• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2010

Background: The aim of this study was to compare a novel mannose receptor-binding agent(Technetium-99m human serum albumin, $^{99m}Tc$-MSA) with $^{99m}Tc$-phytate for sentinel node mapping in patients with esophageal cancer. Material and Method: Twenty patients with clinical stage T1N0m0 or T2N0M0 esophageal cancer that were candidates for esophagectomy were enrolled. Endoscopic injection of $^{99m}Tc$-MSA or $^{99m}Tc$-phytate was administered at the peri-tumor region before surgery in 10 patients. The radioactive lymph nodes were identified with a handheld gamma probe after lymph node dissection. Results: The patient's age and the sex ratio of both groups were similar. The clinical stage, tumor location, and operative technique did not differ. The total number of dissected lymph nodes did not differ ($28.5{\pm}9.12$ in MSA group, $32.2{\pm}11.24$ in phytate group, p=0.430). The sentinel node was identified in all cases in both groups. The number of sentinel nodes per patient was $2.7{\pm}1.57$ in the MSA group, which was significantly greater than the $1.7{\pm}0.88$ in the phytate group (p=0.036). Five out of 20 patients whose sentinel nodes could be identified had metastases; however, neither group had any false-negative results for sentinel node identification. Conclusion: Sentinel nodes were detected more frequently with MSA than with phytate.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2019

2-Nitroimidazole derivatives have been reported to accumulate in hypoxic tissue. We prepared a novel $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole and evaluated the feasibility for hypoxia imaging agent. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was synthesized by direct coupling of $Bz-MAG_3$ and 2-nitroimidazole using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was labeled with $^{99m}Tc$ in the presence of tartaric acid and $SnCl_2-2H_2O$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. And the reaction mixture was purified by $C_{18}$ Sep-pak cartridge. The labeling efficiency and the radiochemical purity were checked by ITLC-SG/acetonitrile. The tumor was grown in balb/c mice for 8~13 days after the subcutaneous injection of tumor cells, CT-26 (murine colon adenocarcinoma cell). Biodistribution study and tumor autoradiography were performed in the xenografted mice after i.v injection of 74 kBq/0.1 mL and 19 MBq/0.1 mL of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole, respectively. In vivo images of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole in tumor bearing mice were obtained 1.5 hr post injection. The labeling efficiency was $45{\pm}20%$ and the radiochemical purity after purification was over 95%. Paper electrophoresis confirmed negative charge of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was very stable at room temperature and its protein binding was 53%. The $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole exhibited high uptake in the liver, stomach and intestine. In biodistribution study using tumor bearing mice, the uptakes (% ID/g) of the tumor were $0.5{\pm}0.1$, $0.4{\pm}0.0$, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ and $0.1{\pm}0.1$ at 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. Tumor/muscle ratio were $1.4{\pm}0.1$, $2.2{\pm}0.83$, $3.0{\pm}0.9$, and 3.7 (n=2) for 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. The uptake in hypoxic area was found higher than in non-hypoxic area of tumor tissue by autoradiography. In vivo images showed the relatively faint uptake to the hypoxic tumor region. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was successfully synthesized and found feasible for imaging hypoxia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.237-243
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• 2021

This is a rare case of a 73-year-old male patient who presented with hematochezia and was treated using transcatheter arterial embolization following upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the third portion of the duodenum. The cause of the bleeding was not found on gastrointestinal endoscopy and CT. On the third day of hospitalization, the hemoglobin level continued to decrease. A technetium-99m-labeled red blood cell scan revealed suspicious bleeding in the diverticulum of the third portion of the duodenum. Superior mesenteric artery angiography showed active bleeding from the posteroinferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, which was embolized with N-butyl cyanoacrylate. The patient was discharged on the seventh day after embolization without re-bleeding or complication. We report a rare case of a patient with active bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum that was difficult to diagnose using routine modalities. Herein, we report a rare case of a patient with active bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum that was difficult to diagnose using routine modalities. We also conducted a relavant literature review.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1142-1150
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• 2023

