• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1733-1737
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• 2024

In order to specify the location of the scintillation pixel that interacted with gamma rays in the positron emission tomography (PET) detector, conventionally, after acquiring a flood image, the location of interaction between the scintillation pixel and gamma ray could be specified through a pixel-segmentation process. In this study, the experimentally acquired signal was specified as the location of the scintillation pixel directly, without any conversion process, through the simulation data and the deep learning algorithm. To evaluate the accuracy of the specification of the scintillation pixel location through deep learning, a comparative analysis with experimental data through pixel segmentation was performed. In the same way as in the experiment, a detector was configured on the simulation, a model was built using the acquired data through deep learning, and the location was specified by applying the experimental data to the built model. Accuracy was calculated through comparative analysis between the specified location and the location obtained through the segmentation process. As a result, it showed excellent accuracy of about 85 %. When this method is applied to a PET detector, the position of the scintillation pixel of the detector can be specified simply and conveniently, without additional work.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2015

A PET-MR system is particularly useful in diagnosing brain diseases. We have developed a prototype positron emission tomography (PET) system which can be inserted into the bore of a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that enables us to obtain PET and MRI images simultaneously with a reduced cost. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) are appropriated as a PET detector at PET/MR system because detectors have a high gain and are insensitive to magnetic fields. Despite of its improved performance compared to that of PMT-based detectors, there is a problem of the photo-peak channel shift which is due to the increase of the temperature inside the ring detector. This problem will occur decreasing sensitivity of the PET and image distortion. In this paper, I quantitative analyze parameters of the KAIST SiPM depending on temperature by experiments. And I designed cooling methods in consideration of the degradation of sensors for correction of the temperature in the PET gantry. According to this research, we expect that distortive images and degradation of the sensitivity will not be occurred with using the above idea to reduce heat even if the PET system operates for a long time.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.967-975
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate whether the combination of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and ¹¹C-methionine positron emission tomography (¹¹C-MET PET) could increase accurate diagnostic sensitivity for non-enhancing supratentorial gliomas. Materials and Methods: Between February 2012 and December 2017, 109 patients with non-enhanced supratentorial lesions on contrast-enhanced MRI were enrolled. Each patient underwent MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET before treatment. A lesion was considered to be a glioma when either the MRS or ¹¹C-MET PET results reached the diagnostic threshold. The radiological diagnosis was compared with the pathological diagnosis or medical diagnostic criteria. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were 60.0% and 50.0% for MRS and 75.8% and 50.0% for ¹¹C-MET PET, respectively. Upon combining the two modalities, the sensitivity and specificity of the imaging-based diagnosis prior to surgery reached 89.5% and 42.9%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in the sensitivities were observed between the combined and individual approaches (MRS alone, 89.5% vs. 60.0%, p < 0.001; ¹¹C-MET PET alone, 89.5% vs. 75.8%, p = 0.001). However, no significant differences in specificity were observed between the combined and individual modalities. Conclusion: The combination of MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET findings significantly increases accurate diagnostic sensitivity for non-enhancing supratentorial gliomas without significantly lowering the specificity. This finding suggests the potential of the combined MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET approach in clinical applications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.278-286
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the potential utility of $^{123}I$-metaiodobenzylguanine ($^{123}I$-MIBG) scintigraphy and $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose ($^{18}F$-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for the detection of primary and metastatic lesions in pediatric neuroblastoma (NBL) patients, and to determine whether $^{18}F$-FDG PET is as beneficial as $^{123}I$-MIBG imaging. Methods: We selected 8 NBL patients with significant residual mass after operation and who had paired $^{123}I$-MIBG and $^{18}F$-FDG PET images that were obtained during the follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts and the findings of 45 paired scans. Results: Both scans correlated relatively well with the disease status as determined by standard imaging modalities during follow-up; the overall concordance rates were 32/45 (71.1%) for primary tumor sites and 33/45 (73.3%) for bone-bone marrow (BM) metastatic sites. In detecting primary tumor sites, $^{123}I$-MIBG might be superior to $^{18}F$-FDG PET. The sensitivity of $^{123}I$-MIBG and $^{18}F$-FDG PET were 96.7% and 70.9%, respectively, and their specificity were 85.7% and 92.8%, respectively. $^{18}F$-FDG PET failed to detect 9 true NBL lesions in 45 follow-up scans (false negative rate, 29%) with positive $^{123}I$-MIBG. For bone-BM metastatic sites, the sensitivity of $^{123}I$-MIBG and $^{18}F$-FDG PET were 72.7% and 81.8%, respectively, and the specificity were 79.1% and 100%, respectively. $^{123}I$-MIBG scan showed higher false positivity (20.8%) than $^{18}F$-FDG PET (0%). Conclusion: $^{123}I$-MIBG is superior for delineating primary tumor sites, and $^{18}F$-FDG PET could aid in discriminating inconclusive findings on bony metastatic NBL. Both scans can be complementarily used to clearly determine discrepancies or inconclusive findings on primary or bone-BM metastatic NBL during follow-up.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.363-375
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• 2023

