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Shung-Shung Sun

Publications and source records attributed to Shung-Shung Sun.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Positive correlation between standardized uptake values of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 urea breath test.

PURPOSE: The distribution of FDG uptake in the stomach is variable. Gastritis is one of the causes of elevated FDG uptake. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was found in approximately 80% of patients with peptic ulcer and 30% to 60% of symptomatic gastritis. The C-13 urea breath test (UBT) is one of the gold standard tools in diagnosis of HP infection. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between standardized uptake values (SUVs) of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 urea breath test (UBT). METHODS: Sixteen patients, referred from the department of community medicine, for FDG PET for health examination were chronologically enrolled for detection of HP infection by using the C-13 UBT within 1 week. The maximal SUVs of FDG uptake in the gastric wall as well as the value of the C-13 UBT were measured. The correlation between maximal SUVs of FDG uptake in the stomach and the value of the C-13 UBT was observed. RESULTS: We took the results of C-13 UBT as the final diagnosis of HP infection. Of 16 patients, 5 were HP-infected and 11 were uninfected. Standardized uptake values of FDG uptake in the gastric wall were strong positively correlated with the value of the C-13 UBT in this retrospective study (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Except for gastric cancer, HP infection has to be concerned when high SUVs of FDG uptake in the stomach are noted.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed2005

Fusion images of Tl-201 SPECT and FDG PET with CT in detection of cervical carcinoma with bladder invasion.

Thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (Tl-201 SPECT) and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) are accurate and excellent methods for detecting malignant tumors and related metabolic abnormalities. However, there are still some limitations in clinical application. The major limitation of SPECT is poor image resolution. PET is less sensitive for detecting lesions of the urinary system adjacent to the bladder because of bladder radioactivity. Both T1-201 and F-18 FDG PET often provide less information than x-ray computed tomography (CT) about the anatomic landmarks needed to precisely locate lesions. Recent development of multimodality image registration and fusion has been shown to be an excellent tool to resolve these drawbacks. The authors present a rare case of residual cervical carcinoma with bladder invasion, which was detected by fusion imaging of Tl-201 SPECT and FDG PET with CT. This noninvasive image technique may become a valuable alternative to identify bladder invasion in cervical cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

The use of dual phase 201Tl SPECT for differentiating pulmonary malignancies from benign lesions.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the usefulness of thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography ((201)Tl SPECT) in differentiating pulmonary malignancies from benign lesions by using dual phase (201)Tl scintigraphy. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with thoracic lesions and confirmed diagnoses were assessed by (201)Tl chest SPECT examinations; of these 106 enrolled thoracic lesions, 59 were malignancies and 47 were benign lesions. Dual phase (201)Tl SPECT was performed with an early image acquired at 10-20 min and a delayed image at 2-3 h after intravenous injection of 2-3 mCi of (201)Tl. The results of (201)Tl SPECT images were classified as either malignant or benign lesions by visual interpretation: the lesion was interpreted as positive for malignancy if the uptake of (201)Tl in the lung lesion in the delayed phase was increased or persistent as compared with that in the early phase image; otherwise, it was considered as a benign lesion. Simultaneously, the traditional method of retention index (RI) was also calculated to help in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. Then, both methods of dual phase (201)Tl SPECT, visual reading and traditional RI, were compared to differentiate pulmonary malignancies from benign lesions. RESULTS: Analyzing the image results, we found that dual phase (201)Tl SPECT could differentiate pulmonary malignancies from benign lesions with a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 91% and an accuracy of 87%. Moreover, by using the traditional RI method of (201)Tl SPECT, it could differentiate pulmonary malignancy from benign lesions with a sensitivity of 79.3%, a specificity of 80.8% and an accuracy of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that using dual phase (201)Tl SPECT with visual interpretation is a simpler and potentially more effective method for differentiating pulmonary malignancies from benign lesions, with results compatible with the traditional RI method of (201)Tl SPECT.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Differentiation of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia: the clinical value of 201Tl SPECT--a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Thallium-201 (201Tl) is a recognized tumor-imaging agent; however, the usefulness of 201Tl in prostate cancer has not been studied. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of 201Tl single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging for differentiating prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: 201Tl pelvic SPECT was performed in 10 patients (aged 64-78 years) with biopsy-proven BPH before transurethral resection of the prostate and 15 patients (aged 65-81 years) with biopsy-proven prostate cancer prior to any therapeutic modality or invasive surgical procedures for treatment of their prostate cancer. RESULTS: From the 15 patients with prostate cancer, 201Tl pelvic SPECT detected prostate cancer in 13 (86.7%) but not in 2 (13.3%) patients with Gleason scores of 5 (2 + 3). In contrast, all 10 patients with BPH (100.0%) had negative results of 201Tl pelvic SPECT. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that 201Tl pelvic SPECT scan is very helpful in distinguishing between prostate cancer and BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

The role of thallium-201 whole body scan with pelvic SPECT in patients with uterine cervical cancer treated by radiation therapy: a preliminary report.

