• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2004

Purpose : To know the differences of proton MR spectroscopic features between recurrent rectal cancer and fibrosis in post-operative period, and to evaluate the possibility to discriminate recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of proton MR spectra. Materials and Methods : We evaluated the proton MR spectra from 25 soft tissue masses in perirectal area that developed in post-operative period after operation for the resection of rectal cancer. Our series included 11 cases of recurrent rectal cancer and 14 of fibrotic mass. All cases of recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis were confirmed by biopsy. We evaluated the spectra with an attention to the differences of pattern of the curves between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis. The ratio of peak area of all peaks at 1.6-4.1ppm to lipid (0.9-1.6ppm) [P (1.6-4.1ppm/P (0.9-1.6ppm)] was calculated in recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis groups, and compared the results between these groups. We also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of $^1H-MRS$. Results : Proton MR spectra of post-operative fibrosis showed significantly diminished amount of lipids compared with that of recurrent rectal cancer. The ratio of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis was much higher than that of recurrent rectal cancer with statistical significance (p < .05) due to decreased peak area of lipids. Mean (standard deviations of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis and recurrent rectal cancer group were $2.71{\pm}1.48\;and\;0.29{\pm}0.11$, respectively. With a cut-off value of 0.6 for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis, both the sensitivity and specificity were $100\%$ (11/11, and 14/14). Conclusion : Recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis can be distinguished from each other by analysis of proton MR spectroscopic features, and $^1H-MRS$ can be a new method for differential diagnosis between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.278-283
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• 2005

Purpose: In prior study, we synthesized $^{99m}Tc$-galactosylated chitosan (GC) and performed in vivo biodistribution study, showed specific targeting to hepatocyte. The aim of this study is to evaluate the labeling efficiency and cytotoxicity of modified galactosylated chitosan compounds, galactosyl methylated chitosan (GMC) and HYNIC-galactosylated chitosan (GCH). Materials and Methods: GC, GMC and GCH were synthesized and radiolabeled with $^{99m}Tc$. Then, they were incubated for 6 hours at room temperature and human serum at $37^{\circ}C$. Labeling efficiencies were determined at 15, 30 m, 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after radiolabeling. To evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed in HeLa and HepG2 cells. Results: In comparison with them of $^{99m}Tc$-GC labeling efficiencies of $^{99m}Tc$-GMC were significantly improved (100, 97 and 89%) in acetone and 96.3, 95.8 and 75.6% in saline at 15 m, 1 and 6 h, respectively). Moreover, $^{99m}Tc$-GCH showed more improved labeling efficiencies (>95% in acetone and human serum and >90% in saline at 6 h). In MTT assay, cytotoxicity was very low and not different from that of controls. Conclusion: These results represent that these compounds are radiochemically compatible radiopharmaceuticals, can be used in hepatocyte specific imaging study and in vivo gene or drug delivery monitoring.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.262-272
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• 1999

Purpose: Interictal F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT are found to be useful in localizing epileptogenic zones in neocortical lateral temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy. We investigated whether interictal F-18-FDG PET or ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT was useful to find epileptogenic Bones in occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE). Materials and Methods: We reviewed patterns of hypometabolism in interictal F-18-FDG PET and of hyperperfusion in ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT in 17 OLE patients (mean age=$27{\pm}6.8$ year, M:F= 10:7, injection time= $30{\pm}17$ sec). OLE was diagnosed based on invasive electroencephalography (EEG) study, surgery and post-surgical outcome (Engel class I in all for average 14 months). Results: Epileptogenic zones were correctly localized in 9 (60%) out of 15 patients by interictal F-18-FDG PET. Epiletogenic hemispheres were correctly lateralized in 14 patients (93%). By ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT, epileptogenic hemispheres were correctly lateralized in 13 patients (76%), but localization was possible only in 3 patients (18%). Among patients who showed no abnormality with MR imaging and no correct localization with ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT, interictal F-18-FDG PET was helpful in 2 patients. Conclusion: Ictal Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT was helpful in lateralization but not in localization in OLE. Interictal F-18-FDG PET was helpful for localization of epileptogenic zones even in patients with ambiguous MR or ictal SPECT findings.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2007

