• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.493-501
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• 1999

Purpose: We conducted a comparative study to evaluate the diagnostic values of T1-201, Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans in the follow-up assessment after ablative I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of thyroid cancer and ablative radioactive iodine therapy, and followed by one or mote times of I-131 retreatments (33 cases). In all patients, T1-201, Tc-99m MIBI, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans were performed and the results were analyzed retrospectively. Also serum thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients. The final diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer was determined by clinical, biochemical, radiologic and/or biopsy findings. Results: Positive rates (PR) of Tc-99m MIBI, T1-201, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans in detecting malignant thyroid tissue lesions were 70% (19/27), 54% (15/28), 35% (17/48) and 63% (30/48), respectively. The PR in the group of 20 cases (28 lesions) who underwent concomitant T1-201 and I-131 scans were in the order of therapeutic 131 scan 71%, T1-201 scan 54% and diagnostic I-131 scan 36%. There was no statistically significant difference between T1-201 and diagnostic I-131 scans (p>0.05). In the group of 20 cases (27 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans, the PR were in the order of Tc-99m MIBI scan 70%, I-131 therapeutic scan 52% and I-131 diagnostic scan 33%. The PR of Tc-99m MIBI was significantly higher than that of diagnostic I-131 scan (p<0.05). Conclusion: Tc-99m MIBI scan is superior to diagnostic I-131 scan in detecting recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer following ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. T1-201 scan did not showed significantly higher positive rate than diagnostic I-131 scan. Instead of diagnostic I-131 scan before the I-131 retreatment, Tc-99m MIBI scan without discontinuing thyroid hormone replacement would be a prudent and effective approach in the management of these patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether radiation adaptive response could be induced by high dose I-131 therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: Lymphocytes from 21 patients (7 males, 14 females, mean age $55{\pm}12$ years) were collected before and after administration of 5,550 MBq (150 mCi) I-131. They were exposed to a challenge dose of 1 Gy gamma rays using a Cs-137 cell irradiator. The number of ring-form (R) and dicentric (D) chromosomes was counted under the light microscope, and used to calculate the frequency of chromosomal aberration. Ydr, which was defined as the sum of R and D divided by the total number of counted lymphocytes. Results: Ydr in patients before I-131 therapy ($0.09{\pm}0.01$) was not different from that of controls ($0.08{\pm}0.01$). Ydr was significantly increased to $0.13{\pm}0.02$ (p<0.0001) after I-131 therapy. Increase of Ydr after the challenge irradiation of 1 Gy was significantly lower in patients after I-131 therapy than before I-131 therapy ($0.17{\pm}0.03\;vs\;0.21{\pm}0.02$, p<0.0001). Cycloheximide (CHM), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, abolished this effect. Ydr after CHM ($0.20{\pm}0.01$) was significantly higher than Ydr after I-131 therapy ($0.17{\pm}0.03$, p<0.0001), but was not different from Ydr before I-131 therapy ($0.21{\pm}0.02$).Conclusion: High dose I-131 therapy induces an adaptive response in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, which is associated with protein synthesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.214-218
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• 2008

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood, and treatment of refractory neuroblastoma remains a significant clinical problem. Iodine-131-metaiodobenzylguanidine ($^{131}I-MIBG$) therapy is an alternative approach to treat stage IV neuroblastoma. We report the palliative effect of $^{131}I-MIBG$ in three cases of relapsed neuroblastoma after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. $^{131}I-MIBG$ is an effective and relatively nontoxic palliative therapy resulting in reduction of pain and prolongation of survival.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 1997

To evaluate the effectiveness of I-131 in ablation of residual thyroid tissue, we analyzed 350 patients with thyroid cancer who were treated with various doses of I-131 after surgery for thyroid cancer Two hundred fifty five patients were treated with 1.1GBq(30mCi) of I-131 for ablation of remnant thyroid and one hundred seventeen patients received more than 2.8GBq(75mCi) of I-131. We determined the effectiveness of ablation by following I-131 whole body scan. Absent visible uptake or minimal uptake in thyroid tissue were considered as successful ablation. Of 255 patients who received doses of 30mCi I-131 therapy, 131 patients(51%) showed successful ablation of residual thyroid tissue with $2.6{\pm}1.7$ times of I-131 therapy. Of 117 patients who received doses of the more than 75mCi I-131, 84 patients(72%) had successful remnant thyroid ablation with $1.6{\pm}1.1$ times of I-131 therapy, According to the extent of surgery, successful ablation rates were 78%, 62%, 54%, 33% in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, lobectomy and isthmectomy, lobectomy or tumorectomy, respectively. This study showed that ablation of remnant thyroid after surgery with 30mCi I-131 was successful only in 50%. Therefore, in cases of patients with high risk for recurrence, we recommend high dose I-131 for ablation of remnant after total thyroidectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.346-355
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• 1997

