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Study of the Impact of Light Through the Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate Inspection (Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate 검사 시 빛의 영향에 대한 고찰)

  • Cho, Eun Bit;Pack, Song Ran;Kim, Whe Jung;Kim, Seong Ho;Yoo, Seon Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.162-166
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    • 2012
  • Purpose : Vitamin $B_{12}$ and Folate are for anemia work-up which is well known for its sensitivity of light; the screening manual also specifies to be careful with light conditions. According to this, our laboratory minimized the exposure of light when inspecting the Vitamin $B_{12}$ and Folate, but the exposure cannot be wholly blocked due to other various factors such as when conducting specimen segregation. Thus, this inspection is to identify to what extent light can influence and whether the exclusion of light is mandatory during the Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate test. Materials and Methods : We have conducted two experiments of identifying the extent of light's influence when conducting the Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate test and also when specimens are under preservation. These experiments were progressed with various concentrations of patients' specimens which were requested to our hospital in March 2012. The first experiment is to verify the results on Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate dependent on light exposure during the experiment. In the process, we have compared the results of light exposure/exclusion during the incubation process after the reagent division. The second experiment is about the impact of light exposure on the results on Vitamin $B_{12}$/Folate during the preservation. For 1, 2, 7 days the light on the specimen were wholly blocked and were preserved under $-15^{\circ}C$ temperature refrigeration. Then, we compared the results of light-excluded specimen and the exposed one. Results : When conducting first experiment, there were no noticeable changes in the Standard and specimen's cpm, but for Vitamin $B_{12}$, the average result of specimen exposed to light increased 7.8% compare to that of excluded one's. Furthermore, in the significant level 0.05, the significance probability or the p-value was 0.251 which means it has no impact. For Folate, the result being exposed to light decreased 5.4%, the significance probability was 0.033 which means it has little impact. For the second preservation, the result was dependent on the light exposure. The first day of preservation of Vitamin $B_{12}$, the clinical material exposed to light was 11.6%, second day clinical material exposed to light was 10.8%, seventh day clinical material exposed to light increased 3.8%, the significance probability of the $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, $7^{th}$ day is 0.372, 0.033, 0.144 respectively, and which indicates that the $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ day seems to have no impact. For Folate's case, the clinical material exposed to light has increased 1.4% but hardly had impact, $2^{nd}$ day clinical material being exposed to light was 6.1%, $7^{Th}$ day clinical material being exposed to light decreased 5.2%. The significance probability of Folate on the $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, $7^{th}$ day is 0.378, 0.037, 0.217 respectively, and the $1^{st}$ day and the $7^{th}$ day seems to have no impact. Conclusion : After scrutinizing the impact of light exposure/exclusion, Vitamin $B_{12}$ has no impact, while Folate seems to have no noticeable influence but light exclusion is recommended due to its significance probability of 0.033 when conducting experiment. During the preservation, the $2^{nd}$ day result depend on the light exclusion seems to have impact or influence. However, to consider the complication of the experimental process, the experiment including technical errors is predictable. Hence, it is likely to have no impact of light. Nevertheless, it is recommendable to exclude the light during the long preservation as per the significance probability (p-value) of $1^{st}$ and $7^{th}$ day has been diminished.

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The Influence Evaluation of $^{201}Tl$ Myocardial Perfusion SPECT Image According to the Elapsed Time Difference after the Whole Body Bone Scan (전신 뼈 스캔 후 경과 시간 차이에 따른 $^{201}Tl$ 심근관류 SPECT 영상의 영향 평가)

