• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 1994

The need for assessment of ureteric function in the patient with an obviousely dilated ureter has increased particularly with the added spectrum of asymptomatic patients presenting with hydrone-phrosis and hydroureter on antenatal and perinatal ultrasound. To assess the influence of ureteral status on kidney washout during $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA diuretic renography, ureteral images were reviewed in 80 children referred for hydronephrosis. A scintigraphically abnormal ureter was defined as an intense and continuous image of > 10 min during diuretic renography. Out of them, a total of 16 nephroureteral systems in 12 children with scintigraphically abnormal ureter were analyzed. A diuretic washout index using response half time (t1/2) by linear fitting after lasix injection, was determined on renal (Kt1/2) and ureteral (Ut1/2) curves (diuretic renogram vs. diuretic ureterogram). Diuretic ureterogram curve patterns corresponding to normal (type I), obstructive (II) and non-obstructive (III) cases were described. Compared with X-ray data, diuretic renography was highly sensitive (88%) and specific (99%) for detecting any ureteral abnormality. Despite an obstructive Kt1/2 (>20 min), no patient with an abnormal ureter underwent therapy at the ureteropelvic junction because the hydronephrosis regressed after surgery at the lower level. Our data indicate that the abnormal ureter findings during diuretic renography have to be recognized before therapy for children with hydeonephrosis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1990

Most of the diagnostic methods currently used for the detection of neoplastic masses provide indirect evidence. To obtain greater specificity in the interpretation of neoplasias by in vivo methods, the immunological approach appears to be most promising. Two problems that interfered with progress in this field were the lack of tumor specific antigen and the lack of well-defined and reproducible antibodies. To improve the sensitivity and specificity of radioimmunoscintigraphy as a technique for tumor localization, the use of monoclonal antibodies, fragments of antibodies and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) are reasonable. The obvious advantages of monoclonal antibodies are their homogeneity, their specificity for the immunizing antigen and the reaction with a single determinant-thus no large immunecomplexes with antigen are formed. Monoclonal antibody technique has recently provided an opportunity to reevaluate the role of nuclear medicine for the diagnosis of malignant diseases by using the immunological approach. Out first results by means of radioimmunoscintigraphy of CEA and CA 19-9 producing tumors using a cocktail of fragments F $(ab')_2$, of mocolonal antibodies to CA 19-9 and CEA labeled with $^{131}I$ (IMACIS-1) are reported. The aims of this investigation was to evaluate the role of immunoscintigraphy in patients with colorectal and other cancers for diagnosis of local recurrences and metastasis. This report contains results of the first 8 colorectal and pancreas cancer patients with the elevation of the level of serum CEA and/or CA 19-9. IMACIS-1 was injected intravenously during 30 minutes in 100 ml saline solution after skin test. Planar scintigrams were recorded 3, 5 and 7 days after the injection of the IMACIS-1. Anterior, lateral and posterior views of the liver as well as anterior and posterior views of the pelvis were obtained in each patients as an $^{131}I-antibody$ image. We were able to localize exactly the malignant process with the double-nuclide double-compound $^{99m}Tc\;^{131}I$ (Tc+l) scintigrams. In Tc & I double-nuclide scintigraphy, computer subtraction display provided more clear localization of the tumor. We compared the results of radioimmunoscintigraphy with CT, ultrasonograms, conventional scintigrams. The results were as follows: 1) The sensitivity and specificity of radioimmunoscintigraphy using the fragments $F(ab')_2$ of the cocktails of CEA and CA 19-9 monoclonal antibodies were 80% and 100% respectively. 2) Tumor detection rate was not proportionated to the level of serum tumor markets. 3) Second tracer technique was essential for tumor localization as an anatomic landmark using double-nuclide scintigraphy. 4) A slow infusion of the antibodies was necessary to prevent the formation of large immune complexes. 5) Tumor/non-tumor radioactivity was most elevated at 7 days delayed imaging. 6) Using planar scintigraphic technique of $^{131}I$ labeled monoclonal antibodies are possible for imaging most of the tumors.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.56-64
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• 2015

