Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-2-99-107

W.Yu. Ussov¹, S.M. Minin¹, Zh.Zh. Anashbayev¹, S.I. Sazonova²,
O.I. Belichenko³, E.A. Golovina⁴, Yu.B. Lishmanov², A.M. Cherniavsky¹

Quantitative Brain SPECT/CT with ^99mTc-Technetril
for Visualization and Assessment of the Functional State of Pituitary Adenomas

¹ E.N. Meshalkin National Research Medical Center, Novosibirsk, Russia

² Scientific Research Institute of Cardiology, Tomsk, Russia

³ Russian University of Sports GTSOLIFK, Moscow, Russia

⁴ National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia

Contact person: Ussov Wladimir Yuryevich, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summary

Purpose: We tried to adapt the methodology for quantifying the accumulation of ^99mTc-technetril (^99mTc-MIBI) in pituitary adenomas, present a pharmacokinetic model for calculating blood flow in the pituitary gland based on the accumulation of ^99mTc-technetril and evaluate their relationship with the level of prolactin in the blood in some pathological conditions.

Material and methods: The tumor blood flow (TBF) was calculated using the standardized radiopharmaceutical absorption value (SUV) and the minute volume of the heart (MV) as TBF = SUV^99mTc-technetril × (MV / BodyWeight) × 100, where 100 is the conversion coefficient for representing the result in generally accepted units of ml/min/100 cm³ of tissue. The value of
SUV^99mTc-technetril can be determined using modern digital tomographic gamma cameras automatically, using source calibration with graduated specific radioactivity, or using phantoms with known radioactivity, with the construction of a regression relationship local kBq activity/ml – scintillation count per voxel and determining the true accumulation of radiopharmacutical in the tissue tumors, in kBq/cm³ units of tissue. 

SPECT/CT of the brain with ^99mTc-technetril (185–240 MBq, Gemini 700 gamma cameras and GE Discovery NM/CT 670 Pro) was performed in 8 patients without pituitary pathology (4 men and women, 34–63 years old) – control group, 9 patients with pituitary microadenomas (5 women and 4 men, 32–51 years old), and 8 patients (5 women and 3 men, 32–56 years old) with pituitary macroadenomas. All patients in groups 2 and 3 had an increase in blood prolactin levels > 35 mg/l, and all of them then received therapy with bromocriptine 2.5 mg/day or higher. 

Results: Visually, SPECT/CT showed nodular inclusion in pituitary micro- and macroadenomas. SUV significantly differed between the groups and amounted to 1.23 ± 0.25 (0.85–1.39) in the control group, respectively, with microadenomas 7,20 ± 1,17 (4,5–12,9) (p < 0.02 compared with the control), and with macroadenomas 12.54 ± 3.62 (3.9–4.85) (p < 0.005). The tissue blood flow was, respectively 9,2 ± 2,0 (6,9–14,2): 36,9 ± 7,3 (26,3–72,3) (p < 0.01): and 68.3 ±14.9 (21.0–78.2)(p < 0.002. SUV^99mTc-technetril > 5.8 for pituitary nodule  was found to be correlated with blood prolactin levels of over 200 mg/l (p = 0.045). A decrease in the SUV^99mTc-technetril of the pituitary gland < 3.9 during therapy with bromocriptine 2.5 mg/day was combined with a decrease in blood prolactin levels below 150 mg/l (p = 0.0482).

Conclusion: SPECT/CT of the brain with ^99mTc-technetril is an informative additional method of examining patients with pathology of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and allows determining the standardized amount of radiopharmaceutical absorption, as well as pituitary blood flow. It is advisable to use SPECT/CT of the brain with ^99mTc-technetril for prospective monitoring of therapy of pituitary pathology, as an adjunct to MRI. A further study of the role of pituitary SPECT/CT with ^99mTc-technetril in a wider population of endocrinological patients is needed for inclusion in the standard algorithm and clinical recommendations for patient examination.