Purpose: We evaluated the diagnostic value of $^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT (PET/CT) in lymph node staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considering calcification and histologic types as well as FDG uptake. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three patients (38 men, 15 women; mean age, 62 years) with NSCLC underwent surgical resection (tumor resection and lymph node dissection) after PET/CT. After surgery, we compared PET/CT results with the biopsy results, and analyzed lymph node metastases, based on histologic types. PET diagnosis of lymph node metastasis was determined by maximum SUV (maxSUV) > 3.0, and PET/CT diagnosis was determined by maxSUV > 3.0 without lymph node calcification. Results: By PET diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of overall lymph node staging were 45% (13 of 29), 91% (228 of 252), and 86% (241 of 281). Specificity was 91% in both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, while sensitivity was 71% in squamous cell carcinoma and 36% in adenocarcinoma. When we excluded calcified lymph node with maxSUV > 3.0 from metastasis by PET/CT diagnosis, specificity improved to 98% in squamous cell carcinoma and 97% in adenocarcinoma. The degree of improvement was not dependent on histologic types. Conclusion: PET/CT improved specificity of lymph node staging by reducing false positive lymph node regardless of histologic types of NSCLC.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2007

Purpose: Metastatic thyroid cancers with I-131 uptake have been known to show no increase of FDG uptake whereas those without I-131 uptake tend to demonstrate increased uptake on PET. In this study, we evaluated the degree of FDG uptake in primary thyroid cancers of papillary histology before surgery. Material & Methods: Forty FDG PET studies were performed on the patients who had papillary cancer proven by fine needle aspiration. The degree of FDG uptake was visually categorized as positive or negative (positive if the tumor showed discernible FDG; negative if the tumor didn't) and the peak standard uptake value (peak SUV) of the papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) were compared with the size of PTC. Results: The mean size of 26 PTC with positive FDG uptake was $1.9{\pm}1.4\;cm(0.5{\sim}5\;cm)$. In 13 PTC with negative FDG uptake, the mean size of those was $0.5{\pm}0.2\;cm\;(0.2{\sim}0.9\;cm)$. All PTC larger than 1cm ($2.5{\pm}1.4\;cm,\;1{\sim}5\;cm$) have positive FDG uptake (peak $SUV=6.4{\pm}5.7,\;1.7{\sim}22.7$). Among the micropapillary thyroid cancer (microPTC; PTC smaller than 1cm), 8 microPTC show positive FDG uptake(peak $SUV=2.9{\pm}1.3,\;1.7{\sim}5.5$), while 13 microPTC show negative finding(peak $SUV=1.3{\pm}0.2,\;1.1{\sim}1.7$). The size of microPTC with positive FDG uptake is significantly larger than that of microPTC with negative FDG uptake ($0.7{\pm}0.1\;cm$ vs $0.4{\pm}0.2\;cm$, p=0.01). Conclusion: All PTCs larger than 1cm show positive FDG uptake in our study. In other words, thyroid lesions larger than 1cm with negative FDG uptake are unlikely to be PTC. So far, only poorly differentiated thyroid cancers are known to show increased FDG uptake. Our results seem to be contradictory to what is known in the literature. Further study is needed to understand better the significance of increased FDG uptake in PTC in relation to expression of NIS and GLUT.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2009

Background: The treatment of tracheal stenosis includes less invasive bronchoscopic intervention and more invasive segmental resection & anastomosis. Depending on the patient's clinical features, sometimes all these methods are inappropriate. Silicone T-tube stenting has recently been used as an alternative, safe management of tracheal stenosis. We studied the short term and Intermediate term results of using T-tubes in patients with tracheal stenosis, and this tracheal stenosis was caused by various underlying diseases. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed 57 patients with tracheal stenosis and who were treated with T-tubes between Jan 1997 and Apr 2007. Based on the patient's medical records and the imaging studies, we evaluated the clinical findings and status of T-tube removal. Result: There was no T-tube related morbidity or mortality in this series. On follow-up, one patient underwent sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The T-tube could be successfully removed from 13 patients (13/57, 22.8%) without additional interventions. For another four patients, a T-tube was again inserted after removal of the first T-tube due to tracheomalacia or recurrent stenosis. Four patients died of underlying disease and cancer. The patients' gender and previous tracheostomy significantly affected T-tube removal. By contrast, multiple logistic regression analysis identified gender as a predictor of successfully removing a T-tube. Gender (p=0.033) and previous tracheostomy (p=0.036) were the two factors for success or failure of T-tube removal. Conclusion: A T-tube provided reliable patency of a stenotic airway that was caused by any etiology. We have proven that using a T-tube is safe and effective therapy for patients with tracheal stenosis for the short term or the intermediate term.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2012

