Simulator Education Initiatives for On-Campus Practical Training in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Because nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment has not been installed at our educational institution, we had not been able to incorporate nuclear medicine techniques into on-campus training until now. We have introduced a diagnostic image processing simulator to replace nuclear medicine diagnostic equipment. The simulator was used to conduct on-campus practical training on nuclear medicine technology.

Clinical Use of Hematoma Volume Based On Automated Segmentation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Using 3D U-Net.

Purpose: To propose a method for calculating hematoma volume based on automatic segmentation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) using 3D U‑net and investigate whether it can be used clinically to predict recurrence.

Methods: Hematoma volumes manually measured from pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) images were used as ground truth data to train 3D U‑net in 200 patients (400 CT scans). A total of 215 patients (430 CT scans) were used as test data to output segmentation results from the trained 3D U‑net model.

Intra-individual comparison of liver stiffness measurements by magnetic resonance elastography and two-dimensional shear-wave elastography in 888 patients.

Purpose: Quantitative elastography methods, such as ultrasound two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), are used to diagnose liver fibrosis. The present study compared liver stiffness determined by 2D-SWE and MRE within individuals and analyzed the degree of agreement between the two techniques.

Methods: In total, 888 patients who underwent 2D-SWE and MRE were analyzed.

Changing Methods of Education During a Pandemic: Questionnaire Survey about Examinations for Nuclear Medicine Technology at Educational Institutions in Japan.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world. Its effects go far beyond health care: education has to be conducted so as to prevent infection among students and faculty. Accordingly, changes have occurred in Japan's educational institutions, including methods of preparing students for examinations for nuclear medicine.

Evaluation of the usefulness of cystic duct three-dimensional computed tomography with non-contrast for before laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage in comparison to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether anatomical variations of the cystic duct and accessory bile duct can be grasped by cystic duct three-dimensional (3D)-computed tomography (CT) using non-contrast CT and to examine the possibility of omitting magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

Methods: Of patients who underwent non-contrast abdominal CT between May and October 2019, those who underwent MRCP within 1 month before and afterwards were targeted. Seven assessors visually evaluated the cystic duct 3D-CT images on a 5-point scale.

Educational Effect of Remote Lectures for Students Aiming to Become Radiologic Technologists: Questionnaire on Nuclear Medicine Examinations.

In the latter half of 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began spreading worldwide. To prevent COVID-19 infection, all teaching at Suzuka University of Medical Sciences from April to June 2020 took place as remote lectures, not in the face-to-face format. This study analyzed postlecture questionnaire responses regarding face-to-face and remote teaching on the subject of nuclear medicine technology examinations.

Comparison Between Prone and Upright Imaging of the Inferior Wall Using TlCl Myocardial Perfusion SPECT.

Because it suppresses attenuation artifacts from the diaphragm, prone SPECT is suitable for evaluating the cardiac inferior wall. A solid-state dedicated cardiac camera allows upright imaging, which can also be used to avoid attenuation artifacts from the diaphragm. We compared prone and upright imaging for inferior wall evaluation using TlCl myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS).

Criteria for the addition of prone imaging to myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography for inferior wall.

Objective: Myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is occasionally suspected to generate images that represent either ischemia or infarction for the inferior wall [right coronary artery (RCA) disease] or attenuation artifacts because of the diaphragm. We often encounter this. The application of prone imaging is advantageous in the differentiation of RCA disease because of attenuation artifacts.

Tumor growth-inhibitory effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) in a lung cancer xenograft model analyzed using 18F-FDG-PET/CT.

Introduction: We administered an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) to mice implanted with a human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549 cells) and investigated the tumor growth-inhibitory effect of captopril from the viewpoint of glucose metabolism using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG)-PET/CT.

Methods: Subcutaneous implantation of A549 cells (1.9×10(6) cells) was carried out in the lower right flank of mice.