• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2003

Puorpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy on the dignosis of a renal scar in children with urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: Eighty three patients were included in this study, who were diagnosed as the urinary tract infection on the basis of symptom, urinalysis and urine culture. $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystoureterography were peformed within 7days before the treatment in all patients. We classified the scintigraphic findings as follow s : 1 ; a large hypoactive upper or lower pole. 2 ; a small hypoactive area. 3 ; single defect resulting in localized deformity of the outlines. 4 ; deformed outlines in a small or normal sized kidney. 5 ; multiple defects. 6 ; diffuse hypoactive kidney without regional impairment. Follow-up scintigraphy was done at least 6 months after the initial study. When the abnormality on the initial scintigraphy was not completely resolved on the follow-up scan, the lesion was defined as containing a scar. Results: One hundred and fifteen renal units of 166 units(69.3%) showed abnormal findings on the DMSA scintigraphy. 65 units(56.5%) was diagnosed as containing renal scars on follow-up scintigraphies. Incidences of renal scar among renal units showing pattern 3, 4 and 5 on the initial scan was 75%, 78% and 78%, respectively. Whereas many of renal units showing 1, 2 and 6 pattern were recovered(65%, 76%, 50%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pattern-based DMSA scintigraphic findings on the diagnosis of renal scar was 76.9%, 85.1% and 81.9%, respectively. VUR was significantly associated with the renal scar when the initial DMSA shows unrecoverable findings(pattern 3, 4, 5). Odds ratio of the renal scar in a kidney showing unrecoverable initial scintigraphic findings was 19.1. Odds ratio in a kidney with mild or moderate-to-severe VUR was 3.5 and 14.4 respectively. Conclusion: In the urinary tract infection, renal scar was significantly developed in a kidney showing unrecoverable findings on the initial DMSA scan and VUR on voiding cystoureterography.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2010