Keywords: SPECT/CT, ^99mTc-MIBI, pituitary adenomas, dynamic SPECT, dynamic scintigraphy, pituitary blood flow

For citation: Ussov WYu, Minin SM, Anashbayev ZhZh, Sazonova SI, Belichenko OI, Golovina EA, Lishmanov YuB, Cherniavsky AM. Quantitative Brain SPECT/CT with ^99mTc-technetril for Visualization and Assessment of the Functional State of Pituitary Adenomas. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(3):99–107. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-99-107

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 PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study had no sponsorship.

Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.

Article received: 20.02.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2025.

Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-117-120

A.G. Bezverkhov¹, E.N. Alekhin², Yu.S. Pyshkina^{2, 3},
А.А. Stanjevsky⁴, А.V. Logvinenko²

On the Legal Regulation of the Specialties Radiology
and Radiotherapy in the Russian Federation

¹ S.P. Korolev Samara National Research University, Samara, Russia

² Tyumen State Medical University, Tyumen, Russia

³ Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia

⁴ A.M. Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia

Contact person: Yu.S. Pyshkina, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To study the specifics of legal and regulatory framework governing the specialties of Radiology (nuclear medicine) and Radiotherapy in the Russian Federation with regard to defining their nomenclature and further regulation.

Material and methods: Radiology, commonly referred to as nuclear medicine, originated in the late 19th century after the discovery of radioactivity. It is now extensively utilized in both diagnostic procedures and therapeutic treatments. However, there is significant confusion surrounding the definition of fundamental terms and concepts related to this branch of medicine, necessitating additional clarifications. The authors analyzed literary sources and legislative bases dedicated to issues of terminological and normative uncertainty in the field of nuclear medicine (radiology) in Russia. Discussed are differences in definitions of key terms such as “nuclear medicine,” “radiopharmaceutical preparation,” “radionuclide therapy,” and “radionuclide diagnostics.” Additionally, the problem of a lack of clear standards and rules in the field of nuclear medicine is raised, leading to difficulties in regulating and financing medical services.

Results: Proposed measures for improving the situation include developing unified terminology and standards, introducing the position of chief external radiotherapist, creating professional standards for radiologists and radiotherapists, and involving professional communities in addressing this issue.

Conclusion: The conducted research underscores the importance of resolving existing problems in legal and regulatory frameworks and terminological discrepancies in the fields of radiology and nuclear medicine in Russia. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of unifying terminology and definitions, establishing clear professional standards for specialists, and developing guidelines for conducting radionuclide studies. These measures should contribute to enhancing the quality of medical care, increasing the efficiency of professionals’ work, and ensuring proper funding of medical services through the compulsory health insurance system. The article proposes solving the identified problem by developing and approving terminology in the specialties of Radiology and Radiotherapy and making amendments to regulatory documentation.

Keywords: radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, radiation therapy, terminology, instrument of legal regulation

For citation: Bezverkhov AG, Alekhin EN, Pyshkina YuS, Stanjevsky АА, Logvinenko АV. On the Legal Regulation of the Specialties Radiology and Radiotherapy in the Russian Federation. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(3):117–120. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-117-120

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 PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study had no sponsorship.

Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.

Article received: 20.02.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2025.

Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-108-116

D.V. Arefyeva, V.B. Firsanov, S.V. Yarmiychuk, A.V. Petushok

Application of the Monte-Carlo Method
for Calibration of a Gamma-ray Scintillation Spectrometer

Scientific Research Institute of Industrial and Marine Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia

Contact person: D.V. Arefyeva, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To develop a method for calibration of a gamma-ray scintillation spectrometer using the Monte Carlo method.

