• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma usually occurs in women and is associated with a past hysterectomy in 80% of the cases, which is a rare entity. The patient was a 39-year-old woman who complained of cough and sputum. She underwent hysterectomy because of benign leiomyoma ten years ago. Chest X-ray showed nodular lesion in the left lung field. Chest CT showed a 3cm sized round well defined mass at left hilum with mild indentation of segmental bronchi of left upper lobe and a small tiny nodule in right lower lung field. Nodular lesion of left upper 1000 was resected by thoracotomy. Pathological evaluation showed benign spindle-like cells having nuclei without cytotic atypia similar to those of benign leiomyoma. Immunohistochernical stainings for desmin and smooth muscle actin were positive. Therefore these nodules are considered as benign metastasizing leiomyoma from a uterine leiomyoma. We report this case with the review of literature.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate optimal CT scan parameters to minimize patient dose to the irradiation and maintain satisfactory image quality in low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans. In a chest anthropomorphic phantom, chest CT scans were performed at different kVp and mA within reference of 3.4mGy in volume CT Dose Index (CTDI_vol). The following quantitative parameters had been statistically evaluated: image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM). Nine radiographers conducted the blind test to select the optimal kVp-mA combination. Results indicated that the kVp-mA combination of 80kVp-90mA, 100kVp-50mA, 120kVp-30mA and 140kVp-30mA were obtained high SNR and CNR. The 120kVp-30mA combination offered good compromise in the FOM, which showed the quality and dose performance. In the blind test, an image of 80kVp-90mA obtained a high score with 4.7 points, and 120kVp-10mA or 140kVp-10mA with a low tube current were observed severe noise and poor image quality, thus resulting in decreased diagnostic accuracy. On the other hand, in the combination of high kVp and high mA(140kVp-90mA), the image quality was improved, but the radiation dose was also increased. the FOM value of 140kVp-90mA was lower than 120kVp-30mA. The application of appropriate scan parameters in low-dose chest CT scans produced satisfactory results in dose and image quality for the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2013

There is no established treatment for esophageal carcinoma with metastasis. For the metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, chemotherapy or best supportive care according to patient's performance status are accepted as an available treatment. We report a case of complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae. A 57-year-old man with ongoing dysphagia and weight loss was admitted to our hospital. On the endoscopic and radiologic imaging evaluation,the patient was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus with solitary metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin) and concurrent radiotherapy for two months to relieve dysphagia. Because metastatic lesion in thoracic vertebrae was located near the primary esophageal tumor, the metastatic lesion could be included within the radiation field. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, consecutive 4 cycles of chemotherapy had been carried out. Primary esophageal tumor with metastatic lymph nodes and metastatic lesion in 5th thoracic vertebrae disappeared on follow up computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT). Follow up endoscopic biopsy revealed no remnant malignant cells at previous primary cancer lesion.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.363-368
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• 2014

Purpose : The aim of this study was to appraise properties for radiation therapy techniques and effectiveness of time and economy to a patient in the case of applying flattening filter-free (3F) and flattening filter (2F) beam to the radiation therapy. Materials and Methods : Alderson rando phantom was scanned for computed tomography image. Treatment plans for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with 3F and 2F beam were designed for prostate cancer. To evaluate the differences between the 3F and 2F beam, total monitor units (MUs), beam on time (BOT) and gantry rotation time (GRT) were used and measured with $TrueBeam^{TM}$ STx and Surveillance And Measurement (SAM) 940 detector was used for photoneutron emitted by using 3F and 2F. To assess temporal and economical aspect for a patient, total treatment periods and medical fees were estimated. Results : In using 3F beam, total MUs in IMRT plan increased the highest up to 34.0% and in the test of BOT, GRT and photoneutron, the values in SBRT plan decreased the lowest 39.8, 38.6 and 48.1%, respectively. In the temporal and economical aspect, there were no differences between 3F and 2F beam in all of plans and the results showed that 10 days and 169,560 won was lowest in SBRT plan. Conclusion : According as the results, total MUs increased by using 3F beam than 2F beam but BOT, GRT and photoneutron decreased. From above the results, using 3F beam can decrease intra-fraction setup error and risk of radiation-induced secondary malignancy. But, using 3F beam did not make the benefits of temporal and economical aspect for a patient with the radiation therapy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.123-133
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• 2007

