• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.251-256
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• 1992

Regional cerebral blood flow were measured in 10 patients with Parkinson's disease and 12 normal persons using $^{99m}Tc-HMPAO$ SPECT. Reconstructed images were interpreted qualitatively and were compared with those findings of CT. For the quantitative analysis, six pairs of region of interest matched with the perfusion territories of large cerebral arteries and cerebellar hemisphere were determined. From the count values, indices showing the degree of asymmetry between right and left cerebral or cerebellar hemisphere, cerebral asymmetry index (ASI) and percent index of cerebellar asymmetry (PIA), and an index showing change of each region, region to cerebellum ratio (RCR) were obtained. ASI of normal persons and patients were $0.082{\pm}0.033$ and $0.108{\pm}0.062$, respectively and PIA were $-0.4{\pm}0.7%$ and $-0.7{\pm}1.0%$, respectively, which showed no statistically significant difference between normal persons and patients. Among 10 RCR's, those of both regions of basal ganglia and both regions of anterior cerebral artery were significantly reduced. We concluded that the most significant reduction of regional cerebral blood flow in patients with Parkinson's disease was observed in the regions of basal ganglia and in the regions of anterior cerebral artery, and the degree of change in hemispheric blood flow was similar in both hemisphere.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1993

Drug abuse is widespread in worldwide and has been associated with neurologic complication. Zipeprol is one of the drugs which been abused for psychological satisfaction in some adolescents. This agent is non-opioid antitussive agent, which is not legally considered as being capable of creating dependence or abuse liability at therapeutic serum levels. But it has been reported that acute or chronic overdose create neurologic complication such as convulsion as well as dependence. Recently we experienced six zipeprol abusers who admitted due to convulsion and variable neurologic symptoms. The aim of our study was to determine the role of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain SPECT in those patients. EEG and brain CT showed no abnormal finding, but brain SPECT showed focal or multiple perfusion abnormalities in frontal, parietal, occipital cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and especially at temporal cortex. These results suggest that brain SPECT may be a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate the cerebral dysfunction infused by zipeprol abuse.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2004

Cerebral vasoreactivity is an index of autoregulation of cerebral perfusion, and can be measured using functional images such as Xe CT, SPECT and PET in reponse to hypercapneic stimulus. In order to measure cerebral $CO_2$ vasoreactivity in routine TCD study conveniently and reliably, we devised a method of rebreathing into closed volume of reservoir bag as a hypercapneic stimulus, and applied it to 44 healthy volunteers. As a hypercapneic stimulus, we applied fitting mask connected with closed reservoir bag for about 90 seconds, and mean blood flow velocity(MBFV) and pulsatility index(PI) were evaluated at proximal middle cerebral arteries(MCA) of 50-55 mm depth, before and after the hypercapneic stimulus. Age affected the MFV and PI value showed significant and the MFV was 56.45(SD=9.75)cm/sec, while PI was 0.406(SD=0.089). As age increases the flow velocity decreased significantly whereas PI value increased(P<0.05). The vasoreactvity significantly decreased with age(P<0.05). The decrease of cerebral blood flow quantity and cerebral blood flow velocity is not only because of increase of diameter of cerebrovascular resulting from aging, but the resistance increase of small blood vessel resulting from the increase of PI & RI value is regarded. We suppose that the rebreathing method is a reliable and convenient technique as a hypercapneic stimulus in determining cerebral $CO_2$ vasoreactivity. The rebreathing method could be non-invasive and useful methods in estimation of the cerebrovascular reactivity and could be applied to the basal and follow-up evaluation of the cerebrovascular reserve of the ischemic stroke patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.420-425
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• 1999

