• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.258-259
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• 2007

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma(BML) is a rare condition affecting women with a history of having undergone hysterectomy or myomectomy for a benign uterine fibroid, that is found to have metastasized to extrauterine sites, usually many years after hysterectomy. 1,2) Patient with BML almost always asymptomatic, although if the lesions are large enough, they can cause compressive symptoms. Among several hypothesis of pathogenesis, most plausible theory is that these tumors represent a true metastatic lesion but are very low-grade sarcoma. 3) Because the tumor is responsive to estrogen, menopause and pregnancy have slowed the growth of these lesion 4) and it seems reasonable to perform hysterectomy in patients with a uterine mass and, at the same time, perform oophorectomy for hormonal control. BML is an unusual cause of diffuse pulmonary nodules which should be considered in females with unexplained nodules and a history of surgery for uterine leiomyoma.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.sup1
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• pp.101-109
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• 2008

Cervix cancer is one of common gynecological cancers in the world, and staged with FIGO or TNM system. However, these clinical staging systems lack information about lymph node or distant metastases, thus imaging modalities are considered to make an appropriate therapeutic plan and enhance overall survival rate. In this context, FDG PET is recommended to pre-treatment stating and prognosis prediction, for it could noninvasively evaluate the status of lymph nodes, especially abdominal paraaortic nodes which are closely related with prognosis. Moreover, the degree of FDG uptake is correlated with prognosis. Although there is no consistent method for surveillance of cervix cancer, FDG PET seems a very important tool in detecting tumor recurrence because it is much more advantageous than conventional imaging modalities such as MRI for discerning recurrent tumor from fibrosis caused by radiation or surgery. Furthermore, FDG PET could be used to evaluate treatment response. On the other hand, recently introduced PET/CT is expected to play an ancillary role to FIGO staging by adding anatomical information, and enhance diagnostic performance of PET by decreasing false positive findings.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.359-363
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• 2007

Purpose: Incidental parotid lesions on F-18 FDG-PET can mimic distant metastasis of underlying malignancy. The prevalence and the clinico-pathologic findings of PET positive parotid lesions have not been known. We investigated how often incidental parotid lesions are found on clinical FDG-PET studies and what the clinico-pathologic characteristics of those parotid lesions are in the present study. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3,344 cases of FDG-PET which had been obtained in our hospital from May 2003 to Dec 2006. The indications of FDG-PET were: evaluation of known/suspected cancer (n= 3,212) or screening of cancer in healthy subjects (n=132). Incidental parotid lesion on FDG-PET was defined as an un-expected FDG uptake in one of parotid glands which was not primary target lesion of current FDG-PET. FDG uptake was represented by maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV). Final diagnosis was made by pathologic analysis or clinical follow-up assessment. Results: Fifteen (0.45% = 15/3,344) incidental parotid lesions were found and they were all benign lesions. The maxSUV ranged from 1.7 to 8.6 (mean${\pm}$s.d. = $3.7{\pm}1.9$). Final diagnoses of the incidental parotid lesions were; Warthin's tumor (n=2), pleomorphic adenoma (n=1), other un-specified benign lesion (n=1), and benign lesions under bases of imaging studies (n=3) and of clinical follow-up (n=8). Conclusion: All of incidentally found parotid lesions in clinical FDG-PET studies were confirmed as benign lesions with prevalence of 0.45%. Close follow up using PET or CT might be a reasonable approach for determining the nature of incidentally found parotid lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-21
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• 2014