Objective: To evaluate ^99mtechnetium-three polyethylene glycol spacers-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (^99mTc-3PRGD₂) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of primary malignant lung neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 26 patients with primary malignant lung tumors who underwent ^99mTc-3PRGD₂ SPECT/CT and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging. Both imaging methods were analyzed in qualitative (visual dichotomous and 5-point grades for lymph nodes and lung tumors, respectively) and semiquantitative (maximum tissue-to-background radioactive count) manners for the lymph nodes and lung tumors. The performance of the differentiation of lymph nodes with and without metastasis was determined at the per-lymph node station and per-patient levels using histopathological results as the reference standard. Results: Total 42 stations had metastatic lymph nodes and 136 stations had benign lymph nodes. The differences between metastatic and benign lymph nodes in the visual qualitative and semiquantitative analyses of ^99mTc-3PRGD₂ SPECT/CT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the semi-quantitative analysis of ^99mTc-3PRGD₂ SPECT/CT was 0.908 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.851-0.966), and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.86 (36/42), 0.88 (120/136), 0.69 (36/52), and 0.95 (120/126), respectively. Among the 26 patients (including two patients each with two lung tumors), 15 had pathologically confirmed lymph node metastasis. The difference between primary lung lesions in patients with and without lymph node metastasis was statistically significant only in the semi-quantitative analysis of ^99mTc-3PRGD₂ SPECT/CT (P = 0.007), with an AUC of 0.807 (95% CI, 0.641-0.974). Conclusion: ^99mTc-3PRGD₂ SPECT/CT imaging may notably perform in the direct diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of primary malignant lung tumors and indirectly predict the presence of lymph node metastasis through uptake in the primary lesions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.327-344
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• 2024

Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands that regulate calcium metabolism by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). These are located at the back of the thyroid gland. Typically, four glands comprise the parathyroid glands, although their numbers may vary among individuals. Parathyroid diseases are related to parathyroid gland dysfunction and can be caused by problems with the parathyroid gland itself or abnormal serum calcium levels arising from renal disease. In recent years, as comprehensive health checkups have become more common, abnormal serum calcium levels are often found incidentally in blood tests, after which several additional tests, including a PTH test, ultrasonography (US), technetium-99m sestamibi parathyroid scan, single-photon-emission CT (SPECT)/CT, four-dimensional CT (4D-CT), and PET/CT, are performed for further evaluation. However, the parathyroid gland remains an organ less familiar to radiologists. Therefore, the normal anatomy, pathophysiology, imaging, and clinical findings of the parathyroid gland and its associated diseases are discussed here.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.334-341
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• 2001

Purpose: Ascorbic acid us known to act as an antioxidant. Therefore, it can be used in increasing the efficiency of radiochemical labeling of Technetium-99m setamibi by inhibition of oxidation of $Sn^{2+}$ at low concentration. We intended to estimate the efficiency of radiochemical labeling and the stability of the newly formed formulation when ascorbic acid was added to a commercial kit. Materials and Methods: Synthesis of sestamibi was performed according to Dong-A's patent procedure (No.10-2001-0012877). First, we undertook a study to evaluate the efficiency of radiochemical labeling of sestamibi containing ascorbic acid. The stability of the vials was assessed using either $7.5{\mu}g\;or\;75{\mu}g$ of ascorbic acid, added to commercial vials under the accelerated condition(Temp : $40^{\circ}C{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, Relative humidity : $75{\pm}5%$). Results: Sestamibi was synthesized in overall 35-40% yield over 5 steps from a commercially available methallyl chloride as a starling material. When ascorbic acid was added, the efficiency of radiochemical labeling was maintained compared to the vial with no ascorbic acid. The accelerated test showed that the addition of ascorbic acid inhibited the oxidation of $Sn^{2+}$ ion by antioxidation mechanism. Also, the efficiency of radiochemical labeling of this vial after 9 months was nearly the same as the starting point. Therefore, the storage period of the kit is likely to be extended. Taken together, it suggests that the addition of ascorbic acid as a stabilizer is desirable. Conclusion: To increase the stability of a sestamibi cold kit, it is desirable to add ascorbic acid as a stabilizer to the commercial formulation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.519-526
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• 1999

