KSNM60 in Nuclear Endocrinology: from the Beginning to the Future

Nuclear endocrinology is the main ignitor for founding the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) in the early 1960s by outstanding pioneering medical doctors. Management of thyroid diseases required nuclear medicine technology in the early days of the KSNM and was rapidly developed by advancements in nuclear medicine technology. Nuclear thyroidology remains one of the main clinical applications in nuclear medicine worldwide. Nuclear medicine technology provides essential information for diagnosing and assessing diseases of the parathyroid glands, pituitary gland, and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). In addition, therapeutic nuclear medicine is essential for managing nonresectable NETs. Nuclear endocrinology remains a major section in clinical nuclear medicine, and members of the KSNM have contributed to progressing better management of benign and malignant endocrine diseases. This review summarizes the historical activities and milestone contributions to nuclear endocrinology made by the members of the KSNM over the past 60 years to congratulate the KSNM on its 60-year anniversary.