• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 2012

Purpose : Methode an effective block was investigated to deal with volatile radioactive gas, short lived radioactive waste generated as a result of the routinely produced radiopharmaceuticals FDG (2-deoxy-2-[$^{18}F$]fluoro-D-glucose) and compound with $^{11}C$. Materials and Methods : All components of the radiation stack monitoring and data management system for continuous radioactive gas detection in the air extract system purchase from fixed noble gas monitor of Berthold company. TEDLAR gas sampling bags purchase from the Dongbanghitech company. TEDLAR gas sampling bags (volume: 10 L) connected via paraflex or PTFE tubing and Teflon 3 way stopcock. When installing TEDLAR gas sampling bags in Hot cell on the inside and not radioactive gas concentrations were compared. According to whether the Hot cell inside a activated carbon filter installed, compare the difference in concentration of the radioactive gas $^{18}F$. Comparison of radiation emission concentration difference of module a FASTlab and TRACElab. Results : Activated carbon filter are installed in the Hot cell, a measure of the concentration of radioactive gas was 8 $Bq/m^3$. Without activated carbone filter in the hot cell was 300 $Bq/m^3$. Tedlar bag prior to installation of the radioactive gases a measure of the concentration was 3,500 $Bq/m^3$, $^{11}C$ synthesis of the measured concentration was 27,000 $Bq/m^3$. After installed a Tedlar bag and a measure concentration of the radioactive gases was 300 $Bq/m^3$ and $^{11}C$ synthesis was 1,000$Bq/m^3$. Conclusion : $^{11}C$ radioactive gas that was ejected out of the Hot cell, with the use of a Tedlar gas sampling bag stored inside. A compound of 11C is not absorbed onto activated carbon filter. But can block the release out by storing in a Tedlar gas sampling bag. We was able to reduce the radiation exposure of the worker by efficient radiation protection.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.25-28
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• 2012

Purpose : It is important to reduce radiation dose associated with computed tomography (CT) scanning to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). With Dose Modulation Technic, user select a desired image quality and the system adapts tube current to obtain the desired image quality with greater radiation dose efficiency. In this paper, we presents a comprehensive description of fundamentals, clinical applications and radiation dose benefits of Dose Modulation Technic depending on Body Mass Index(BMI). Materials and Methods : In this study, 149 patients were examined(The mean age : $58{\pm}12.4$ years old). Biograph True Point 40 (Siemens, USA) and Gemini TF 64 (Philips. Cleveland) were used for equipment. When we used Care Dose 4D (Siemens, USA) and D-dom (Philips, Cleveland), we measured dose reduction and Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) depending on BMI. Then we analyze data using SPSS Ver.18. Results : When we used Care Dose 4D, p-value is considered statistically significant by groups with the result that we compared Care Dose 4D with D-dom. On the other hand, p-value isn't considered statistically significant by groups using D-dom. Conclusion : Dose modulation based on the projection angle didn't affect degree of obesity. And When using Care Dose 4D, dose reduction rate in the normal patients were higher than the obese. In this study, there are errors on somato type. So I think more research have to be done. Then application of Dose Modulation technic can help in maintaining acceptable image quality while reducing radiation dose by 20-60% in most instances.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2009

