• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.603-612
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• 2021

컴퓨터단층촬영의 관상동맥 칼슘(coronary artery calcium, CAC) 점수에서 Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (ADMIRE)의 영향을 평가하였다. 89명의 환자를 대상으로 128 slice dual-source CT로 관상동맥 칼슘 영상(348개의 칼슘, 6개 그룹, 총 2088개의 칼슘)을 획득하였다. Filtered back projection(FBP)과 ADMIRE(1-5)로 재구성된 이미지로부터 Volume score, Agatston score를 측정하였다. FBP와 ADMIRE Strength(1-5) 간의 차이는 Kruskal-Wallis 검정을 통해 확인하고, 사후분석은 FBP를 기준으로 Mann-Whitney U 검정을 하였다. Volume score와 Agatston score 모두 FBP와 ADMIRE(1-5)간에 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었습니다(P=0.015, P=0.0.38). 추가로 사후분석 한 결과 Volume score는 FBP를 기준으로 ADMIRE 4(Z=-2.359, P=0.018)에서 9.5 %, ADMIRE 5(Z=-3.113, P=0.002)에서 13.2 % 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. Agatston score는 FBP를 기준으로 ADMIRE 4(Z=-2.051, P=0.040)에서 10.4 %, ADMIRE 5(Z=-2.718, P=0.007)에서 14.0 % 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 높은 ADMIRE strength는 칼슘 면적의 감소로 인하여 Volume score, Agatston score에 영향을 준다. 또한, Maximum HU의 감소로 인한 Density factor 변화는 Agatston score 계산에 영향을 줄 수 있다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.1777-1785
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of the Agatston score obtained with the ultra-high-pitch (UHP) acquisition mode using tin-filter spectral shaping (Sn150 kVp) and a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm to reduce the radiation dose. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 114 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 60.3 ± 9.8 years; 74 male) who underwent a standard 120 kVp scan and an additional UHP Sn150 kVp scan for coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS). These two datasets were reconstructed using a standard reconstruction algorithm (120 kVp + Qr36d, protocol A; Sn150 kVp + Qr36d, protocol B). In addition, the Sn150 kVp dataset was reconstructed using a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm (Sn150 kVp + Sa36d, protocol C). The Agatston scores for protocols A and B, as well as protocols A and C, were compared. The agreement between the scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plot. The radiation doses for the 120 kVp and UHP Sn150 kVp acquisition modes were also compared. Results: No significant difference was observed in the Agatston score for protocols A (median, 63.05; interquartile range [IQR], 0-232.28) and C (median, 60.25; IQR, 0-195.20) (p = 0.060). The mean difference in the Agatston score for protocols A and C was relatively small (-7.82) and with the limits of agreement from -65.20 to 49.56 (ICC = 0.997). The Agatston score for protocol B (median, 34.85; IQR, 0-120.73) was significantly underestimated compared with that for protocol A (p < 0.001). The UHP Sn150 kVp mode facilitated an effective radiation dose reduction by approximately 30% (0.58 vs. 0.82 mSv, p < 0.001) from that associated with the standard 120 kVp mode. Conclusion: The Agatston scores for CACS with the UHP Sn150 kVp mode with a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm and the standard 120 kVp demonstrated excellent agreement with a small mean difference and narrow agreement limits. The UHP Sn150 kVp mode allowed a significant reduction in the radiation dose.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.1764-1776