  • Kim, Dong-Seok;Yoo, Hee-Jae;Ryu, Jae-Kwang;Yoo, Jae-Sook
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.67-72
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: In Asan Medical Center we perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to evaluate cardiac event risk level for non-cardiac surgery patients. In case of patients with cancer, we check tumor metastasis using whole body bone scan and whole body PET scan and then perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to reduce unnecessary exam. In case of short term in patients, we perform $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT after whole body bone scan a minimum 16 hours in order to reduce hospitalization period but it is still the actual condition in which the evaluation about the affect of the crosstalk contamination due to the each other dissimilar isotope administration doesn't properly realize. So in our experiments, we try to evaluate crosstalk contamination influence on $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patient's data. Materials and Methods: From 2009 August to September, we analyzed 87 patients with $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. According to $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT yesterday whole body bone scan possibility of carrying out, a patient was classified. The image data are obtained by using the dual energy window in $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. We analyzed $^{201}Tl$ and $^{99m}Tc$ counts ratio in each patients groups obtained image data. We utilized anthropomorphic torso phantom in our experiment and administrated $^{201}Tl$ 14.8 MBq (0.4 mCi) at myocardium and $^{99m}Tc$ 44.4 MBq (1.2 mCi) at extracardiac region. We obtained image by $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT without gate method application and analyzed spatial resolution using Xeleris ver 2.0551. Results: In case of $^{201}Tl$ window and the counts rate comparison result yesterday whole body bone scan of being counted in $^{99m}Tc$ window, the difference in which a rate to 24 hours exponential-functionally notes in 1:0.114 with Ventri (GE Healthcare, Wisconsin, USA), 1:0.249 after the bone tracer injection in 12 hours in 1:0.411 with 1:0.79 with Infinia (GE healthcare, Wisconsin, USA) according to a reduction a time-out was shown (Ventri p=0.001, Infinia p=0.001). Moreover, the rate of the case in which it doesn't perform the whole body bone scan showed up as the average 1:$0.067{\pm}0.6$ of Ventri, and 1:$0.063{\pm}0.7$ of Infinia. According to the phantom after experiment spatial resolution measurement result, and an addition or no and time-out of $^{99m}Tc$ administrated, it doesn't note any change of FWHM (p=0.134). Conclusion: Through the experiments using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patients data, we found that $^{201}Tl$ myocardium perfusion SPECT image later carried out after the bone tracer injection with 16 hours this confirmed that it doesn't receive notable influence in spatial resolution by $^{99m}Tc$. But this investigation is only aimed to image quality, so it needs more investigation in patient's radiation dose and exam accuracy and precision. The exact guideline presentation about the exam interval should be made of the validation test which is exact and in which it is standardized about the affect of the crosstalk contamination according to the isotope use in which it is different later on.

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Application of MicroPACS Using the Open Source (Open Source를 이용한 MicroPACS의 구성과 활용)

  • You, Yeon-Wook;Kim, Yong-Keun;Kim, Yeong-Seok;Won, Woo-Jae;Kim, Tae-Sung;Kim, Seok-Ki
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.51-56
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: Recently, most hospitals are introducing the PACS system and use of the system continues to expand. But small-scaled PACS called MicroPACS has already been in use through open source programs. The aim of this study is to prove utility of operating a MicroPACS, as a substitute back-up device for conventional storage media like CDs and DVDs, in addition to the full-PACS already in use. This study contains the way of setting up a MicroPACS with open source programs and assessment of its storage capability, stability, compatibility and performance of operations such as "retrieve", "query". Materials and Methods: 1. To start with, we searched open source software to correspond with the following standards to establish MicroPACS, (1) It must be available in Windows Operating System. (2) It must be free ware. (3) It must be compatible with PET/CT scanner. (4) It must be easy to use. (5) It must not be limited of storage capacity. (6) It must have DICOM supporting. 2. (1) To evaluate availability of data storage, we compared the time spent to back up data in the open source software with the optical discs (CDs and DVD-RAMs), and we also compared the time needed to retrieve data with the system and with optical discs respectively. (2) To estimate work efficiency, we measured the time spent to find data in CDs, DVD-RAMs and MicroPACS. 7 technologists participated in this study. 3. In order to evaluate stability of the software, we examined whether there is a data loss during the system is maintained for a year. Comparison object; How many errors occurred in randomly selected data of 500 CDs. Result: 1. We chose the Conquest DICOM Server among 11 open source software used MySQL as a database management system. 2. (1) Comparison of back up and retrieval time (min) showed the result of the following: DVD-RAM (5.13,2.26)/Conquest DICOM Server (1.49,1.19) by GE DSTE (p<0.001), CD (6.12,3.61)/Conquest (0.82,2.23) by GE DLS (p<0.001), CD (5.88,3.25)/Conquest (1.05,2.06) by SIEMENS. (2) The wasted time (sec) to find some data is as follows: CD ($156{\pm}46$), DVD-RAM ($115{\pm}21$) and Conquest DICOM Server ($13{\pm}6$). 3. There was no data loss (0%) for a year and it was stored 12741 PET/CT studies in 1.81 TB memory. In case of CDs, On the other hand, 14 errors among 500 CDs (2.8%) is generated. Conclusions: We found that MicroPACS could be set up with the open source software and its performance was excellent. The system built with open source proved more efficient and more robust than back-up process using CDs or DVD-RAMs. We believe that the operation of the MicroPACS would be effective data storage device as long as its operators develop and systematize it.