Purpose: Presently, any exact standard of radiopharmaceutical doses in pediatric nuclear medicine doesn't exist in the universe. So hospitals are following by manual of vial kit or guidelines of America and Europe based on recommended adult doses adjusted for body mass (MBq/kg) or body surface area (MBq/$m^2$). However, especially for children younger than 1 year and heavier than 50 kg, it's hard to estimate exact dosage for those children. Materials and Methods: In order to obtain objective data of multipliers for pediatric studies, we surveyed 4 major hospitals in Korea. After receiving feedbacks, we changed dosage to multiplier. And we compared multipliers of Korea to America's and Europe's. Results: Most hospitals in Korea are following by body mass formula (MBq/kg). On the other hand, standards don't include proper factors for a child younger than 1 year and heavier than 50 kg. Multipliers for 3 kg children who are injected lower doses than needed are America:0.12, Europe:0.09, Korea:0.05, multipliers for 30 kg children who are injected proper doses are America:0.58, Europe:0.51, Korea:0.45 and multipliers for 60 kg children who are injected more doses than needed are America:0.95, Europe:0.95, Korea:0.91. Conclusions : Through the survey, when calculating doses for children, usually output doses are based on adult doses adjusted for body mass (MBq/kg) but research has shown that standards of all of the compared standards don't reflect exact multipliers for children younger than 1 year and heavier than 50 kg. Therefore, we should give an effort to reduce needless radiation exposure in children by establishing a proper doses standard and also developing better image reconstruction software.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Because of limitation of image acquisition method and acquisition time, scatter correction cannot perform easily in SPECT study. But in our hospital, could provide to clinic doctor of scatter corrected images, through introduction of new generation gamma camera has function of simple scatter correction. Taking this opportunity, we will compare scatter corrected and non-scatter corrected image from image quality of point of view. Materials and Methods: We acquisite the 'Hoffman brain phantom' SPECT image and '1mm line phantom' SPECT image, each 18 times, with GE Infinia Hawkeye 4, SPECT-CT gamma camera. At first, we calculated each contrast from axial slice of scatter corrected and non-scatter corrected SPECT image of 'Hoffman brain phantom'. and next, calculated each FWHM of horizontal and vertical from axial slice of scatter corrected and non-scatter corrected SPECT image of '1mm line phantom'. After then, we attempted T test analysis with SAS program on data, contrast and resolution value of scatter corrected and non-scatter corrected image. Results: The contrast of scatter corrected image, elevated from 0.3979 to 0.3509. And the resolution of scatter corrected image, elevated from 3.4822 to 3.6375. p value were 0.0097 in contrast and <0.0001 in resolution. We knew the fact that do improve of contrast and resolution through scatter correction. Conclusion: We got the improved SPECT image through simple and easy way, scatter correct. We will expect to provide improved images, from contrast and resolution point of view. to our clinic doctor.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.122-126
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• 2010

Purpose: F-18-FPCIT that shows strong familiarity with DAT located at a neural terminal site offers diagnostic information about DAT density state in the region of the striatum especially Parkinson's disease. In this study, we altered the iteration and subset and measured SUV${\pm}$SD and Contrasts from phantom images which set up to specific iteration and subset. So, we are going to suggest the appropriate range of the iteration and subset. Materials and Methods: This study has been performed with 10 normal volunteers who don't have any history of Parkinson's disease or cerebral disease and Flangeless Esser PET Phantom from Data Spectrum Corporation. $5.3{\pm}0.2$ mCi of F-18-FPCIT was injected to the normal group and PET Phantom was assembled by ACR PET Phantom Instructions and it's actual ratio between hot spheres and background was 2.35 to 1. Brain and Phantom images were acquired after 3 hours from the time of the injection and images were acquired for ten minutes. Basically, SIEMENS Bio graph 40 True-point was used and True-X method was applied for image reconstruction method. The iteration and Subset were set to 2 iterations, 8 subsets, 3 iterations, 16 subsets, 6 iterations, 16 subsets, 8 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 21 subsets respectively. To measure SUVs on the brain images, ROIs were drawn on the right Putamen. Also, Coefficient of variance (CV) was calculated to indicate the uniformity at each iteration and subset combinations. On the phantom study, we measured the actual ratio between hot spheres and back ground at each combinations. Same size's ROIs were drawn on the same slide and location. Results: Mean SUVs were 10.60, 12.83, 13.87, 13.98 and 13.5 at each combination. The range of fluctuation by sets were 22.36%, 10.34%, 1.1%, and 4.8% respectively. The range of fluctuation of mean SUV was lowest between 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. CV showed 9.07%, 11.46%, 13.56%, 14.91% and 19.47% respectively. This means that the numerical value of the iteration and subset gets higher the image's uniformity gets worse. The range of fluctuation of CV by sets were 2.39, 2.1, 1.35, and 4.56. The range of fluctuation of uniformity was lowest between 6 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 16 subsets. In the contrast test, it showed 1.92:1, 2.12:1, 2.10:1, 2.13:1 and 2.11:1 at each iteration and subset combinations. A Setting of 8 iterations and 16 subsets reappeared most close ratio between hot spheres and background. Conclusion: Findings on this study, SUVs and uniformity might be calculated differently caused by variable reconstruction parameters like filter or FWHM. Mean SUV and uniformity showed the lowest range of fluctuation at 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. Also, 8 iterations 16 subsets showed the nearest hot sphere to background ratio compared with others. But it can not be concluded that only 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets can make right images for the clinical diagnosis. There might be more factors that can make better images. For more exact clinical diagnosis through the quantitative analysis of DAT density in the region of striatum we need to secure healthy people's quantitative values.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2009