Evaluation of tumor extent before treatment and its response to therapy is important. The aim of this report is to assess the usefulness with thallium-201 (Tl-201) imaging study including whole body scan and pelvic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with uterine cervical cancers treated by radiation therapy. Before irradiation, eleven patients received detailed physical examination and Tl-201 imaging studies. A 4-score grading system was set for evaluation. The interval between Tl-201 imaging follow-up and completion of radiotherapy is one to four months, and its findings were compared with those from CT scan and clinical evidence. Before radiation, left supraclavicular and paraaortic lymphadenopathy was identified in one patient from whole body scan. Accumulation of Tl-201 uptake is observed from pelvic SPECT in all patients. It seems that patients with more tumor bulk had more intense uptake, except for one case with history of suspected pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). After radiotherapy, complete or partial regression is observed. For 6 patients with complete regression (score = 0), no evidence of recurrence is confirmed by follow-up examinations. For three patients with little residual uptake (score = 1), one is suspected with residual density and she is under close follow-up, the other two patients seem due to uterine myoma or short latency. These three patients received another Tl-201 scan 6 months after irradiation completion and the score became zero. One patient with residual intense uptake (score = 2) suffered from relapse in the pelvis and abdomen. This preliminary report indicates that Tl-201 whole body scan and pelvic SPECT has potential in the assessment of response to radiotherapy in patients with uterine cervical cancers. However, further studies including more cases and longer follow-up are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Comparing dual phase Tl-201 thyroid scan and fine-needle aspiration cytology to detect follicular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: It remains difficult to pre-operatively differentiate follicular carcinoma and adenoma even under intraoperative investigations including histopathologic diagnosis of frozen sections. METHODS: We retrospectively compared dual phase thallium (Tl-201) thyroid scan and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology to detect follicular carcinoma in 12 patients with cold thyroid nodules. Fine-needle aspiration cytology results were assessed and categorized by experienced pathologists into benign, suspicious, and malignant. Dual phase Tl-201 thyroid scan including an early (10-min) image and a delayed (3-hour) image were acquired after 2 mCi (74 MBq) of Tl-201 was injected intravenously. Dual phase Tl-201 thyroid scan findings were visually interpreted as positive and negative results. RESULTS: Based on FNA cytologic interpretation criteria, three nodules were diagnosed as benign, five nodules were diagnosed as suspicious, and four nodules were diagnosed as malignant. However, based on dual phase Tl-201 thyroid scan interpretation criteria, all of the 12 nodules could accurately diagnose as malignant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that dual phase Tl-201 thyroid scan was more accurate in diagnosing follicular carcinoma when comparing with FNA cytology.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed2003

Single photon emission computed tomography of technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus--a preliminary report.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-99m TF) myocardial perfusion imaging to detect myocardial involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Three groups of subjects-group 1: 25 SLE female patients with non-specific cardiac symptoms and signs, group 2: 25 female SLE patients without any cardiac symptoms and signs, and group 3: 25 female healthy controls-were evaluated by comparing rest and dipyridamole-stress Tc-99m TF myocardial perfusion SPECT. Tc-99m TF myocardial perfusion SPECT revealed perfusion defects in 88% and 40% of the cases in groups 1 and 2. respectively. However, no cases in group 3 demonstrated myocardial perfusion defects. Tc-99m TF myocardial perfusion SPECT is a useful noninvasive imaging modality to detect cardiac involvement in SLE patients with or without cardiac symptoms and signs.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A review of the cost-effectiveness of Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography in diagnosis of breast cancer in Taiwanese women with indeterminate mammographically dense breast.

