• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2015

In this study, the reduction of dose and risk was evaluated from using automatic mA control in 4D CT scan of patients whose organ movement was considered for gated radiotherapy. The organ doses, CTDI, effective doses from 4D CT with and without using automatic mA control were evaluated using CT-Expo program for each 10 patients of liver and lung cancer, and the risk of exposure induced death and loss of life expectancy were evaluated using PCXMC program. It was founded that there were 26.8%, and 15.5% dose reduction in organ doses and CTDI for liver and lung cancer patients and 16.5% and 19.8% risk reduction in liver and lung cancer patients. The organ doses and effective doses were evaluated for the parameter of each patient used in CT scans, and risks considering age and gender could be evaluated. It was founded that there were 21.2% dose reduction and 18.2% risk reduction in 4D CT scan using AEC for liver and lung cancer patients.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.421-426
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• 2011

This research was accomplished to assess dose effects on image quality at computed radiography (CR). The ultimate target of the research was finding optimized exposure that provides necessary image quality for the clinical chest diagnosis. Modulation transfer function (MTF), normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS), and Noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) corresponding to the different doses were measured for the assessment of image quality. The preparation of "edge test device" used in MTF measurement and experimental geometry setup were followed by the recommendations of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The experimental results show the necessary image quality can be achieved even at a half of the automatic exposure control (AEC) setting dose for chest diagnosis. It means that the patient exposure can be reduced dramatically by using optimized dose.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2013

This study included 198 patients who underwent prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered high-pitch spiral mode(FLASH mode) in cardiac CT for health check: 123 patients who underwent manual exposure control(Group A) and 75 patients who underwent automatic exposure control(Group B). Patients were classified according to BMI grades: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4. Radiation dose, objective and subjective image quality between two groups were compared. In Group B, tube voltage were significantly decreased in all BMI grades. Both $CTDI_{vol}$ and effective dose were significantly reduced in the BMI Grade 1, 3, and 4 whereas they were slightly reduced in the Grade 2(p>0.05), SNR was significantly decreased in the Grade 1 and increased in the Grade 3(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the Grade 2, 4 between the two groups(p>0.05). CNR was significantly decreased in the Grade 1(p<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the Grade 2, 3, 4 between the two groups(p>0.05). The subjective image quality showed no significant difference in all BMI Grades between the two groups(p>0.05). Automatic exposure control can lead to a significant reduction of radiation exposure dose without degradation of subjective image quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.931-936
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• 2020

This study was conducted to observe the changes in radiation exposure dose and image quality of pediatric patients according to the presence and size of the gonadal shield when using the AEC system. X-ray equipment was used to measure the radiation exposure dose in the abdominal and gonads of the pediatric phantom when no shielding body was used and when three different sizes of shielding body were used, and SNR and CNR were measured through the obtained images. As a result of the study, the radiation exposure dose to the gonads decreased in proportion to the size of the radiation shield, but the radiation exposure dose to the abdomen was rather increased, and the image quality did not change. It is recommended to use a shield with a size optimized for the age, weight, and body size of the pediatric patient so as not to be overexposed by the increased radiation due to the radiation shield due to the use of the AEC System. For this purpose, information about the pediatric patient with the nurse It is believed that exchange is necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.535-540
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• 2015

Collimator has important functions with control primary X-ray that decrease radiation exposure dose for patients and reduce scatter ray and make better quality of image. But there are no regulations for X-ray mammography device of collimator, so widely used device adopt rectangularly controlled collimator. Though digital X-ray mammography device expand supply recently, rectangularly controlled collimator of film/screen mode still used. After searching for real condition of beam field with digital mammography, we made a multi-leaf collimator which is able to adjust the beam field in accordance with size and shape of breast, and we measuring up the transitions of image quality, average glandular dose(AGD) and, Dose area product(DAP). There are no significant differences between rectangularly controlled collimator and multi-leaf collimator, and DAP value decreased by 50.72%. As conclusion, there needs to expand the use of multi-leaf collimator for optimum adoption of beam field in digital mammography, and also need to develop an automatic regulation of beam field for reduce of exposure dose to patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2014

