• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.271-274
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• 2006

We report the case of a 64-year-old man with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome due to tumor thrombus from recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). He presented with new onset of facial swelling for 10 days. HCC was detected ten years ago. He has undergone repeated transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and chemotherapy. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated tumor thrombus in the SVC extending to right atrium. He underwent whole body F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning for assessing the effect of TAE in HCC. F-18 FDG PET/CT showed increased uptake in the residual liver mass indicating viable tumor. There was another intense F-18 FDG accumulation in SUV extending to right atrium to suggest tumor thrombus. This case illustrates that F-18 FDG PET/CT is useful to identification of distant metastases as well as assessment of response to therapy in long-term survival HCC patients.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2006

Purpose: According to the development of CT scanner in PET/CT system, the role of CT unit as a diagnostic tool has been more important. To improve the diagnostic ability of CT scanner, it is a key aspect that CT scanning has to be performed with high dose energy and intravenous (IV) contrast. So we investigated the effect of IV contrast media on the maximum SUV (maxSUV) of normal tissues and pathologic lesions using PET/CT scanner with high dose CT scanning. Materials & Methods: The study enrolled 13 patients who required PET/CT evaluation. At first, the patients were performed whole body non-contrast CT (NCCT-120 kVp, 130 mAs) scan. Then contrast enhanced CT (CECT) scan was performed immediately. Finally PET scan was followed. The PET omission data were reconstructed twice, once with the NCCT and again with the CECT. We measured the maxSUV of 10 different body regions that were considered as normal in ail patients. Also pathologic lesions were investigated. Results: There were not seen focal artifacts in PET images based on CT with IV contrast agent. Firstly, 130 normal regions in 13 patients were evaluated. The maxSUV was significantly different between two PET images (p<0.00)). The maxSUV was $1.1{\pm}0.5$ in PET images with CECT-corrected attenuation and $1.0{\pm}0.5$ in PET images with NCCI-corrected attenuation. The limit of agreement was $0.1{\pm}0.3$ in Bland-Altman analysis. Especially there were significant differences in 6 of 10 regions, apex and base of the right lung, ascending aorta, segment 6 & segment 8 of the liver and spleen (p<0.05). Secondly, 39 pathologic lesions were evaluated. The maxSUV was significantly different between two PET images (p<0.001). The maxSUV was $4.7{\pm}2.0$ in PET images with CECT-corrected attenuation and $4.4{\pm}2.0$ in PET images with NCCT-corrected attenuation. The limit of agreement was $0.4{\pm}0.8$ in Bland-Altman analysis. Conclusion: Although there were increases of maxSUVs in the PET images based on CT with IV contrast agent, it was very narrow in the range of limit of agreement. So there was no significant effect to clinical interpretation for PET images that were corrected attenuation with high dose CT using IV contrast.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.368-380
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• 2019

A ceramic is used as a key material in various fields. Accordingly, the use of scanning electron microscopy is increased for the purpose of evaluating the reliability and defects of advanced ceramic materials. The scanning electron microscope is developed to overcome the limitations of optical microscopy and uses accelerated electrons for imaging. Various signals such as SE, BSE and characteristic X-rays provide useful information about the surface microstructure of specimens and, the content and distribution of chemical components. The development of electron guns, such as FEG, and the improved lens system combined with the advanced in-lens detectors and STEM-in-SEM system have expanded the applications of SEM. Automated SEM-EDS analysis also greatly increases the amount of data, enabling more statistically reliable results. In addition, X-ray CT, XRF, and WDS, which are installed in scanning electron microscope, have transformed SEM a more versatile analytical equipment. The performance and specifications of the scanning electron microscope to evaluate ceramics were reviewed and the selection criteria for SEM analysis were described.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2010

