• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2009

An analytical method of $^{99}Tc$ concentration in soil was set up and discussed considering the $^{99}Tc$ concentration in Korean soil measured with its analytical method. A selective TEVA resin was used to separate and purify the $^{99}Tc$ in the soil sample. $^{99m}Tc$ from a commercial $^{99}Mo/^{99m}Tc$ generator was used as a yield tracer for the chemical separation of $^{99}Tc$ and its problem when using $^{99m}Tc$ as a tracer was discussed. The chemical recovery yield of $^{99}Tc$ was above 70%. The optimum conditions of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry system(ICP-MS) were set up to determine the $^{99}Tc$ after the separation process. The minimum detectable activity(MDA) was 15 mBq/kg-dry in this analytical procedure. The $^{99}Tc$ concentration in soils of Jeju and Kori were measured in the rage of 33.73-89.16 mBq/kg-dry. Those values were less than those reported in other countries and seemed to be originated from atmospheric fallout.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.361-366
• /
• 1996

This study was to determine the effect of $Al^{3+}$ in $^{99m}Tc$ eluate from $^{99}Mo-^{99m}Tc$ generator on labeling efficiency and biodistribution of $^{99m}Tc$-MDP. The chromatographic analysis of $^{99m}Tc$-MDP preparations containing $Al^{3+}(0-62.5{\mu}g/ml)$ showed decreased labeling efficiency $^{99m}Tc$ pertechnetate and hydrolyzed reduced $^{99m}Tc$ fraction increased with increasing concentrations of aluminum. However, the chromatography system could not discern between hydrolyzed reduced $^{99m}Tc$ and $^{99m}Tc$ labeled colloid. $^{99m}Tc$-MDP preparations containing aluminum were relatively stable. Chromatographic analysis also confirmed that no significant differences were observed in the radiochemical purity of the filtered and the unfiltered $^{99m}Tc$-MDP preparations containing aluminum by $0.22{\mu}m$ syringe filter. In biodistribution data of ICR-mice, blood and heart uptake were increasing with increasing concentrations of aluminum, because of decreasing labeling efficiency of $^{99m}Tc$-MDP and increasing of $^{99m}Tc$ pertechnetate. However, liver and bone uptake were not significantly increased. In rat images no difference were observed at $5{\mu}g/ml\;Al^{3+}$ compare with at $0{\mu}g/ml\;Al^{3+}$, but at $10{\mu}g/ml\;Al^{3+}$ lumbar uptake was increased. As a practical conclusion, a concentration below $10{\mu}g/ml\;Al^{3+}$($10{\mu}g/ml\;Al^{3+}$ is the maximum allowed in pertechnetate eluate from $^{99}Mo-^{99m}Tc$ generator by USP.) in $^{99m}Tc$-MDP radiopharmaceutical result in low labeling efficiency. Radiochemical purity 90% of $^{99m}Tc$-MDP is the minimum allowed by USP. Therefore, when soft tissue uptake is observed in $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan and labeling efficiency is above 90%, we can expect that $Al^{3+}$ in pertechnetated eluate is not the cause of soft tissue uptake.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 1986

Radionuclide angiography of the liver and spleen with rapid bolus injection of 5 mCi of $^{99m}Tc-Sn-phytate$ was performed for evaluation of dynamic flow change of the liver in 5 normal subjects and 11 patients with diffuse hepatocellular diseases. And quantification of hepatic arterial index (HAI) was generated from those TACs of the liver and compared with HAI generated from hepatic TAC with injection of $^{99m}Tc-TcO_4^-$ as previously reported method by former investigators, 67 patients with diffuse hepatocellular diseases undergoing hepatic scintigraphy were also evaluated by 2 minutes-hepatosplenic scintiangiography with 5 mCi of $^{99m}Tc-phytate$ and followed injection of 7 mCi of $^{99m}Tc-TcO_4^-$. Those heaptic and splenic TACs were analysed and compared with HAIs of 99m Tc-phytate for evaluation of relative change (%) of count at 30 seconds and 1 minuite after peaks of rapid influx phase to the peaks (100%) in T ACs of $^{99m}Tc-phytate$ and at 1 minuite and 3 minuites after in 5 minuite-TAC of $^{99m}Tc-TcO_4^-$. Correlation between HAIs with $^{99m}Tc-phytate$ and $^{99m}Tc-TcO_4^-$ was highly significant (R=0,984, P=0), and there was most significant and useful correlation (R=0,708, p<0.0001) between HAI and splenic TAC generated by $^{99m}Tc-phytate$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.244-254
• /
• 2002

