• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2023

This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of Deep Learning Image Reconstruction (TrueFidelity, TF), the image quality of existing Filtered Back Projection (FBP) and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction-Veo (ASIR-V) were compared. Noise, CNR, and SSIM were measured by obtaining images with doses fixed at 17.29 mGy and altered to 10.37 mGy, 12.10 mGy, 13.83 mGy, and 15.56 mGy in reconstruction techniques of FBP, ASIR-V 50%, and TF-H. TF-H has superior image quality compared to FBP and ASIR-V when the reconstruction technique change is given at 17.29 mGy. When dose changes were made, Noise, CNR, and SSIM were significantly different when comparing 10.37 mGy TF-H and FBP (p<0.05), and no significant difference when comparing 10.37 mGy TF-H and ASIR-V 50% (p>0.05). TF-H has a dose-reduction effect of 30%, as the highest dose of 15.56 mGy ASIR-V has the same image quality as the lowest dose of 10.37 mGy TF-H. Thus, Deep Learning Reconstruction techniques (TF) were able to reduce dose compared to Iterative Reconstruction techniques (ASIR-V) and Filtered Back Projection (FBP). Therefore, it is considered to reduce the exposure dose of patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 2013.06a
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• pp.274-277
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• 2013

CT(Computed Tomography)영상에서 선량과 화질은 중요한 요소이다. 선량은 환자에게 직접적으로 악영향을 끼치는 요소이며, 화질은 환자의 병변을 판단하는데 매우 중요하게 작용한다. 반복적 재구성 알고리즘을 이용하면 저선량 영상에서도 고화질의 영상을 얻을 수 있는지 FBP와 정량적, 정성적으로 비교하였다. 촬영 프로토콜은 관전압 80, 100, 120kVp에서 관전류를 동일하게 200mA로 촬영하여 획득하였으며, 정량적 평가를 위해 SD(Standard Deviation), SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio), MTF(Modulation Transfer Function)를 측정하여 분석하였다. 선량은 80kVp일 때 가장 낮았으며, 120kVp일 때 가장 높았다. 80kVp의 영상을 Toshiba 사(社)의 AIDR 3D(Adaptive Iterative Reduction integrated into $^{SURE}Exposure$)로 재구성하고, 120kVp의 영상에 FBP로 재구성한 다음 정량적 비교를 한 결과 AIDR 3D를 적용한 영상의 SD가 낮게 나왔으며, SNR이 높게 나타났고, MTF 곡선은 유사하게 나타났다. 그리고 FWHM(Full Width at Half Maximum) 값의 오차가 거의 없었다. 결론적으로 AIDR 3D는 저선량에서도 높은 화질을 나타냄을 확인하였다.

• 대한방사선방어학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.204-205
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• 2010

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2000

This is a preliminary study for developing the method of the dose reconstruction in the patients, irradiated by mega-voltage photon beams from the linear accelerator, using the transit dose distributions. In this study we present the method of three-dimensional dose reconstruction and evaluate the method by computer simulation. To acquire the dose distributions in the patients (or phantoms) we first calculate the differences between the doses at the arbitrary points in the patients and the doses at the corresponding points where the transit doses are measured. Then, we can get the dose in the patients from the measured transit dose and the calculated value of the difference. The dose differences are calculated by applying the inverse square law and using the linear attenuation coefficient. The scatter to primary dose ratios, which are calculated by the Monte Carlo program using the CT data of the patient (or phantoms), are also used in the calculations. For the evaluation of this method we used various kinds of homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms and calculated the transit dose distributions with the Monte Carlo program. From the distributions we reconstructed the dose distributions in the phantom. We used mono-energy Photon beam of 1.5MeV and Monte Carlo program EGS4. The comparison between the dose distributions reconstructed using the method and the distributions calculated by the Monte Carlo program was done. They agreed within errors of -4%∼+2%. This method can be used to predict the dose distributions in the patient

