• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of both planar and SPECT imagings by comparing the results with the clinical and other imaging modalities findings. Materials and Methods: A total of 578 joints with TMJ complaints were examined using planar scintigraphy and SPECT. The planar scintigraphy and SPECT findings were analyzed and compared to the clinical findings of pain, clicking, crepitus and limitation of mouth opening. Moreover we compared the accuracy of the planar scintigraphy and SPECT methods with the one of the panoramic, transcranial, tomographic and MR imaging methods. Results: The planar scintigraphy and SPECT methods showed a high sensitivity of 0.76-0.84 and low specificity of 0.25-0.45 toward the clinical findings: pain, clicking, crepitus and mouth opening restriction. Simple radionuclide uptake ratio was high in each group of patients with pain, crepitus, limitation of mouth opening (p < 0.05) complaints, in each group with positive bone changes on panoramic, transcranial or tomographic images, and in disc displaced group. Conclusion: Although both planar and SPECT imagings have limited specificity, these techniques are sensitive for detection of internal derangement of the TMJ.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.870-878
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• 2000

Background : We have studied the $^{67}Ga$ SPECT to determine the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in patients with minimal extent of the disease on chest radiographs. Because active minimal pulmonary tuberculosis is sometimes difficult to diagnose by means of initial chest X-ray, sputum examination and $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging, we compared $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging with SPECT to evaluate minimal pulmonary tuberculosis activity. Methods : $^{67}Ga$ planar imagings and SPECTs of 69 patients suspected of minimal pulmonary tuberculosis by the initial chest X-ray were performed and compared to each other. Active pulmonary tuberculosis was defined by a positive AFB smear and/or culture in the sputum and changes shown on the serial chest X-ray findings. Results : 1) $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging imagings showed positive uptakes in 24 patients and no uptakes in 13 patients, patients, which confirms active pulmonary tuberculosis. But SPECT imagings showed positive uptakes in 25 patients and no uptakes in 12 patients. 2) Patients confirmed with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis showed no uptake on $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging. Only one of the 32 patients confirmed as having inactive pulmonary tuberculosis showed positive uptake on $^{67}Ga$ SPECT imaging. Conclusions : According to the results of our study, $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging and SPECT are both sensitive in detecting the activity of minimal pulmonary tuberculosis. The difference between the two methods is not statistically significant, and the negative predictive value of the $^{67}Ga$ SPECT is not higher than that of $^{67}Ga$ planar imaging.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1017-1027
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• 2023

Objective: The assessment of cortical integrity following renal injuries with planar Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy depends on measuring relatively decreased cortical uptake (i.e., split renal function [SRF]). We analyzed the additive values of the volumetric and quantitative analyses of the residual cortical integrity using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) compared to the planar scintigraphy. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 47 patients (male:female, 32:15; age, 47 ± 22 years) who had non-operatively managed renal injuries and underwent DMSA planar and SPECT imaging 3-6 months after the index injury. In addition to planar SRF, SPECT SRF, cortical volume, and absolute cortical uptake were measured for the injured kidney and both kidneys together. The correlations of planar SRF with SPECT SRF and those of SRF with volumetric/quantitative parameters obtained with SPECT were analyzed. The association of SPECT parameters with renal function, grades of renal injuries, and the risk of renal failure was also analyzed. Results: SPECT SRF was significantly lower than planar SRF, with particularly higher biases in severe renal injuries. Planar and SPECT SRF (dichotomized with a cutoff of 45%) showed 19%-36% of discrepancies with volumetric and quantitative DMSA indices (when dichotomized as either high or low). Absolute cortical uptake of the injured kidney best correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at follow-up (ρ = 0.687, P < 0.001) with significant stepwise decreases by GFR strata (90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Total renal cortical uptake was significantly lower in patients with moderate-to-high risk of renal failure than those with low risk. However, SRF did not reflect GFR decrease below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or the risk of renal failure, regardless of planar or SPECT (count- or volume-based SRF) imaging. Conclusion: Quantitative measurements of renal cortical integrity assessed with DMSA SPECT can provide more clinically relevant and comprehensive information than planar imaging or SRF alone.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.526-532
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• 1995