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of a technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (Tc-99m MAG3) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) performed on transplanted kidney. Materials and Methods: Thirty renal transplant patients were included in this study. Planar scan was performed for 30 minutes using 555 MBq Tc-99m MAG3. A post-voiding SPECT scan was acquired on the third, seventh, fourteenth and twenty eighth day after transplantation. Results: SPECT scan showed interpretable image quality in 26 of 30 patients (86.7%) and 84 in 120 scans (70%). Fourteen of 26 patients with interpretable SPECT image showed decreased or increased radioactivity, but only 5 had abnormal findings on the planar scan. Focal SPECT defects were seen in allografts with normal function (n=3), acute tubular necrosis (n=3), and acute rejection (n=2). The defects are thought to reflect focally underperfused renal parenchyme or, in normal allografts, an artifact from uneven radioactivity distribution. Four of 10 patients with renal arterial variation showed focally decreased radioactivity and SPECT helped guide funker studies that confirmed the exact cause. Five of 10 patients with acute tubular necrosis or acute rejection showed focally decreased radioactivity, but its relation to the patients' clinical course was not clear. Focally increased radioactivity was observed in 5 allografts with normal function and 1 with double ureter in which local clearance delay was observed. Conclusion: Tc-99m MAG3 SPECT renal scan can detect additional focal abnormalities compared to planar scan. Further study is necessary to elucidate the exact clinical significance of the SPECT findings.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 1984

For nearly a century it has been known that chemical activity accompanies mental activity, but only recently has it been possible to begin to examine its exact nature. Positron-emitting radioactive tracers have made it possible to study the chemistry of the human mind in health and disease, using chiefly cyclotron-produced radionuclides, carbon-11, fluorine-18 and oxygen-15. It is now well established that measurable increases in regional cerebral blood flow, glucose and oxygen metabolism accompany the mental functions of perception, cognition, emotion and motion. On May 25, 1983 the first imaging of a neuroreceptor in the human brain was accomplished with carbon-11 methyl spiperone, a ligand that binds preferentially to dopamine-2 receptors, 80% of which are located in the caudate nucleus and putamen. Quantitative imaging of serotonin-2, opiate, benzodiazapine and muscarinic cholinergic receptors has subsequently been accomplished. In studies of normal men and women, it has been found that dopamine and serotonin receptor activity decreases dramatically with age, such a decrease being more pronounced in men than in women and greater in the case of dopamine receptors than serotonin-2 receptors. Preliminary studies in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders suggests that dopamine-2 receptor activity is diminished in the caudate nucleus of patients with Huntington's disease. Positron tomography permits quantitative assay of picomolar quantities of neuro-receptors within the living human brain. Studies of patients with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, acute and chronic pain states and drug addiction are now in progress. The growth of any scientific field is based on a paradigm or set of ideas that the community of scientists accepts. The unifying principle of nuclear medicine is the tracer principle applied to the study of human disease. Nineteen hundred and sixty-three was a landmark year in which technetium-99m and the Anger camera combined to move the field from its latent stage into a second stage characterized by exponential growth within the framework of the paradigm. The third stage, characterized by gradually declining growth, began in 1973. Faced with competing advances, such as computed tomography and ultrasonography, proponents and participants in the field of nuclear medicine began to search for greener pastures or to pursue narrow sub-specialties. Research became characterized by refinements of existing techniques. In 1983 nuclear medicine experienced what could be a profound change. A new paradigm was born when it was demonstrated that, despite their extremely low chemical concentrations, in the picomolar range, it was possible to image and quantify the distribution of receptors in the human body. Thus, nuclear medicine was able to move beyond physiology into biochemistry and pharmacology. Fundamental to the science of pharmacology is the concept that many drugs and endogenous substances, such as neurotransmitters, react with specific macromolecules that mediate their pharmacologic actions. Such receptors are usually identified in the study of excised tissues, cells or cell membranes, or in autoradiographic studies in animals. The first imaging and quantification of a neuroreceptor in a living human being was performed on May 25, 1983 and reported in the September 23, 1983 issue of SCIENCE. The study involved the development and use of carbon-11 N-methyl spiperone (NMSP), a drug with a high affinity for dopamine receptors. Since then, studies of dopamine and serotonin receptors have been carried out in over 100 normal persons or patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Exactly one year later, the first imaging of opitate receptors in a living human being was performed [1].