Purpose: The process of the proton treatment is done by comparing the DRR and DIPS anatomic structure to find the correction factor and use the PPS to use this factor in the treatment. For the accuracy of the patient set up, the PPS uses a 6 axis system to move. Therefore, there needs to be an evaluation for the accuracy between the PPS moving materialization and DIPS correction factor. In order to do this, we will use a self made PPS QA Phantom to measure the accuracy of the PPS. Materials and Methods: We set up a PPS QA Phantom at the center to which a lead marker is attached, which will act instead of the patient anatomic structure. We will use random values to create the 6 axis motions and move the PPS QA Phantom. Then we attain a DIPS image and compare with the DRR image in order to evaluate the accuracy of the correction factor. Results: The average correction factor, after moving the PPS QA Phantom's X, Y, Z axis coordinates together from 1~5 cm, 1 cm at a time, and coming back to the center, are 0.04 cm, 0.026 cm, 0.022 cm, $0.22^{\circ}$, $0.24^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ on the PPS 6 axis. The average correction rate when moving the 6way movement coordinates all from 1 to 2 were 0.06 cm, 0.01 cm, 0.02 cm, $0.1^{\circ}$, $0.3^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ when moved 1 and 0.02 cm, 0.04 cm, 0.01 cm, $0.3^{\circ}$, $0.5^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ when moved 2. Conclusion: After evaluating the correction rates when they come back to the center, we could tell that the Lateral, Longitudinal, Vertical were all in the acceptable scope of 0.5 cm and Rotation, Pitch, Roll were all in the acceptable scope of $1^{\circ}$. Still, for a more accurate proton therapy treatment, we must try to further enhance the image of the DIPS matching system, and exercise regular QA on the equipment to reduce the current rate of mechanical errors.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2008

Purpose: To monitor the changes of location of prostate gland using DIPS and to examine the adjustment and proton beam therapy depending on the movement of prostate gland in proton beam therapy for prostate gland in which a fiducial gold marker was inserted. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in ten patients with prostate cancer who received proton beam therapy since April of 2008. To monitor the change of prostate location, three fiducial gold markers were inserted prior to the treatment. To minimize the movement of prostate gland, patients were recommended to urinate prior to the treatment, to intake a certain amount of water and to concomitantly undergo rectal balloon. In these patients, the set-up position was identical to that for a CT-simulation. The PA (posterior-anterior) and lateral images were obtained using both DIPS (digital image positioning system) and a plain radiography, and they were compared between the two imaging modalities. Thus, the changes of the location of fiducial gold marker were assessed based on three coordinates (x, y, z) and then adjusted. This was followed by proton beam therapy. Results: Images which were taken using a plain radiography were compared with those which were taken using DIPS. In ten patients, according to a reference bony marker, the mean changes of the location of fiducial gold marker based on an iso-center were X-axis: $\pm$0.116 cm, Y-axis: $\pm$0.19 cm and Z-axis: $\pm$0.176 cm. These ten patients showed a difference in the changes of location of prostate gland and it ranged between RT: 0.04 cm and RT: 0.24 cm on the X-axis; between Inf: 0.03 cm and Sup: 0.42 cm on the Y-axis; and Post: 0.05 cm and Ant: 0.35 cm on the Z-axis. Conclusion: To minimize the movement of prostate gland, as the pre-treatment prior to the treatment. In all the patients, however, three fiducial gold markers showed a daily variation which were inserted in the prostate gland. Based on the above data, Thus, the requirement of gold marker matching system depending on the daily variation in the proton beam therapy for which more accurate establishment of target was confirmed. It is assumed that an accurate effect of proton beam therapy would be enhanced by adjusting the target-center depending on the location change of prostate gland using DIPS which was used in the current study.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical outcome and the cuff integrity following open repair in large and massive rotator cuff tears using ultrasonography as an imaging modality. Material and Methods: From November 2001 to April 2005, 17 cases(16 patients) who had open repair of tear measuring more than 3cm were assessed with minimal follow-up of 12 months in this study. 6 cases had a large tear and 11 cases a massive tear. There were 6 men and 11 women with a mean age of 52 years at surgery (range, 33 to 72 years). The evaluation consisted of the preoperative and postoperative shoulder scores according to UCLA shoulder scoring system and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Ultrasonography was performed by a experienced musculoskeletal physician at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively to evaluate the postoperative cuff integrity. Results: Retear were detected in four of seventeen cases. Regardless of the presence of recurrent tear, 14 cases had UCLA score of more than 29 points (good grade). All 17 had an improvement in the functional score, which increased from an average of 15.1 to 31.2 points. All cases showed pain relief and five cases had no pain. Sixteen cases except one had the range of motion of forward elevation above $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: Open rotator cuff repair in large and massive tears showed low retear rate. At a minimum of twelve months follow-up, all cases had improvement on UCLA score, pain relief, increased range of motion of the shoulder regardless of retear. And the correlation between recurrent tear and function score was not statistically significant.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1309-1315
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• 2000