Purpose With the recent rise of social issue regarding radiation exposure, attention to medical radiation use has been placed under a great spotlight. During PET-CT examination, generally about 40% more of $^{18}F$-FDG is used than EANM recommendation. While maintaining the diagnostic test result, we hope to find optimal injection dose to minimize the $^{18}F$-FDG in patients by utilizing the latest PET-CT scanner which is equiped with the newest technology. Materials and Methods During this experiment, the Biograph Truepoint 40 (siemens, USA) installed in 2007 and mCT 64 (siemens, USA) installed in 2011 were used and evaluated NECR (noise-equivalent counting rate) by using a scatter phantom. For the image quality evaluation of each scanner, we injected 3.7, 4.44 and 5.18 MBq/kg of $^{18}F$-FDG in NEMA IEC Body Phantom and also evaluated SNR between two scanners by using the data acquired at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 sec per bed. For the clinical evaluation, actual data of patients who were injected $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7, 4.44, 5.18 MBq/kg were used to compare SNR and draw a final result. Results As a result, mCT 64 peak NECR value was 1.65e+005, which is 10% higher than Turepoint 40. SNR values using the IEC body phantom was 17.9%, 17.4% and 17.1% higher in $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7 MBq/kg, 4.44 MBq/kg and 5.18 MBq/kg. In clinical patients, SNR values of the image mCT 64 was 16.5, which is 25% higher than Turepoint 40 scanner. Conclusion To draw a conclusion from the test result of this experiment, the same quality of SNR could be attained even with 10% reduced injection dose, if when the duration is extended by 10 sec/bed. This optimal result was possible due to enhanced equipment. The NECR (one of the equipment's performance assessment criteria for the scanner) increased by 10% and the SNR (one of the image quality assessment criteria) also increased by 17.5%. Therefore, we can expect to reduce the injection dose without deterioration of image quality. In consequence, it will also help to decrease the patient's anxiety of the radiation exposure.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of 3 ' -[F-18]fluoro-3 ' -deoxythymidine positron emission tomography(FLT-PET) for the detection of locally advanced breast cancer and to compare the degree of FLT and 2' -deoxy-2 ' -[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose(FDG) uptake in primary tumor, lymph nodes and other normal organs. Material & Methods: The study subjects consisted of 22 female patients (mean age; $42{\pm}6$ years) with biopsy-confirmed infiltrating ductal carcinoma between Aug 2005 and Nov 2006. We performed conventional imaging workup, FDG-PET and FLT PET/CT. Average tumor size measured by MRI was $7.2{\pm}3.4$ cm. With visual analysis, Tumor and Lymph node uptakes of FLT and FDG were determined by calculation of standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor to background (TB) ratio. We compared FLT tumor uptake with FDG tumor uptake. We also investigated the correlation between FLT tumor uptake and FDG tumor uptake and the concordant rate with lymph node uptakes of FLT and FDG. FLT and FDG uptakes of bone marrow and liver were measured to compare the biodistribution of each other. Results: All tumor lesions were visually detected in both FLT-PET and FDG-PET. There was no significant correlation between maximal tumor size by MRI and SUVmax of FLT-PET or FDG-PET (p>0.05). SUVmax and $$SUV_{75} (average SUV within volume of interest using 75% isocontour) of FLT-PET were significantly lower than those of FDG-PET in primary tumor (SUVmax; $6.3{\pm}5.2\;vs\;8.3{\pm}4.9$, p=0.02 /$SUV_{75};\;5.3{\pm}4.3\;vs\;6.9{\pm}4.2$, p=0.02). There is significant moderate correlation between uptake of FLT and FDG in primary tumor (SUVmax; rho=0.450, p=0.04 / SUV75; rho=0.472, p=0.03). But, TB ratio of FLT-PET was higher than that of FDG-PET($11.7{\pm}7.7\;vs\;6.3{\pm}3.8$, p=0.001). The concordant rate between FLT and FDG uptake of lymph node was reasonably good (33/34). The FLT SUVs of liver and bone marrow were $4.2{\pm}1.2\;and\;8.3{\pm}4.9$. The FDG SUVs of liver and bone marrow were $1.8{\pm}0.4\;and\;1.6{\pm}0.4$. Conclusion: The uptakes of FLT were lower than those of FDG, but all patients of this study revealed good FLT uptakes of tumor and lymph node. Because FLT-PET revealed high TB ratio and concordant rate with lymph node uptakes of FDG-PET, FLT-PET could be a useful diagnostic tool in locally advanced breast cancer. But, physiological uptake and individual variation of FLT in bone marrow and liver will limit the diagnosis of bone and liver metastases.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2010