Purpose: In nuclear medicine study, there are two methods, preset count method and preset time method, to acquire static images. We usually use preset count method for static image in $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan, but occasionally use preset time method. In case of using preset count method, we always acquire same counts but it causes a difference of scan time. In case of using preset time method, it takes same scan time to acquire images but it causes different counts. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate any differences of function and formal information in both kidney by acquisition counts Materials and Methods: From January 11, 2010 to March 31, 2010, we analyzed the 30 patients (M: 11, W: 19). who were examined by $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA scan and have one side of functioning kidney relatively between 40~60%. And the patients who have cold and hot region in image were analyzed but we did not accept images of patients when it was hard to divide kidney into cortex. There was no division between subjects and age of subjects is $14.83{\pm}22.07$ old. We used the BrightView gamma camera from PHILIPS. To analyze function and formal of kidney, we used JET stream release 3.0 version from PHILIPS. Using SPSS 12.0 program, we compared descriptive statistics and paired T-test. Images were acquired sequentially in the same parameters, but there are three methods which different from acquisition time and scan time, 100 kcounts, 300 kcounts and 7 minutes method (exceed 300 kcounts). To assess function and formal information of kidney, we measured renal relative function, geometric mean and size of kidney and analyzed each difference. Results: In case of renal relative function in both kidney, 100 kcounts method was $50.52{\pm}3.64%$. 300 kcounts method was $50.38{\pm}3.66%$ and 7 minutes method was $49.91{\pm}3.40%$ and there were no statistical significant differences between each method. In case of geometric mean, 100 kcounts method was $50.08{\pm}3.25%$. 300 kcounts method was $49.89{\pm}3.40%$ and 7 minutes method was $49.91{\pm}3.24%$. And also, there were no statistical significant differences. When comparing size of kidney, 100 kcounts method was $8.23{\pm}1.96$ cm. 300 kcounts method was $8.12{\pm}1.90$ cm and 7 minutes method was $8.35{\pm}1.97$ cm. In case of right kidney, 100 kcounts method was $7.91{\pm}1.88$ cm. 300 kcounts method was $8.12{\pm}1.90$ cm and 7 minutes method was $8.25{\pm}1.96$ cm. From those values, we recognized that there were significant differences each method (p<0.05). Conclusion: From results of this study, there were no statistical differences in renal relative function and geometric mean by acquisition counts. However, in shape of kidney, the more acquisition counts are increasing, the more size of kidney is getting big. And there were statistical significant differences. Therefore, to perform reliable quantitative result, preset count method is more desirable than preset time method. Especially, in case of a follow-up test, if we use preset time method, it will cause differences of formal results in kidney due to acquisition counts each time we examine patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Purpose: Most of diagnosis in the pediatric hydronephrosis patients have been performed $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan. Then the region of interest (ROI) is set for comparative analysis of uptake ratio in left-right kidney after acquiring the image. But if the equipment set an automatic ROI, the ROI could include expanded renal pelvis due to hydronephrosis and the uptake ratio of left-right kidney will be incorrect result. Therefore this study compared both ROIs including expanded renal pelvis and excluding renal pelvis through experiment using normal kidney phantom and expanded renal pelvis phantom and suggested setting method of improved ROI. In addition, this study have been helped by readout doctor for investigate distinction radiopharmaceutical uptake between renal cortex and remained urine by expanded renal pelvis. Materials and Methods: The both of renal phantoms were filled with water and shacked with $^{99m}TcO_4$ 111 MBq. In order to describe the expanded renal pelvis, the five latex balloon were all filled with 10 mL water and each of balloon was mixed with $^{99m}TcO_4$ 18.5, 37, 55.5, 74, 92.5 MBq. And we made phantom with fixed $^{99m}TcO_4$activity of 37 MBq and mixed water 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mL in each balloon. The left kidney was fixed its shape and the right kidney was modified like as hydronephrosis kidney by attached the latex balloons. And the acquiring counts were 2 million. After acquisition, we compared the image of ROI with Expanded renal pelvis and the image of ROI without renal pelvis for analyzing difference in the uptake ratio of left-right kidney and for reproducibility, set the ROI 5 times in the same images. Patients were injected $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA 1.5~1.9 MBq/kg and scanned 3 to 4 hours after injection. The each of 3 skillful radio technologists performed the comparing estimation by setting ROI. To determine statistical significance between two data, SPSS (ver. 17) Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used. Results: As a result of renal phantom's experiment, we compared with average of counts Background (BKG) ratios in the setting of ROI including expanded renal pelvis and setting of excluding expanded renal pelvis. Therefore, they can obtain changed counts and changed ratios. Patient also can obtain same results. In addition, the radiopharmaceutical uptake in expanded renal pelvis was come out the remained urine that couldn't descend to ureter by the help of readout doctor. Conclusion: As above results, the case of setting ROI including expanded renal pelvis was more abnormally increasing uptake ratio than the case of setting ROI excluding expanded renal pelvis in analysis the uptake ratio in left-right kidney of hydronephrosis. Because of the work convenience and prompted analysis, the automatic ROI is generally used. But in case of the hydronephrosis study, we should set the manual ROI without expanded renal pelvis for an accurate observation of the uptake ratio of left-right kidney since the radiopharmaceutical uptake in expanded renal pelvis is the remained urine.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2015

Purpose $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scintigraphy serves as location, size and shape of kidney, so it has been used for diagnosis and passage observation after the operation or treatment. There are 3 methods of calculating the relative renal uptake ratio such as geometric mean of the counts from the anterior and posterior views, arithmetical mean from the only posterior view and posterior view which applied the renal depths. In this study, we seek to correlation between the change of total relative uptake ratio according to different inspection methods of obtaining the renal count rate. Materials and Methods The phantom experiments proceeded 5 times depending on each renal depth with the kidney phantom and tissue equivalent materials. In the clinical research, we investigated 36 adult patients who had visited our hospital from february to october, 2014 and received $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan. The equipment was used as a gamma camera named INFINIA (General Electric Healthcare, milwaukee, USA) and we drew the region of interests through semiautomatic method by using Xeleris Ver. 2.1220 of GE. In addition, we obtained the lateral view of kidney to measure the renal depth of each patient. Then the results were compared with 3 methods of calculating relative renal uptake ratio. Results The phantom studies show when the difference between the left ant right kidney depth were less than 1 cm, there were no statistically significant difference among values calculated through anterior and posterior views and only posterior view (P>0.05), while the excess of 1cm, the results showed a statistically significant change in the value (P<0.05). In case of clinical research, the correlation between total relative uptake ratio by obtaining both sides of image and posterior view applied the kidney depth (r=0.999) was higher than by obtaining only posterior view and applying the kidney depth to one side image (r=0.988). Conclusion This study has found that, the difference of calculating total relative uptake ratio compared with obtaining anterior and posterior views and only posterior view. In order to reduce the error, we recommend the method of obtaining anterior and posterior views and is considered to be useful, particularly the patients have similar uptake ratio of left and right kidney and difficulties of measurements of kidney depth.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2013

