• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-66
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• 2014

Traditionally, cervical interventions have been performed under fluoroscopy. But radiation exposure is the major concern when obtaining fluoroscopic images and even under real-time fluoroscopy with contrast media or CT guidance, some cases of serious spinal cord injuries, cerebellar and brain stem infarction have been reported by unintentional intra-arterial injections especially during the transforaminal root blocks. Recently, the use of ultrasound-guided cervical interventions have increased. Ultrasound offers visualization of soft tissues including major neurovascular structures and also allows to observe the spread of injectant materials around the target structure. Ultrasound is radiation free, easy to use and the image can be performed continuously while the injectant is visualized in real-time, increasing the precision of injection. Importantly, ultrasound allows visualization of major nerves and vessels and thus leads to improve safety of cervical interventions by decreasing the incidence of injury or injection into nearby vasculature. We therefore reviewed to investigate the feasibility of performing cervical interventions under real-time ultrasound guidance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.919-927
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to present simulation training model for general X-ray examinations and to analyze the errors that occur during the simulation training. From 2012 to 2018, a total of 183 students (77 men and 106 women) participated. The simulated X-ray system used computed radiography (CR) system. The contents of simulation training were patient's care, X-ray examinations accuracy, images stability, etc. As a result, it were found that the patient's position setting error, the accuracy error of the X-ray beam central ray, the image receptor's size and setting error, the error of the grid use, the marking error, and the error of X-ray exposure technical factors. It is expected that improved practical general X-ray examinations training of radiographer will be needed, focusing on these errors, so that we could contribute to the health care of the people by providing precise examinations and high quality medical service.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.717-723
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• 2023

Liver disease is highly associated with death, and other abdominal diseases are also important causes affecting a person's lifespan, and a CT scan is essential when treating abdominal diseases. High radiation exposure is essential to create images that are good for reading, but managing the patient's radiation exposure is also essential. In this study, a post-processing wavelet algorithm was proposed to improve the image quality of abdominal CT images. Wavelets have the disadvantage of having to set a threshold value depending on the type of input image. Therefore, we experimentally proposed the threshold value of the wavelet and evaluated whether the image quality was effective. As a result of the experiment, the optimal threshold value for abdominal CT images was calculated to be 50. In the case of image 1, noise was improved by 49% and in the case of image 2, by 29%, and the contrast also increased. if the results of this study are applied for post-processing after abdominal CT, image quality can be improved and it will be helpful in disease diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1041-1047
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• 2023

Temporal bone CT, which is a high-resolution CT, uses a high tube voltage and a thin section thickness, so the scan dose is higher than that of adjacent areas. Accordingly, we applied changes to the reconstruction algorithm among the test conditions to find an algorithm with excellent sensitivity to lesions while reducing the test dose, and investigated its significance and the possibility of providing basic clinical data. As a result, when the tube voltage was lowered to 100 kVp and applied, the dose was reduced by about 35.6%, and when the definition algorithm was applied to the raw data acquired at 100 kVp, the SNR and CNR were excellent, and a statistically significant difference was shown when compared to other algorithms(p<0.05). And as a result of comparing structural similarity, the SSIM index was analyzed as 0.776, 0.813, and 0.741 for each ROI. Therefore, we believe that applying algorithm changes to temporal bone CT scans can partially reduce the dose generated from CT scans and are very meaningful in terms of basic clinical data.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a belly-board device (BBD) in reducing the volume of small bowel during four-field pelvic irradiation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two cancer patients (14 uterine cervical cancer, 6 rectal cancer, and 2 endometrial cancer) scheduled to receive pelvic irradiation were selected for this study. Two sets of CT images were taken with and without the belly-board device using the Siemens 16 channel CT scanner. All patients were set in the prone position. The CT images were transferred to a treatment planning system for dose calculation and volume measurements. The external surfaces of small bowel and the bladder were contoured on all CT scans and the 4-pelvic fields were added. The dose-volume-histogram of the bladder and small bowel, with and without the BBD, were plotted and analyzed. Results: In all patients, the total small bowel volume included in the irradiated fields was reduced when the BBD was used. The mean volume reduction was 35% (range, $1{\sim}79%$) and was statistically significant (p<0.001). The reduction in small bowel volume receiving $10{\sim}100%$ of the prescribed dose was statistically significant when the BBD was used in all cases. Almost no change in the total bladder volume involved was observed in the field (<8 cc, p=0.762). However, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 15/22 patients (68%) and $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%) with the BBD. In comparison, the bladder volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose was 100% in 10/22 patients (45%), $90{\sim}99%$ in 7/22 patients (32%), and $80{\sim}89%$ in 5/22 patients (23%) without the BBD. When the BBD was used, an increase in the bladder volume receiving a high dose range was observed Conclusion: This study shows that the use of a BBD for the treatment of cancer in the pelvic area significantly improves small bowel sparing. However, since the BBD pushed the bladder into the treatment field, the bladder volume receiving the high dose could increase. Therefore it is recommended to be considerate in using the BBD when bladder damage is of concern.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.84-93
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• 2004