Stem cells are the foundational cells for every organ and tissue in our body. Cell-based therapeutics using stem cells in regenerative medicine have received attracting attention as a possible treatment for various diseases caused by congenital defects. Stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neuroprogenitors stem cells (NSCs) have recently been studied in various ways as a cell-based therapeutic agent. When various stem cells are transplanted into a living body, they can differentiate and perform complex functions. For stem cell transplantation, it is essential to determine the suitability of the stem cell-based treatment by evaluating the origin of stem, the route of administration, in vivo bio-distribution, transplanted cell survival, function, and mobility. Currently, these various stem cells are being imaged in vivo through various molecular imaging methods. Various imaging modalities such as optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been introduced for the application of various stem cell imaging. In this review, we discuss the principles and recent advances of in vivo molecular imaging for application of stem cell research.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2008

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) provides both functional and anatomical images of high quality non-invasively with better precision in localization than PET alone. Increase in the use of PET/CT, coupled with increasing concerns about the quality of medical services accrued the demands for accurate evaluation of system performance and quality assurance. Thus, well designed programs for performance evaluation and quality assurance are needed. Widely used protocols for performance evaluation of PET are the methods proposed by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in 1994 and 2001. In addition, in order to maintain high quality of PET/CT images, quality assurance programs including periodic (daily, monthly, and yearly). Therefore, in this article, the methods and present state of performance evaluation and quality assurance of PET/CT are reviewed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5599-5605
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• 2015

In oncology various imaging modalities play a crucial role in diagnosis, staging, restaging, treatment monitoring and follow up of various cancers. Stand-alone morphological imaging like computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide a high magnitude of anatomical details about the tumor but are relatively dumb about tumor physiology. Stand-alone functional imaging like positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) are rich in functional information but provide little insight into tumor morphology. Introduction of first hybrid modality PET/CT is the one of the most successful stories of current century which has revolutionized patient care in oncology due to its high diagnostic accuracy. Spurred on by this success, more hybrid imaging modalities like SPECT/CT and PET/MR were introduced. It is the time to explore the potential applications of the existing hybrid modalities, developing and implementing standardized imaging protocols and train users in nuclear medicine and radiology. In this review we discuss three existing hybrid modalities with emphasis on their technical aspects and clinical applications in oncology.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.742-748
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• 2024

Objective: ¹⁸F-N-(2-(Diethylamino)ethyl)-5-(2-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy) picolinamide (¹⁸F-PFPN) is a novel positron emission tomography (PET) probe designed to specifically targets melanin. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic feasibility of ¹⁸F-PFPN in patients with ocular or orbital melanoma. Materials and Methods: Three patients with pathologically confirmed ocular or orbital melanoma (one male, two females; age 41-59 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient underwent comprehensive ¹⁸F-PFPN and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET scans. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of the lesion and the interference caused by background tissue were compared between ¹⁸F-PFPN and ¹⁸F-FDG PET imaging. In addition, the effect of intrinsic pigments in the uvea and retina on the interpretation of the results was examined. The contralateral non-tumorous eye of each patient served as a control. Results: All primary tumors (3/3) were detected using ¹⁸F-PFPN PET, while only two primary tumors were detected using ¹⁸F-FDG PET. Within each lesion, the SUV_max of ¹⁸F-PFPN was 2.6 to 8.3 times higher than that of ¹⁸F-FDG. Regarding the quality of PET imaging, the physiological uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG PET in the brain and periocular tissues limited the imaging of tumors. However, ¹⁸F-PFPN PET minimized this interference. Notably, intrinsic pigments in the uvea and retina did not cause abnormal concentrations of ¹⁸F-PFPN, as no anomalous uptake of ¹⁸F-PFPN was detected in the healthy contralateral eyes. Conclusion: Compared to ¹⁸F-FDG, ¹⁸F-PFPN demonstrated higher detection rates for ocular and orbital melanomas with minimal interference from surrounding tissues. This suggests that ¹⁸F-PFPN could be a promising clinical diagnostic tool for distinguishing malignant melanoma from benign pigmentation in ocular and orbital melanomas.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2007

Correct localization of epileptogenic zone is important for the successful epilepsy surgery. Both ictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and interictal F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) can provide useful information in the presurgical localization of intractable partial epilepsy. These imaging modalities have excellent diagnostic sensitivity in medial temporal lobe epilepsy and provide good presurgical information in neocortical epilepsy. Also provide functional information about cellular functions to better understand the neurobiology of epilepsy and to better define the ictal onset zone, symptomatogenic zone, propagation pathways, functional deficit zone and surround inhibition zones. Multimodality imaging and developments in analysis methods of ictal perfusion SPECT and new PET ligand other than FDG help to better define the localization.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG PET) with computed tomography (CT) before and during radiotherapy (RT) in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: Twenty patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study, of whom 6 had oropharyngeal cancer, 10 had hypopharyngeal cancer, and 4 had laryngeal cancer. Fifteen patients received concurrent cisplatin and 2 received concurrent cetuximab chemotherapy. FDG PET/CT was performed before RT and in the 4th week of RT. The parameters of maximum standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the primary tumor were measured, and the prognostic significance of each was analyzed with the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Higher TLG (>19.0) on FDG PET/CT during RT was a poor prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (p = 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis, TLG during RT as a continuous variable was significantly associated with OS and PFS rate (p = 0.023 and p = 0.016, respectively). Tumor response worse than partial remission at 1 month after RT was another independent prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Higher TLG of the primary tumor on FDG PET/CT during RT was a poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients with head and neck cancer.