To revise the clinical guideline for childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) of the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology (2007), the recently updated guidelines and new data were reviewed. The major revisions are as follows. In diagnosis, the criterion for a positive culture of the catheterized or suprapubic aspirated urine is reduced to 50,000 colony forming uits (CFUs)/mL from 100,000 CFU/mL. Diagnosis is more confirmatory if the urinalysis is abnormal. In treating febrile UTI and pyelonephritis, oral antibiotics is considered to be as effective as parenteral antibiotics. In urologic imaging studies, the traditional aggressive approach to find primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scar is shifted to the targeted restrictive approach. A voiding cystourethrography is not routinely recommended and is indicated only in atypical or complex clinical conditions, abnormal ultrasonography and recurrent UTIs. $^{99m}Tc$-DMSA renal scan is valuable in diagnosing pyelonephritis in children with negative culture or normal RBUS. Although it is not routinely recommended, normal scan can safely avoid VCUG. In prevention, a more natural approach is preferred. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is not supported any more even in children with VUR. Topical steroid (2-4 weeks) to non-retractile physiologic phimosis or labial adhesion is a reasonable first-line treatment. Urogenital hygiene is important and must be adequately performed. Breast milk, probiotics and cranberries are dietary factors to prevent UTIs. Voiding dysfunction and constipation should be properly treated and prevented by initiating toilet training at an appropriate age (18-24 months). The follow-up urine test on subsequent unexplained febrile illness is strongly recommended. Changes of this revision is not exclusive and appropriate variation still may be accepted.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 1984

Monoclonal antibodies have become widely investigated in the Nuclear Oncology, especially in the radioimmunosassay of tumor markers and in vivo radioimmunoimaging of cancer. However, there are numerous factors as to whether radioimmunoimaging will ultimately successful. For imaging of tumors, metallic radionuclides such as In-111, Ga-67, Tc-99m have favorable nuclear properties than widely used I-131. These radioistopes have characteristics of the useful radiation for imaging, convenient short half-lives and the simple and rapid radiolabeling of monoclonal antibodies by using bifunctional chelaing agents. The obtained chelate-tagged antibodies are quite stable both in vitro and in vivo, without interfering antibody activities and animal experiments provided a good basis for its clinical applicability for the radioimmunoimaging of cancer. Much attention has also been given to the possibility, only beginning to be exploited, of the specific treatment of malignant neoplasms with these agents. Although specific antibody has not been developed that is uniquely specific for cancer alone and there are still many questions to be answered and problems to be overcome before radioimmunoimaging can be successfully used in ptients with cancer, these methods can be applied to the coupling of monoclonal antibodies with anti-neoplastic drugs or radionuclides suitable for internal radiation therapy of cancer.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2016

Purpose: Disruption of normal renal development can lead to congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, including renal hypodysplasia. We aimed to clarify whether small kidney size affects clinical manifestations in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: One hundred fifty-four patients who had their first symptomatic UTI between January 2014 and June 2015 were enrolled in this study. Differences in kidney size were estimated based on percent uptake of $^{99m}Tc-$ dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in scintigraphy. The patients who showed more than 10% difference in kidney size on DMSA scintigraphy with none or minimal cortical defects were included in group A. (group A, n=17). Laboratory, clinical, and imaging results were compared with those of the other patients (group B, n=137). Results: Group A had a relatively higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux than group B (44% vs 20%, P<0.05). The levels of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and serum C-reactive protein were significantly higher in group A (193 [64-337] vs 91 [59-211] ng/mL and 4.1 [0.5-11.9] vs 2.1 [0.7-5.3] ng/mL, respectively; all P <0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that plasma NGAL level strongly correlated with the difference in renal uptake in DMSA scintigraphy in group A ($R^2=0.505$). Conclusion: The difference in kidney size could influence the clinical course and severity of pediatric UTI.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2017

