• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 2010

Purpose: In our nuclear medicine department, we suggested AMC RBC labeling method improved by modifying a part of existing modified in-vitro method to raise the efficiency of $^{99m}Tc$-RBC labeling. However, it needs to be more additional time and efforts than existing modified in-vitro method because the AMC RBC labeling method has to carry out the centrifugal separation process for 3~5 minutes. Therefore, in this study, we conducted researches to aim to maintain stable labeling effects and supplement a problem about additional time by reducing rotating time when labeling $^{99m}Tc$-RBC. Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted the object of 30 patients who examined study using $^{99m}Tc$-RBC and agreed to this research at our hospital from May 2009 to September 2009. We made 4 blood samples which consisted of ACD 1 cc along with 5 cc blood from each patient and used the AMC RBC labeling method. At this moment, each labeling efficiency was calculated by different rotating time 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min and then we compared differences. Results: As a result, When comparing the $^{99m}Tc$-RBC labeling method efficiency by using the AMC RBC labeling method which differents from rotating time, each labeling efficiency were $92.3{\pm}5.0%$ in 5 min, $95.9{\pm}5.0%$ in 10 min, $97.4{\pm}4.9%$ in 15 min and $97.7{\pm}4.8%$ in 20 min. We analyzed differences of the labeling efficiency from change of rotating time by using an one-way ANOVA and verified that in Duncan method. There was relatively efficiency low in 5min rotating time and no statistically significant change in over. Conclusions: When comparing a existing method, the AMC RBC labeling method which goes through the centrifugal separation process again offers more favorable condition to combine RBC with $^{99m}TcO4^-$ by eliminating an plasma ingredient. When using the modified in-vitro method, we have almost 20 min to rotate to acquire stable labeling efficiency. But, when using the AMC RBC labeling method, we acquire labeling efficiency well what we want within only 10 min to rotate. Decrease of rotating time can complement the AMC RBC labeling method which goes through the centrifugal separation process again and also provide more rapid study such as G-I bleeding study due to fast labeling.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2020

Purpose It is intended to figure out the errors derived from changes in depth and volume when measuring the Standard source and ^99mTc-pertechnetate by using a Dose calibrator. Then recommend appropriate measurement depth and volume. Materials and Methods As a Dose calibrator, CRC-15βeta and CRC-15R (Capintec, New Jersey, USA) was used, and the measurement sources were ⁵⁷Co, ¹³³Ba, ¹³⁷Cs and ^99mTc-pertechnetate was also adopted due to its high frequency of use. The Standard source was respectively measured the changes according to its depth without changing the volume, in a range of 0 cm to 15 cm from the bottom of the ion chamber. ^99mTc-pertechnetate was measured at each depth by changing the volume with 0.1 mL, 0.3 mL, 0.5 mL, 0.7 mL and 0.9 mL Respectively. And the depth range was from 0 cm to 15 cm at the bottom of the ion chamber. Results In the case of Standard source ⁵⁷Co, ¹³³Ba, ¹³⁷Cs and ^99mTc-pertechnetate, there were significant differences according to the measurement depth(p<0.05). ^99mTc-pertechnetate has a negative correlation coefficient according to the depth, and the error of the measured value was negligible at a depth from 0 cm to 7 cm at 0.3 mL and 0.5 mL, and the range of error increased as the volume increased. Conclusion In clinical practice, it is sometimes installed differently than the Standard depth recommended by the equipment company. If it's measured at the recommended depth and volume, it could be thought that unnecessary exposure of the operator and the patient will be reduced, and more accurate radiation exams will be possible in quantitative analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2015

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate image quality change by truncated region in field of view (FOV) of attenuation correction computed tomography (AC-CT) in brain PET/CT. Materials and Methods Biograph Truepoint 40 with TrueV (Siemens) was used as a scanner. $^{68}Ge$ phantom scan was performed with and without applying brain holder using brain PET/CT protocol. PET attenuation correction factor (ACF) was evaluated according to existence of pallet in FOV of AC-CT. FBP, OSEM-3D and PSF methods were applied for PET reconstruction. Parameters of iteration 4, subsets 21 and gaussian 2 mm filter were applied for iterative reconstruction methods. Window level 2900, width 6000 and level 4, 200, width 1000 were set for visual evaluation of PET AC images. Vertical profiles of 5 slices and 20 slices summation images applied gaussian 5 mm filter were produced for evaluating integral uniformity. Results Patient pallet was not covered in FOV of AC-CT when without applying brain holder because of small size of FOV. It resulted in defect of ACF sinogram by truncated region in ACF evaluation. When without applying brain holder, defect was appeared in lower part of transverse image on condition of window level 4200, width 1000 in PET AC image evaluation. With and without applying brain holder, integral uniformities of 5 slices and 20 slices summation images were 7.2%, 6.7% and 11.7%, 6.7%. Conclusion Truncated region by small FOV results in count defect in occipital lobe of brain in clinical or research studies. It is necessary to understand effect of truncated region and apply appropriate accessory for brain PET/CT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.50-54
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• 2010