Purpose: This study investigated the differences between technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) and technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99m HMPAO) uptake in the normal brain by means of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed age and sex matched 53 cases of normal brain SPECT. Thirty-two cases were obtained with Tc-99m ECD and 21 cases with Tc-99m HMPAO. There were no abnormal findings on brain MRIs. All of the SPECT images were spatially transformed to standard space, smoothed and globally normalized. The differences between the Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images were statistically analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM'99) software. The differences bgetween the two groups were considered significant ant a threshold of corrected P values less than 0.05. Results: SPM analysis revealed significantly different uptakes of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPAO in the normal brains. On the Tc-99m ECD SPECT images, relatively higher uptake was observed in the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes, in the basal ganglia and thalamus, and in the superior region of the cerebellum. On the Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images, relatively higher uptakes was observed in subcortical areas of the frontal region, temporal lobe, and posterior portion of inferior cerebellum. Conclusion: Uptake of Tc-99m ECD and Tc-99m HMPO in the normallooking brain was significantly different on SPM analysis. The selective use of Tc-99m ECD of Tc-99m HMPAO in brain SPECT imaging appears especially valuable for the interpretation of cerebral perfusion. Further investigation is necessary to determine which tracer is more accurate for diagnosing different clinical conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.76-79
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was to evaluate usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintimammography for dense breast by comparing concordance in test results between Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography and mammography whose effect was proved the most as an imaging tool depending on breast density and at the same time by examining limitation on evaluation depending on density of breast tissue. [Materials and Methods] In the period from December 2010 to July 2011, this study targeted 150 patients who took both of $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintimammography and mammography conducted by using breast gamma camera in this hospital. Breast density was classified to the four levels of pattern 1~4 based on the results of mammography. $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintimammography was conducted with the LCC, the RCC, the LMLO, and the RML one minute after intravenous injection of 99mTc-MIBI 7400 MBq (20 mCi) while analysis was made for concordance in test results of $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintimammography and mammography. [Results] Among the 150 patients, pattern 1 was found in 3 patients, pattern 2 in 44 patients, pattern 3 in 61 patients, and pattern 4 in 37 patients. There were 5 patients who showed the case where it was impossible to determine density of breast tissue due to foreign body inserted to breast. The concordance ratio of the results between $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintimammography and mammography was 95.5% for pattern 2, 95.1% for pattern 3 and 94.6% for pattern 4. This demonstrated that the concordance rate decreased according to the increase in breast density. [Conclusion] When there was limitation on evaluation of breast specific gamma imaging test results due to increased intake in breast tissue or surgical site, the concordance rate was 6.8% for pattern 2, 16.3% for pattern 3 and 18.9% for pattern 4. This demonstrated that the degree of limitation on evaluation of breast specific gamma imaging test results increased according to the increase in breast density.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.71-83
• /
• 1989

