• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.513-518
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• 2009

Purpose: Integration of the functional information of myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) and the morphoanatomical information of coronary CT angiography (CTA) may provide useful additional diagnostic information of the spatial relationship between perfusion defects and coronary stenosis. We studied to know the added value of three dimensional cardiac SPECT/CTA fusion imaging (fusion image) by comparing between fusion image and MPS. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients (M:F=26:22, Age: $63.3{\pm}10.4$ years) with a reversible perfusion defect on MPS (adenosine stress/rest SPECT with Tc-99m sestamibi or tetrofosmin) and CTA were included. Fusion images were molded and compared with the findings from the MPS. Invasive coronary angiography served as a reference standard for fusion image and MPS. Results: Total 144 coronary arteries in 48 patients were analyzed; Fusion image yielded the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value for the detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis per coronary artery 82.5%, 79.3%, 76.7% and 84.6%, respectively. Respective values for the MPS were 68.8%, 70.7%, 62.1% and 76.4%. And fusion image also could detect more multi-vessel disease. Conclusion: Fused three dimensional volume-rendered SPECT/CTA imaging provides intuitive convincing information about hemodynamic relevant lesion and could improved diagnostic accuracy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.886-898
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• 2020

Purpose The purpose of our study was to evaluate digital breast tomosynthesis as a breast cancer screening modality for women with gynecologic cancer. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients with underlying gynecologic malignancies who underwent screening digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer. The cancer detection rate, recall rate, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated. PPV1 was defined as the percentage of all positive screening exams that have a tissue diagnosis of cancer within a year. PPV2 was defined as the percentage of all diagnostic exams (and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4, 5 from screening setting) with a recommendation for tissue diagnosis that have cancer within a year. PPV3 was defined as the percentage of all known biopsies actually performed that resulted in a tissue diagnosis of cancer within the year. For each case of screen-detected cancer, we analyzed the age, type of underlying gynecologic malignancy, breast density, imaging features, final Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System assessment, histologic type, T and N stages, molecular subtype, and Ki-67 index. Results Among 508 patients, 7 with breast cancer were identified after a positive result. The cancer detection rate was 13.8 per 1000 screening exams, and the recall rate was 17.9%. The sensitivity was 100%, and the specificity was 83.2%. The false negative rate was 0 per 1000 exams. The PPV1, PPV2, and PPV3 were 7.7, 31.8, and 31.8, respectively. Conclusion Digital breast tomosynthesis may be a promising breast cancer screening modality for women with gynecologic cancer, based on the high cancer detection rate, high sensitivity, high PPV, and high detection rate of early-stage cancer observed in our study.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.2-12
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• 2002

The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) beamline BL4C1 at the 2.5 GeV storage ring of the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL) has been in its first you of operation since August 2000. During this first stage it could meet the basic requirements of the rapidly growing domestic SAXS user community, which has been carrying out measurements mainly on various polymer systems. The X-ray source is a bending magnet which produces white radiation with a critical energy of 5.5 keV. A synthetic double multilayer monochromator selects quasi-monochromatic radiation with a bandwidth of ca. 1.5%. This relatively low degree of monochromatization is sufficient for most SAXS measurements and allows a considerably higher flux at the sample as compared to monochromators using single crystals. Higher harmonics from the monochromator are rejected by reflection from a flat mirror, and a slit system is installed for collimation. A charge-coupled device (CCD) system, two one-dimensional photodiode arrays (PDA) and imaging plates (IP) are available its detectors. The overall performance of the beamline optics and of the detector systems has been checked using various standard samples. While the CCD and PDA detectors are well-suited for diffraction measurements, they give unsatisfactory data from weakly scattering samples, due to their high intrinsic noise. By using the IP system smooth scattering curves could be obtained in a wide dynamic range. In the second stage, stating from August 2001, the beamline will be upgraded with additional slits, focusing optics and gas-filled proportional detectors.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2008

Purpose: Micro-pinhole SPECT system with conventional multiple-head gamma cameras has the advantage of high magnification factor for imaging of rodents. However, several geometric factors should be calibrated to obtain the SPECT image with good image quality. We developed a simplified geometric calibration method for rotating triple-head pinhole SPECT system and assessed the effects of the calibration using several phantom and rodent imaging studies. Materials and Methods: Trionix Triad XLT9 triple-head SPECT scanner with 1.0 mm pinhole apertures were used for the experiments. Approximately centered point source was scanned to track the angle-dependent positioning errors. The centroid of point source was determined by the center of mass calculation. Axially departed two point sources were scanned to calibrate radius of rotation from pinhole to center of rotation. To verify the improvements by the geometric calibration, we compared the spatial resolution of the reconstructed image of Tc-99m point source with and without the calibration. SPECT image of micro performance phantom with hot rod inserts was acquired and several animal imaging studies were performed. Results: Exact sphere shape of the point source was obtained by applying the calibration and axial resolution was improved. Lesion detectibility and image quality was also much improved by the calibration in the phantom and animal studies. Conclusion: Serious degradation of micro-pinhole SPECT images due to the geometric errors could be corrected using a simplified calibration method using only one or two point sources.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2006