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to validate a deep learning-based fully automatic calcium scoring (coronary artery calcium [CAC]_auto) system using previously published cardiac computed tomography (CT) cohort data with the manually segmented coronary calcium scoring (CAC_hand) system as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: We developed the CAC_auto system using 100 co-registered, non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced CT scans. For the validation of the CAC_auto system, three previously published CT cohorts (n = 2985) were chosen to represent different clinical scenarios (i.e., 2647 asymptomatic, 220 symptomatic, 118 valve disease) and four CT models. The performance of the CAC_auto system in detecting coronary calcium was determined. The reliability of the system in measuring the Agatston score as compared with CAC_hand was also evaluated per vessel and per patient using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis. The agreement between CAC_auto and CAC_hand based on the cardiovascular risk stratification categories (Agatston score: 0, 1-10, 11-100, 101-400, > 400) was evaluated. Results: In 2985 patients, 6218 coronary calcium lesions were identified using CAC_hand. The per-lesion sensitivity and false-positive rate of the CAC_auto system in detecting coronary calcium were 93.3% (5800 of 6218) and 0.11 false-positive lesions per patient, respectively. The CAC_auto system, in measuring the Agatston score, yielded ICCs of 0.99 for all the vessels (left main 0.91, left anterior descending 0.99, left circumflex 0.96, right coronary 0.99). The limits of agreement between CAC_auto and CAC_hand were 1.6 ± 52.2. The linearly weighted kappa value for the Agatston score categorization was 0.94. The main causes of false-positive results were image noise (29.1%, 97/333 lesions), aortic wall calcification (25.5%, 85/333 lesions), and pericardial calcification (24.3%, 81/333 lesions). Conclusion: The atlas-based CAC_auto empowered by deep learning provided accurate calcium score measurement as compared with manual method and risk category classification, which could potentially streamline CAC imaging workflows.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.285-290
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• 2016

이 연구는 관상동맥 CT 석회화점수 검사를 2회 이상 받은 자 중에서, 이전에 비하여 점수가 낮아진 원인을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 건강검자 환자 100명(남자 85명 $60.6{\pm}6.9$세, 여자 15명 $67.2{\pm}7.3$세)을 대상으로 하였다. 석회화점수 감소가 발생한 경우를 Agatston의 분류 방법에 따라 minimal (1-10), mild(11-100), moderate(101-400), severe (400< ) 4개 그룹으로 분류하였다. Mild 그룹에서 49명으로 가장 많았으며, minimal 그룹에서 감소율 변동이 가장 크게 나타났다. 석회화점수 감소 요인은 Scan location 불일치 51%, Motion artifact 26%, 장비변동 14%, 작업자의 실수 5%, 입력 miss 2%, Image loss 1%, 부정맥 1% 로 나타났다. Scan location의 불일치는 scan된 석회화의 slice 위치에 따른 부분체적 효과로 생각되며, 관상동맥 석회화 점수가 작은 100 이하 그룹에서는 높은 변화폭(19.7%)이 나타났고 100 이상의 그룹에서는 낮은 변화폭(2.2%)을 보여 석회화 점수에 따라 허용될 수 있는 변화폭이 달라진다는 것을 알 수 있었다. Motion artifact 요인은 26%로 나타났으며, 이는 높은 심박동에 의한 것으로 심박동이 높거나 검사 전 폐기능, 운동부하 등 심박동에 영향을 미치는 선행검사와 밀접한 관련이 있었다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.284-293
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• 2023

Objective: To validate a simplified ordinal scoring method, referred to as modified length-based grading, for assessing coronary artery calcium (CAC) severity on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated chest computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 120 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 63.1 ± 14.5 years; male, 64) who underwent both non-ECG-gated chest CT and ECG-gated cardiac CT between January 2011 and December 2021. Six radiologists independently assessed CAC severity on chest CT using two scoring methods (visual assessment and modified length-based grading) and categorized the results as none, mild, moderate, or severe. The CAC category on cardiac CT assessed using the Agatston score was used as the reference standard. Agreement