Introduction : $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA is a tumor seeking agent that has been used to image medullary carcinoma of thyroid, soft tissue sarcoma and lung cancer. This study was designed to assess the clinical role of $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers. We has evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of planar and SPECT imaging using $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA. Patients and Method : Sixty-eight patients with head and neck mass were included in this study. All subjects were diagnosed by biopsy or surgery. Planar and SPECT images were obtained at 2 or 3 hour after intravenous injection of 740 MBq(20 mCi) $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA. Seventeen patients also underwent SPECT in aging using dual head camera. Result : The diagnostic sensitivity of $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA planar and SPECT imaging was 65% and 90%, and specificity was 80% and 66%, respectively. The sensitivity of planar imaging in squamous cell carcinoma was similar to overall sensitivity Six metastatic lesion were first diagnosed by scintigraphy. But benign lesions such as Kikuchi syndrome, tuberculous lymphadenitis also revealed increased uptake. Conclusion : $^{99m}Tc$-(V)-DMSA imaging seems to be a promising method in the evaluation of patients with head and neck mass. We recommend SPECT imaging to delineate anatomic localization of the lesion.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.475-483
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• 1999

Purpose: Complete fibrovascular ingrowth within the hydroxyapatite ocular implant is necessary for peg drilling which is performed to Prevent infection and to provide motility to the ocular prosthesis. We compared planar bone scintigraphy and SPECT for the evaluation of the vascularization within hydroxyapatite ocular implants. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients (M:F: 12:5, mean age; $50.4{\pm}17.5$ years) who had received a coralline hydroxyapatite ocular implant after enucleation surgery were enrolled. Patients underwent Tc-99m MDP planar bone and SPECT imaging by dual head gamma camera after their implant surgery (interval: $197{\pm}81$ days). Uptake on planar and SPECT images was graded visually as less than (grade 1), equal to (grade 2), and greater than (grade 3) nasal bridge activity. Quantitative ratio of implanted to non-implanted intraorbital activity was also measured. Vascularization within hydroxyapatite implants was confirmed by slit lamp examination and ocular movement. Results: All but three patients were considered to be vascularized within hydroxyapatite implants. In visual analysis of planar image and SPECT, grade 1 was noted in 9/18 (50%) and 6/18 (33%), respectively. Grade 2 pattern was 7/18 (39%) and 4/18 (22%), and grade 3 pattern was 2/18 (11%) and 8/18 (44%) respectively. When grade 2 or 3 was considered to be positive for vascularization, the sensitivity of planar and SPECT imaging were 60% (9/15) and 80% (12/15), respectively. In 3 patients with incomplete vascularization, both planar and SPECT showed grade 1 uptake The orbital activity ratios on planar imaging were not significantly different between complete and incomplete vascularization ($1.96{\pm}0.87$ vs $1.17{\pm}0.08$, p>0.05), however, it was significantly higher on SPECT in patients with complete vascularization ($8.44{\pm}5.45$ vs $2.20{\pm}0.87$, p<0.05). Conclusion: In the assessment of fibrovascular ingrowth within ocular implants by Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy, SPECT image appears to be more effective than planar scintigraphy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.604-611
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the potential of early-phase single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) using technetium-99m methyl diphosphonate (^99mTc-MDP) for diagnosing osteomyelitis (OM). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with suspected OM were enrolled retrospectively. Three-phase bone scan (TPBS), early-phase SPECT/CT (immediately after blood pool planar imaging), and delayed-phase SPECT/CT (immediately after delayed planar imaging) were performed. The final diagnoses were established through surgery or clinical follow-up for over 6 months. We compared three diagnostic criteria based on (I) TPBS alone, (II) combined TPBS and delayed-phase SPECT/CT, and (III) early-phase SPECT/CT alone. Results: OM was diagnosed in 11 of 21 patients (nine surgically and two clinically). Of the 11 OM patients, criterion-I, criterion-II, and criterion-III were positive in six, seven, and 10 patients, respectively. Of the 10 non-OM patients, criterion-I, criterion-II, and criterion-III were negative in five, five, and seven patients, respectively. The sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of criterion-I, criterion-II, and criterion-III for diagnosing OM were 54.5%/50.0%/55.0%, 63.6%/50.0%/57.1%, and 90.9%/70.0%/87.5%, respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated the potential of using the early-phase SPECT/CT to diagnose OM. Based on the results, prospective studies with a larger sample size should be conducted to confirm the efficacy of early-phase SPECT/CT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1991

The usefulness of $^{99m}Tc-labeled$ RBC single photon emission CT (SPECT) scanning in the diagnosis of hepatic heminagiomas was evaluated in 22 patients with various focal hepatic lesions including 15 cases of hemangiomas, 3 cases each of hepatomas and metastasis and 1 case of abscess. The diagnoses were based on ultrasonography and/or CT scanning, clinical stability of lesion for at least 6 months or surgical exploration. Seven cases of 15 hemangiomas were detected by delayed planar RBC scanning, whereas 4 cases were detected by delayed RBC-SPECT scanning. The smallest hemangioma shown by delayed RBC-SPECT scanning was 1.0 cm in diameter. compared with 2.2 cm by planar RBC scanning. One small hemangioma (2.0 cm) located adjacent to the heart was not found by either method. The sensitivities in detecting the hemangioma according to the site by planar imaging were 16.6% $(1.0\sim1.9cm)$, 66.7% $(2.0\sim2.9cm)$ and 83.3% (more than 3.0 cm) and by SPECT were 50.0%, 66.7% and 100%, respectively. Seven cases of non-hemangiomatous lesions did not show any significant increase in activity in the delayed blood pool images. It is concluded that $^{99m}Tc-RBC$ blood-pool SPECT scanning is clearly more sensitive in detecting small hemangioma than planar scanning and is, therefore, a choice of method for the detection of hepatic hemangioma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.290-298
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• 1992