Purpose: Recognize circulation work system and fixing work system's merits and demerits that is enforced in operation of PET/CT center in sudden increase recently. Wish to estimate connectivity degree of individual exposure dose and PET/CT working that is managed periodically through this and look for operation efficiency of PET/CT center. Materials and Methods: (1) Find interrelationship of length of service to be individual exposure dose and PET/CT through TLD interpretation. Specially, evaluate on the basis of data of 2.5 years until 2 quarters 2006~2008 year that show patient increase rapidly the latest. (2) Recognize what countermeasure is evaluating problems happened at circulation work system and fixing work system. Results: Patient examination's number was 14,674 items until 2 quarters 2006~2008 year, and the $^{18}F$-FDG average injection amount was 461.5 MBq. 2 people of 10 radiotechnologist did fixing work PET area and GAMMA area each, and 8 people did circulation work of 3 times for 2.5 years. Average exposure dose that PET area and Gamma area's circulation men in service receive was 1.32 mSv, and PET area men in services came out average 0.825 mSv high than Gamma area men in services. Nurse's exposure dose is 0.28 mSv, and next 2 reason is conjectured. One is contact with patient that medicate $^{18}F$-FDG injection, and another is consultation about patient's next time schedule after examination end. Although exposure dose's amount is not much, is expected to consider continuation work possibility by exposure dose in case is a nurse with pregnancy possibility. Also, $^{131}I$-isotope therapy area's radiotechnologist that use capsule appeared by 0.12 mSv and a nuclear medicine doctor appeared by exposure dose that is less of 0.11 mSv. Conclusions: In case do PET/CT center circulation work after a long time, connoted danger that most men in service is consecutiveness deficiency of business and individual exposure dose increase at early 1 month. Specially, way for individual exposure dose's decrease should be considered. Also, need to evaluate abhorrent work form for efficient work system introduction, and enforce circulation and fixing work suggestion suitable shift working. Finally, must make normalized business guide and so on to prevent circulation work people's business efficiency decline.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2009

Purpose: Onco flash shortens a scan time with half and there is a possibility of getting the data which corresponds in existing. The experiment which makes the image whose Onco Flash is excellent OSEM tried, as changes parameter of time, iteration. After reconstituting an image, produces FWHM and executes an evaluation. Materials and Methods: Siemens e.cam gamma camera, standard Jaszczak phantom and spatial resolution phantom was used. In order for the bubble not to enter, implants 2 mCi and volume 0.25 cc $^{99m}Tc$ respectively in line 3 to spatial resolution phantom. Put on that phantom on the table correctly, and acquires an image. 15 mCi putting in distilled water to mix $^{99m}Tc$ well in Jaszczak phantom and acquires image just like spatial resolution phantom. Reconstructs and converts the image to digital image as Sante program. Produce FWHM and evaluate by Amide. Results: The non-scattered image shows better FWHM value than scattered image. As time increases from 10 sec to 30 sec for 5sec interval, FWHM appeared to 30.1, 28.5, 24.5, 23.6, 23.4 mm. At the standard iteration value 4, OSEM FWHM shows 8.0 mm, and Onco Flash is 8.1 mm. As fade in iteration, FWHM value more and more decreased. Conclusion: When using Onco Flash, shortens a scan time, and enhances image quality. Also, user can adjust the parameters to improve resolution. Therefore, patient and user are satisfied with these merits.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2010