For the development of $^{99m}Tc-labelled$ antimony sulfide colloid and hydroxyethyl starch, various experiments such as preparation of colloid, control of the distribution of particle size, establishment of labelling conditions, determination of labelling yield and radiochemical purity, examination of stability, and organ imagings of rabbits etc. were carried out. 1) Antimony sulfide colloid was readily prepared by the reaction of aqueous solution of antimony potassium tartrate with hydrogen sulfide generated by treating ferrous sulfide with dilute sulfuric acid. The colloid could be stabilized by adding small amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone. 2) Electron microscopy analysis exhibited the distribution of colloid size in the range of $1\sim15nm$ with a major portion of 9 m. The colloid solution was sterilized by membrane filtration $(0.2{\mu}m)$ and then stored at $4^{\circ}C$. This sterilized colloid was so stable that it was usable at least for one year. 3) The antimony sulfide colloid was labelled by adding sodium $pertechnetate-^{99m}Tc$ solution to the reaction vial, followed by adding hydrochloric acid and then boiled for 30 min. The optimal pH of the reaction mixture was found to be in the range of $1.3\sim1.4$. Instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC) analysis showed high labelling yield of above 99.5%. This labelled colloid maintained high radio-chemical purity of above 99% until 10 hours after labelling. 4) Animal studies showed high uptake of $^{99m}Tc-Sb_2S_3$ colloid at lymph vessels and nodes indicating a suitable agent for lymphoscintigraphy. Satisfactory results were also abtained in other clinical studies. 5) Hydroxyethyl starch (HES $0.6\sim1.0%$) was labelled with $Na^{99m}TcO_4$ in the presence of $SnCl_2$ with high labelling yield of above 99.5%. The optimal pH of the reaction mixture was in the range of $1.8\sim2.0$. $^{99m}Tc-HES$ maintained high radiochemical purity of above 99% until 10 hours after labelling. 6) Animal studies showed that $^{99m}Tc-HES$ migrated more rapidly from the injection sites into the lymph vessels than $^{99m}Tc-Sb_2S_3$ colloid while less amount of the former was uptaken at lymph nodes than that of the latter. Similar phenomenon was also observed in other clinical studies. As a result, $^{99m}Tc-Sb_2S_3$ colloid was found to be more effective lymphoscintigraphic agent than $^{99m}Tc-HES$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2021

Purpose This article studies the relationship between the length of a kidney measured by two scanning methods: Kidney Computed Tomography (CT) and ^99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. Kidney CT provides a better anatomic assessment, while ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan is superior in the kidney function test. Materials and Methods From January to December of 2019, two hundred patients who had Kidney CT and Tc^99m-DMSA renal scan were chosen for this study. SPSS17.0 was selected for statistical analysis. Results Due to the effect of the breathing and resolution of ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan, it showed the kidney's relatively longer length than the length of Kidney CT. For the same kidney, the length comparison among different brands' Gamma cameras was negligible. The length difference within the same age group did not show a noticeable discrepancy. However, there was a length difference between the radio technologists. Kidney CT and ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan indicated a strong positive correlation between the length of the left and right kidney. Conclusion It is necessary to establish a standardized measurement method for measuring kidney length using ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan. The kidney's functional changes and length changes are indications of Kidney diseases. Especially, pediatric patients tend to use ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan for assessing the kidney's shape and the function to avoid potential radiation exposure during the Kidney CT. Therefore, it is significant to provide not only the kidney's functional information but also an anatomic analysis, including the kidney's size, length, and location through the ^99mTc-DMSA renal scan.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.484-492
• /
• 1996