Purpose: The $^{99m}Tc$-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan is used primarily for the diagnosis of renal scarring and acute pyelonephritis in children with urinary tract infections (UTI). This study aimed to evaluate clinical differences based on the positive or negative results of DMSA scans and kidney ultrasonography (US) in pediatric UTI. Method: We retrospectively reviewed 142 pediatric patients with UTI who were admitted to Myongji Hospital from January 2004 to December 2012. We performed a comparative analysis of clinical parameters such as age, sex, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, creatinine (Cr) level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and durations of hospitalization and fever, grouped by the results of the DMSA scans and kidney US. Results: The mean age of the patients was $33.8{\pm}48.3$ months, and 78 (55%) were male. Fifty-two patients had abnormal DMSA findings, and 71 patients had abormal kidney US findings (test positive groups). In the DMSA scan positive group, there were significant differences in age, WBC counts, neutrophil counts, CRP level, BUN level, Cr level, hospitalization duration, number of abnormal findings on kidney US, and incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) compared with the scan negative group. The kidney US positive group had significant differences in age, neutrophil count, CRP level, BUN level, Cr level, hospitalization duration, number of abnormal findings on the DMSA scans, and more frequent VUR compared with the US negative group. Conclusion: Our data suggest that there were no major differences in clinical parameters based on the results of the DMSA scans compared with kidney US in pediatric UTI. However, as kidney US and DMSA scan were performed to predict VUR, the sensitivity and negative predictive value was increased.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2022

Purpose: To determine predictive factors for detecting renal parenchymal damages (RPDs) in infants with recurrent febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). Methods: From January 2015 to December 2021, 102 infants with recurrent fUTI and who underwent ^99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in our hospital were included in this study. Controls included infants with normal DMSA results performed 3 months apart from the 2nd episode of fUTI. DMSA-positive group included infants with positive DMSA results performed 3 months apart from the 2nd episode of fUTI or at the 3rd episode of fUTI. The recurrence rate, causative bacteria, renal size discrepancy of both kidneys, and laboratory findings including C-reactive protein (CRP) and spot urine sodium-to-potassium ratio (uNa/K) were compared between both groups. Results: Only 3.8% of 79 infants with a 2nd episode of fUTI showed positive DMSA results. fUTI recurred more frequently within 12 months of follow-up in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (69% vs. 13%, P<0.001). CRP values were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (7.3 mg/dL vs. 3.7 mg/dL, P<0.001). Spot uNa/K were significantly lower in the DMSA-positive group than in the control group (0.6 vs. 1.1, P<0.001). Conclusions: Congenital renal scar and RPDs on the DMSA scan were more frequently found in infants with recurrent fUTI than those in the control group. High CRP values and low spot uNa/K in acute infections were helpful in predicting the presence of RPD in infants with recurrent fUTI.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-31
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• 2016

Purpose $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan is a test for the comparison of the function by imaging the parenchyma of the kidneys by the cortex of a kidney and by computing the intake ratio of radiation by the left and right kidney. Since the distance between the kidneys and the bladder is not far given the bodily structure of an infant, the bladder is included in the examination domain. Research was carried out with the presumption that counts of bladder would impart an influence on the kidneys at the time of this renal scan. In consideration of the special feature that only a trace amount of a RI is injected in a pediatric examination, research on the method of injection was also carried out concurrently. Materials and Methods With 34 infants aged between 1 month to 12 months for whom a $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan was implemented on the subjects, a Post IMAGE was acquired in accordance with the test time after having injected the same quantity of DMSA of 0.5mCi. Then, after having acquired an additional image by shielding the bladder by using a circular lead plate for comparison purposes, a comparison was made by illustrating the percentile of (Lt. Kidney counts + Rt. Kidney counts)/ Total counts, by drawing the same sized ROI (length of 55.2mm X width of 70.0mm). In addition, in the format of a 3-way stopcock, a Heparin cap and direct injection into the patient were performed in accordance with RI injection methods. The differences in the count changes in accordance with each of the methods were compared by injecting an additional 2cc of saline into the 3-way stopcock and Heparin cap. Results The image prior to shielding of the bladder displayed a kidney intake rate with a deviation of $70.9{\pm}3.18%$ while the image after the shielding of the bladder displayed a kidney intake rate with a deviation of $79.4{\pm}5.19%$, thereby showing approximately 6.5~8.5% of difference. In terms of the injection method, the method that used the 3-way form, a deviation of $68.9{\pm}2.80%$ prior to the shielding and a deviation of $78.1{\pm}5.14%$ after the shielding were displayed. In the method of using a Heparin cap, a deviation of $71.3{\pm}5.14%$ prior to the shielding and a deviation of $79.8{\pm}3.26%$ after the shielding were displayed. Lastly, in the method of direct injection into the patient, a deviation of $75.1{\pm}4.30%$ prior to the shielding and a deviation of $82.1{\pm}2.35%$ after the shielding were displayed, thereby illustrating differences in the kidney intake rates in the order of direct injection, a Heparin cap and the 3-way methods. Conclusion Since a substantially minute quantity of radiopharmaceuticals is injected for infants in comparison to adults, the cases of having shielded the bladder by removing radiation of the bladder displayed kidney intake rates that are improved from those of the cases of not having shielded the bladder. Although there are difficulties in securing blood vessels, it is deemed that the method of direct injection would be more helpful in acquisition of better images since it displays improved kidney intake rate in comparison to other methods.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.239-243
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• 2004

Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(APSGN) is the most common form of postinfectious glomerulonephritis, and acute pyelonephritis(APN) is the most severe form of urinary tract infection in childhood. However, the concurrence of two diseases is uncommon in the literature. We describe a case of APSGN accompanied with APN in a 5-year-old female who presented with fever, left flank pain, headache and facial edema. Urinalysis showed pyuria, microscopic hematuria, and mild proteinulra. Serial urine cultures grew Escherichia coli. ${^99m}$Tc-DMSA renal scan revealed a cortical defect in the upper pole of left kidney. She had a history of preceding pharyngitis, in addition, showed high blood pressure, high anti-streptolysin 0 titer, and low serum complement levels. The patient improved completely with supportive treatment, Including antibiotic and antihypertensive therapy. These findings suggested that APSGN and APN could be manifested simultaneously or be .superimposed on each other.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate clinical and radiological factors that may predict high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 446 patients diagnosed with febrile UTI from March 2008 to February 2017. All patients underwent renal-bladder ultrasonography (RBUS), 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan, and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and were divided in to 3 groups: a high-grade VUR group (n=53), a low-grade VUR group (n=28), and a group without VUR (n=365). Results: The recurrence and non-Escherichia coli infection rates in febrile UTI were significantly higher in the high-grade VUR group than in the other two groups (P<0.05). RBUS showed that hydronephrosis and ureter dilatation were more frequent in the high-grade VUR group than in the other groups (P<0.05). In the high-grade VUR group, a renal cortical defect was more likely to appear as multiple defects, and the difference in bilateral renal scan uptake between both kidneys was larger than in the other two groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: Recurrent UTI, non-E. coli UTI, abnormal findings on RBUS such as hydronephrosis and ureter dilatation, and abnormal findings in the DMSA renal scan such as multiple renal cortical defects and greater uptake difference were associated with high-grade VUR. VCUG should be selectively performed when RBUS and/or DMSA renal scan reveal significant abnormalities.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2016

Purpose: We used technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy to identify factors predictive of renal cortical defects in infants <3 months of age with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on infants <3 months of age with culture-proven UTIs treated at a single center from March 2010 to February 2016. Blood samples were obtained for laboratory evaluation prior to commencement of antibiotic therapy. The therapeutic delay time (TDT) and therapeutic response time (TRT) were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups depending on features of their DMSA scans. We compared the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the two groups. Results: A total of 119 infants (94 males and 25 females; mean age, $56.9{\pm}21.3days$) were included. Cortical defects were evident in the DMSA scans of 47 cases (39.5%). In infants with such defects, the peak temperatures ($38.9{\pm}0.57^{\circ}C$ vs. $38.4{\pm}0.81^{\circ}C$, P=0.001), the absolute neutrophil counts ($8,920{\pm}4,460/mm$ vs. $7,290{\pm}4,090/mm$, P=0.043), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ($6.49{\pm}4.33mg/dL$ vs. $3.21{\pm}2.81mg/dL$, P=0.001) were significantly higher than those in infants without cortical defects. The TDT was also longer in those with cortical defects (P=0.037). Conclusion: We found that a TDT ${\geq}8.5hr$ (odds ratio [OR] 5.81), a peak temperature ${\geq}38.3^{\circ}C$ (OR 6.19), and a CRP level ${\geq}4.96mg/dL$ (OR 7.26) predicted abnormal DMSA scan results in infants <3 months of age with UTIs.