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Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin $D_3$ Analysis of Korean People (한국인 일반인의 혈청 25-Hydroxy Vitamin $D_3$의 분석)

  • Kim, Bo-Kyung;Jung, Hyun-Mi;Kim, Yun-Kyung;Kim, So-Young;Kim, Jee-Hyun
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.133-137
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The main function of vitamin D is the mineralization of the brain by increase of calcium and phosphorus, in case it is insufficient in children, lime deposition on cartilage cannot occur so it leads to rachitis, and in adults, it leads to osteomalacia or osteoporosis. It is also strongly believed in the academic world that vitamin D can restrict the growth of cancer cells and prevent heart diseases, which is also somewhat proven in epidemiological researches. While the right density of vitamin D is still being studied, 20-32 ng/mL is believed to be the most ideal density. Therefore, I wanted analyze how much density of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 that Koreans possess. Materials and Methods: From February 20th, 2008 to April 21st, 2009, the collection of 2800 serums, from medical examination treated subjects by Neodin Medical Institute, have been tested. The targets were tested by 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (125I Kit: Diasorin, USA), and were analyzed by dividing into many different categories (gender, age, season, region). Results: The average density of male were 20 ng/mL, female 17.08 ng/mL. Per age groups, the density of males were as follows: 10~20-18 ng/mL, 21~30-17 ng/mL, 31~40-19 ng/mL, 41~50-21 ng/mL, 51~60-22 ng/mL, 61~70-22 ng/mL, 71~80-22 ng/mL and 81~90-19.9 ng/mL. Average density of females per age groups, were as follows: 10~20-16 ng/mL, 20~30-15.26 ng/mL, 30~40-16 ng/mL, 40~50-17 ng/mL, 50~60-19 ng/mL, 60~70-19 ng/mL, 70~80-19 ng/mL, and 80~90-17 ng/mL. Per seasons, From December to May, the subjects showed the density of 15.97 ng/mL, while from June to November, it showed 21.60 ng/mL. On density of males from January to April regionally, Seoul+Gyeonggi-Do-15.52 ng/mL, Gangwon-Do-15.33 ng/mL, Choongchung-Do-18.03 ng/mL, Jeonla-Do-18.68 ng/mL, Gyungsang-Do-18.76 ng/mL and Cheju Do-21.23 ng/mL. Conclusions: The vitamin D of Koreans is has been insufficient compared to the suggested amount. Ultraviolet rays, which is the main source of vitamin D is critical, therefore it is suggested that more outdoor activities can definitely help.

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The Precision Test Based on States of Bone Mineral Density (골밀도 상태에 따른 검사자의 재현성 평가)

  • Yoo, Jae-Sook;Kim, Eun-Hye;Kim, Ho-Seong;Shin, Sang-Ki;Cho, Si-Man
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.67-72
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry) requests that users perform mandatory Precision test to raise their quality even though there is no recommendation about patient selection for the test. Thus, we investigated the effect on precision test by measuring reproducibility of 3 bone density groups (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis). Materials and Methods: 4 users performed precision test with 420 patients (age: $57.8{\pm}9.02$) for BMD in Asan Medical Center (JAN-2008 ~ JUN-2008). In first group (A), 4 users selected 30 patient respectively regardless of bone density condition and measured 2 part (L-spine, femur) in twice. In second group (B), 4 users measured bone density of 10 patients respectively in the same manner of first group (A) users but dividing patient into 3 stages (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis). In third group (C), 2 users measured 30 patients respectively in the same manner of first group (A) users considering bone density condition. We used GE Lunar Prodigy Advance (Encore. V11.4) and analyzed the result by comparing %CV to LSC using precision tool from ISCD. Check back was done using SPSS. Results: In group A, the %CV calculated by 4 users (a, b, c, d) were 1.16, 1.01, 1.19, 0.65 g/$cm^2$ in L-spine and 0.69, 0.58, 0.97, 0.47 g/$cm^2$ in femur. In group B, the %CV calculated by 4 users (a, b, c, d) were 1.01, 1.19, 0.83, 1.37 g/$cm^2$ in L-spine and 1.03, 0.54, 0.69, 0.58 g/$cm^2$ in femur. When comparing results (group A, B), we found no considerable differences. In group C, the user_1's %CV of normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis were 1.26, 0.94, 0.94 g/$cm^2$ in L-spine and 0.94, 0.79, 1.01 g/$cm^2$ in femur. And the user_2's %CV were 0.97, 0.83, 0.72 g/$cm^2$ L-spine and 0.65, 0.65, 1.05 g/$cm^2$ in femur. When analyzing the result, we figured out that the difference of reproducibility was almost not found but the differences of two users' several result values have effect on total reproducibility. Conclusions: Precision test is a important factor of bone density follow up. When Machine and user's reproducibility is getting better, it’s useful in clinics because of low range of deviation. Users have to check machine's reproducibility before the test and keep the same mind doing BMD test for patient. In precision test, the difference of measured value is usually found for ROI change caused by patient position. In case of osteoporosis patient, there is difficult to make initial ROI accurately more than normal and osteopenia patient due to lack of bone recognition even though ROI is made automatically by computer software. However, initial ROI is very important and users have to make coherent ROI because we use ROI Copy function in a follow up. In this study, we performed precision test considering bone density condition and found LSC value was stayed within 3%. There was no considerable difference. Thus, patient selection could be done regardless of bone density condition.