Material and methods: The subject of the study was a gamma-ray spectrometer designed to measure the energy distribution (spectrum) and determine the activity of gamma-emitting radionuclides. Experimental studies were carried out with a set of exemplary measures of special-purpose activity with radionuclides ²⁴¹Am, ¹⁵²Eu, ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁷Cs uniformly deposited on an ion exchange resin. Calibration of the spectrometer was carried out using the MCC 3D program (Monte Carlo Calculations 3D), modeling of the hardware spectrum was performed using the MCA program (MultiChannel Analyzer).

Results: The comparison of experimental and simulated spectra was carried out in the following energy intervals: the interval corresponding to the total peak of total absorption (PTA) for gamma energy lines 1173.2 keV and 1332.5 keV for ⁶⁰Co and PTA for gamma energy line 661.7 keV for ¹³⁷Cs; intervals corresponding to Compton scattering in the angle range (30–60)°, (60–90)° and (90–180)° (for the ⁶⁰Co, the average gamma radiation energy of 1252.9 keV was considered); the interval corresponding to multiple scattering with an energy above 100 keV. It was found that the largest deviation of the simulated spectrum from the experimental one is 12 % for the interval corresponding to multiple scattering, which indicates the possibility of spectrum identity. This assumption was verified for each energy interval using the Pearson consensus criterion. A maximum value of χ² equal to 6.6 was obtained for the energy interval corresponding to Compton scattering in the angle range (60–90)°, which indicates the acceptability of the hypothesis of the identity of the experimental and simulated spectra. Validation of the proposed method showed that the discrepancy between the calculated and passport activity of the sample was no more than 13 %, which indicates the possibility of using the method for calibration of the gamma spectrometer. The dependences of the efficiency of registration in the PTA on the density of the counting sample are calculated using simulated hardware spectra of single activity.

Conclusion: The proposed method makes it possible to calibrate the spectrometer to calculate the specific activity in samples at various densities and energies using spectrometric equipment equipped with inorganic scintillation crystals.

Keywords: gamma-ray spectrometer, Monte Carlo method, calibration, radiation safety 

For citation: Arefyeva DV, Firsanov VB, Yarmiychuk SV, Petushok AV. Application of the Monte-Carlo Method  for Calibration of a Gamma-ray Scintillation Spectrometer. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(3):108–116. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-108-116

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 PDF (RUS) Full-text article (in Russian)

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study had no sponsorship.

Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.

Article received: 20.02.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2025. 

Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 2

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-2-5-8

S.A. Abdullaev^{1, 2}, N.F. Raeva¹, D.V. Fomina¹, T.P. Kalinin³,
T.N. Maksimova⁴, G.D. Zasukhina^{1, 5}

Thymoquinone (a Component of Nigella Sativa) Reduces Toxic Effects of Radiotherapy and Has Anti-Cancer Potential

¹ A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia

² Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Pushchino, Russia

³ N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

⁴ I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia

⁵ N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia

Contact person: S.A. Abdullaev, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

The review analyzes literature data on the biological properties of thymoquinone (TQ), a component of black cumin (Nigella sativa), which is widely used (mainly in the East) for the prevention and treatment of a number of pathologies, including oncology. Numerous data are provided on the radioprotective properties of TQ on experimental animals associated with the effect on oxidative stress induced by radiation, as well as stimulation of the protective systems of the cell and the body. The effect of TQ in combination with radiation in tumor formation is shown. Given the safety of TQ compared to synthetic protectors, the authors recommend TQ for further research for prevention and treatment of radiation exposure.

Keywords: thymoquinone, radioprotector, antioxidant, radiotherapy

For citation: Abdullaev SA, Raeva NF, Fomina DV, Kalinin TP, Maksimova TN, Zasukhina GD. Thymoquinone (a Component of Nigella Sativa) Reduces Toxic Effects of Radiotherapy and Has Anti-Cancer Potential. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(2):5–8. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-2-5-8

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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The work was carried out on the topic of the Technology-3 Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Science and Technology named after A.I. Burnazyan (state assignment No. 123011300105-3).

Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.

Article received: 20.12.2024. Accepted for publication: 25.01.2025.