Purpose: Renal excretion is the main route of FDG clearance in FDG PET/CT scan. Applying optimal method of renal excretion is very important for enhancing image quality and diagnostic accuracy. We evaluated several methods of renal excretion in FDG PET/CT scan. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with normal renal function were prospectively included. Patients were divided into three group and undergone early and delayed FDG PET/CT scans. (1) Delay group; at 1 hour later of early scan, delayed scan was performed without additional hydration, (2) Hydration group; at 1 hour later of early scan, delayed scan was performed with additional oral hydration (700 mL of water), (3) Lasix group; lasix was administered at the end of early scan and dealyed scan was performed 30 min later. Early and delayed scans were compared to evaluate efficiency of renal excretion. Visual and quantitative analyses were performed by experienced physician and technologist of nuclear medicine. Results: On the visual analysis, renal excretion was the most evident in Lasix group followed by Hydration group. Delay group showed poor renal excretion. On the quantitative analysis, washout rates were $9.2{\pm}20.7%$, $28.1{\pm}22.8%$ and $29.5{\pm}23.1%$ for Delay, Hydration and Lasix groups, respectively. Conclusion: Administration of lasix was the best method for enhancing renal excretion. Delayed scan with hydration was also efficient method, but delayed scan without hydration was not adequate method.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1293-1299
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) for chronic empyema-associated malignancy (CEAM). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of 33 patients with chronic empyema, and analyzed the following findings: 1) shape of the empyema cavity, 2) presence of fistula, 3) maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of the empyema cavity, 4) uptake pattern of the empyema cavity, 5) presence of a protruding soft tissue mass within the empyema cavity, and 6) involvement of adjacent structures. Final diagnosis was determined based on histopathology or clinical follow-up for at least 6 months. The abovementioned findings were compared between the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of CEAM and chronic empyema. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed. Results: Six lesions were histopathologically proven as malignant; there were three cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, two of squamous cell carcinoma, and one of poorly differentiated carcinoma. Maximum SUV within the empyema cavity (p < 0.001) presence of a protruding soft tissue mass (p = 0.002), and involvement of the adjacent structures (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the CEAM and chronic empyema images. The maximum SUV exhibited the highest diagnostic performance, with the highest specificity (96.3%, 26/27), positive predictive value (85.7%, 6/7), and accuracy (97.0%, 32/33) among all criteria. On ROC analysis, the area under the curve of maximum SUV was 0.994. Conclusion: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can be useful for diagnosing CEAM in patients with chronic empyema. The maximum SUV within the empyema cavity is the most accurate ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT diagnostic criterion for CEAM.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2008

Purpose: In FDG-PET/CT of breast cancer, a sensitivity was 80~96% and a specificity was 75~95% commonly. It was valuable to identify a cancer in early stage been difficult in Mammography. Most of the PET/CT scans have been examined on supine position, so, the image of breast has been acquired by reconstructed whole body scan image. However, using prone position with a compensator, a shape of breast was reassembly shown to be real by gravity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of prone position in FDG PET-CT of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: 30 female patients with doubtful or positive breast cancer were examined. The PET-CT whole body scan was acquired at 60 minutes after $^{18}F$-FDG injection on Supine position. Then, regional breast spot scan was progressed on prone position using a compensator. Each image was evaluated by physicians blinded to patient's data, and statistical analysis did through SUVs measured in PET-CT images. Results: In 27 of 30 patients, prone position was shown accurate discrimination and diagnostic value, but in another 3 patients had a lesion 1cm below, PET-CT couldn't detect it, unlike MRI. Consequently, prone position distinguished a lesion better than Supine position, because of low degree of metamorphosis by gravity. The SUVs analysis of each position was significant (p value=0.004). Conclusion: In PET-CT of breast cancer, prone position could detect micrometastasis as well as primary lesion, better than supine position. Therefore, this study proposes that any technical change considered morphological feature like prone position can offer adequate and useful diagnostic information, together with complementary quantitative analysis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.673-677
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• 2006

Most malignant mesenchymal tumors of the lung are metastases of a primary tumor from elsewhere in the body. A primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma is a very rare neoplasm that accounts for approximately 10% of soft tissue sarcomas and makes up only 0.5% of all primary lung malignancies. We report a case of a primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma in a 60-year old woman. In this case, a lung metastasis was excluded using 18F-FDG PET /CT imaging.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2021

Background/Objectives: To evaluate clinical significance of FDG PET-CT for detection of residual cancer cells after curative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of Head and Neck Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SCC of Head and neck with curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy between June 2011 and Jan. 2019 was performed. Sixty patients were treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The Metabolic responses were evaluated on the post-treatment FDG PET-CT at 12 weeks after curative radiotherapy completion. Results: Median follow up was 51.5 months (3-102). The overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), and Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) at 5 years were 80.5%, 80.1%, 87.7% and 89.1%. Metabolic CR was found in 43 (71.7%) and partial metabolic response (PR) was noted in 17 (14.6%). Metabolic CR was significantly correlated with OS, DFS, LCR, and DMFS. On multivariate analysis, Metabolic CR remained significant for DFS and LCR. Conclusion: Metabolic CR on post-radiotherapy FDG PET-CT is highly predictive of increased DFS and LCR in patients with head and neck cancer.