• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 1992

Diagnostic approaches such as angiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance have limitation for contributing to the early clinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Recently, $^{99m}Tc-labelled$ low density lipoprotein was developed to detect early atherosclerotic lesion by external imaging with gamma camera. To determine whether $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy can visualize the active atherosclerotic lesion, rabbits were injected with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$, 3 months after feeding dietary fat (lanolin) and we obtained following results. 1) Labelling efficiency of $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ was $79\sim88%$. 2) Biodistribution study of normal rabbits with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ revealed the high activities in spleen, adrenal gland, liver, kidney which are major organs of high metabolic rate of LDL. 3) Three months after feeding lanolin, serum cholesterol was markedly increased from $74{\pm}17mg/dl$ to $979{\pm}153mg/dl$ and histologic study of aorta after sacrificing the rabbit demonstrated marked atherosclerotic changes. 4) Atherosclerotic lesion of abdominal aorta which was confirmed with histologic study could be demonstrated in $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy after feeding lanolin for 3 months. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary investigation suggest that it may be possible to image active atheromatous lesion with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$. It is anticipated that this promising agent may allow the in vivo monitoring of preclinical atherosclerotic lesions and may be useful to evaluate the metabolic pathway of LDL in humans.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1997

It has been shown that both rest and stress myocardial perfusion imagings with technetium agents can be performed on the same day using two different doses injected within few hours. The purpose of this study was to compare the two protocols (stress-rest and rest-stress) in detecting coronary artery diseases. One hundred and sixty patients (101 males, 59 females, mean age $57{\pm}9$ years) and 120 patients (79 males, 41 females, mean age $59{\pm}10$ years) underwent stress-rest myocardial perfusion SPECT and rest-stress myocardial perfusion SPECT, respectively. All of them underwent both myocardial perfusion SPECT and coronary angiography within 1 month. A coronary stenosis was considered significant when it compromised the luminal diameter by ${\geq} 50%$. The chi square test was used to compare differences in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the two groups. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of stress-rest protocol were 99%, 35% and 68%, respectively. Those of rest-stress protocol were 96%, 47% and 78%, respectively. There was no difference between the two protocols in identifying individual diseased coronary artery branches. Therefore, one day stress-rest and rest-stress myocardial SPECT using $^{99m}Tc$ agents were comparable and were very sensitive tests in detecting coronary artery diseases.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2010

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) is the current treatment of choice for renal artery revascularization, but renal autotransplantation has been an alternative treatment for complex cases. Here we report a 14-year-old boy with severe hypertension successfully treated with PTRA and renal autotransplantation. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed slight narrowing in the right renal artery ostium and complete obstruction in the left renal artery ostium with multiple collaterals. PTRA with stent insertion was performed for the treatment of the right renal artery, but it was impossible for the left renal artery due to the total obstruction. Therefore, left nephrectomy for autotransplantation was done with the peritoneal approach and the left kidney was autotransplanted to the ipsilateral iliac fossa. Postoperatively, Doppler ultrasonography and mercapto-acetyl-triglycine (MAG-3) renogram were performed, which showed normal renal artery blood flow and kidney function. Blood pressure was normalized and anti-hypertensive drugs were gradually tapered. Fibromuscular dysplasia was suspected to be responsible for the renal artery stenosis based on clinical aspects. In conclusion, renal autotransplantation is also a good treatment option for children with severe renovascular hypertension when endovascular treatment has failed or is not possible.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the findings on the chest low-dose CT (LDCT) images between the negative and positive groups for pneumoconiosis in the group exposed to inorganic dust. From May 30, 2007 to August 31, 2008, total 328 subjects were examined by a LDCT. LDCT images were read by a chest radiologist who has much experience for reading of pneumoconiosis. All subjects were classified into two groups based on digital images after consensus reading of two radiologists according to the ILO 2000 guidelines; negative group (87, 26.5%) without pneumoconiosis and positive group (241, 73.5%). Statistical analysis was performed using a SPSS 14.0. There were significant differences in age (60.9 vs. 65.0, p<0.001), and in dust expose duration (17.0 vs. 19.2, p=0.024) between two groups, but no significant difference in smoking (p=0.784). Of the 328 subjects, 13 diagnosis were extracted from 245 subjects (74.7%). Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was significantly higher in positive group than that in negative group (36.9% vs. 25.3%, p=0.049). Honeycombing showed higher frequency in positive group than in negative group (6.2% vs. 1.2%, p=0.079). Pneumoconiosis findings caused by inorganic dusts exposure showed the significant relation with CAC on LDCT images. Future studies need to prove that pneumoconiosis finding is independent risk factor for CAC using a coronary artery angiography.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1994

