• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2024

The myocardial nuclear medicine examination is widely performed to diagnose myocardium disease using various radionuclides. Although image quality according to radionuclides has improved, the radiation exposure for target organ as well as peripheral organs should be considered. Here, the aim of this study was to evaluate absorbed dose (Gy) for peripheral organs in myocardial nuclear medicine scan from myocardium according to various scan environments based on Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation environment was modeled 5 cases, which were considered by radionuclides, number of injections, and radiodosage. In addition, the each radionuclide simulation such as distribution fraction was considered by recommended standard protocol, and the mesh computational female phantom, which is provided by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 145, was used using the particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS) version 3.33. Based on the results, the closer to the myocardium, the higher the absorbed dose values. In addition, application for dual injection for radionuclides leaded to high absorbed dose compared with single injection for radionuclide. Consequently, there is difference for absorbed dose according to radionuclides, number of injections, and radiodosage. To detect the accurate diseased area, acquisition for improved image quality is crucial process by injecting radionuclides, however, we need to consider absorbed dose both target and peripheral inner organs from radionuclides in terms radiation protection for patient.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.192-199
• /
• 1991

Peripheral arterial disease, because of it's significant and prolonged morbidity and related mortality is a major medical and surgical problem. Contrast angiogram remains the essential standard for the anatomic demonstration of disease. It does not, however, provide data suitable for quantification or any evaluation of the microcirculation. For these reasons, radionuclide studies are playing an increasingly important role by not only confirming the diagnosis and offering objective data on the physiologic significance of anatomic lesions, but by offering prognosis of healing and prediction of therapeutic results. In addition, radionuclide procedures offer means to safely and repeatedly monitor response to therapy and long term follow up. The object of this study was to evaluate the clinical availability of $^{201}T1$ perfusion scan in patients with peripheral arterial diseases. We performed $^{201}T1$ perfusion scans in patients with five Buerger' s disease (10 legs), six DM gangrenes (12 legs) and classified three perfusion pattern groups. Finally we compared treatment modalities among each groups and compaired T1-201 perfusion scan findings with angiographic findings in six patients with Buerger's disease. The results were as follows: 1) Seven legs showed increased perfusion in stress image and normal or increased perfusion in resting image (type 1). Six legs showed decreased perfusion in stress image and improved in resting image (type II). Of total 13 legs, only 1 leg needed to amputation. 2) Three legs showed decreased perfusion in stress and resting image (type III), and subsequently all cases were received surgical amputation. 3) In six Buerger's disease patients, there were disagreements in two patients (2 legs) between $^{201}T1$ scan and angiography, in which angiograms were normal but $^{201}T1$ scans showed 'type II' perfusion patterns.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 1987