Purpose : This study has already started commercial Gated RapidArc automation equipment which was not previously in the Gated radiation therapy can be performed simultaneously with the VMAT Gated RapidArc radiation therapy to the accuracy of the analysis to evaluate the usability, Amplitude mode applied to the patient. Materials and Methods : The analysis of the distribution of radiation dose equivalent quality solid water phantom and GafChromic film was used Film QA film analysis program using the Gamma factor (3%, 3 mm). Three-dimensional dose distribution in order to check the accuracy of Matrixx dosimetry equipment and Compass was used for dose analysis program. Periodic breathing synchronized with solid phantom signals Phantom 4D Phantom and Varian RPM was created by breathing synchronized system, free breathing and breath holding at each of the dose distribution was analyzed. In order to apply to four patients from February 2013 to August 2013 with liver cancer targets enough to get a picture of 4DCT respiratory cycle and then patients are pratice to meet patient's breathing cycle phase mode using the patient eye goggles to see the pattern of the respiratory cycle to be able to follow exactly in a while 4DCT images were acquired. Gated RapidArc treatment Amplitude mode in order to create the breathing cycle breathing performed three times, and then at intervals of 40% to 60% 5-6 seconds and breathing exercises that can not stand (Fig. 5), 40% While they are treated 60% in the interval Beam On hold your breath when you press the button in a way that was treated with semi-automatic. Results : Non-respiratory and respiratory rotational intensity modulated radiation therapy technique absolute calculation dose of using computerized treatment plan were shown a difference of less than 1%, the difference between treatment technique was also less than 1%. Gamma (3%, 3 mm) and showed 99% agreement, each organ-specific dose difference were generally greater than 95% agreement. The rotational intensity modulated radiation therapy, respiratory synchronized to the respiratory cycle created Amplitude mode and the actual patient's breathing cycle could be seen that a good agreement. Conclusion : When you are treated Non-respiratory and respiratory method between volumetric intensity modulated radiation therapy rotation of the absolute dose and dose distribution showed a very good agreement. This breathing technique tuning volumetric intensity modulated radiation therapy using a rotary moving along the thoracic or abdominal breathing can be applied to the treatment of tumors is considered. The actual treatment of patients through the goggles of the respiratory cycle to create Amplitude mode Gated RapidArc treatment equipment that does not automatically apply to the results about 5-6 seconds stopped breathing in breathing synchronized rotary volumetric intensity modulated radiation therapy facilitate could see complement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.573-579
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• 2023

This study compares dose difference between the presence or absence of grid in Chest PA radiography using auto exposure control and compares image quality among presence, absence or virtual grid, and proposes a new clinically useful grid combination for chest radiography. The human body phantom was placed Chest PA position and the dosimeter was placed at T6. The same irradiation conditions and field size were applied. 30 images were obtained in the state in which grid was applied and in the state in which grid was not applied, and an additional 30 images in which the virtual grid was applied to the image without the grid were obtained. Radiation dose was presented to entrance surface dose. The image quality was analyzed by comparing the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio. ESD decreased by 48% when the grid was not used, compared to when the grid was used. SNR and CNR increased by 32% and 30% compared to grid use when grid was not used, respectively. In the case of using the virtual grid, it increased by 18% and 16% respectively, compared to the case of using the grid. As a result of this study, it is believed that when using a virtual grid instead of a grid, the quality of the image can be maintained while reducing the patient dose.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2009

Radiation treatment techniques using photon beam such as three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) as well as intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment (IMRT) demand accurate dose calculation in order to increase target coverage and spare healthy tissue. Both jaw collimator and multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) for photon beams have been used to achieve such goals. In the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system (TPS), which we are using in our clinics, a set of model parameters like jaw collimator transmission factor (JTF) and MLC transmission factor (MLCTF) are determined from the measured data because it is using a model-based photon dose algorithm. However, model parameters obtained by this auto-modeling process can be different from those by direct measurement, which can have a dosimetric effect on the dose distribution. In this paper we estimated JTF and MLCTF obtained by the auto-modeling process in the Pinnacle3 TPS. At first, we obtained JTF and MLCTF by direct measurement, which were the ratio of the output at the reference depth under the closed jaw collimator (MLCs for MLCTF) to that at the same depth with the field size $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ in the water phantom. And then JTF and MLCTF were also obtained by auto-modeling process. And we evaluated the dose difference through phantom and patient study in the 3D-CRT plan. For direct measurement, JTF was 0.001966 for 6 MV and 0.002971 for 10 MV, and MLCTF was 0.01657 for 6 MV and 0.01925 for 10 MV. On the other hand, for auto-modeling process, JTF was 0.001983 for 6 MV and 0.010431 for 10 MV, and MLCTF was 0.00188 for 6 MV and 0.00453 for 10 MV. JTF and MLCTF by direct measurement were very different from those by auto-modeling process and even more reasonable considering each beam quality of 6 MV and 10 MV. These different parameters affect the dose in the low-dose region. Since the wrong estimation of JTF and MLCTF can lead some dosimetric error, comparison of direct measurement and auto-modeling of JTF and MLCTF would be helpful during the beam commissioning.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2006

Hepatoma is one of 3 most common malignancies in Korea, the survival rate is not improved since last decades because of delayed diagnosis and limited treatment conditions. Radiation was one of treatment options but the impact on the survival is not remarkable. High dose exposure to target area was suggested for improved effect but low tolerance dose of normal liver tissue is the main limited factor. IMRT is the advanced form of 3DCRT, for focusing high dose on target with minimal dose to surrounding normal tissues. Motion of the tumor by respiration, cardiac pulsation and peristalsis is the main treatment harrier of IMRT for treatment of hepatoma patients. Development of QA technique for acceptable geometrical uncertainties and dose error on target volume is essential for IMRT in clinical treatment but proper QA technique is not yet developed. This study compared the verification film dosimetry with measured dose in phantom and calculated dose in planning computer on exactly same conditions of patient treatments. Within 3% dose differences between 3 groups were confirmed. We suggest that our verification QA technique is easy, economic, iterative and acceptable in clinical application for advanced hepatoma patients.