Purpose 3D 프린팅 기술은 3D 스캔이나 모델링을 통하여 적측가공 방식으로 제작하는 기공기술로서 금형 없이 직접 생산이 가능하고 빠른 시간 내에 제작이 가능하여 최근 다양한 산업분야에서 본격적으로 적용되고 있다. 3D 프린팅 기술은 의료분야에 있어, 영상의학 및 방사선 치료분야에서 다양하게 활용되고 있지만 핵의학 분야에서는 관련 연구가 미비한 실정이다. 그러므로 본 연구는 기존에 적용되고 있는 핵의학분야 팬텀과 3D 프린팅 기술로 제작된 텀의 특성을 비교하고 적용 가능성을 평가하는데 목적을 두었다. Materials and Methods 방사선 투과도 변화측정 국제기준 팬텀인 알루미늄(Aluminum) 계단 쐐기(step wedge)를 기준($140mm{\times}62mm{\times}35mm$)으로 PMMA(Poly Methyl Meta Acrylate)와 ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)재질로 각각 동일한 크기의 팬텀을 제작하였다. PMMA 팬텀은 핵의학 분야에서 주로 적용되는 팬텀의 성분과 동일한 소재로 제작하였고, ABS 팬텀 제작은 3D 프린팅 기술의 액체 기반형의 SLA(Stereo Lithography Apparatus)기법을 사용하여 제작하였다. 본 연구는 SPECT/CT장비 BrightView XCT(Philips Health Care, Cleveland, USA)를 이용하였다. 영상 획득은 Rectangular Flood phantom(Biodex, New York, USA) $^{99m}TcO_4$ 3, 6 mCi와 $^{57}Co$ lood phantom(adqual, New Hampshire, USA) $^{57}Co$ 20 mCi를 이용하여 Aluminum, PMMA, ABS 팬텀에 대해 60 min 리스트모드(List mode)로 획득하였다. 획득한 영상의 분석을 위해 관심영역(ROI)을 설정하여 각 팬텀의 단계별로 평가하였다. Results 방사선원의 종류 및 방사선량에 따라 ABS 팬텀의 계수치는 PMMA 팬텀의 계수치와 유사한 값을 나타내며, 두께의 증가에 따라 선형적으로 감소하였다. Aluminum, PMMA, ABS 팬텀의 선감약계수를 비교했을 때, Aluminum 팬텀의 선감약계수는 나머지 두 팬텀보다 수치가 높았고, PMMA, ABS 팬텀에서는 근사치의 선감약계수가 나타났다. Conclusion 3D 프린팅 기술로 제작된 ABS 팬텀을 기준으로 PMMA 팬텀은 두께가 증가함에 따른 계수치의 변화가 유사하게 선형적으로 감소하였고, 선감약계수도 근사치로 나타내었다. ABS 팬텀의 핵의학적 적용 가능성을 확인할 수 있었으며, 추후 연구를 통해 세부적인 교정치(correction value)를 적용한다면 활발한 적용이 가능하리라 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.189-193
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• 1989

To observe the effect of gastric filling on the images of hepatic scintigraphy, we performed hepatic scintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc-tin$ colloid in twenty patients both in the fasting state and after meal, and made the visual comparison of both images. We found that gastric filling could cause some of the following changes in individual patients. 1) In the anterior view, the distance between the liver and the spleen increased and the interlobar notch of the inferior hepatic border was obliterated. The spleen was displaced downwards, its radioactivity in the upper medial part was reduced, and its upper pole was laterally displaced. 2) In the posterior view, the left lobe of the liver was separated from the spleen and the distance between the liver and the spleen increased. 3) In the right lateral view, the notch separating the right and the left lobes of the liver was well demarcated. 4) In the left lateral view, the spleen was separated from the liver and the distance between the liver and the spleen increased. The shape of the spleen was also changed. In case of the follow-up study, above changes should make one consider the possibility of the effect of gastric filling.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2021