We report a case of hepatopulmonary syndrome defined as a triad of chronic liver disease, increased alveolar oxygen gradient on room air, and intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting. Chest rediographs showed bilateral, basilar, medium sized reticulonodular opacities. High resolution CT scand showed multiple centrilobular nodules and branching structures in the subpleural lung that suggested dilatation of lung vessels with abnormally large number of visible terminal branches. $^{99m}Tc$-macroaggregated albumin(MAA) perfusion lung scan showed right to left shunt. Contrast echocardiography demonstrated intrapulmonary vascular shunt without intracardiac shunt.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.188-201
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to suggest that computed tomography angiography (CTA) is valuable as the only preliminary examination for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). MT after single examination of CTA including noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) improves door-to-puncture time as well as results in favorable outcomes. Methods : A total of 157 patients who underwent MT at Dong Kang Medical Center from April 2015 to March 2019 were divided into two groups based on the examination performed prior to MT : CTA group who underwent CTA with NCCT and MIP, and NCCT+magnetic resonance image (MRi) group who underwent MRI including perfusion images after NCCT. In the two groups, time to CTA imaging or NCCT+MRi imaging after symptom onset, and time to arterial puncture and reperfusion were characterized as time-related outcomes. The evaluation of vascular recanalization after MT was defined as a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) scale. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was assessed at the time of the visit to the emergency room and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was assessed after 90 days. Results : Typically, there were 34 patients in the CTA group and 33 patients in the NCCT+MRi group. A significantly shorter delay for door-to-puncture time was observed (mean, 86±22.1 vs. 176±47.5 minutes; <0.01). Also, a significantly shorter door-to-imege time in the CTA group was observed (mean, 13±6.8 vs. 93±30.8 minutes; p<0.01). Moreover, a significantly shorter onset-to-puncture time was observed (mean, 195±128.0 vs. 314±157.6 minutes; p<0.01). Reperfusion result of mTICI ≥2b was 100% (34/34) in the CTA group and 94% (31/33) in the NCCT+MRi group, and mTICI 3 in 74% (25/34) in the CTA group and 73% (24/33) in the NCCT+MRi group. Favorable functional outcomes (mRS score ≤2 at 90 days) were 68% (23/34) in the CTA group and 60% (20/33) in the NCCT+MRi group. Conclusion : A single-phase CTA including NCCT and MIP images was performed as a single preliminary examination, which led to a reduction in the time of the procedure and resulted in good results of prognosis. Consequently, it is concluded that this method is of sufficient value as the only preliminary examination for decision making.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2011

Unilateral pulmonary artery hypoplasia (UPAH) is a rare disease in adults and is frequently accompanied by a congenital cardiac anomaly at a young age. The diagnosis is usually based on computed tomography (CT), angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, no reports are available on retrograde flow in patients with UPAH. We describe a 68-year-old man with isolated UPAH and retrograde blood flow. He was admitted for dyspnea on exertion for the past 23 years. His diagnosis was delayed, as his symptoms and signs mimicked his underlying pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema and previous tuberculous pleurisy sequelae. A discrepancy was detected between the results of a ventilation-perfusion scan and the CT image. This was resolved by MRI, which showed retrograde blood flow from the right to the left pulmonary artery. Using MRI, we diagnosed this patient with isolated pulmonary artery hypoplasia and retrograde flow.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1061-1065
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the treatment effect of additional information obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion imaging (LPI) in the radiotherapy planning process for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 39 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was outlined by SPECT/CT images, SPECT-LPIs being used to define functional lung (FL) and non-functional lung (NFL) regions. Two sets of IMRT plans were designed to deliver 64Gy to PTV. One was a regular IMRT plan using CT images only (Plan 1), and the other was a corresponding IMRT plan using co-registered images (Plan 2). $FL_{Vx}$ (the % volume of functional lung receiving ${\geq}$x Gy) and $WL_{Vx}$ (% volume of whole lung to receive ${\geq}$x Gy) were compared by paired Student's t test. Kendalls correlation was used to analyze the factor (s) related with the FLV20 decrease. Results: Compared with plan 1, both $WL_{Vx}$ and $FL_{Vx}$ were decreased in plan 2. $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V30}$ and $WL_{V35}$ decreased 9.7%, 13.8%, 17.2%, 12.9%, 9.8% and 9.8%, and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ and $FL_{V35}$ decreased 10.8%, 14.6%, 17.3%, 14.5%, 14.5% and 10.5%. $FL_{Vx}$ decreased significantly compared with $WL_{Vx}$. There were significant differences in $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V3}$ and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ between plan 1 and plan 2 (P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.005, 0.027 and 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.006, 0.010). According to Kendall correlation analysis, NFL had a negative relation with the percentage FLV20 decrease (r=-0.559, P<0.01), while the distance of PTV and NFL center had a significantly positive relation with the percentage of FLV20 decrease (r=0.768, P<0.01). Conclusion: Routine use of SPECT-LPI for patients undergoing radiotherapy planning for stage III NSCLC appears warranted.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2009