Z-axis automatic tube current modulation technique automatically adjusts tube current based on size of body region scanned. The purpose of the current study was to compare noise, and radiation dose of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) of lower extremity performed with Z-axis modulation technique of automatic tube current modulation with manual selection fixed tube current. Fifty consecutive underwent MDCT venography of lower extremity with use of a MDCT scanner fixed tube current and Z-axis automatic tube current modulation technique (10, 11 and 12 HU noise index, $70{\sim}450\;mA$). Scanning parameters included 120 kVp, 0.5 second gantry rotation time, 1.35:1 beam pitch, and 1 mm reconstructed section thickness. For each subject, images obtained with Z-axis modulation were compared with previous images obtained with fixed tube current (200, 250, 300 mA) and with other parameters identical. Images were compared for noise at five levels: iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial, and peroneal vein of lower extremity. Tube current and gantry rotation time used for acquisitions at these levels were recorded. All CT examinations of study and control groups were diagnostically acceptable, though objective noise was significantly more with Z-axis automatic tube current modulation. Compared with fixed tube current, 2-axis modulation resulted in reduction of CTDIvol (range, $-6.5%{\sim}-35.6%$) and DLP (range, $-0.2%{\sim}-20.2%$). Compared with manually selected fixed tube current, 2-axis automatic tube current modulation resulted in reduced radiation dose at MDCT of lower extremity venography.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The aims of this study were to analyze correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) on positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) scan and the degree of contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT) scan in lung cancers, and to recognize the difference in SUVmax and CT enhancement between groups of different histopathologic subtypes. Materials and Methods: Our study included 53 patients of pathologically confirmed primary lung cancer, who were performed PET-CT and post-contrast chest CT. We calculated initial and delayed SUVmax (SUV1, SUV2), difference between SUV1 and SUV2 (SUVd), retention index (RI), and the degrees of CT contrast enhancement of lung cancers. We analyzed these variables for subtypes of lung cancers. Results: The values (mean$\pm$ standard deviation) were $8.3{\pm}4.4$ for SUV1, $10.7{\pm}5.7$ for SUV2, $2.4{\pm}1.6$ for SUVd, $30{\pm}14$ for RI and $47.1{\pm}14.8$ HU (Hounsfield Unit) for degree of CT contrast enhancement. The difference of SUV1 and degree of CT enhancement between subtypes was not meaningful. SUV1 showed positive correlations with SUVd (r=0.74, p<0,01) and tumor size (r=0.58, p<0.01), but no significant correlation with degree of CT enhancement (r=0.06, p=0.69). In 10 cases, there was discrepancy in the same mass between the area of highest FDG-uptake and the area of highest contrast enhancement. Conclusion: We suggest that FDG uptake in lung cancer does not have a positive linear correlation with degree of CT enhancement. And there is no significant difference in FDG uptake and degree of CT enhancement between different subtypes of lung cancers.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

Purpose: The patient's position and anatomy during the treatment course little bit varies to some extend due to setup uncertainties and organ motions. These factors could affected to not only the dose coverage of the gross tumor but over dosage of normal tissue. Setup uncertainties and organ motions can be minimized by precise patient positioning and rigid immobilization device but some anatomical site such as prostate, the internal organ motion due to physiological processes are challenge. In planning procedure, the clinical target volume is a little bit enlarged to create a planning target volume that accounts for setup uncertainties and organ motion as well. These uncertainties lead to differences between the calculated dose by treatment planning system and the actually delivered dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences of interfractional displacement of organ and GTV based on the tomoimages. Materials and Methods: Over the course of 3 months, 3 patients, those who has applied rectal balloon, treated for prostatic cancer patient's tomoimage were studied. During the treatment sessions 26 tomoimages per patient, Total 76 tomoimages were collected. Tomoimage had been taken everyday after initial setup with lead marker attached on the patient's skin center to comparing with C-T simulation images. Tomoimage was taken after rectal balloon inflated with 60 cc of air for prostate gland immobilization for daily treatment just before treatment and it was used routinely in each case. The intrarectal balloon was inserted to a depth of 6 cm from the anal verge. MVCT image was taken with 5 mm slice thickness after the intrarectal balloon in place and inflated. For this study, lead balls are used to guide the registration between the MVCT and CT simulation images. There are three image fusion methods in the tomotherapy, bone technique, bone/tissue technique, and full image technique. We used all this 3 methods to analysis the setup errors. Initially, image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours and then the radiation therapist registered the MVCT images with the CT simulation images based on the bone based, rectal balloon based and GTV based respectively and registered image was compared with each others. The average and standard deviation of each X, Y, Z and rotation from the initial planning center was calculated for each patient. The image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean variations of the rectal balloon among the methods. Statistical results based on the bone fusion shows that maximum x-direction shift was 8 mm and 4.2 mm to the y-direction. It was statistically significant (P=<0.0001) in balloon based fusion, maximum X and Y shift was 6 mm, 16mm respectively. One patient's result was more than 16 mm shift and that was derived from the rectal expansions due to the bowl gas and stool. GTV based fusion results ranging from 2.7 to 6.6 mm to the x-direction and 4.3$\sim$7.8 mm to the y-direction respectively. We have checked rotational error in this study but there are no significant differences among fusion methods and the result was 0.37$\pm$0.36 in bone based fusion and 0.34$\pm$0.38 in GTV based fusion.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2005

