone tracer injection in 12 hours in 1:0.411 with 1:0.79 with Infinia (GE healthcare, Wisconsin, USA) according to a reduction a time-out was shown (Ventri p=0.001, Infinia p=0.001). Moreover, the rate of the case in which it doesn't perform the whole body bone scan showed up as the average 1:$0.067{\pm}0.6$ of Ventri, and 1:$0.063{\pm}0.7$ of Infinia. According to the phantom after experiment spatial resolution measurement result, and an addition or no and time-out of $^{99m}Tc$ administrated, it doesn't note any change of FWHM (p=0.134). Conclusion: Through the experiments using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patients data, we found that $^{201}Tl$ myocardium perfusion SPECT image later carried out after the bone tracer injection with 16 hours this confirmed that it doesn't receive notable influence in spatial resolution by $^{99m}Tc$. But this investigation is only aimed to image quality, so it needs more investigation in patient's radiation dose and exam accuracy and precision. The exact guideline presentation about the exam interval should be made of the validation test which is exact and in which it is standardized about the affect of the crosstalk contamination according to the isotope use in which it is different later on.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.252-254
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• 2007

Image fusion is fast catching attention as Wagner pointed out in his 2006 version of the recent progress and development presented at the annual meeting of Society of Nuclear Medicine. Prototypical fusion of bone scan and radiograph was already attempted at in 1961 when Fleming et al. published an article on strontium-85 bone scan. They simply superimposed dot scan on radiograph enabling simultaneous assessment of altered bone metabolism and local bone anatomy. Indeed the parallel reading of images of bone scan and radiography, CT, MRI or ultrasonography has been practiced in nuclear medicine long since. It is fortunate that recent development of computer science and technology along with the availability of refined CT and SPECT machines has permitted us to open a new avenue to digitally produce precise fusion image so that they can readily be read, exchanged and disseminated using internet. Ten years ago fusion was performed using Bresstrahlung SPECT/CT and it is now achievable by PET/CT and SPECT/CT software and SPECT/CT hardware. The merit of image fusion is its feasibility of reliable assessment of morphological and metabolic change. It is now applicable not only to stationary organs such as brain and skeleton but also to moving organs such as the heart, lung and stomach. Recently, we could create useful fusion image of cardiac SPECT and 64-channel CT angiograph. The former provided myocardial metabolic profile and the latter vascular narrowing in two patients with coronary artery stenosis and myocardial ischemia. Arterial stenosis was severe in Case 1 and mild in Case 2.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.260-262
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• 2007

A 68-year-old man with small cell carcinoma of the lung and adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy for the evaluation of skeletal metastases. Bilateral symmetrical photon defects in both parietal bones of the skull were observed. The radiographs of the skull demonstrates biparietal thinning in the same area of the abnormality identified on bone scintigraphy. Although these findings in cancer patients can be mistaken for skeletal metastases, the symmetry and location of the photon defects are generally indicative of biparietal thinning.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.371-377
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• 2001

Purpose: One or more abnormal vertebrae detected on bone scintigraphy is a common finding in clinical practice, and it could pose a diagnostic dilemma especially in cancer patients. as either metastasis or benign disease may cause scintigraphic abnormality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether additional spine SPECT has a role in differentiating malignant from benign lesions in patients with back pain. Materials and Methods: We reviewed spine SPECT studios obtained over a three-year period in 108 patients. Among them, forty-five patients with abnormal SPECT and clinically followed records were evaluated (20 cancer patients were included). Uptake patterns were classified as follows: 1. Body: diffusely increased uptake, linear increased uptake of end plate, segmental increased uptake, and cold defect, 2. Posterior element: posterior to body (pedicle), posterior to Intervertebral disc space (facet joint), and spinous process. Lesions were correlated with radiological findings and with final diagnosis. Results: Sixty-nine bone lesions were detected on SFECT images, including 18 metastases, 28 degenerative diseases and 21 compression fractures. Cold defect (6) and segmental increased uptake (5) were dominant findings in metastasis; linear increased uptake (12), and facet joint uptake (15) were in degenerative change; and diffuse increased uptake (9), and linear increased uptake (9) were in compression fracture. Conclusion: Cold defect and segmental increased uptake of body were characteristic findings of metastasis, but care should be taken because compression fracture also shows segmental increased uptake in some cases. Degenerative disease was easily diagnosed because of the typical finding of linear increased uptake of end plate and facet joint. Therefore, additional bone SPECT after planar bone scan would be helpful for differentiating metastasis from benign condition in cancer patients.