• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 1983

The purpose of this study was to develop a method by which the sensitivity of radionuclide liver imaging for detection of liver cirrhosis could be enhanced. Dynamic blood flow scan were performed 21 cases of liver cirrhosis patients by using computerized gamma camera named arterialization index. The results were as follows: 1) Arterialization index were higher in liver cirrhosis comparing to normal value 0.33 and its mean is 2. 02. 2) Comparing to static liver scan, higher sensitivity in dynamic hepatic blood flow scan for detection of liver cirrhosis. Sensitivity for detection of liver cirrhosis is over 90%. 3) There are no correlation between arterialization index and serum albumin level. The use of hepatic dynamic blood flow scan proved effective in detection of liver cirrhosis. However, the test may be used as an aid in distinguishing between normal and pathologic livers.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.127-131
• /
• 2006

Radiosynovectomy has been used as an effective treatment in patients with resistant synovitis after failure of long-term medication and intraarticular steroid injection. Although $^{90}Y$ silicate/citrate, $^{186}Re$ sulfide, and $^{169}Er$ citrate were approved in Europe for the appropriate radiopharmaceuticals for radiosynovectomy other radionuclides such as $^{32}P$-chromic phosphate, $^{165}Dy$-ferric hydroxide macroaggregate, $^{188}Rh$-microspheres, $^{153}Sm-particulate, and $^{166}Ho$-ferric hydroxide macroaggregate have been used in many countries. Reported success rates range from 40% to 90% for the different joints and underlying disease. In Korea, $^{188}Re$-tin-colloid and $^{166}Ho$-chitosan complex are now using as the major radionuclides in radiosynovectomy with good clinical results. A study on radiation synovectomy using $^{188}Re$-tin-colloid for patients with Korean rheumatoid arthritis shows the treatment resulted in the improvement of arthritis and well tolerated in our study, the radiosynovectomy with $^{166}Ho$-chitosan complex in 53 hemophilic patients markedly decreased intra-articular bleeding frequency and need for coagulation factor. This review inculdes general priciples in the application of radiosynovectomy and the clinical experience in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2000

Objective: To determine the accuracy of CT and positron emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of recurrent uterine cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Imaging findings of CT and PET in 36 patients (mean age, 53 years) in whom recurrent uterine cervical cancer was suspected were analyzed retrospectively. Between October 1997 and May 1998, they had undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy. Tumor recurrence was confirmed by pathologic examination or follow-up studies. Results: In detecting recurrent uterine cervical cancer, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT were 77.8%, 83.3%, and 80.5%, respectively, while for PET, the corresponding figures were 100%, 94.4%, and 97.2%. The Chi-square test revealed no significant difference in specificity (p = .2888), but significant differences in sensitivity (p = .0339) and accuracy (p = .0244). Conclusion: PET proved to be a reliable screening method for detecting recurrent uterine cervical cancer, but to determine the anatomical localization of recurrent tumors, and thus decide an adequate treatment plan, CT was eventually needed.

• 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.28 no.1
• /
• pp.62-68
• /
• 1994

This study was aimed to compare the density of the functional microcirculation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with normal liver and to investigate the effect of hepatic-arterial oily chemoembolization (HAE) by radionuclide examination. Methods : Eight patients with HCC proven by biopsy in five, and clinically and radiologically in three were included. The mixture of 2 cc normal saline with three to four mCi of $^{99m}Tc$-MAA was infused through a hepatic-arterial catheter for a minute. Dynamic images were obtained at a rate of 4 sec per frame for a minute, and static images and SPECT were followed. Results : In three patients who underwent hepatic arterial angiography (HAA) alone, radioactivity was markedly increased in tumors compared to the adjacent liver immediately after infusion of $^{99m}Tc$-MAA. The ratios of tumoral and extratumoral up-take (T/E ratio) were above 6.5 (range; $6.5{\sim}l9$, mean; 12.5). In four of the five patients who under-went superselective HAE, T/E ratio were remark-ably decreased ($0.5{\sim}1.3$). The areas of embolization were better delineated in radionuclide study than in postembolization HAA. In the other one who was considered to be embolized completely on HAA, strong radiouptake in the tumor was disclosed (T/E ratio; 7.0). Conclusions : Therefore hepatic-arterial flow study with radionuclide imaging using $^{99m}Tc$-MAA can be a valuable method to assess the accurate embolization effect in HCC.