To evaluate the utility of I-131, T1-201 scintigraphy, and serum thyroglobulin(Tg) in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer, we compared retrospectively the data from 33 patients who underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy. I-131 scintigraphy was performed after optimal endogenous TSH stimulation ($TSH>50{\mu}U/ml$). Total 41 cases of I-131 and T1-201 scintigraphy pairs were examined. Concomitant serum thyroglobulin levels were measured for 41 pairs of scan. Tg-off levels(that measured after discontinuation of the thyroid hormone) higher than 40ng/m1 were considered positive, and Tg-on levels(that measured during the thyroid hormone replacement) higher than 5ng/ml were considered positive. The concordance rates between I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy and T1-201 scintigraphy was 48% in the 38 case of total scan pairs(59% in the 17 cases of postoperative preablation group, and 38% in the 21 cases of postoperative postablation group). Of 17 studies before the I-131 ablation therapy(preablation group), 7 showed positive I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy despite of negative T1-201 scintigraphy. Among patients with negative I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy, no patients had abnormal T1-201 uptake. However, of 21 studies which were done after radioiodine therapy(postablation group) 6 had abnormal uptake on T1-201 scintigraphy which were not seen on I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy, and Tg-off levels also elevated in this 4 of 6 cases. As a result, I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy showed highest positive rate at postoperative preablation follow-up study in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. T1-201 scintigraphy may be useful in postablation studies, and the use of the combined modalities(T1-201 and Tg levels) provides a higher diagnostic yield.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2003

Purpose: To evaluate diagnostic sensitivity of nuclear imaging in the detection of residual thyroid tissue and metastatic lesion, we have compared neck scintigrams with Tc-99m pertechnetate (Tc-99m scan) and high dose I-131 iodide (I-131 scan) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Subjects and Methods: One hundred thirty-five thyroidectomized patients for differentiated thyroid cancer were enrolled in this study. Twenty-three had a previous history of radioiodine therapy. Planar and pin-hole images of anterior neck with Tc-99m were acquired at 20 minutes after injection, followed by I-131 scan three days after high-dose radioiodine therapy within 7 days interval. Patients were asked to discontinue thyroid hormone replacement more than 4 weeks. Results: All subjects were in hypothyroid state. Seventy out of 135 patients (51.9%) showed concordant findings between Tc-99m and I-131 scans. I-131 scan showed higher number of uptake foci in all of 65 patients showing discordant finding. Tc-99m scan showed no thyroid bed uptake in 34 patients, whereas 23 of them (67.6%) showed bed uptake in I-131 scan. Tc-99m scan did not show any uptake in thyroid bed in 11 of 112 patients without previous history of radioiodine therapy, but 9 of them showed bed uptake in I-131 scan. Tc-99m scan showed no bed uptake in all of the 23 patients with previous history of radioiodine therapy, in contrast 14 of them (60.9%) showed bed uptake in I-131 scan. Conclusion: These results suggest that Tc-99m scan has poor detectability for residual thyroid tissue or metastatic lesion in thyroidectomized differentiated thyroid cancer patients, compared to high dose I-131 therapy scan. Tc-99m scan could not detect any remnant tissue or metastatic lesion in patients with previous history of radioiodine treatment, especially.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 1998

We report a 37 year-old-female patient with papillary thyroid cancer treated by surgery who demonstrated residual thyroid and bilateral breast uptake on a diagnostic I-131 whole body scan. She had an extrathyroidal extension needing I-131 ablative therapy. Her galactorrhea was investigated and treated with low doses of bromocriptine prior to I-131 therapy. Her galactorrhea was due to the decreased secretion of PIF induced by empty sella.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.635-643
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• 1995