Purpose: The objectives of the current study are to assess the accuracy of X-Ray Micro Computed Tomography (microCT) in measuring enamel thickness and to evaluate enamel thickness in maxillary incisors of Koreans. Materials and methods: Five maxillary incisors were embedded in resin block. These teeth were longitudinally sectioned labiolingually through the medial axis. After polishing, the teeth were scanned using a microCT (X-EYE SYSTEM; DRGEM, Seoul, Korea). On a scanning electron microscope (S-4300; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) (${\times}20$) and a microCT, nearly identical planes were reconstructed. In each tooth, the thickness of labial enamel was measured 1, 3 and 5 mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Thus, the accuracy of the microCT was evaluated. In addition, using 26 maxillary central incisors and 11 maxillary lateral incisors, in the medial axis and 2 mm remote areas mesially and distally from the medial axis, the thickness of labial enamel was measured 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ along the long axis of the teeth. Results: Measurements from nearly identical planes in physical and microCT sections differed by 3.81%. An independent t-test was performed and this showed that there were no significant differences in the measurements between the two methods. Mean values of labial enamel thickness in maxillary central incisors 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ were $0.32{\pm}0.01$, $0.50{\pm}0.0.2$ and $0.70{\pm}0.02\;mm$, respectively. Mean values of labial enamel thickness in maxillary lateral incisors 1, 3 and 5 mm above the CEJ were $0.30{\pm}0.01$, $0.55{\pm}0.03$ and $0.80{\pm}0.02\;mm$, respectively. Conclusion: In measuring enamel thickness, microCT is one of useful way of measurement. So according to the results of this research, when restoring a porcelain laminate veneer on maxillary incisors in Koreans, careful consideration is needed in the amount of enamel reduction.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.309-312
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• 2013

A retromolar canal is an anatomical variation in the mandible. As it includes the neurovascular bundle, local anesthetic insufficiency can occur, and an injury of the retromolar canal during dental surgery in the mandible may result in excessive bleeding, paresthesia, and traumatic neuroma. Using imaging analysis software, we evaluated the cone-beam computed tomography (CT) images of two Korean patients who presented with retromolar canals. Retromolar canals were detectable on the sagittal and cross-sectional images of cone-beam CT, but not on the panoramic radiographs of the patients. Therefore, the clinician should pay particular attention to the identification of retromolar canals by preoperative radiographic examination, and additional cone beam CT scanning would be recommended.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.244-252
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• 2011

This study was to estimate the radiation dose associated with 64-slice multidetector CT(MDCT) in clinical practice and quantify the potential cancer risk associated with these examinations. Lifetime attributable risks(LAR) were estimated with models developed in the national Academies' Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII report. Mean effective dose were 1.48mSv in Brain axial scan, 7.66mSv in chest routine contrast, 12.17mSv in coronary angiogram, 24.52mSv in Dynamic abdomen scan. LAR estimates for brain routine varied from 1 in 7463 for man to 1 in 4926 for women. In chest routine with contrast, LAR varied from 1 in 1449 for men to 1 in 952. LAR of Abdomen dynamic CT varied from 1 in 453 for men to 1 in 298 for women. So, 64-slice MDCT scan is associated with non-negligible LAR of cancer. Doses can be reduced by careful attention to scanning protocol.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.179-188
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• 1997