Purpose: Purpose of this study is to synthesize $^{99m}Tc$-labeled transferrin for injection imaging and to compare it with $^{67}Ga$-titrate for the detection of infectious foci. Materials and methods: Succinimidyl 6-hydrazino-nicotinate hydrochloride-chitosan-transferrin (Transferrin) was synthesized and radiolabeled with $^{99m}Tc$. Labeling efficiencies of $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin were determined at 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr and 8 hr. Biodistribution and imaging studies with $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin and $^{67}Ga$-citrate were performed in a rat abscess model induced with approximately $2{\times}10^8$ colony forming unit of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Results: Successful synthesis of Transferrin was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Labeling efficiency of $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin was $96.2{\pm}0.7%,\;96.4{\pm}0.5%,\;96.6{\pm}1.0%,\;96.9{\pm}0.5%,\;97.0{\pm}0.7%\;and\;95.5{\pm}0.7%$ at 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr and 8 hr, respectively. The injected dose per tissue gram of $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin was $0.18{\pm}0.01\;and\;0.18{\pm}0.01$ in the lesion and $0.05{\pm}0.01\;and\;0.04{\pm}0.01$ in the normal muscle, and lesion-to-normal muscle uptake ratio was $3.7{\pm}0.6\;and\;4.7{\pm}0.4$ at 30 min and 3 hr, respectively. On image, lesion-to-background ratio of $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin was $2.18{\pm}0.03,\;2.56{\pm}0.11,\;3.08{\pm}0.18,\;3.77{\pm}0.17,\;4.70{\pm}0.45\;and\;5.59{\pm}0.40$ at 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr and 10 hr and those of $^{67}Ga$-citrate was $3.06{\pm}0.84,\;4.12{\pm}0.54\;and\;4.55{\pm}0.74 $ at 2 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr, respectively. Conclusion: Transferrin is successfully labeled with $^{99m}Tc$, and its labeling efficiency was higher than 95% and stable for 8 hours. $^{99m}Tc$-Transferrin scintigraphy showed higher image quality in shorter time compared to $^{67}Ga$-citrate image. $^{99m}Tc$-transferrin is supposed to be useful in the detection of the infectious foci.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2009

Purpose: F-18 FDG can be accumulated in the liver, bowel, kidney, urinary tract, and muscles physiologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of dual time point 18F-FDG PET /8 imaging for the differentiation of the colonic focal uptake lesions. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty two patients (M:F = 77:55, Age 62.8$\pm$11.6 years) underwent $^{18}$F-FDG PET/CT at two time points, prospectively: early image at 50-60 min and delayed image at 4-4.5 hours after the intravenous injection of $^{18}$F-FDG. Focally increased uptake lesions on early images but disappeared or shifted on delayed images defined a physiological uptake. For the differential evaluation of persistent focal uptake lesions on delayed images, colonoscopy and histopathologic examination were performed. SUVmax changes between early and delayed images were also compared. Results: Among the 132 patients, 153 lesions of focal colonic uptake were detected on early images of $^{18}$F-FDG PET/CT. Of these, 72 (47.1%) lesions were able to judge with physiological uptake because the focal increased uptake disappeared from delayed image. Among 81 lesions which was showed persistent increased uptake in delayed image, 61 (75.3%) lesions were confirmed as the malignant tumor and 14 (17.3%) lesions were confirmed as the benign lesions including adenoma and inflammatory disease. Remaining 6 (7.4%) lesions were confirmed as the physiological uptake because there was no particular lesion in the colonoscopy. In the malignant lesions, the calculated dual time point change for SUVmax ($\Delta$%SUVmax) was 20.8$\pm$18.7%, indicating a significant increase in SUVmax between the two point (p<0.01). In contrast, the change in SUVmax for the non-malignant lesions including benign lesions and physiological uptake was -13.7%$\pm$24.2%. For the differentiation of the malignant and non-malignant focal colonic uptake lesions, $\Delta$%SUVmax was the most effective parameter, and the cut-off value using -5% provided the best sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Conclusion: The dual time point $^{18}$F-FDG PET/CT imaging with SUVmax change evaluation could be an important noninvasive method for the differentiation of malignant and benign focal colonic uptake lesions including physiologic uptake.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.478-486
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• 2009