Among noninvasive approaches for the evaluation of left ventricular performance, radionuclide ventriculography (RVG) has been shown to be of particular values. Phase analysis, recently introduced as more objective means for evaluating the temporal sequence of systolic ventricular wall motion than cine image of RVG comprises a pixel by pixel Fourier transformation of the time activity curve of a multiple gated acquisition equilibrium blood pool study. To examine the regional wall motion of ventricles in myocardial infarctions, we evaluated the phase image and histogram constructed for each ventricle by total phase angle range and full width of half maximum (FWHM). This study consisted of 7 normal subjects and 23 subjects with acute myocardial infarction. Contrast ventriculography and coronary angiography was performed in all partients with myocardial infarction. And we compared the result of phase analysis with cine image of RVG and examined the interrelationship between phase analysis and contrast ventriculography with coronary angiography. The results were as follows; 1) The total phase angle range and FWHM of LV phase histogram in myocardial infarction ($86^{\circ}\;and\;32^{\circ}$, repectively) were wider than those in normal control ($38^{\circ}\;and\;18^{\circ}$, respectively p<0.01). 2) RV phase angle range and FWHM in patients with right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion ($79^{\circ}\;and\;37^{\circ}$, respectively) were wider than those in normal control ($39^{\circ}\;and\;18^{\circ}$, respectively p<0.001) and the patients without RCA occlusion ($52^{\circ}\;and\;19^{\circ}$, respectively p<0.01). 3) Phase analysis was more sensitive (95%) than cine image of RVG (70%) for the detection of regional wall motion abnormality of LV.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Nowadays in the nuclear medicine, many studies and efforts are being made to reduce the scan time, as well as the waiting time to be needed to execute exams after injection of radionuclide medicines. Several methods are being used in clinic, such as developing new radionuclide compounds that enable to be absorbed into target organs more quickly and reducing acquisition scan time by increase the number of Gamma Camera detectors to examine. Each medical equipment manufacturer has improved the imaging process techniques to reduce scan time. In this paper, we tried to analyze the difference of image quality between FBP, 3D OSEM reconstruction methods that commercialized and being clinically applied, and Astonish reconstruction method (A kind of Iterative fast reconstruction method of Philips), also difference of image quality on scan time. Material and Methods: We investigated in 32 patients that examined the Bone SPECT from June to July 2008 at department of nuclear medicine, ASAN Medical Center in Seoul. 40sec/frame and 20sec/frame images were acquired that using Philips‘ PRECEDENCE 16 Gamma Camera and then reconstructed those images by using the Astonish (Philips’ Reconstruction Method), 3D OSEM and FBP methods. The blinded test was performed to the clinical interpreting physicians with all images analyzed by each reconstruction method for qualitative analysis. And we analyzed target to non target ratio by draws lesions as the center of disease for quantitative analysis. At this time, each image was analyzed with same location and size of ROI. Results: In a qualitative analysis, there was no significant difference by acquisition time changes in image quality. In a quantitative analysis, the images reconstructed Astonish method showed good quality due to better sharpness and distinguish sharply between lesions and peripheral lesions. After measuring each mean value and standard deviation value of target to non target ratio with 40 sec/frame and 20sec/frame images, those values are Astonish (40 sec-$13.91{\pm}5.62$ : 20 sec-$13.88{\pm}5.92$), 3D OSEM (40 sec-$10.60{\pm}3.55$ : 20 sec-$10.55{\pm}3.64$), FBP (40 sec-$8.30{\pm}4.44$ : 20 sec-$8.19{\pm}4.20$). We analyzed target to non target ratio from 20 sec and 40 sec images. And we analyzed the result, In Astonish (t=0.16, p=0.872), 3D OSEM (t=0.51, p=0.610), FBP (t=0.73, p=0.469) methods, there was no significant difference statistically by acquisition time change in image quality. But FBP indicates no statistical differences while some images indicate difference between 40 sec/frame and 20 sec/frame images by various factors. Conclusions: In the circumstance, try to find a solution to reduce nuclear medicine scan time, the development of nuclear medicine equipment hardware has decreased while software has marched forward at a relentless. Due to development of computer hardware, the image reconstruction time was reduced and the expanded capacity to restore enables iterative methods that couldn't be performed before due to technical limits. As imaging process technique developed, it reduced scan time and we could observe that image quality keep similar level. While keeping exam quality and reducing scan time can induce the reduction of patient's pain and sensory waiting time, also accessibility of nuclear medicine exam will be improved and it provide better service to patients and clinical physician who order exams. Consequently, those things make the image of department of nuclear medicine be improved. Concurrent Imaging - A new function that setting up each image acquisition parameter and enables to acquire images simultaneously with various parameters to once examine.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 1995

To evaluate availability of cerebral radionuclide imaging for diagnosis of brain death, we examined 25 patients with a suspected clinical diagnosis of brain death. 8 patients were studied by $^{99m}Tc$ DTPA and 15 patients were studied by $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO (Hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime). Seven patients with $^{99m}Tc$ DTPA studies revealed absence of cerebral blood flow and sagittal sinus activity. All of 15 patients with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO studies revealed complete absence of cerebral perfusion. The results of the cerebral radionuclide studies of brain death correlated with other clinical conditions, such as intracranial pressure(ICP), EEG, transcranial doppler sonography(TCDS), and neurologic examination. The ICP of 8 patients, who are confirmed by brain death with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO study are elevated in all cases. In conclusion, cerebral radionuclide imaging for diagnosis of brain death is available. $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO imaging is unequivocal, easily interpreted, well reflect the physiologic state of increased ICP, and provides adequate assessment of posterior fossa activity. In addition, the SPECT imaging with $^{99m}Tc$ HMPAO produces more accurate results due to it's superiority of image contrast and proper localization of radiopharmaceutical distribution than conventional planar imaging.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.305-308
• /
• 1993

Metastatic thyroid carcinoma in bone shows characteristic expansile, trabeculated lysis on radio-gram. The ordinary scintigraphy manifests with a simple photopenic defect. We were able to portray trabeculation within photopenic defects. We present papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma, one each, pinhole bone scintigraphic findings of which are cold area with septated increased uptake at the iliae bone. These findings correspond very well with their X-ray pictures.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2022

Malignant melanoma has an aggressive nature and high metastatic potential that result in one of the highest cancer mortality rates. Over the past three decades, primary and metastatic melanoma incidence has rapidly increased. The recent advances in diagnostic technology have shown promise, but there is still an enormous need for specific detection methods to diagnose malignant melanoma. Positron emission tomography can visualize a particular biomarker of malignant melanoma and promise a noninvasive image of micrometastases. However, the development of PET radiopharmaceuticals remains necessary for diagnosing malignant melanoma by using positron emission tomography. In this review, the history and a general overview of PET radionuclide labeled benzamide derivatives, including their radiosynthesis, in vivo characterization, and evaluation, are provided as imaging agents for malignant melanoma.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2010