This study was intended to compare the diagnostic ability between Waters' radiograph and CT in the diagnosis of midfacial fracture. The study group included 44 patients(male:32, female :12, age range :16-74 years old) with facial injury who underwent surgery. Waters' radiograph and both axial and coronal scanning were performed before surgery. Three oral radiologists and three non-oral radiologist interpreted 44 Waters' radiographs and 88 CT in three ways; 1) interpretation using Waters' radiograph only, 2) interpretation using CT only, 3) interpretation using Waters' radiograph and CT. The interpretation sites were confined to the walls of maxillary sinus; anterior, posterior, medial, lateral and superior wall. ROC curves were made with the findings during surgery as a gold standard except the posterior wall, where the joint evaluation of Waters' radiograph and CT by other three oral radiologists was used. ROC areas were compared according to the interpreting methods, the interpretation sites, and groups (R group ; oral radiologist group, N group ; non-oral radiologist group). The obtained results were as followed : 1. The diagnostic ability of CT only and Waters' radiograph and CT was higher than Waters' radiograph only in both groups(P<0.05). But there was no difference between CT only and Waters' radiograph and CT. 2. Generally, the diagnostic ability for the lateral antral wall was the highest and that for the posterior antral wall was the lowest in both groups(P<0.05). 3. In R group, for the anterior antral wall the diagnostic ability using CT only was increased but for the medial, lateral and superior antral walls the diagnostic ability was increased in only using Waters' radiograph and CT. 4. In N group, for the anterior and medial walls the diagnostic ability using CT only was increased. But for the posterior, lateral and superior antral walls there were no difference among three interpreting methods. 5. The diagnostic ability of R group was higher than N group in all interpreting methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 2022

In this study, the accuracy and usefulness of volume measurement were investigated as a phantom experiment using CT and USG scan data and a clinical trial using patient scan data. As a result, there was no significant difference between the volume of the actual round phantom of various volumes for both the CT and ultrasound devices (p>0.05). As a result of statistical analysis, it was analyzed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Clinical application of this result requires more clinical trials, but if a CT or ultrasound device is selected and applied in consideration of patient radiation exposure, the examiner's scanning technology, and CT reconstruction experience, the basic data in terms of the usefulness of volume measurement using CT scan image is considered to have application value.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.700-704
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• 2010

Background: For staging primary lung cancer, integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is popular. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET/CT scanning in lymph nodal staging of lung cancer. Material and Method: We studied 48 patients who had received CT, PET/CT and pulmonary resections due to primary non-small cell lung cancer in our hospital between January 2006 and August 2009. Mediastinal lymph nodes were classified as superior mediastinal nodes, aortic nodes, inferior mediastinal nodes, or N1 nodes. We compared the power of CT and PET/CT for diagnosing pulmonary lymph nodes for each of the four types of nodes. Result: PET/CT was more sensitive than CT for all groups except inferior mediastinal nodes. However, the differences were not significant (McNemar's test: superior mediastinal nodes, p=0.109; aortic nodes, p=1.000; inferior mediastinal nodes, p=0.625, N1 nodes, p=0.424). Conclusion: The accuracy of PET/CT is similar to that of CT alone for staging lymph nodes. The two imaging modalities might be used as complementary, cooperative tools. We expect that integrated PET/CT will be found to be significantly mmore sensitive after more trials are done and more data is accumulated.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.431-441
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• 2024

A newly developed line-style sand pluviator has been calibrated to prepare repeatable sand specimens of specific statuses of compactness and homogeneity for laboratory tests. Sand is falling via a bottom slot of a fixed hopper, and by moving the sample container under the slot, the container is evenly filled with sand. The pluviator is designed with high flexibility: The falling height of sand, the hopper's opening width and the relative moving speed between the hopper and the sample box can be easily adjusted. By changing these control factors, sand specimens of a wide range of densities can be prepared. A series of specimen preparation was performed using the coarse Merwede River sand. Performance of the pluviator was systematically evaluated by exploring the alteration of achievable density, as well as checking the homogeneity and fabric of the prepared samples by CT scanning. It was found that the density of prepared coarse sand samples has monotonic correlations with none of the three control factors. Furthermore, CT scanning results suggested that the prepared samples exhibited excellent homogeneity in the horizontal direction but periodical alteration of density in the vertical direction. Based on these calibration test results, a preliminary hypothesis is proposed to describe the general working principles of this type of pluviators a priori, illustrating the mechanisms dominating the non-monotonic correlations between control factors and the relative density as well as the vertically prevalent heterogeneity of specimens. Accordingly, practical recommendations are made in a unified framework in order to lessen the load of similar calibration work.