3D printing technology is an additive manufacturing technology produced through 3D scanning or modeling method. This technology can be produced in a short time without mold, which has recently been applied in earnest in various fields. In the medical field, 3D printing technology is used in various fields of radiology and radiation therapy, but related research is insufficient in the field of nuclear medicine. In this study, we compare the characteristics of traditional nuclear medicine phantom with 3D printing technology and evaluate its applicability in clinical trials. We manufactured the same size phantom of poly methyl meta acrylate(PMMA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS) based on the aluminum step wedge. We used BrightView XCT(Philips Health Care, Cleveland, USA) SPECT/CT. We acquired 60 min list mode for Aluminum, PMMA and ABS phantoms using Rectangular Flood Phantom (Biodex, New York, USA) ^99mTcO₄ 3 mCi(111 MBq), 6 mCi (222MBq) and ⁵⁷Co Flood phantom(adq, New Hampshire, USA). For the analysis of acquired images, the region of interest(ROI) were drawn and evaluated step by step for each phantom. Depending on the type of radioisotope and radiation dose, the counts of the ABS phantom was similar to that of the PMMA phantom. And as the step thickness increased, the counts decreased linearly. When comparing the linear attenuation coefficient of Aluminum, PMMA and ABS phantom, the linear attenuation coefficient of the aluminium phantom was higher than that of the others, and the PMMA and ABS phantom had similar the linear attenuation coefficient. Based on ABS phantom manufactured by 3D printing technology, as the thickness of the PMMA phantom increased, the counts and linear attenuation coefficient decreased linearly. It has been confirmed that ABS phantom is applicable in the clinical field of nuclear medicine. If the calibration factor is applied through further research, it is believed that practical application will be possible.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.378-388
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• 2001

Purpose: In this study, we developed a new method for the determination of renal depth with anterior and posterior renal scintigrams in a dual-head gamma camera, considering the attenuation factor $e^{-{\mu}x}$ of the conjugate-view method. Material and Method: We developed abdomen and kidney phantoms to perform experiments using Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid ($^{99m}Tc$-DMSA). The phantom images were obtained by dual-head gamma camera equipped with low-energy, high-resolution, parallel-hole collimators (ICONf, Siemens). The equation was derived from the linear integration of omission ${\gamma}$-ray considering attenuation from the posterior abdomen to the anterior abdomen phantom surface. The program for measurement was developed by Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0. Results : Renal depths of the phantoms were derived from the derived equations and compared with the exact geometrical values. Differences between the measured and the calculated values were the range of 0.1 to 0.7 cm ($0.029{\pm}0.15cm,\;mean{\pm}S.D.$). Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of the derived equations for renal depth measurements, combined with quantitative planar imaging using dual-head gamma camera, could provide more accurate results for individual variation than the conventional method.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 1996

Background : Several studies have suggested that impaired mucociliary clearance plays a role in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Cough productive of mucoid sputum is common, and mucous plugs in the airways are frequently observed. These clinical features are in keeping with the histologic lesions of asthma, which involve primarily the epithelial and mucous-producing structures of the conducting airways. Some studies have shown that the mucociliary clearance is impaired in adult asthma, but it has not been studied in childhood asthma. The objectives of this study were to examine whether the mucociliary clearance is impaired in childhood asthma and to estimate the degree of impairment in comparison with that of immotile cilia syndrome. Method : Thirteen children with mild stable asthma and eight patients with immotile cilia syndrome completed this study. Ten healthy children were recruited as a normal control group. The whole-lung mucociliary clearance was measured by the radioaerosol technique. Aerosols, tin colloid particles tagged with the radionuclide technetium-99m($^{99m}Tc$), were generated by means of nebulizer, and inhaled via a mouthpiece. The retention of radioactivity was measured at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes by gamma camera, and mucociliary clearance was calculated as percent retention at each time. Results: 1) In each subject, the percent retention decreased variably with the lapse of time. 2) The percent retention of radionuclide decreased at each time in order of normal control, bronchial asthma and immotile cilia syndrome and the percent retention of immotile cilia syndrome was significantly higher than that of normal control at each time(p<0.05). 3) At two hours, the percent retention of bronchial asthma($65.0{\pm}1.8$(SE)%) was significantly higher than that of the normal control($54.4{\pm}3.5%$, p<0.05), and significantly lower than that of immotile cilia syndrome($73.3{\pm}1.4%$, p<0.01). 4) When the percent retention was analyzed according to $PC_{20}$ in the children with bronchial asthma, they had no relationship with each other. Conclusion: Mucociliary clearance in the children with bronchial asthma was significantly lower than normal control. This finding indicates that impaired mucociliary clearance operates in childhood asthma as well, and suggests that it may be one contributing factor in the pathogenesis of asthma. The degree of impairment, however, was not so severe as immotile cilia syndrome.