Purpose: There has been many reports for the effect of attenuation correction on myocardial perfusion SPECT. We studied the effect of attenuation correction with CT (computed tomography) in patients with normal coronary angiography. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with normal coronary artery on angiography and low likelihood of coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study (male: 6, female: 9, mean age: $58{\pm}8$ year). Myocardial perfusion SPECT was done with Millennium VG with Hawkeye device (GE, SPECT/CT camera). A visual analysis and polar map quantification (Emory tool box) was performed. In quantitative analysis, percent uptake of each myocardial wall on polar map (percent of maximal uptake) was compared between non-corrected (NC) and corrected (AC) images. Results: Visual analysis showed AC images led to an increase of uptake in the inferior wall, but decrease of uptake in the anterior wall, apex and septum. liver activity is also increased in AC images. In quantitative analysis, the percent uptake is decreased in the anterior wall, apex and septum, but increased in the inferior wall. It is helpful to interpret the images in the inferior wall after AC, but difficult in the apex and anterior wall after AC. Conclusion: AC is helpful in the inferior wall. But in the apex or anterior wall, AC must be carefully applied to normal perfused myocardium.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2006

Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is frequently accompanied with complications such as bronchiectasis, cavities, fibrosis and a deterioration of the lung function. However, there is little information available on the pathogenesis of these complications in pulmonary tuberculosis. Among the many factors involving in tissue remodeling, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$) is a potent stimulus of the extracellular matrix fomation and a mediator of potential relevance for airway wall remodeling. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between the radiological changes and the $TGF-{\beta}1$ level in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected from total of 35 patients before treating them for active pulmonary tuberculosis, and the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The BALF levels were recalculated as the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) levels using the albumin method. pulmonary function test (PFT) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were performed before and after treatment. Results : There was a strong correlation between the serum $TGF-{\beta}1$ level and the presence of cavities (r=0.404, p=0.006), even though the BAL $TGF-{\beta}1$ level showed a weak correlation with complications. In addition, there was no correlation between the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels before treatment and the changes in the PFT and HRCT during treatment. Conclusion : There is a correlation between the serum $TGF-{\beta}1$ level and cavity formation in pulmonary tuberculosis before treatment. However, further study will be needed to confirm this.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2013

Purpose: In Asan Medical Center, Two parallel opposite beams are employed for total body irradiation. Patients are required to be in supine position where two arms are attached to mid axillary line. Normally, physical compensators are required to compensate the large dose difference for different parts of body due to the different thicknesses compared to the umbilicus separation. There was the maximum dose difference up to 30% in lung and chest wall compared to the prescription dose. In order to resolve the dose discrepancy occurring on different body regions, the feasibility of using Fieid-in-Field Technique is investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: CT scan was performed to The RANDO Phantom with fabricated two arms and sent to Eclipse treatment planning system (version 10.0, Varian, USA). Conventional plan with physical lead compensator and new plan using Field-in-Field Technique were established on TPS. AAA (Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm) dose calculation algorithm was employed for two parallel opposite beams attenuation. Results: The dose difference between two methods was compared with the prescription dose. The dose distribution of chest and anterior chest wall uncovered by patient arms was 114~124% for physical lead compensator while Field-in-Field Technique gave 106~107% of the dose distribution. In-vivo dosimetry result using TLD showed that the dose distribution to the same region was 110~117% for conventional physical compensator and 104~107% for Field-in-Field Technique. Conclusion: In this study, the feasibility of using FIF technique has been investigated with fabricated arms attached Rando phantom. The dose difference was up to 17% due to the attached arms. It is shown that the dose homogeneity is within ${\pm}10%$ with the CT based 3-dimensional 4 step FIF technique. The in-vivo dosimetry result using TLD was showed that 95~107% dose distribution compared to prescription dose. It is considered that CT based 3-dimensional Field-in-Field Technique for the total body irradiation gives much homogeneous dose distribution for different body parts than the conventional physical compensator method and might be useful to evaluate the dose on each part of patient body.