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The Effect of PET/CT Images on SUV with the Correction of CT Image by Using Contrast Media (PET/CT 영상에서 조영제를 이용한 CT 영상의 보정(Correction)에 따른 표준화섭취계수(SUV)의 영향)

  • Ahn, Sha-Ron;Park, Hoon-Hee;Park, Min-Soo;Lee, Seung-Jae;Oh, Shin-Hyun;Lim, Han-Sang;Kim, Jae-Sam;Lee, Chang-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.77-81
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: The PET of the PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) quantitatively shows the biological and chemical information of the body, but has limitation of presenting the clear anatomic structure. Thus combining the PET with CT, it is not only possible to offer the higher resolution but also effectively shorten the scanning time and reduce the noises by using CT data in attenuation correction. And because, at the CT scanning, the contrast media makes it easy to determine a exact range of the lesion and distinguish the normal organs, there is a certain increase in the use of it. However, in the case of using the contrast media, it affects semi-quantitative measures of the PET/CT images. In this study, therefore, we will be to establish the reliability of the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) with CT data correction so that it can help more accurate diagnosis. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, a total of 30 people are targeted - age range: from 27 to 72, average age : 49.6 - and DSTe (General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, MI, USA) is used for equipment. $^{18}F$- FDG 370~555 MBq is injected into the subjects depending on their weight and, after about 60 minutes of their stable position, a whole-body scan is taken. The CT scan is set to 140 kV and 210 mA, and the injected amount of the contrast media is 2 cc per 1 kg of the patients' weight. With the raw data from the scan, we obtain a image showing the effect of the contrast media through the attenuation correction by both of the corrected and uncorrected CT data. Then we mark out ROI (Region of Interest) in each area to measure SUV and analyze the difference. Results: According to the analysis, the SUV is decreased in the liver and heart which have more bloodstream than the others, because of the contrast media correction. On the other hand, there is no difference in the lungs. Conclusions: Whereas the CT scan images with the contrast media from the PET/CT increase the contrast of the targeted region for the test so that it can improve efficiency of diagnosis, there occurred an increase of SUV, a semi-quantitative analytical method. In this research, we measure the variation of SUV through the correction of the influence of contrast media and compare the differences. As we revise the SUV which is increasing in the image with attenuation correction by using contrast media, we can expect anatomical images of high-resolution. Furthermore, it is considered that through this trusted semi-quantitative method, it will definitely enhance the diagnostic value.

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The Evaluation of Predose Counts in the GFR Test Using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA ($^{99m}Tc$-DTPA를 이용한 사구체 여과율 측정에서 주사 전선량계수치의 평가)