among the six observers for CAC category classification was assessed using Fleiss kappa statistics. Agreement between CAC categories on chest CT obtained using either method and the Agatston score categories on cardiac CT was assessed using Cohen's kappa. The time taken to evaluate CAC grading was compared between the observers and two grading methods. Results: For differentiation of the four CAC categories, interobserver agreement was moderate for visual assessment (Fleiss kappa, 0.553 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.496-0.610]) and good for modified length-based grading (Fleiss kappa, 0.695 [95% CI: 0.636-0.754]). The modified length-based grading demonstrated better agreement with the reference standard categorization with cardiac CT than visual assessment (Cohen's kappa, 0.565 [95% CI: 0.511-0.619 for visual assessment vs. 0.695 [95% CI: 0.638-0.752] for modified length-based grading). The overall time for evaluating CAC grading was slightly shorter in visual assessment (mean ± SD, 41.8 ± 38.9 s) than in modified length-based grading (43.5 ± 33.2 s) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The modified length-based grading worked well for evaluating CAC on non-ECG-gated chest CT with better interobserver agreement and agreement with cardiac CT than visual assessment.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권6호
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• pp.1493-1504
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• 2021

목적 관상동맥 칼슘스코어(coronary artery calcium score; 이하 CACS)를 측정하는 데 있어 비 조영증강 흉부 CT에서 16 cm 축상 촬영 기법의 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법 20명의 환자를 대상으로 16 cm 축상 촬영 기법을 이용한 비 조영증강 흉부 CT와 칼슘 스코어 CT를 전향적으로 시행하였다. 흉부 CT는 세 가지 절편 두께(0.625, 1.25, 2.5 mm)로 재구성하여, Agatston 방법을 통해 관상동맥 칼슘스코어를 측정하였다. 다양한 절편 두께의 비 조영증강 흉부 CT와 칼슘스코어 CT의 관상동맥 칼슘스코어를 비교하고, 단면 분석을 통해 CACS의 임상적 중요성에 대한 일치를 확인하였다. 또한 각각의 석회화 병변들을 위치와 크기로 나누어 비 조영증강 흉부 CT와 칼슘스코어 CT에서 일대일 비교를 시행하였다. 결과 2.5, 1.25, 0.625 mm 절편 두께의 흉부 CT와 칼슘스코어 CT의 CACS 상관 계수는 각각 0.9850, 0.9688, 0.9834였다. 흉부 CT와 칼슘스코어 CT 간의 CACS 차이는 0.625 mm에서 -21.4%, 1.25 mm에서 -39.4%, 2.5 mm 절편 두께에서 -76.2%였다. CACS 구간별 분석에서 절편 두께별로 16명(80%, 0.625 mm), 16명(80%, 1.25 mm), 13명(65%, 2.5 mm)의 환자가 관상 동맥 질환의 위험도 구간이 일치하였다. 관찰자 간 일치도는 모든 절편 간격에서 높게 나타났다. 세 절편 두께 중에서는 0.625 mm CT에서 석회화 병변에 대한 민감도가 가장 높았다. 결론 16 cm 축상 촬영 기법을 이용한 비 조영증강 흉부 CT에서 electrocardiogram 동기화 없이도, 0.625 mm 절편 간격에서 칼슘스코어 CT에서의 CACS와의 유사한 값을 얻을 수 있었다. 이를 통해 추가 방사선 노출 없이, 심혈관 질환 위험을 예측하는 데 도움이 될 수 있다.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.62-75
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Due to its location very close to the bundle of His, mitral annulus calcification (MAC) might be associated with the development of atrioventricular (AV) conduction disturbances. This study assessed the association between MAC and AV conduction disturbances identified by cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) use and electrocardiographic parameters. The association between MAC and traditional cardiovascular risk factors was also assessed. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 14,771 participants, predominantly men aged 60-75 years, from the population-based Danish Cardiovascular Screening trial. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were obtained. Using cardiac non-contrast computed tomography imaging, MAC scores were measured using the Agatston method and divided into absent versus present and score categories. CIED implantation data were obtained from the Danish Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Register. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was available for 2,107 participants. Associations between MAC scores and AV conduction disturbances were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: MAC was present in 22.4% of the study subjects. Participants with pacemakers for an AV conduction disturbance had significantly higher MAC scores (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.23) than participants without a CIED, whereas participants with a CIED for other reasons did not. Prolonged QRS-interval was significantly associated with the presence of MAC (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04-2.04), whereas prolonged PQ-interval was not. Female sex and most traditional cardiovascular risk factors were significantly associated with high MAC scores. CONCLUSIONS: MAC was associated with AV conduction disturbances, which could improve our understanding of the development of AV conduction disturbances.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.253-259
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• 2017

이중에너지 전산화단층촬영으로 뼈를 검사하여 다양한 keV와 조영제 물질 억제(material suppression iodine; MSI), 물질구분(material decomposition; MD)기법을 적용하였을 때, 단일에너지 전산화단층촬영과 비교 평가함으로써 칼슘 부피의 변화를 파악하고자 하였다. 인체유사 팬톰을 이용하여 단일에너지 전산화단층촬영의 영상을 기준으로 이중에너지 전산화단층촬영의 각각 70 keV, 100 keV, 140 keV 및 70 keV-MSI와 MD 칼슘강조-물제거(material calcium weighting; MCW)와 MD 요오드강조-물제거(material iodine weighting; MIW)기법을 적용한 후, 칼슘의 부피를 Agatston score 값으로 비교 평가하였다. 인체유사 팬톰의 칼슘 부피는 keV가 증가할수록 감소하였다(p<0.05). 가장 유사한 이중에너지 전산화단층촬영 집단은 70 keV로 그 차이는 각각 갈비뼈 $35.8{\pm}12.2$, 대퇴골 $16.1{\pm}24.1$, 골반 $13.7{\pm}18.8$, 척추 $179.0{\pm}61.8$이었다. 그러나 MSI의 부피는 부위별로 각각 갈비뼈 5.55%, 대퇴골 76.34%, 골반 55.16%, 척추 87.58%가 감소하였고, MD(MCW)는 각각 갈비뼈 55.96%, 대퇴골 80.78%, 골반 69.64%, 척추 54.23%가 줄었으며, MD(MIW)는 각각 갈비뼈 83.51%, 대퇴골 87.68%, 골반 86.64%, 척추 82.62%의 차이로 감소되었다(p<0.05). 이중에너지 전산화단층촬영으로 검사 시, 뼈의 부피는 keV의 증가에 따라서 감소하게 되고 약 70 keV의 에너지 영역에서 CSCT 집단과 유사한 부피로 측정할 수 있다. 그리고 MSI와 MD의 임상기법을 적용한 부피측정은 상당한 오차가 발생하므로 유의하여 사용하여야 한다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.631-640
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the value of airway computed tomography (CT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a predictor of cerebrocardiovascular disease (CCVD) clinically, by quantitatively analyzing carotid arterial calcification (CarAC). Materials and Methods: This study included 287 patients aged 40-80 years, who had undergone both polysomnography (PSG) and airway CT between March 2011 and October 2015. The carotid arterial calcium score (CarACS) was quantified using the modified Agatston method on each upper airway CT. The OSA severity was categorized as normal, mild, moderate, and severe using the PSG results. Clinical characteristics, comorbid diseases, and lipid profiles of all patients were analyzed, and the prevalence of CCVDs was investigated during the follow up period (52.2 ± 16.0 months). Results: CCVD occurred in 27 patients (9.3%) at the end of follow-up, and the CCVD-present groups showed a significantly older mean age (57.5 years vs. 54.2 years), higher prevalence of hypertension (59% vs. 34%) and CarAC (51.9% vs. 20.8%), whereas sex, other comorbid diseases, and severity of OSA were not significantly different from the CCVD-absent group. A univariate analysis showed that age, hypertension, incidence of CarAC, and CarACS were risk factors for the occurrence of CCVD events. In a multivariate analysis, the incidence of CarAC was the only independent risk factor for CCVD. Conclusion: CarAC is an independent risk factor for CCVD, whereas the severity of OSA is not a contributory risk factor in patients with OSA. Therefore, additional analysis of CarACS based on airway CT scans may be useful for predicting CCVD.