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.201-212
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• 2005

Purpose : Acute pyelonephritis is one of the most common causes of unexplained fever in children. It may lead to the development of progressive renal damage. However, the deteclion of acute pyelonephritis can be difficult, especially in infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of various lab tests and imaging studies for acute renal parenchymal changes in children with APN. We correlated the clinical and laboratory manifestations of acute pyelonephritis with the Imaging studies. Methods : We reviewed the records of 115 children (85 males and 30 females) who were hospitalized Outing the period of January 1998 to December 2002 with initial clinical symptoms suggestive of pyelonephritis. The patients' age, sex, duration of fever, laboratory findings, and causative organisms were compared with the findings of imaging studies (Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan, renal ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography, voiding cystourethrography). Results : No significant relation between the number of febrile days, leukocyte count, causative organism, and the renal abnormalities in the imaging studies were observed. On the other hand, both C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels were significantly elevated in children with positive dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan. Furthermore, females and children older than 1 year presented with significantly higher rate of abnormal dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan findings and vesicoureteral reflux presented by voiding cystourethrography. Conclusion : We recommend females and children older than 1 year who are suspected of acute pyelonephritis be evaluated carefully for renal involvement by performing imaging studies including dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan and voiding cystourethrography. (J Koroan Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:201-212)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2001

Purpose : We investigated the incidence and predisposing factors of pulmonary embolism in minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Lung perfusion scan using 99mTC-MAA were done on 14 patients who were diagnosed to minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Group h: Five patients who had perfusion defects on scan, Group B; Nine patients who had no perfusion defect on scan. Between the two groups, the differences of platelet number, hematocrits, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, proteinuria were evaluated. Results : Five patients were found to have perfusion defect consistent with pulmonary embolism($35.7\%$). However, there were minimal or no respiratory symptoms and signs. In our laboratory studies, the mean proteinuria on admissions was $676{\pm}31\;mg/m2/hr$ in the group with pulmonary embolism, and $313{\pm}28\;mg/m2/hr$ in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were more severe proteinuria in group with pulmonary embolism(P<0.05). The mean platelet count at early stage of remission after steroid treatment was $746,600{\pm}280,000/mm3$ in the group with pulmonary embolism, $511,890{\pm}90,000/mm3$ in the group without pulmonary embolism. There were significant difference of platelet count between the two groups(P<0.01). In patients with pulmonary embolism, there were more higher and sustained increasement of platelet count. All cases of pulmonary embolism were treated with dipyridamole(5 mg/kg). In 4 cases the perfusion defects were improved in two weeks, however, one case showed persistent perfusion defect after 1 month. Conclusion : Our study suggested that pulmonry embolism might be one of tile major complications in childhood MCNS The occurrence rate was correlated with severity of proteinuria before treatment and sustained increasement of platelet counts in early remission state after steroid treatment. Therefore, the scintigraphic pulmonary perfusion study is mandatory in childhood MCNS, especially in the high risk patients, such as the patients with severe proteinuria and sustained increasement of platelet count. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 100-8)