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of an iterative reconstruction algorithm and an automatic exposure control (AEC) technique on image quality and radiation dose through phantom experiments with coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography protocols. We scanned the AAPM CT performance phantom using 320 multi-detector-row CT. At the tube voltages of 80, 100, and 120 kVp, the scanning was repeated with two settings of the AEC technique, i.e., with the target standard deviations (SD) values of 33 (the higher tube current) and 44 (the lower tube current). The scanned projection data were reconstructed also in two ways, with the filtered back projection (FBP) and with the iterative reconstruction technique (AIDR-3D). The image quality was evaluated quantitatively with the noise standard deviation, modulation transfer function, and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR). More specifically, we analyzed the influences of selection of a tube voltage and a reconstruction algorithm on tube current modulation and consequently on radiation dose. Reduction of image noise by the iterative reconstruction algorithm compared with the FBP was revealed eminently, especially with the lower tube current protocols, i.e., it was decreased by 46% and 38%, when the AEC was established with the lower dose (the target SD=44) and the higher dose (the target SD=33), respectively. As a side effect of iterative reconstruction, the spatial resolution was decreased by a degree that could not mar the remarkable gains in terms of noise reduction. Consequently, if coronary CT angiogprahy is scanned and reconstructed using both the automatic exposure control and iterative reconstruction techniques, it is anticipated that, in comparison with a conventional acquisition method, image noise can be reduced significantly with slight decrease in spatial resolution, implying clinical advantages of radiation dose reduction, still being faithful to the ALARA principle.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.139-142
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop a system of clinical application of reconstructed dose that includes dose reconstruction, reconstructed dose registration between fractions of treatment, and dose-volume-histogram generation and to demonstrate the system on a deformable prostate phantom. To achieve this purpose, a deformable prostate phantom was embedded into a 20 cm-deep and 40 cm-wide water phantom. The phantom was CT scanned and the anatomical models of prostate, seminal vesicles, and rectum were contoured. A coplanar 4-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan was used for this study. Organ deformation was simulated by inserting a "transrectal" balloon containing 20 ml of water. A new CT scan was obtained and the deformed structures were contoured. Dose responses in phantoms and electronic portal imaging device (EPID) were calculated by using the XVMC Monte Carlo code. The IMRT plan was delivered to the two phantoms and integrated EPID images were respectively acquired. Dose reconstruction was performed on these images using the calculated responses. The deformed phantom was registered to the original phantom using an in-house developed software based on the Demons algorithm. The transfer matrix for each voxel was obtained and used to correlate the two sets of the reconstructed dose to generate a cumulative reconstructed dose on the original phantom. Forwardly calculated planning dose in the original phantom was compared to the cumulative reconstructed dose from EPID in the original phantom. The prescribed 200 cGy isodose lines showed little difference with respect to the "prostate" and "seminal vesicles", but appreciable difference (3%) was observed at the dose level greater than 210 cGy. In the rectum, the reconstructed dose showed lower volume coverage by a few percent than the plan dose in the dose range of 150 to 200 cGy. Through this study, the system of clinical application of reconstructed dose was successfully developed and demonstrated. The organ deformation simulated in this study resulted in small but observable dose changes in the target and critical structure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.58-58
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• 2003

목적 : 본 연구에서는 C-arm과 CT에 사용 가능한 자궁경부암용 팬톰을 개발하고 이를 이용하여 기존의 필름 방법에 기반한 위치 확인 방법과 CT 재구성 방법의 정확성을 비교 연구하고자 한다. 정확성이 검증된 후에는 두 방법의 장점을 이용하기 위해 CT로 재구성된 좌표를 필름의 좌표로 변환시켜 현재 사용되고 있는 필름에 기반한 근접 치료 계획 시행에 도움을 주고자 한다. 방법 : 자체 제작한 자궁경부암용 팬톰은 인체 등가 물질인 물과 아크릴을 사용하였고, 크게 localizer 부분과 팬톰 부분으로 구성되어 있다. 또한, 실제 자궁경부암 환자의 임상적인 구조를 모사하여 제작하였다. 자궁경부암 치료시 중요 장기인 방광과 직장을 구와 원기둥으로 설계하였고, 고선량율 applicator는 아크릴 판의 흠으로 고정시켜 제작하였기 때문에 CT 촬영시 applicator를 제거한 영상에서도 applicator의 구조가 정확하게 묘사될 수 있도록 제작하였다. 두 시스템에서 재구성된 좌표를 비교하기 위해 각각의 시스템에서의 얻은 재구성 좌표와 팬톰 자체의 localizer와 재구성 알고리즘을 바탕으로 개발된 프로그램을 이용하여 얻은 좌표로 두 재구성 좌표의 비교 연구를 수행하였다. 정확성이 검증되고 장기의 정보가 담긴 CT의 좌표는 자체 개발된 프로그램으로 2 차원의 필름 좌표로 변환되었다. 본 연구에 사용된 모든 프로그램은 ILD 5.5를 사용하여 개발되었다. 결과 : 두 시스템의 좌표 비교 결과 x, y 축은 차이가 2mm 이내로 비교적 정확한 실험 결과를 얻을 수 있었고, z 축의 경우 CT 슬라이드의 굵기에 따라 2mm-3mm 이내의 차이가 있음을 관찰할 수 있었다. z 축을 제외한 좌표의 차이는 획득한 영상에서 컴퓨터로 좌표를 옮기는 localizer 좌표 선택 과정에 발생했을 것으로 예상된다. 또한, 이 검증된 좌표와 개발된 프로그램을 이용하여 우리는 CT의 좌표를 2차원의 필름 좌표로 정확하게 변환할 수 있었다. 결론 : 이 연구로부터 기존의 C-arm 재구성 방법과 CT 재구성 방법의 비교를 통해 각 치료 기기의 신뢰성을 직접 확인할 수 있었으며, 비교를 통해 검증된 CT의 좌표를 필름 좌표로 변환시킴으로서, 각 시스템의 장점만을 결합한 효과적인 치료 계획을 세울 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였다. 또한 물과 아크릴을 사용한 비교적 간단하고 경제적인 방법으로 C-arm, CT 그리고 MRI에 모두 이용 가능한 팬톰을 제작하여 쉽고 정확하게 위치를 확인할 수 있었다. 더 나아가, 본 연구에서 제작된 자궁경부암 팬톰은 근접치료를 포함하여 관련 팬톰 개발에 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.1065-1072
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• 2021