• 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.22-30
• /
• 1995

To predict preoperatively the safety of permanent occlusion of an internal carotid artery with $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) from an objective point of view, Twenty-four patients underwent balloon test occlusion (BTO) of the internal carotid arteries because of neck and skull base tumors. The authors assessed the uptake of both middle cerebral artery territories before and during BTO with $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain SPECT using semiquantitative analysis method and compared the results with other factors(neurologic examination, arterial stump pressure and electroenceph-alogram). Nineteen patients had not experienced neurological deteriorating or any problem during BTO. Their comparative uptakes of the middle cerebral artery territories were 95 to 101% of the pre-BTO state. The remaining five patients showed severe neurologic symptoms such as transient hemiplegia and unconsciousness. Their comparative uptake of the middle cerebral artery territories were 77 to 85% of the pre-BTO state, and were well matched with other factors. $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain SPECT before and during BTO seems to be a simple and objective method for prediction of permanent neurologic deficits when the comparative uptake of middle cerebral artery territories during BTO is lower than 85% of that before BTO.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.377-383
• /
• 1994

Objective : We retrospectively analysed $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone and $^{67}Ga$ scans to evaluate therapeutic response of bone lymphoma among patients with complete remission. Subjects and Methods : We reviewed 35 cases with an increased uptake finding $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scans and 16 $^{67}Ga$ scans that were follow-up studies during and after therapy. The $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone and $^{67}Ga$ scans were graded visually from 1 to 4 in which grade 3 means same uptake density as that of normal sacroiliac articulation in bone scan and normal liver in $^{67}Ga$ scan, respectively. Results: The improvement findings during and after therapy were found in 66.0% (19/ 29) and 72.7% (24/33) with $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan, 84.6% (l1/13) and 86.7% (13/15) with $^{67}Ga$ scan, respectively. The mean grades of the uptake density in $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan were 3.06 before, 2.34 during, 1.75 after therapy. Those in the $^{67}Ga$ scan were 3.22 before, 1.42 during 1.30 after therapy. Conclusion. $^{67}Ga$ scans appeared more sensitive than bone scans in evaluating therapeutic response of bone lymphoma.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 2002

Background and Purpose : Now, a lot of people are suffering from arthritis of knee joint. Western and oriental medicine, all of them are trying various methods to cure this disease, but generally the grade or level of repairing has been decided by the subjective estimation of the patients and doctors. So, we suggest the new standard for estimating the level of repair in this disease using nuclear medicine. Objective : To evalute the difference of the blood pool and delayed images in the correlation with clinical symptoms in patients with arthritis of knee joint by using acupuncture. Methods : Eight patients with arthritis of knee joint included in this study. Using Thermograph (D.I.T.I) and Radionuclide, we obtained the results. In Bone scan Tc-99m MDP, and MIBI scan was obtained at 1 minute and 3 hour after injection of 1,110 MBq Tc-99m MDP and MIBI. The analysis was carried out hurted area of joint. The Joint-to-background(J/B) ratios were obtained exclusively in the joints regions. Clinical symptoms were evaluated as pain and swelling graded from 0(no) to 5(severe) in the same joints, respectively. Results : J/B ratios on the delayed scans were higher than those on blood pool images. There was significant correlation between clinical symptoms and J/B on blood pool image in the joints =0.03). Conclusion : The results demonstrate that blood pool images of Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy correlates with clinical symptoms more than delayed images in patients with arthritis Joint.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.338-342
• /
• 1998

Postural headache due to spontaneous intracranial hypotension occurs without any diagnostic lumbar puncture, myelography, cranial or spinal injury, or spinal anesthesia. The clinical characteristics of the syndrome are disappearance of the headache or a notable decrease in its severity with recumbency, the finding of meningeal enhancement and subdural fluid collection on brain MRI, the pleocytosis and the increased CSF protein concentration. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman who exhibited the signs and symptoms of postural headache due to low CSF pressure. Her headache started suddenly at the occiput and radiated to frontal head. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her brain showed enhancement of the meninges and subdural fluid collection. Intrathecal radionuclide cisternography showed the delayed appearance of the isotope in the cranium and the minimal CSF leak at the left upper thoracic region. Her headache was relieved completely after a lumbar (L2-L3) epidural injection of 12 ml of autologous blood and remained asymptomatic.