  • Yeon, Joon-Ho;Lee, Hyuk;Chi, Yong-Ki;Kim, Soo-Yung;Lee, Kyoo-Bok;Seok, Jae-Dong
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.94-100
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: We can evaluate function of kidney by Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA which is simple. This test is influenced by several parameter such as net syringe count, kidney depth, corrected kidney count, acquisition time and characters of gamma camera. In this study, we evaluated predose count according to matrix size in the GFR test using $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA. Materials and Methods: Gamma camera of Infinia in GE was used, and LEGP collimator, three types of matrix size ($64{\times}64$, $128{\times}128$, $256{\times}256$) and 1.0 of zoom factor were applied. We increased radioactivity concentration from 222 (6), 296 (8), 370 (10), 444 (12) up to 518 MBq (14 mCi) respectively and acquired images according to matrix size at 30 cm distance from detector. Lastly, we evaluated these values and then substituted them for GFR formula. Results: In $64{\times}64$, $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$ of matrix size, counts per second was 26.8, 34.5, 41.5, 49.1 and 55.3 kcps, 25.3, 33.4, 41.0, 48.4 and 54.3 kcps and 25.5, 33.7, 40.8, 48.1 and 54.7 kcps respectively. Total counts for 5 second were 134, 172, 208, 245 and 276 kcounts from $64{\times}64$, 127, 172, 205, 242, 271 kcounts from $128{\times}128$, and 137, 168, 204, 240 and 273 kcounts from $256{\times}256$, and total counts for 60 seconds were 1,503, 1,866, 2,093, 2,280, 2,321 kcounts, 1,511, 1,994, 2,453, 2,890 and 3,244 kcounts, and 1,524, 2,011, 2,439, 2,869 and 3,268 kcounts respectively. It is different from 0 to 30.02 % of percentage difference in $64{\times}64$ of matrix size. But in $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$, it is showed 0.60 and 0.69 % of maximum value each. GFR of percentage difference in $64{\times}64$ represented 6.77% of 222 MBq (6 mCi), 42.89 % of 518 MBq (14 mCi) at 60 seconds respectively. However it is represented 0.60 and 0.63 % each in $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$. Conclusion: There was no big difference in total counts of percentage difference and GFR values acquiring from $128{\times}128$ and $256{\times}256$ of matrix size. But in $64{\times}64$ of matrix size when the total count exceeded 1,500 kcounts, the overflow phenomenon was appeared differently according to predose radioactivity of concentration and acquisition time. Therefore, we must optimize matrix size and net syringe count considering the total count of predose to get accurate GFR results.

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Utility of Wide Beam Reconstruction in Whole Body Bone Scan (전신 뼈 검사에서 Wide Beam Reconstruction 기법의 유용성)

  • Kim, Jung-Yul;Kang, Chung-Koo;Park, Min-Soo;Park, Hoon-Hee;Lim, Han-Sang;Kim, Jae-Sam;Lee, Chang-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.83-89
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The Wide Beam Reconstruction (WBR) algorithms that UltraSPECT, Ltd. (U.S) has provides solutions which improved image resolution by eliminating the effect of the line spread function by collimator and suppression of the noise. It controls the resolution and noise level automatically and yields unsurpassed image quality. The aim of this study is WBR of whole body bone scan in usefulness of clinical application. Materials and Methods: The standard line source and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reconstructed spatial resolution measurements were performed on an INFINA (GE, Milwaukee, WI) gamma camera, equipped with low energy high resolution (LEHR) collimators. The total counts of line source measurements with 200 kcps and 300 kcps. The SPECT phantoms analyzed spatial resolution by the changing matrix size. Also a clinical evaluation study was performed with forty three patients, referred for bone scans. First group altered scan speed with 20 and 30 cm/min and dosage of 740 MBq (20 mCi) of $^{99m}Tc$-HDP administered but second group altered dosage of $^{99m}Tc$-HDP with 740 and 1,110 MBq (20 mCi and 30 mCi) in same scan speed. The acquired data was reconstructed using the typical clinical protocol in use and the WBR protocol. The patient's information was removed and a blind reading was done on each reconstruction method. For each reading, a questionnaire was completed in which the reader was asked to evaluate, on a scale of 1-5 point. Results: The result of planar WBR data improved resolution more than 10%. The Full-Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) of WBR data improved about 16% (Standard: 8.45, WBR: 7.09). SPECT WBR data improved resolution more than about 50% and evaluate FWHM of WBR data (Standard: 3.52, WBR: 1.65). A clinical evaluation study, there was no statistically significant difference between the two method, which includes improvement of the bone to soft tissue ratio and the image resolution (first group p=0.07, second group p=0.458). Conclusion: The WBR method allows to shorten the acquisition time of bone scans while simultaneously providing improved image quality and to reduce the dosage of radiopharmaceuticals reducing radiation dose. Therefore, the WBR method can be applied to a wide range of clinical applications to provide clinical values as well as image quality.