The distribution of the bile and hepatic ducts within the liver of 24 Korean native cattle were observed. Vinylite solution was injected into common bile ducts on 13 cases for cast preparation. The angiography was prepared in 11 cases which were injected 30% barium sulfate solution into the common bile ducts and then radiographed on X-ray apparatus. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The dorsal, intermediate and ventral ducts of left hepatic lobes, ducts of quadrate lobes, and ducts of papillary process were collected into left hepatic ducts. The dorsal and ventral ducts of right hepatic lobe, ducts of caudate process and papillary process were collected into right hepatic ducts. 2. The bile ducts in the left hepatic lobes were collected into dorsal, ventral and intermediate ducts of left hepatic lobes. The intermediate ducts of left hepatic lobes was absent in some cases(5 cases, 20.83%). 3. In some cases, the ventral ducts of right hepatic lobes were collected into right hepatic ducts directly. 4. The ducts of quadate lobes were collected into left hepatic ducts(8 cases, 33.33%), ventral ducts of left hepatic lobes(13 cases, 54.17%), and dorsal duct of left hepatic lobes, intermediate and ventral ducts of left hepatic lobe, common trunk collected into intermediate and ventral duct of left hepatic lobe and left hepatic duct(1 cases, 4.17%) respectively. 5. The ducts of papillary process were collected into left and right hepatic ducts(12 cases, 50%), left hepatic ducts only(11 cases, 45.83%) or right hepatic duct only(1 cases, 4.17%). 6. The average length of right hepatic ducts was 26.87(6-45.8)mm. The average length of left hepatic ducts was 56.68(6-127)mm. The length of gallbladder was 128.60(104-160)mm on the average. The breadth of gallbladder was 67.16(38.4-153.4)mm on the average. But there was a difference in the length and the breadth according to the quantity of bile. 7. The ramified angles of dorsal, intermediate and ventral ducts of left hepatic lobes, ducts of quadrate lobes, ducts of papillary processes and caudate processes, dorsal and ventral ducts of right hepatic lobes and cystic ducts were 130-170, 160-200, 190-250, 240-300, 90-140, 320-350, 30-100, 270-330 and 240-300 degrees respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.511-521
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• 1992

The distribution of the hepatic arteries within the liver in 30 Korean native cattle were observed. Vinylite solution was injected into the hepatic arteries of 10 livers for cast preparation. The angiography was prepared in 20 livers by injected 30% barium sulfate solution into the hepatic arteries and then radiographed on X-ray apparatus. The results were summarized as follow ; 1. The hepatic arteries were divided into the Ramus (R.) sinister, R. dexter and R. intermedius. The intrahepatic arteries were derived from the R. sinister and R. dexter. The R. intermedius divided into the Arteria(A.) gastrica dextra, A. gastroduodenalis and A. cystica. 2. The right branch (ramus dexter) of the hepatic artery supplies the right lobe and caudate process. It consisted of the A. dorsalis lobi dextri, A. ventralis lobi dextri and A. lobi caudati. They formed one common trunk with three arteries(6 cases, 20%), and two arteries formed common trunk with the A. ventralis lobi dextri and A. lobi caudati (16 cases, 52.8%), or with A. dorsalis lobi dextri and A. lobi caudati (5 cases, 16.5%). The three arteries arose from the A. hepatia independently(3 cases, 10%). 3. The left branch (ramus sinister), larger than the right and often double (6 cases, 20%), supplies the caudate, quadrate and left lobes, and often gives origin to the A. gastrica dextra. 4. The branches of hepatic artery in the left lobe were derived from A. dorsalis lobi sinistri, A. ventralis lobi sinistri and A. intermedius lobi sinistri. The A. intermedius lobi sinistri were absent in some cases (3 cases, 10%). They almostly originated a single branch and often two branches. 5. The A. cystica arose from the R. intermedius(27 cases, 90%) and A. hepaica(3 cases, 10%). 6. The Rami processus papillarum arose from dorsal border of the Pars transversa of the left branch(19 cases, 62.7%), the left branch and right branch (9 cases, 30%) or A. hepatica(2 cases, 6.6%). 7. The A. lobi quadrata arose from either the Pars transversa of left branch (12 cases, 40%) or A. hepatica(4 cases, 13.2%). It also arose from both Pars transversa of left branch and A. ventralis lobi sinistri (3 cases, 10%). 8. The anastomosis on the branches of A. hepatica was observed in intrahepatic and cystic arteries. The left and right branches ramified several secondary radiating branches within the liver. 9. The hepatic arteries formed a very short common trunk of the right branch ($18.75{\pm}11.89$ : 2.20~44.8mm) and a long Pars transversa of the left branch($72.85{\pm}20.04$ : 28.2~104.1mm). 10. The ramified angles at the A. dorsalis lobi dextri, A. ventralis lobi dextri, A. lobi sinistri, A. ventralis lobi sinistri, A. lobi quadrata, A. cystica and Rami processus papillarum were 50-80, 270-300, 340-20, 120-160, 160-290, 200-230, 250~290, 230~280 and 80~120 degrees, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 1998