Purpose: Preeclampsia is a multisystem human pregnancy-specific disorder. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is linked with over-stimulation of inflammatory cytokines by placental ischemia via reduced uterine perfusion pressure during pregnancy. Although an increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been reported in preeclamptic women, there is little evidence of a relationship between TNF-alpha gene variations and preeclampsia. In this study, we identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), C-850T, in the TNF-alpha gene promoter region in Korean preeclamptic women and investigated the association between this SNP and the development of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: This polymorphism was analyzed in peripheral blood samples from 198 preeclamptic pregnancies and 194 normotensive pregnancies using a SNapShot kit and an ABI Prism 3100 Genetic analyzer. Results: Genotypes and allele frequencies for C-850T did not differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. The distributions of genotypes (CC, CT and TT) were 74.3%, 22.2% and 3.5%, respectively, in preeclamptic pregnancies, and 71.6%, 25.8% and 2.6%, respectively, in normotensive pregnancies. The frequencies of the C and T alleles were 0.85 and 0.15 in preeclamptic pregnancies and 0.84 and 0.16 in normotensive pregnancies, respectively. There was no increased risk of preeclampsia in subjects with the CT (OR, 0.83; P=0.44) or TT genotypes (OR, 1.32; P=0.64). Conclusion: We found no differences in the genotypes or allele frequencies of the TNF-alpha gene polymorphism between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. This study suggests that the TNF-alpha gene polymorphism may be not associated with the development of preeclampsia in pregnant Korean women.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2008

Purpose: There are various methods to diagnose hemangioma, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. However, by development of SPECT imaging, the blood-pool scan using $^{99m}Tc$-labeled red blood cell has been used, because it was non-invasive and the most economical method. Therefore, in this study, we proposed that the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT of the head and neck to diagnose unlocated hemangiomas. Materials and Methods: $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT was performed on 6 patients with doubtful hemangioma (4 person, head; 1 person, neck; 1 person, another). We labeled radiopharmaceutical using modified in vivo method and then, centrifuged it to remove plasma. After a bolus injection of tracer, dynamic perfusion flow images were acquired. Then, anterior, posterior, both lateral static blood-pool images were obtained as early and 4 hours delayed. SPECT was progressed 64 projections per 30 seconds. Each image was interpreted by physicians, Nuclear medicine specialist, and technologist blinded to patient's data. Results: In 5 patients of all the radioactivity of doubtful site didn't change in flow images, but, in blood-pool, delayed and SPECT images, it was increased. So, it was a typical hemangioma finding. The size of lesion was over 2 cm, and it could discriminate as comparing to the delayed and SPECT imaging. On the other hand, in 1 patient, the radioactivity was increased in blood-pool images, but, not in delayed and SPECT images, so, it was proved no hemangioma. Conclusion: Using $^{99m}Tc$-RBC Scan and SPECT, we could diagnose the hemangiomas in head and neck, as well as, liver, more non-invasive, economical, and easy. Therefore, it considered that $^{99m}Tc$-RBC scan and SPECT would offer more useful information for diagnosis of hemangioma, rather than otherimaging such as US, CT, MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2014

Purpose : A relative increase in deoxyhemoglobin levels in hypoperfused tissue can cause prominent hypointense signals in the draining veins (PHSV) within areas of impaired perfusion in susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of SWI in patients with acute cerebral infarction by evaluating PHSV within areas of impaired perfusion and to investigate the usefulness of PHSV in predicting prognosis of cerebral infarction. Materials and Methods: In 18 patients with acute cerebral infarction who underwent brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging and SWI and follow-up brain MRI or CT, we reviewed the presence and location of the PHSV within and adjacent to areas of cerebral infarction qualitatively and measured the signal intensity difference ratio of PHSVs to contralateral normal appearing cortical veins quantitatively on SWI. The relationship between the presence of the PHSV and the change in the extent of infarction in follow-up images was analyzed. Results: Of the 18 patients, 10 patients showed progression of the infarction, and 8 patients showed little change on follow- up imaging. On SWI, of the 10 patients with progression 9 patients showed peripheral PHSV and the newly developed infarctions corresponded well to area with peripheral PHSV on initial SWI. Only one patient without peripheral PHSV showed progression of the infarct. The patients with infarction progression revealed significantly higher presence of peripheral PHSV (p=0.0001) and higher mean signal intensity difference ratio (p=0.006) comparing to the patients with little change. Conclusion: SWI can demonstrate a peripheral PHSV as a marker of penumbra and with this finding we can predict the prognosis of acute infarction. The signal intensity difference of PHSV to brain tissue on SWI can be used in predicting prognosis of acute cerebral infarction.