This research attempts to qualitatively evaluate the intensity change by radiopharmaceuticals and obtain computed tomography using phantom injected with various nuclide. Cylindrical phantom is used for comparing and analysing the effect on diagnosis image during radiopharmaceuticals inspection. Inside of the phantom, water is injected and computed tomography image is scanned. During nuclear medicine invitro, frequently used radiopharmaceuticals, $^{99m}TcO_4$ 20 mCi and $^{18}F$ 14 mCi, is diluted in the water phantom and scanned in the same method. Traverse image obtained by CT scan is divided into six traverse image in the same slice of each scanned image. CT-number(HU) value of 10 measuring point is measured in 2 cm interval based on the center of the phantom. Measured HU value, based on the water phantom, is compared with the image after injecting $^{99m}TcO_4$ and $^{18}F$. Average scale of water is 2.8~1.6 HU, $^{99m}TcO_4$ is 3.0~1.6 HU and $^{18}F$ is 1.2~0 HU. Average of water is $2.3{\pm}0.17$ HU, $^{99m}TcO_4$ is $2.2{\pm}0.85$ HU and F-18 is $0.7{\pm}0.95$ HU. Based on water, reduced value of about 0.1 HU and about 0.5 HU is acquired from $^{99m}TcO_4$ and F-18. Radionuclide used in nuclear medicine inspection utilizes 100~200 KeV energy and obtains image through scintillation camera and PET-CT utilizes 511 KeV positron annihilation energy to obtain image. What we learned from this research is that gamma rays from these energies used in CT scan for diagnosis purpose or radioactive therapy plan can change the intensity of the image. The nuclear medicine inspection for reducing the effect of emitted gamma ray diagnosis image should be obtained after a period of time considering half-life which would be reduced distortion or changed in image.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.148-154
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Although radionuclide cisternography (RNC) is an useful study to detect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in the patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), it sometimes fails to demonstrate the site of CSF leakage. The aim of the study is to improve the detection of leakage site of CSF and to reduce time for the study in RNC using modified protocol (m-RNC). Materials & methods : The study consists of 8 studies of 7 patients ($38{\pm}8$ years, M:F=2:5) with SIH, who underwent m-RNC following administration of 185-222 MBq of $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA into the lumbar subarachnoid space. Sequential images were obtained the whole spine with the head including urinary bladder at 10 minute, 30 minute, 1 hour, 2 hour, 4 hour and 6 hour. Radioactivity of extradural space and urinary bladder was evaluated. Results: Leakage site of CSF was identified in all 8 cases by m-RNC. Leakage site was cervicothoracic junction (CTJ, n=3), CTJ with C1-2 (n=2), CTJ with thoracic spine, thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spine (each n=1). All cases presented leakage sites within 1 hour and multiple sites, where CTJ was included in 6 cases. Only one case presented additional site in 6 hour image. Early radioactivity within the urinary bladder was noted in 6 cases, but that was fellowing after identification of the leakage site. Conclusion: Radionuclide cisternography is sensitive to detect the leakage site of CSF and is expected to improve the detection of CSF leakage site and reduce time for the study using modified protocol.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.73-75
• /
• 1985

Acute transient synovitis of the hip presents clinically pain and limping. But in the majority of the cases, definite positive findings are not manifest in roentgenogram in its early phase. However radionuclide bone imaging combines with the assessment of vascularization and bone tracer uptake is of great value in solving this diagnostic problem. The materials for this study consisted of 29 children with acute transient synovitis of the hip, characterized by symptoms and physical signs of an arthritis, negative X-ray findings and disappearance of all symptoms and signs within a short period of time. They were twenty males and 9 females and age ranged from 1 to 12 years. We took pelvic reontgenogram in AP and frog-leg views. After intravenous bolus injection of 10 to 15 mCi of $^{99m}Tc-methylene$ diphosphonate, 24 sequential image of the pelvis was taken at 2-second interval for blood flow study. The scintigrams were made using a gamma camera with high resolution parallel hole collimator. Blood pool imaging was obtained at 2 minutes after tracer administration. After 3 hours, static images were taken and then closeup image of the hip using pin-hole collimator was followed. The results were as follows: 1) Bone scintigram was much more sensitive than conventional roentgenogram in diagnosis of acute transient synovitis of the hip. 2) Three-phase imagings showed increased vascular activities in blood pool scintigrams in 96%. 3) Pin-hole imaging showed increased tracer uptake in the regional bones of the hip, par ticularly in the medial aspect of femoral head and acetabulum. 4) We confirmed that three-phase imaging reinforced with pin-hole technique were very useful in diagnose of acute transient synovitis of the hip.