To detect ischemic tissue in experimental model of cerebral ischemia made by middle cerebral artery(MCA)-occlusion, we acquired triple image of $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate, [$^{18}F$]fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG), and 2,3,5- triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) staining. We made cerebral infarction either with reperfusion (after occlusion of 2 hours) or without reperfusion in 10 Sprague-Dawley rats by inserting thread to MCA through internal carotid artery. After 22 hours, we injected 740 MBq of $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate and 55.5 MBq of [$^{18}F$]FDG through tail vein. Each 1 mm slice of rat brains was frozen and exposed to imaging plate for 20 minutes in freezer to get an [$^{18}F$]FDG image. After 20 hours enough to fade radioactivity of [$^{18}F$]FDG, the slices were again imaged by BAS1500 for $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate uptake. Finally, these brain tissues were stained with TTC. Semi-quantitative visual analysis was done by grading 0 to 3 points according to the degree of uptakes($^{99m}Tc$-glucarate) and decreased uptakes([$^{18}F$]FDG and TTC). Ten rats survived with neurologic symptoms. TTC staining confirmed the development of infarction. The size of the infarction was relatively larger in the group without reperfusion. [$^{18}F$]FDG images were similar to TTC-stained images. However, we found regions with intermediate uptake which were not stained with TTC. We found regions with intermediate [$^{18}F$]FDG uptake where TTC staining was normal. $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate uptake was round only in TTC non-stained region. In the TTC stained regions, there were no uptake of $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate. We could not find clear relation between $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate uptake with [$^{18}F$]FDG uptake. This was partly because percent uptake of $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate was so small (less than 1 percent of injected dose) and because there were quite heterogeneity of patterns of [$^{18}F$]FDG uptake and TTC. With these findings, we could conclude that $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate were taken up only in part of ischemic tissues which were proven to be nonviable. The establishment of MCA-occluded rat model with or without reperfusion and triple imaging for $^{99m}Tc,\;^{18}F$ and TTC helped the characterization of $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate uptakes. Further work is needed to clarify the meaning or diversities or [$^{18}F$]FDG and TTC and their relation with $^{99m}Tc$-glucarate.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.506-510
• /
• 2004

Purpose: We investigated whether Tc-99m MIBI imaging is useful to predict the response of drug treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: 24 patients (15 women and 9 men, age $49{\pm}12$ year) rheumatoid arthritis and treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were included in this study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured, and Tc-99m MIBI scan was obtained before drug treatment. Quantitative analysis of uptake in diseased joints was performed and expressed as joint-to background ratio (J/B) and percent retention (%R) of Tc-99m MIBI. Clinical symptoms were evaluated and graded from 0 (no) to 3 (severe) regarding to presence of tenderness and swelling. Results: J/B of the diseased joints were significantly correlated with ESR and CRP (p<0.05). A highly significant correlation was found between the improvement of clinical symptoms and %R of Tc-99m MIBI (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that Tc-99m MIBI scan may be used to predict the therapeutic response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.354-361
• /
• 2008

Purpose: N-13 ammonia uptake and retention in the myocardium is related to perfusion and metabolism. There are several potential advantages of N-13 ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) to detect myocardial ischemia, such as higher spatial resolution, greater counting efficiencies, and robust attenuation correction. But there are few reports comparing Tc-99m myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography (MPS) and N-13 ammonia PET. We thus compared adenosine stress N-13 ammonia PET/CT and Tc-99m sestamibi MPS in patients with suspected coronary artery stenosis. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients (male 13 : $63{\pm}11$ years old) underwent adenosine stress N-13 ammonia PET/CT (Discovery ST, GE), Tc-99m sestamibi MPS (dual head gamma camera, Hawkeye, GE) and coronary angiography within 1 week. N-13 ammonia PET/CT and Tc-99m sestamibi MPS images were assessed with a 20-segment model by visual interpretation and quantitative analysis using automatic quantitative software (Myovation, GE). Results: Both sensitivities and specificities of detecting an individual coronary artery stenosis were higher for N-13 ammonia PET/CT than Tc-99m sestamibi MPS (PET/CT: 91%/89% vs MPS: 65%/82%). N-13 ammonia PET/CT showed reversibility in 52% of segments that were considered non-reversibile by Tc-99m sestamibi MPS. In the 110 myocardial segments supplied by the stenotic coronary artery, N-13 ammonia PET/CT showed higher count densities than Tc-99m MPS on rest study (p < 0.01), and the difference of count density between the stress and the rest studies was also larger on N-13 ammonia PET/CT. Conclusion: Adenosine stress N-13 ammonia PET/CT had higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, more reversibility of perfusion defects and greater stress/rest uptake differences than Tc-99m sestamibi MPS. Accordingly, N-13 ammonia PET/CT might offer better assessment of myocardial ischemia and viability.