In Computed Tomography, abdominal examination showed the highest proportion of use, and effort of reducing the radiation dose is required. Recently introduced Iterative Reconstruction(IR) is repetitive reconstruction technique of Computed Tomography. SIEMENS' IR, ADMIRE and GE's IR, ASIR-V, were used in this examination. Noise, % Contrast, and High contrast resolution were measured by using ACR phantom for image quality evaluation. In addition, CTDI_vol and DLP displayed in the CT device were used for dose evaluation. When FBP and IR were compared, stage 2 to stage 5 of ADMIRE and 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% of ASIR-V were applied, noise could be reduced from a minimum of 0.46 to a maximum of 2.38 in ADMIRE compared to FBP, and noise from a minimum of 0.51 to a maximum of 2.5 in ASIR-V compared to FBP. Also, % Contrast and High contrast resolution of FBP and IR were no statistical difference. When IR was used for abdominal CT examination, the radiation dose of ADMIRE is reduced by 25.39% compared to the radiation dose of FBP. Also, the radiation dose of ASIR-V is reduced by 16.61% compared to the radiation dose of FBP. In conclusion, it is believed that if IR is applied during abdominal CT examination, the radiation dose can be reduced without deteriorating the image quality.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.332-339
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• 2010

We aimed to setup an adaptive radiation therapy platform using cone-beam CT (CBCT) and multileaf collimator (MLC) log data and also intended to analyze a trend of dose calculation errors during the procedure based on a phantom study. We took CT and CBCT images of Catphan-600 (The Phantom Laboratory, USA) phantom, and made a simple step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan based on the CT. Original plan doses were recalculated based on the CT ($CT_{plan}$) and the CBCT ($CBCT_{plan}$). Delivered monitor unit weights and leaves-positions during beam delivery for each MLC segment were extracted from the MLC log data then we reconstructed delivered doses based on the CT ($CT_{recon}$) and CBCT ($CBCT_{recon}$) respectively using the extracted information. Dose calculation errors were evaluated by two-dimensional dose discrepancies ($CT_{plan}$ was the benchmark), gamma index and dose-volume histograms (DVHs). From the dose differences and DVHs, it was estimated that the delivered dose was slightly greater than the planned dose; however, it was insignificant. Gamma index result showed that dose calculation error on CBCT using planned or reconstructed data were relatively greater than CT based calculation. In addition, there were significant discrepancies on the edge of each beam while those were less than errors due to inconsistency of CT and CBCT. $CBCT_{recon}$ showed coupled effects of above two kinds of errors; however, total error was decreased even though overall uncertainty for the evaluation of delivered dose on the CBCT was increased. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dose calculation errors separately as a setup error, dose calculation error due to CBCT image quality and reconstructed dose error which is actually what we want to know.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the relationship between the external radiation dose reconstruction which is transmitted from the patient who receives radiation treatment through electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and the internal dose derived from the Monte Carlo simulation. As a comparative analysis of the two cases, it is performed to provide a basic indicator for similar studies. The geometric information of the experiment and that of the radiation source were entered into Monte Carlo n-particle (MCNPX) which is the computer simulation tool and to derive the EPID images, a tally card in MCNPX was used for visualizing and the imaging of the dose information. We set to source to surface distance (SSD) 100 cm for internal measurement and EPID. And the water phantom was set to be 100 cm of the source to surface distance (SSD) for the internal measurement and EPID was set to 90 cm of SSD which is 10 cm below. The internal dose was collected from the water phantom by using mesh tally function in MCNPX, accumulated dose data was acquired by four-portal beam exposures. At the same time, after getting the dose which had been passed through water phantom, dose reconstruction was performed using back-projection method. In order to analyze about two cases, we compared the penetrated dose by calibration of itself with the absorbed one. We also evaluated the reconstructed dose using EPID and partially accumulated (overlapped) dose in water phantom by four-portal beam exposures. The sum dose data of two cases were calculated as each 3.4580 MeV/g (absorbed dose in water) and 3.4354 MeV/g (EPID reconstruction). The result of sum dose match from two cases shows good agreement with 0.6536% dose error.