Objectives : We performed an in vivo experiment to investigate the effect of $^{166}Holmium$ and $^{166}Holmium$-chitosan complex($^{166}Ho$-CHICO) on the normal brain of rats and to determine the sublethal dose of $^{166}Ho$-CHICO. Materials and Methods : $^{166}Ho$ is a beta and gamma ray emitter. $^{166}Ho$-CHICO is a novel radio-pharmaceutical complex with chitosan to facilitate the transport of $^{166}Ho$ obtained from Korea Atomic Energy Research Center(Taejon, Korea). It is in acidic form and becomes gel state at alkaline pH. One hundred and seventy consecutive rats were divided into four groups : $^{166}Ho$ treated(n＝50), $^{166}Ho$-CHICO treated(n＝57), saline treated(n＝5) and chitosan treated(n＝5) groups. $^{166}Ho$ and $^{166}Ho$-CHICO were injected into the rat brain stereotactically with various doses of 0.1mCi/$20{\mu}l$, 0.2mCi/$20{\mu}l$, 0.3mCi/$20{\mu}l$, and 0.4mCi/$20{\mu}l$ using an automated microinjector. Nuclear imaging, histopathological and hematological studies were performed in 10 rats in each group at 1 day, 3days, 7 days, 1 month and 3 months after the injections. Results : An infiltration of inflammatory cells and necrotic changes were noted in $^{166}Ho$ treated group at 1 week after the injection. A wedge-shaped tissue defect due to necrosis, lined with infiltrated glial cells in $^{166}Ho$ treated group and a cystic defect lined with reactive astroglial cells in $^{166}Holmium$-CHICO treated group at 3 months after the injection were observed. $^{166}Ho$ alone without chitosan leaked out and caused necrotic lesion on the cerebral surface but $^{166}Holmium$-CHICO treated group did not show this feature. As the dose of $^{166}Ho$ increased, the mortality rates were also increased. The mortality rate of the $^{166}Holmium$-CHICO group was higher than the $^{166}Ho$ treated group at a dose of 0.4mCi/$20{\mu}l$/300g. There was no detectable radioactivity due to the leakage or extravasation from the injected site of the brain on the scintigraphy performed at 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours after the injection. There was also no detectable activity of $^{166}Holmium$-CHICO in other organs including spleen, liver and kidney. Conclusions : $^{166}Ho$-CHICO did not leak out to the critical cortical surface of the brain from the injection site and induced radiation changes of the parenchyma around the injection site without cortical damage. The sublethal dose of $^{166}Ho$-CHICO for the normal brain in rats was determined to be 0.2mCi/$20{\mu}l$/300g.