Purpose: $^{99m}Tc$-tetrofosmin(TF) is a recently proposed myocardial imaging agent which has similar biokinetic characteristics to $^{99m}Tc$-sestamibi(MIBI). The aim of this study was to compare TF and MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECTs in detecting coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty patients(101 males, 59 females, mean age $57{\pm}9yr$) who had undergone both myocardial perfusion SPECT(M-SPECT) and coronary angiography within 1 month were studied. M-SPECT was performed using TF in 115 patients and MIBI in 45 patients. Stress-rest one day protocol was used in all patients. A coronary stenosis was considered significant when the luminal diameter ${\geq}$50% was compromised. The chi square test was used to compare differences in sensitivity and specificity between the two groups. Results: There was no difference in age and diseased coronary artery branches between the two groups. There were more male patients in TF group: Male-to-female ratios of TF and MIBI groups were 78:37 and 23:22, respectively(p<0.05). The overall sensitivity of TF study was 92% and specificity 36%. The overall sensitivity and specificity of MIBI study were 93% and 30%, respectively. There was no difference between TF and MIBI groups in identifying individual diseased coronary artery branches. Conclusion: One day stress-rest myocardial SPECT using either TF or MIBI was comparable and was a very sensitive test in detecting coronary artery disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 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
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 1995

An accurate preoperative localization in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is important for successful surgical intervention. There are many methods for the localization of the primary hyperparathyroidism such as ultrasonography, computerized tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), angiography and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan. Among them $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan is known as the most accurate tool for preoperative localization. Recently $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi has been used for parathyroid gland imaging. We experienced 19 primary hyperparathyroidisms accurately localized with $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging and $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi. The sensitivities of the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestanibi, $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging, CT and US were 100%(5/5), 89.5%(17/19) and 61.7(12/19) respectively. With the combination of $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging we could localize with 100% accuracy. Although the case number is small, this study suggests that the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi parathyroid scan is very useful and easy to use for preoperative localization in primary hyperparathyroidism.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 1996

Coronary angiography should be performed to verify the patency of bypass graft if coronary artery disease is said to be surgically corrected. Rest/stress myocardial SPECT could be used as a noninvasive alternative to prove patency of bypass graft and functional significance of graft patency by showing improvement of rest perfusion and perfusion reserve after operation. We evaluated the outcome of coronary artery bypass graft surgery by comparing rest/dipyridamole-stress myocardial SPECT before and after operation. Myocardial SPECT were performed $19{\pm}23$ days before and $108{\pm}19$ days after operation in 44 patients(M:F=25:19). Segmental perfusion were scored with 0(normal) to 3(defect) independently for each image set of rest and stress. Perfusion scores were compared between pre and postoperative images. Rest/stress images of pre and post-operative SPECT were compared in paired sets. Postoperative change of perfusion was determined as no change, improvement or aggravation for each artery territory. Postoperative outcome of patients were analyzed. Overall, 74%(158 segments) of 215 segments which had perfusion decrease before operation showed improvement. Among 60 artery territories, 37 territories(62%) improved. Among 42 patients with perfusion decrease in preoperative SPECT, 21 patients(47%) improved after operation. Severe persistent defects improved in 43%(6/14). We concluded that bypass surgery improved myocardial perfusion in dipyridamole stress induced or persistent decrease and that rest/stress myocardial SPECT could be used as a guide for which artery should be operated.