Purpose: The uptake of $^{18}F$-FDG is often observed in normal cell of colon to patients who have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and had taken anti-diabetic drugs including Metformin in PET/CT scan. In this study, the region of colon was compared between the patients who took anti-diabetic drugs including Metfomin and other patients who took the other anti-diabetic drugs through SUV measurements. Materials and Methods: A hundred eighty patients were studied. 120 patients who have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Including Metformin: 60, Excluding Metformin: 60) and 60 patients as a control group were composed. The patient fasted at least 6 hours before receiving an intravenous injection of 370-592 MBq (10-16 mCi) of $^{18}F$-FDG. Scanning from the base of the skull though the mid thigh was performed using the Discovery STe PET/CT Equipment (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). The highest uptake region was measured SUV among ascending, transverse and descending colon. Results: The values of patients who took the anti-diabetic drugs including Metformin were $6.16{\pm}3.64$ g/mL, $4.41{\pm}2.94$ g/mL, and $5.46{\pm}2.44$ g/mL. The patients who took the anti-diabetic drugs which does not have Metformin were $3.05{\pm}1.39$ g/mL, $2.08{\pm}0.97$ g/mL and $3.15{\pm}1.85$ g/mL. The control group were $2.02{\pm}0.88$ g/mL, $1.68{\pm}0.87$ g/mL and $2.19{\pm}1.88$ g/mL. Conclusion: The effect of the intake of Metformin was observed from the SUV on region of large bowel in this study. Thus, it could be helpful for the results by identifying the ingredient of anti-diabetic drug before the examination and the possibility of interpretation of false positive will be reduced.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.185-188
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• 2009

Purpose: Standard of retests were discrepant and inconsistent due to inaccuracy and lack of standardization within normal range limit of tumor marker test. To enhance the standardization of retests set standard value below normal range and the Order Communication System Quality Control (OCS QC) program was put in place. This program enables managing the results within lower limit of normal range which were used for tumor marker test in Health Center. Materials and Methods: At present the tumor marker study for AFP, CEA, CA19-9, CA125, and PSA included outpatients in Asan Medical Center from February to March, 2009. The standard value was obtained by using the percentage of CV of Inter Assay according to the normal range of each tumor test. The results were confirmed by using the OCS QC program via formatted assessment of screening test such as test items, standard value and medical department. The number of out-of-range results within plus and minus 30 percents regarding the five primary items of tumor marker test was assessed. The next step was to obtain the number of AFP, CEA, and CA125 according to the ratio of comparison between prior and post test result, 60%, 50%, and 40% within normal range, respectively. In addition, set standard value below normal range. Results: The first screening test with percentage of sample number was resulted between 30%-40% and the second one was AFP 26.1%, CEA 18.9%, CA19-9 17.3%, CA125 18.7%, and PSA 21.0% obtained screening percentage of average 20 percents. The limited value of retest was AFP less than 5.0 and more than 10.0, CEA less than 1.0 and more than 3.0, CA19-9 less than 10.0 and more than 30.0, and PSA less than 1.0 and more than 2.0 to set and the number of retest was obtained by applying to the limited value of retest to screening percentage of average 20 percents For two months, the number of retest was AFP 0, CEA 15, CA19-9 3, CA125 2, and PSA 5. Conclusions: Through using the OCS QC program in establishing the standard of retest systemically, there appeared to be reduced discrepancy among the examiners and to be expected improvement in relation to the error of results.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2013