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Long Term Follow Up of Interferon-alpha Treatment in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B (만성 B형간염 환아에 대한 Interferon-alpha 치료결과의 장기 추적관찰)

  • Baek, Seoung-Yon;Eom, Ji-Hyun;Chung, Ki-Sup
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.140-151
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    • 2003
  • Purpose: We tried to evaluate the long term efficacy and positive predictive factors of interferon-alpha treatment in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: The study population included 113 children who received interferon therapy between May 1982 and July 2002 (20 years) for chronic hepatitis B in Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Male to female ratio was 2.3 : 1 and the mean age at diagnosis was $11.1{\pm}4.1$ years old. Response to treatment was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), disappearance of HBeAg and HBV-DNA Eighty two children responded while 32 did not. Interferon-alpha was given intramuscularly for 6 months at a dosage of $3{\times}10^6$ unit, 3 times weekly. In relapsed cases, lamivudine or interferon retreatment was done. Results: Seroconversion rate was 77.0% in terms of HBeAg, 74.3% in terms of HBV-DNA, and 80.5% in terms of ALT normalization after treatment. Seroconversion rate of both HBeAg and HBV-DNA was 72.6%. Analyzed by life table method, the effect of the treatment had been maintained over 10 years after cessation of therapy. Pre-treatment ALT level was the only significant positive predictive factor of response. Eleven cases (13.4%) relapsed, and 2 out of 3 showed response when treated with lamivudine and 1 out of 3 with interferon retreatment. Conclusion: Interferon-alpha showed significant efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in our study. Further studies about the effect of interferon therapy on complications of hepatitis such as hepatocarcinoma, cirrhosis are warranted.

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Clinical Findings of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia under 3 Year-Old Children (3세 이하 Mycoplasma pneumoniae 폐렴환자의 임상적 고찰)

  • Lee, Sung-Soo;Youn, Kyung-Lim;Kang, Hyeon-Ho;Cho, Byoung-Soo;Cha, Sung-Ho
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.78-85
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    • 1999
  • Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has been to be developed frequently in school age children and adolescence and hard to see under 3 year-old children. But it seems to be increased in number of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia under 3-year old in clinical practice in these days. We have aimed to examine the characteristics of clinical findings of Mycoplasma pneumonia under 3 year-old children. Methods : We had performed retrospective review of medical records of 30 patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old children who admitted to Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997. The diagnostic criteriae was Cold agglutinin titer>1:64 or Mycoplasma antibody titer>1:80. Results : Mycoplasmal pneumonia was 30 out of 235 cases(12.7%) of total pneumonia under 3 year old children. Male female ratio was 1.3 : 1 and age distributions were 0~1y : 0, 1~2y : 8, 2~3y : 22 cases. Clinical symptoms and signs were cough(100.0%), sputum(83.3%), fever(80.0%) rhinorrhea(33.3%), vomiting(33.3%), moist rale(86.7%), decreased breathing sound(26.7%), wheezing(20.0%), and pharyngeal injection(30.0%). Thirteen out of 30 cases(43.3%) had unilateral infiltration, 10 cases(33.4%) had bilateral infiltration, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, and 6 cases(20.0%) had negative findings on chest radiography and there was no cases of atelectasis. On laboratory findings, 6 out of 30 cases(20.0%) had leukocytosis, 1 case(3.3%) had neutrophilia, 10 cases(30.0%) had eosinophilia, 17 cases(56.7%) had increased ESR, and 18 cases(60.6%) had positive CRP. Positive cold agglutinin titers(>1 : 64) were 19 cases(63.3%), and positive mycoplasma antibody(M-ab) titers(>1 : 80) were 27 cases(93.3%). Mycoplasma antibody test was more valuable than cold agglutinin test for the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia and there was no correlation between cold agglutinin titer and mycoplasma antibody titer. Mycoplasma-polymerase chain reaction(M-PCR) was done with 13 cases, 12 out of 13 cases(92.3%) were positive. M-PCR test was valuable to the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia but it will be needed to further study for their clinical application. Among 30 cases, 5 cases(16.7%) had complications, 3 cases(10.0%) had skin rash, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, 1 case(3.3%) had arthralgia, but all complications were mild and recovered without residual sequelae. Conclusion : The occurrence of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3 year-old children was not rare from this study. Clinical characteristics of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old were normal radiologic findings in many cases, low complication rate, mild clinical course, and tend to rapid recovery compared with general manifestations of Mycoplasmal infectionsin children and adolescence. There were likely to be missed patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia which did not diagnose by conventional serologic tests that had low sensitivity and specificity. We have to pay attention to the Mycoplasmal infection of the young children with pneumonia during epidemic periods of Mycoplasmal infection.

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