Although early diagnosis of urinary tract infection is important, the radiologic evaluation is still controversial because of the low sensitivity and the lack of cost-effectiveness. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical utility of high resolution triple head $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging in urinary tract infection. We prospectively performed $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ planar and SPECT imaging, ultrasound of kidney (US), intravenous pyelography (IVP) and voiding cystourethrography (VCU) in all 60 adult patients with UTI [26 with first episode of acute pyelonephritis (APN), 22 with recurrent APN, and 12 persistent asymptomatic pyuria] and 25 normal persons. To assess reversibility of the renal cortical defect (RCD), $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was repeated 1 to 8 months later in those patients with abnormal initial findings. Overall detection rate of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging was 83% (50/60), but planar, US, IVP and VCU showed abnormal findings in 68%, 28%, 32% and 13%, respectively. 25 out of 27 patients with normal or single RCD were all normal in other radioligic studies. Only two patients showed vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on VCU (grade I) and mild hydronephrosis on IVP. But, high proportion of those with multiple RCD showed abnormal findings on US (17/33), IVP (18/33), and VCU (7/33): 67% in any of these 3 studies. Especially, 3 out 7 patients with VUR showed multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT without any abnormality on IVP or US. 25 normal persons showed normal findings in all studies except one false positive finding on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging. Follow-up $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was done in 28 patients (13 with single RCD, 15 with multiple RCD). All 13 patients with single RCD showed improvement. Those with multiple RCD presented improvement in 4, no change in 10, and aggravation in 1 on follow-up studies. With these results, we conclude: 1) $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging is superior to planar imaging, US, IVP or VCU in detection of renal lesion in urinary tract infection. $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT is useful as a initial diagnostic tool in adult patients with urinary tract infection. 2) The multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT represent the high probability of irreversible tissue change and need of extensive urological work-up.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.139-144
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• 1996

갈륨스캔은 여러 종류의 염증성 질환 및 종양을 발견하기 위해 사용되고 있다. 특히 림프종은 갈륨스캔에서 양성율이 비교적 높은 종양으로 알려져 있다. 하지만 기존의 평면 영상만으로는 작은 크기의 종괴나 다른 장기에 의해 가려져 있는 경우에 위음성 결과를 보일 수 있었다. 최근 단일광자 방출 전산화 단층촬영(SPCET)을 도입하여 평면영상에 비해 더 나은 공간해상력으로 많은 정보를 얻고 있다. 저자들은 비호지킨 림프종 환자 30명을 대상으로 갈륨스캔 평면영상과 SPECT 영상을 얻어 비교하였다. 병변의 부위별로 두경부, 흉부, 복부에서 평면영상의 예민도는 각각 71%, 73%, 81%였으며, SPECT 영상의 예민도는 91%, 93%, 96%였다. CT 등 방사선학적 검사소견과 임상소견을 기준으로 하였을 때 위음성율은 평면영상의 경우 24%, SPECT 6.5%였다. 장의 방사능으로 인한 섭취와 폐문부 및 침샘의 비대칭적 섭취로 인한 위양성례가 4예 있었다. 결론적으로 비호지킨 림프종의 진단 및 병기를 결정하는데 있어서 갈륨스캔이 유용하며, SPCET 영상을 얻음으로써 더 나은 해부학적 위치 및 정확한 범위를 보여 줄 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 1991

The value of $^{99}Tc-RBC$ scintigraphy and SPECT in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma was evaluated in 27 patients with 38 hemangiomas and 13 patients with 15 nonhemangiomas. Twenty four (63.2%) of 38 hemangiomas were detected by planar delayed RBC imaging, whereas 30 (78.9%) hemangiomas were detected by the delayed RBC SPECT. Increase in sensitivity was noted in nodules less than 2 cm in diameter. The smallest hemangioma shown by delayed RBC SPECT was 0.9 cm in diameter. All of nonhemangiomatous lesions show normal or decreased activity in delayed blood pool images. We concluded that $^{99m}Tc-RBC$ SPECT is an accurate method for the detection of hepatic hemangioma and is more sensitive than planar imaging in depicting small lesions.