Purpose: PET/CT combines functional and morphologic data and increases diagnostic accuracy in a variety of malignancies. Especially reconstructed Fusion PET/CT images or MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) images from a 2-dimensional image to a 3-dimensional one are useful in visualization of the lesion. But in Fusion & MIP 3D reconstruction image, due to hot uptake by urine or urostomy bag, lesion is overlapped so it is difficult that we can distinguish the lesion with the naked eye. This research tries to improve a distinction by removing parts of hot uptake. Materials and Methods: This research has been conducted the object of patients who have went to our hospital from September 2008 to March 2009 and have a lot of urine of remaining volume as disease of uterus, bladder, rectum in the result of PET/CT examination. We used GE Company's Advantage Workstation AW4.3 05 Version Volume Viewer program. As an analysis method, set up ROI in region of removal in axial volume image, select Cut Outside and apply same method in coronal volume image. Next, adjust minimum value in Threshold of 3D Tools, select subtraction in Advanced Processing. It makes Fusion & MIP images and compares them with the image no using Region Cut Definition. Results: In Fusion & MIP 3D reconstruction image, it makes Fusion & MIP images and compares them by using Advantage Workstation AW4.3 05's Region Cut Subtraction, parts of hot uptake according to patient's urine can be removed. Distinction of lesion was clearly reconstructed in image using Region Cut Definition. Conclusion: After examining the patients showing hot uptake on account of volume of urine intake in bladder, in process of reconstruction image, if parts of hot uptake would be removed, it could contribute to offering much better diagnostic information than image subtraction of conventional method. Especially in case of disease of uterus, bladder and rectum, it will be helpful for qualitative improvement of image.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-104
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• 2010

Purpose: Raynaud scan is divided to flow, blood pool and local-delay image. Usually, we evaluate comparison through blood pool and local-delay image. We will evaluate about usability when comparative observe blood image and local-delay image in Raynaud scan that used $^{201}Tl$ as making flow image to one sheet of images. Materials and Methods: We have selected 29 Raynaud phenomenon patients aged 14~68 years who visited department of vascular surgery between Feb. 2008 and Aug. 2009. An intravenous injection $^{201}Tl$ of 111 MBq (3 mCi) to opposite side diagonal line limbs above an internal auditing department. Equipment used Philips gamma camera forte A-Z, and collimator used LEHR. Matrix size set up to each $64{\times}64$, $128{\times}128$, $256{\times}256$ and zoom factor used to full field. Protocol of dynamic is 2 second to 155 frames. Blood pool and delay count to 300 second. We set up ROI by a foundation to data acquired in PEGASYS processing program. Each results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results: Each averages of count ratio (Rt / Lt) to have been given at composite image, a blood pool image, delay images analyzed at Raynaud phenomenon patients is $1.25{\pm}0.39$, $1.20{\pm}0.33$, $1.11{\pm}0.17$. The sample analysis results of blood pool image and delay image contented itself with p<0.029. Also, there don't have been each difference, and blood pool image, delay image regarding composite image was able to know. Conclusion: We were able to give help for comparison to evaluate a blood pool image and a local delay image at the Raynaud scan which used $^{201}Tl$ while making a flow image to one sheet image. Identification to be visual too was possible. If you are proceeded a researcher that there was further depth, you are more appropriate for, and you may get useful information.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2001

Purpose : Planning target volume (PTV) for tumors in abdomen or thorax includes enough margin for breathing-related movement of tumor volumes during treatment. Depending on the location of the tumor, the magnitude of PTV margin extends from 10 mm to 30 mm, which increases substantial volume of the irradiated normal tissue hence, resulting in increase of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). We developed a simple and handy method which can reduce PTV margins in patients with liver tumors, respiratory motion reduction device (RRD). Materials and methods : For 10 liver cancer patients, the data of internal organ motion were obtained by examining the diaphragm motion under fluoroscope. It was tested for both supine and prone position. A RRD was made using MeV-Green and Styrofoam panels and then applied to the patients. By analyzing the diaphragm movement from patients with RRD, the magnitude of PTV margin was determined and dose volume histogram (DVH) was computed using AcQ-Plan, a treatment planning software. Dose to normal tissue between patients with RRD and without RRD was analyzed by comparing the fraction of the normal liver receiving to $50\%$ of the isocenter dose. DVH and NTCP for normal liver and adjacent organs were also evaluated. Results : When patients breathed freely, average movement of diaphragm was $12{\pm}1.9\;mm$ in prone position in contrast to $16{\pm}1.9\;mm$ in supine position. In prone position, difference in diaphragm movement with and without RRD was $3{\pm}0.9\;mm$ and 12 mm, respectively, showing that PTV margins could be reduced to as much as 9 mm. With RRD, volume of the irradiated normal liver reduced up to $22.7\%$ in DVH analysis. Conclusion : Internal organ motion due to breathing can be reduced using RRD, which is simple and easy to use in clinical setting. It can reduce the organ motion-related PTV margin, thereby decrease volume of the irradiated normal tissue.