핵의학(nuclear medicine )이 란 방사성 및 안정 핵종의 동위원소표지 화합물을 인체에 투여하여, 관심장기의 형태 및 기능을 평가하여 해부학적 또는 생리학적 상태를 진단, 치료하는 의학의 전문 분야이다. 핵의학에 이용되던 방사성 핵종은 1960년대 까지만 해도 $^{131}$ I이 주였으나 1970년대 부터는 $^{99}$Mo -$^{99m}$ Tc 발생기와 $^{99m}$ TC으로 표지된 방사성의 약품이 활발히 이용되면서 $^{131}$ I을 대신하게 되었다. 원자로-생산핵종들의 특성은 중성자가 과잉이어 붕괴시 배타입자를 방출하는 점으로, 이것이 각종 질병의 치료에 이용되고 있다. 특히 각종 표시 화합물의 성질을 이용하여 원하는 부위에 방사선을 집중시킬 수 있음이 외부조사보다 유리한 점이다. 방사성핵종을 이용한 악성종양의 치료에 가장 성공적인 것은 분화된 갑상선 암환자에서 $^{131}$ I을 사용한 것이며, 갈색세포종 등에 $^{131}$ I-MIBG도 효과적이다. 악성종양의 골전이 치료에 베타선을 방출하는$^{32}$P, $^{186}$ Re, $^{153}$ Sm 등이 이용되었다. 종양의 동맥에 주입하여 세동맥이나 모세혈관에 걸리는 기름, 교진 또는 입자에 의한 치료에 $^{131}$ I-lipiodol, ethiodol, $^{32}$P 또는$^{90}$ Y흡사 ceramic resin 미소구 $^{166}$ Ho 유산중합체 미소구 등이 이용된다. $^{166}$ Ho, $^{198}$ Au, $^{32}$P, $^{90}$ Y, $^{169}$ Er, $^{186}$ Rc, $^{131}$ I, $^{211}$ At 등 의 방사성 핵종의 교질, 미소구 또는 단세포군 항체표지 형태로 직접 종양내 또는 공동이나 체강에 투여하는 치료법이 있다. 류마치스 관절염의 슬관절에 $^{165}$ Dy colloid를 주사하는 $^{166}$ Ho-MAA도 활발히 이용되고 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2000

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of radioiodine treatment for metastatic thyroid carcinoma, we reviewed results of radioactive iodine treatment in patients with functional lung or bone metastases. Materials and Methods: Of 760 patients who were treated for differentiated thyroid cancer between 1984 and 1998, we detected pulmonary metastases and bone metastases in 76 patients (10.0%) and 20 patients (2.6%), respectively. Among them, we could evaluate the effectiveness of I-131 therapy in 53 patients with lung metastases and 15 patients with bone metastases. Results: Of 53 patients who received I-131 therapy with a mean cumulative dose of 26.2 GBq (1.1-84.4 GBq) for pulmonary metastases, metastatic lung lesions completely resolved in 19 patients (35.8%) and improved in 22 patients (41.5%). In 13 of 19 patients with complete remission of pulmonary metastases, the total accumulated dose of I-131 was less than 18.5 GBq. We found 43 sites of metastatic bone lesions in 15 patients with bone metastases. Of 29 lesions which received I-131 therapy, metastatic lesions improved in 14 sites (48.3%), but did not change or progress in 15 sites (51.7%) despite the I-131 therapy. Three lesions were completely cured with a combination treatment of surgery(${\pm}$ external radiotherapy) and I-131 therapy, and the other 11 lesions improved. Conclusion: Radioactive iodine treatment gives favorable results for pulmonary metastases. However, for bone metastases, there might be a need to use combination therapy including I-131 and surgery or external irradiation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.118-122
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• 1993

To evaluate the genotoxic effect of $^{131}I$, lymphocytes from 9 patients who underwent large dose (150 mCi) $^{131}I$ therapy after total thyroidectomy were studied for sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) before and after their first radioiodine treatments. Frequency of SCE (FSCE) was counted in chromosomes of 30 lymphocytes in each patients, and was expressed as numbers of SCE per cell. Numbers of leukocytes were also observed during $^{131}I$ therapy. Pretreatment FSCE ($4.2{\pm}0.7$) was not different from the control ($3.8{\pm}0.4$, p=0.17). However, the frequency was significantly elevated after $^{131}I$ administration (at the second day, $7.9{\pm}0.8$, p<0.001) and was diminished but still significantly elevated after a week (at 9th day, $6.4{\pm}0.6$, p<0.001). While counts of leukocytes in the peripheral blood showed no change (p> 0.05). In conclusion, chromatids of human lymphocytes were significantly damaged after $^{131}I$ treatment without any bone marrow supression. And the repair of SCE was not complete within one week.