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a technique that delivers a high dose to a target legion and a low dose to a critical organ through only one or a few irradiations. For this purpose, many mathematical methods for optimization have been proposed. There are some limitations to using these methods: the long calculation time and difficulty in finding a unique solution due to different tumor shapes. In this study, many clinical target shapes were examined to find a typical pattern of tumor shapes from which some possible ideal geometrical shapes, such as spheres, cylinders, cones or a combination, are assumed to approximate real tumor shapes. Using the arrangement of multiple isocenters, optimum variables, such as isocenter positions or collimator size, were determined. A database was formed from these results. The optimization procedure consisted of the following steps: Any shape of tumor was first assumed to an ideal model through a geometry comparison algorithm, then optimum variables for ideal geometry chosen from the predetermined database, followed by a final adjustment of the optimum parameters using the real tumor shape. Although the result of applying the database to other patients was not superior to the result of optimization in each case, it can be acceptable as a plan starling point.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2006

Purpose: The number of patients receiving radiotherapy has increased every year and will keep increasing in the future. Therefore, the technique of radiotherapy is developing from day to day, as a result of it, the quantities of image and data used for radiotherapy are also considerably increasing. Therefore, there have been many difficulties in storing, keeping and managing them. Then, we developed and applied this system for improving complicated work process as well as solving these problems with the collaboration Medical Information Team. Materials and Methods: We exported its image at R & V (Record and Verify: Varis vision, Varian, USA) system and planning system after giving some code to be able to access from management system(RO) for department of radiation oncology to PACS. And, we programmed their information by using necessary information among many information included in DICOM head. Results: All images and data generated by our working environment (Simulation CT, L-gram image and internal body structure, DRR, does distribution )were realized at PACS and it became to be possible for clear image to be printed from any computer in department of radiation oncology. Conclusion: It was inevitable to use film during radiotherapy for patients in the past, however, due to the development of this system, film-less system became to be possible. Therefore, the darkroom space and its management cost in relation to the development process disappeared and it became to be unnecessary for spending tangible and intangible financial expense including human resources, time needed for finding film storing space and film and purchasing separate storing equipment for storing images. Finally, we think this system would be very helpful to handle ail complicated processes for radiotherapy and increasing efficiency of overall working conditions.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.42-48
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• 2002

The design, construction and performance test of a convenient multi-purpose irradiator is described. A multi-purpose irradiator using Cesium-137 has been developed for studies of low dose radiation effects in biology and for calibration of Thermo Luminescent dosimeter(TLD). During the operation, three rods of radioactive material which are 10cm in length revolve 180 degrees and irradiate biological samples, or TLD, and return to their shielded position, after the programmed time. A programmable Logic Controller(PLC) controls the sequence of operation, interlock, motor rotation and safety system. The rotation speed of biological samples can vary up to 20 RPM. A real time monitoring system was also incorporated to check and control the operation status of the irradiator. The capacity of the irradiation chamber was 4.5 liters. The isodose distribution at arbitrary vertical planes was measured by using film dosimetry. The dose-rate was 0.13 cGy/min in air and 0.11 cGy/min in water equivalent material in the case of Cesium-137. Range of activity was 2 Ci. The homogeneity of dose distribution in the chamber was ${\pm}$7%. The actual radiation level on the surface was within permissible levels. The irradiator had a maximum 0.35 mR/min radiation leakage on its surface.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.199-203
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• 2007

Purpose: It is very important to evaluate and fix coronoid process fractures because they are a critical element for a stable, effective elbow function. The lateral view of the elbow joint is used for a radiographic evaluation of the coronoid but an understanding of the fracture pattern is often difficult because of overlap of the radial head and obliquity of the fracture line. We developed the coronoid view, which is a new radiograph for an evaluation of the coronoid process fracture, and discuss its advantages for a postoperative follow-up. Materials and Methods: The coronoid view was designed for an evaluation of the anteromedial fragment of the coronoid process. After the patient sat on his side, the shoulder was abducted $45^{\circ}$ and the elbow was flexed $90^{\circ}$. The X-ray beam was shot perpendicular to the table. Since shoulder was abducted $45^{\circ}$ the fracture line of the coronoid process can be parallel to the X-ray beam, and the radial head can be cleared. Conclusion: The coronoid view can be a good alternative radiograph for an evaluation of a coronoid process fracture because the beam is parallel to the fracture line. The coronoid view can be particularly useful in postoperative patient follow-up where computed tomography is impractical due to metal implants and cost.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare radiation dose of the brain and lens among various conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) techniques. Materials and Methods: Treatment plans for WBRT were generated with planning computed tomography scans of 11 patients. A traditional plan with an isocenter located at the field center and a parallel anterior margin at the lateral bony canthus was generated (P1). Blocks were automatically generated with a 1 cm margin on the brain (5 mm for the lens). Subsequently, the isocenter was moved to the lateral bony canthus (P2), and the blocks were replaced into the multileaf collimator (MLC) with a 5 mm leaf width in the craniocaudal direction (P3). For each patient plan, 30 Gy was prescribed at the isocenter of P1. Dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the brain and lens were compared by way of a paired t-test. Results: Mean values of $D_{max}$ and $V_{105}$ of the brain in P1 were 111.9% and 23.6%, respectively. In P2 and P3, $D_{max}$ and $V_{105}$ of the brain were significantly reduced to 107.2% and 4.5~4.6%, respectively (p<0.001). The mean value of $D_{mean}$ of the lens was 3.1 Gy in P1 and 2.4~2.9 Gy in P2 and P3 (p<0.001). Conclusion: WBRT treatment plans with an isocenter located at the lateral bony canthus have dosimetric advantages for both the brain and lens without any complex method changes.