Purpose: 5-iododeoxyuridine analogues have been exclusively developed for the potential antiviral and antitumor therapeutic agents. In this study, we synthesized carbocyclic radioiododeoxyuridineanalogue (ddIVDU) and carbocyclic intermediate as efficient carbocyclic radiopharmaceuticals. Materials and Methods: The synthesis is LAH reduction, hetero Diels-Alder reaction as key reactions including Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reaction together with organotin. MCA-RH7777 (MCA) and MCA-tk (HSV1-tk positive) cells were treated with various concentration of carbocyclic ddIVDU, and GCV. Cytotoxicity was measured by the MTS methods. For in vitro uptake study, MCA and MCA-tk cells were incubated with 1uCi of [$^{125}I$]carbocyclic ddIVDU. Accumulated radioactivity was measured after various incubation times. Results: The synthesis of ddIVDU and precursor for radioiodination were achieved from cyclopentadiene in good overall yield, respectively. The radioiododemetallation for radiolabeling gave more than 80% yield with > 95% radiochemical purity. GCV was more toxic than carbocyclic ddIVDU in MCA-tk cells. Accumulation of [$^{125}I$]carbocyclic ddIVDU was higher in MCA-tk cells than MCA cells. Conclusion: Biological data reveal that ddIVDU is stable in vitro, less toxic than ganciclovir (GCV), and selective in HSV1-tk expressed cells. Thus, this new carbocyclic nucleoside, referred to in this paper as carbocyclic 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-5- iodovinyluridine (carbocyclic ddIVDU), is a potential imaging probe for HSV1-tk.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.314-322
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• 2008

Purpose: It is widely recognized that good quality control (QC) program is essential for adequate imaging diagnosis using gamma camera. The purpose of this study is to survey the current status of QC of gamma cameras in Republic of Korea for implementing appropriate nationwide quality control guidelines and programs. Methods: A collection of data is done for personnel, equipment and appropriateness of each nuclear medicine imaging laboratory's quality control practice. This survey is done by collection of formatted questionnaire by mails, emails or interviews. We also reviewed the current recommendations concerning quality assurance by international societies. Results: This survey revealed that practice of quality control is irregular and not satisfactory. The irregularity of the QC practice seems due partly to the lack of trained personnel, equipment, budget, time and hand-on guidelines. Conclusion: The implementation of QC program may cause additional burden to the hospitals, patients and nuclear medicine laboratories. However, the benefit of a good QC program is obvious that the hospitals can provide good quality nuclear medicine imaging studies to the patients. It is important to use least cumbersome QC protocol, to educate the nuclear medicine and hospital administrative personnel concerning QC, and to establish national QC guidelines to help each individual nuclear medicine laboratory.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2024

Gallium-68-prostate-specific membrane antigen-11 (⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11) is a positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical that labels a Glu-urea-Lys-based ligand with ⁶⁸Ga, binding specifically to the PSMA. It is used widely for imaging recurrent prostate cancer and metastases. On the other hand, the preparation and quality control testing of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 in medical institutions takes over 60 minutes, limiting the daily capacity of ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generators. While the generator provides 1,110 MBq (30 mCi) nominally, its activity decreases over time, and the labeling yield declines irregularly. Consequently, additional preparations are needed, increasing radiation exposure for medical technicians, prolonging patient wait times, and necessitating production schedule adjustments. This study aimed to reduce the ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 preparation time and optimize the automated synthesis system. By shortening the reaction time between ⁶⁸Ga and the PSMA-11 precursor and adjusting the number of purification steps, a faster and more cost-effective method was tested while maintaining quality. The final synthesis time was reduced from 30 to 20 minutes, meeting the standards for the HEPES content, residual solvent EtOH content, and radiochemical purity. This optimized procedure minimizes radiation exposure for medical technicians, reduces patient wait times, and maintains consistent production schedules, making it suitable for clinical application.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4255-4261
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• 2012

The present study was conducted to evaluate radioimmunoimaging (RII) and in vivo distribution of mixed antibodies $^{99m}Tc$-EGFR-mAb and $^{99m}Tc$-CD44-mAb in nude mice bearing human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Single and mixed applications of the two radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were compared. Direct labeling of $^{99m}Tc$ was applied to radiolabel the EGFR and CD44 mAbs. The properties of the radiolabeled antibodies were then characterized. RII and assessment of the distribution of the antibodies in nude mice bearing lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were achieved by applying separate and combined doses of $^{99m}Tc$-EGFR-mAb and $^{99m}Tc$-CD44-mAb. The labeling rates of $^{99m}Tc$ for EGFR-mAb and CD44-mAb were $91.5%{\pm}3.8%$ and $92.3%{\pm}4.1%$ respectively, with specific activities of 2.8 and $2.9MBq/{\mu}g$, respectively, and radiochemical purities (RCP) of 96.5% and 96.2%. The radioactivity uptake of the combined application of both radiolabeled antibodies was clearly higher than with a single application of either alone. The relative values of target-to-nontarget (T/NT) measured through the regional interest (ROI) technique were $5.59{\pm}0.42$ (mixed antibodies), $2.78{\pm}0.20$ ($^{99m}Tc$-EGFR-mAb), and $2.28{\pm}0.16$ ($^{99m}Tc$-CD44-mAb) in the RII. The body distribution of the radiolabeled antibodies and their imaging results were basically identical. Application of the mixed antibodies with $^{99m}Tc$-EGFR-mAb and $^{99m}Tc$-CD44-mAb can increase the radioactivity uptake of tumor tissue, leading to more ideal target-to-nontarget ratios, and therefore superior results.