Purpose: PET/CT scan using the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) of radiopharmaceutical uptake in organs and tissues as an objective indicator makes it possible to analyze physiological and chemical reactions of human organs. This study analyzes the change of the SUV uptake in accordance with the way how PET/CT patients take a rest after the injection of $^{18}F-FDG$ (Fluororo-deoxyglucose). And also subjective satisfaction is assessed listening to music while taking a rest. Materials and Methods: From April 2011 until February 2013, Among the Primary cancer patients who admitted to the Catholic Medical Center (Seoul & Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital) and scanned $^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT and also received care through the tracking test (mean age $55.61{\pm}12.41$ years, 108 people, 48 men and 60 women) were selected. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (A: basal study) is requested to take a rest in bed quietly after the injection. However the second one (B: follow up study) is requested to listen to the music while taking a rest. And then SUV analysis was performed respectively. At the end of the scan, ROI (Region Of Interest) were set from the center of the liver (right lobe) and 3 spots of the brain (frontal, temporal, and occipital lobes). And the SUV was calculated. To identify the correlation among those ROIs, paired t-test was performed using SPSS software (Version 12.0K for windows, P>0.05). Also, after the PET/CT scan the satisfaction study was conducted of all the patients. 1:1 questionnaire survey was performed, and that questionnaire was made using the Likert 5-point scale. By utilizing those questionnaires, the analysis about simple frequency, percentage, average, and standard deviation was performed. Results: The SUV change of the 4 designated ROIs in accordance with listening to music was not statistically significant. (Frontal lobe P-value=0.611, Occipital lobe P-value=0.499, Temporal lobe P-value=0.717, Liver P-value=0.334: P-value>0.05) And the satisfaction study indicated that group B was appear to be 0.42 points (5 basis points) higher than group A. It showed that patients are more satisfied in group B than group A. Conclusion: when performing PET/CT scan using $^{18}F-FDG$, listening to music after the injection of the radiopharmaceuticals does not affect the SUV but given the state of the psychological comfort that may increase the patient's satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2007

Objectives:There is increasing evidence that the cerebellum plays an important role in cognition and psychiatric symptoms as well as motor coordination. The concept of cognitive dysmetria has been making cerebellar function in schizophrenia the focus of current studies. In other words, disruption in the corticocerebellum-thalamic -cortical circuit could lead to disordered cognition and clinical symptoms of schizophrenia. The purposes of this study were to determine cerebellar dysfunction in male schizophrenic patients semiquantitatively with ICARS and to investigate the clinical and cognitive correlates of ICARS in patients. Methods:We compared the scores of cerebellar neurologic sign using ICARS in 47 male patients with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of schizophrenia with 30 gender and age-matched healthy control subjects. The semiquantitative 100-point ICARS consists of 19 items divided into 4 unequally weighted subscores:posture and gait disturbances, kinetic functions, speech disorders and oculomotor disorders. All subjects were also assessed with cognitive function test. Cognitive functions were evaluated by Korean-Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE), Verbal fluency test, and Clock drawing test. The patients were administered Korea version of Positive and Negative Symptom Scale(K-PANSS) to assess the symptom severity. Results:Schizophrenic patients had significantly higher scores on the ICARS than control subjects with posture and gait disturbances, kinetic functions, and oculomotor disorders. They also showed more significant impairments in cognitive function tests than control subjects. There was a significant correlation between ICARS and negative symptoms of patients. In cognitive function test, Clock drawing test was significantly associated with negative symptoms. In addition, Clock drawing test was negatively correlated with the total score of ICARS. Conclusion:In this study, we confirmed that schizophrenic patients have significant impairments in cognitive and cerebellar function, and that those were related with negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. These results support a role of the cerebellum in schizophrenia. It is meaningful that we used a structured, and reliable procedure for rating neurological soft signs, ICARS. We hope that future prospective studies using a similar design help that rate of neurological sign should have been visible with the progression of illness.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2017

Purpose During Brain SPECT study, critical factor for proper study with $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ or $^{99m}Tc-HMPAO$ is one of the important causes to patent's movement. It causes both improper diagnosis and examination failure. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Dynamic Continuous Mode Acquisition compared to Step and Shoot Mode to raise efficacy and reject the data set with movement, as well as, be reconstructed in certain criteria. Materials and Methods Deluxe Jaszczak phantom and Hoffman 3D Brain phantom were used to find proper standard data set and exact time. Step and Shoot Mode and Dynamic Continuous Mode Acquisition were performed with SymbiaT16. Firstly, Deluxe Jaszczak phantom was filled with $Na^{99m}TcO_4$ 370 MBq and obtained in 60 minutes to check spatial resolution compared with Step and Shoot Mode and Dynamic Continuous Mode. The second, the Hoffman 3D Phantom filled with $Na^{99m}TcO_4$ 74 MBq was acquired for 15 Frame/minutes to evaluate visual assessment and quantification. Finally, in the Deluxe Jaszczak phantom, Spheres and Rods were measured by MI Apps program as well as, checking counts with the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum and hypothalamus parts was performed in the Hoffman 3D Brain Phantom. Results In Brain SPECT Study, using Dynamic Continuous Mode rather than current Step and Shoot Mode, we can do the reading using the 20 to 50 % of the acquired image, and during the test if the patient moves, we can remove unneeded image to reduce the rate of restudy and reinjection. Conclusion Dynamic Continuous Mode in Brain study condition enhances effects compared to Step and Shoot Mode. And also is powerful method to reduce reacquisition rate caused by patient movement. The findings further indicate that it suggest rejection limit to maintain clinical value with certain reconstruction factors compared with Tomo data set. Further examination to improve spatial resolution, SPECT/CT should be the answer for that.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 1996