In general, biopsy is the preferred management method for women with indeterminate mammographically dense breasts. In this review, we describe a decision analysis model comparing technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m sestamibi) scintimammography and excisional biopsy as breast cancer evaluation strategies for hypothetical cohorts of estimated 16,000-40,000 women with indeterminate mammographic probability of malignancy because of mammographically dense breasts. In cost-effectiveness analysis, quantitative decision tree sensitivity analysis was used to compare the conventional excision biopsy alone strategy (strategy A) with decision strategy for screening with Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography before excision biopsy (strategy B) after an indeterminate mammogram. Strategy B showed a cost saving of US dollars 649,600-1,624,000 in reducing the cost of unnecessary biopsies. The total cost of strategy B showed a cost saving of US dollars 123,075-307,776 compared to strategy A. The analysis data indicate that Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography can save the cost of unnecessary biopsies in Taiwanese women with non-diagnostic mammogram because of mammographically dense breasts.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of the expression of P-glycoprotein, Ki-67, and P-53 to technetium-99m tetrofosmin mammoscintigraphic findings.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being used increasingly in the treatment of breast cancer patients. However, drug resistance plays an important role in the failure of chemotherapy in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TETRO) mammoscintigraphic findings with the expression of drug resistance proteins (p-glycoprotein [Pgp], Ki-67 and mutant p53) in human breast cancer tissues. Thirty patients diagnosed with infiltrating ductal breast cancer underwent Tc-TETRO mammoscintigraphy before surgery or biopsy. Protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemical analyses on multiple nonconsecutive sections from surgery or biopsy specimens. Tumor to background (T/B) ratios calculated by Tc-TETRO mammoscintigraphic findings were correlated with protein expression determined by immunohistochemical analyses. The Tc-TETRO T/B ratios were significantly lower for tumors in 12 patients with positive Pgp expression than for those in 18 patients with negative expression (1.19 +/- 0.13 and 1.94 +/- 0.33, p value < 0.01). However, differences in Tc-TETRO T/B ratios between the patients with positive and negative Ki-67 or mutant p53 expression were not found in this study. Our data confirmed that Tc-TETRO mammoscintigraphic findings are useful for determination of the presence of Pgp expression in breast cancer patients, but no significant relations between Tc-TETRO mammoscintigraphic findings and Ki67 or mutant p53 were found.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2002

Detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer using a combination of technetium-99m tetrofosmin chest single photon emission computed tomography and chest computed tomography.

UNLABELLED: The staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to detect mediastinal lymph node (MLN) metastases is very important for determining the therapeutic strategy. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with proven NSCLC were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT) and technetium-99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin chest single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) preoperative staging. Mediastinal lymph node metastases were determined on the basis of postoperative pathologic findings to compare the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT with that of Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT. RESULTS: Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT showed a diagnostic accuracy rate of 85.3% in detecting MLN metastases. Chest CT had an accuracy rate of 73.5%. If either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT with positive findings was considered as positive findings, the sensitivity was 94.7%. If either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT with negative findings was considered as negative, the specificity was 93.3%. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT was more accurate than chest CT in detecting MLN metastases in NSCLC patients. In addition, the combined use of Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT and chest CT could significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity compared with the single use of either Tc-99m tetrofosmin chest SPECT or chest CT.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintimammography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast cancer in patients with mammographically dense breast.

The main purpose of this study was to compare the utility of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m sestamibi) scintimammography with that of ultrasonography for diagnosis of breast cancer in 32 female patients with indeterminate mammographic probability of malignancy because of mammographically dense breast. All breast masses were removed and histopathological diagnosis was obtained in all cases. The results showed 20 of 24 cases of breast carcinoma detected on Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography. Only one out of eight patients with benign breast lesion had abnormal scintimammographic finding. Ultrasonography diagnosed 22 of the 24 cases of breast carcinoma. However, five out of eight patients with benign breast lesion had positive ultrasonographic findings. In differentiating malignant and benign breast tumors in mammographically dense breast, the diagnostic sensitivities were 83 and 92%, specificities were 88 and 38%, and accuracies were 84 and 78% for Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography and ultrasonography, respectively. Ultrasonography showed a nonsignificantly higher sensitivity (p < 0.05), but lower specificity, with more false-positive diagnoses made on ultrasonography. Due to its higher sensitivity, ultrasonography is more suitable for screening breast masses. However, Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography exhibited significantly higher specificity (p < 0.05) and accuracy in detecting malignant breast tumors in the current study. We conclude that Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography is a safe and useful diagnostic method for detection of breast cancer in patients with nondiagnostic mammogram because of mammographically dense breast.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Usefulness of technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintimammography to detect breast cancer in mammographically dense breasts.

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of techentium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) scintimammography to detect breast cancer in 32 female Taiwanese patients with indeterminate mammograpic probability of malignancy because of mammographyically dense breasts. All breast masses were removed and final histopathological diagnoses were obtained in all cases. The results showed that Tc-TF scintimammography findings were true-positive in 20 cases, false-positive in 1 case, true-negative in seven cases, and false-negative in four cases. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83, 88, and 84%, respectively, for detecting breast cancer in mammographically dense breasts. In conclusion, Tc-TF scintimammography is a useful tool for detecting breast cancer in patients with indeterminate mammograms because of mammographically dense breasts.

Adult↗