Scrub typhus의 발현증상에는 저알부민혈증, 단백뇨, 전신 부종 등을 들 수 있다. 그러나, 저알부민혈증에 비해 단백뇨와 부종 등은 심하지 않은 경우가 많다. 본 연구에서는 저알부민혈증이 장내에서의 단백질 소실에 의한 것인지를 확인하고자 하였다. Scrub typhus가 의심되는 25명의 환자를 대상으로 (1) 저알부민혈증의 원인 장내 단백질 소실에 의한 것인지 여부와 (2) $^{99m}Tc$-HSA 신티그램의 진단적 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 신티그램은 혈청학적 검사상 Scrub typhus로 확인된 18명의 환자에서 (13예는 항생제 치료 개시후 1일에서 8일 사이에, 5예는 치료 전에 시행하였으며, 11예에서는 대변에서 alpha-1- antitrypsin (${\alpha}AT$)배설 여부를 확인하였다. 촬영방법은 $^{99m}Tc$-HSA 30mCi를 정맥 주사한 후, 2, 4, 6, 24시간에 복부 전면상을 얻었다. 판정은 소장과 대장의 주행 위치에서의 혈관외 방사능 소견을 장내 단백질 소실로 간주하였다. 13예에서 양성으로 판정하였는데, 이중 8예는 대변에서의 ${\alpha}AT$치도 높게 나왔다. 신티그램상 음성을 보인 5예중 2예에서는 대변중 ${\alpha}AT$치가 매우 높게 나왔는데 그 이유는 신티그램 검사는 치료 도중에 하였고, 대변 검사는 치료 전에 하였기 때문인 것으로 간주하였다. 결론적으로 전체 18예중 15예에서 신티그램이나 대변검사로 Scrub typhus로 진단하였다. 한편, 13예 (72%)에서 저알부민혈증을 보였는데 이중 4예는 장내단백질 소실과 단백뇨를, 5예는 장내단백질 소실만을, 3예에서는 단백뇨만을 보였고, 1예는 아무 소견이 없었다. 요약하면, 장내단백질 소실 소견은 Scrub typhus환자의 83%에서 보여, 혈중 알부민치가 저하되는 원인으로 추정된다. 따라서 $^{99m}Tc$-HSA 신티그램은 장내단백질 소실의 진단에 매우 유용한 검사방법이다. 또한, 검사방법이 다소 어렵지만 대변에서의 ${\alpha}AT$측정도 동위원소 검사상 음성 소견을 보이는 환자에게는 어느 정도 진단에 도움을 주리라 보여진다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2001

Purpose: The ictal perfusion patterns of cerebellum and basal ganglia have not been systematically investigated in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Their ictal perfusion patterns were analyzed in relation with temporal lobe and frontal lobe hyperperfusion during TLE seizures using SPECT subtraction. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three TLE patients had interictal and ictal SPECT, video-EEG monitoring, SPGR MRI, and SPECT subtraction with MRI co-registration. Results: The vermian cerebellar hyperperfusion (CH) was observed in 26 patients (78.8%) and hemispheric CH in 25 (75.8%). Compared to the side of epileptogenic temporal lobe, there were seven ipsilateral hemispheric CH (28.0%), fifteen contralateral hemispheric CH (60.0%) and three bilateral hemispheric CH (12.0%). CH was more frequently observed in patients with additional frontal hyperperfusion (14/15, 93.3%) than in patients without frontal hyperperfusion (11/18, 61.1%). The basal ganglia hyperperfusion (BGH) was seen in 11 of the 15 patients with frontotemporal hyperperfusion (73.3%) and 11 of the 18 with temporal hyperperfusion only (61.1%). In 17 patients with unilateral BGH, contralateral CH to the BGH was observed in 14 (82.5%) and ipsilateral CH to BGH in 2 (11.8%) and bilateral CH in 1 (5.9%). Conclusion: The cerebellar hyperperfusion and basal ganglia hyperperfusion during seizures of TLE can be contralateral, ipsilateral or bilateral to the seizure focus. The presence of additional frontal or basal ganglia hyperperfusion was more frequently associated with contralateral hemispheric CH to their sides. However, temporal lobe hyperperfusion appears to be related with both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheric CH.