• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2009

Purpose : To compare radiation dose for coronary CT angiography (CTA) obtained with 6 examination protocols such as a retrospectively ECG gated helical scan, a prospectively ECG gated sequential scan, low kVp technique, and cardiac dose modulation technique. Materials and Methods : Coronary CTA was performed by using 6 current clinical protocols to evaluate effective dose and organ dose in primary beam area with anthropomorphic female phantom and glass dosimetric system in 64 channel multi-detector CT. After acquiring topograms of frontal and lateral projection with 80 kVp and 10 mA, main coronary scan was done with 0.35 sec tube rotation time, 40 mm collimation ($0.625\;mm{\times}64\;ea$), small scan field of view (32 cm diameter), 105 mm scan length. Heart beat rate of phantom was maintained 60 bpm in ECG gating. In constant mAs technique 120 kVp, 600 mA was used, and 100 kVp for low kVp technique. In a retrospectively ECG gated helical CT technique 0.22 pitch was used, peak mA (600 mA) was adopted in range of $40{\sim}80%$ of R-R interval and 120mA(80% reduction) in others with cardiac dose modulation. And 210 mAs was used without cardiac dose modulation. In a prospectively ECG gated sequential CT technique data were acquired at 75% R-R interval (middle diastolic phase in cardiac cycle), and 120 msec additional padding of the tube-on time was used. For effective dose calculation region specific conversion factor of dose length product in thorax was used, which was recommended by EUR 16262. Results : The mean effective dose for conventional coronary CTA without cardiac dose modulation in a retrospectively ECG gated helical scan was 17.8 mSv, and mean organ dose of heart was 103.8 mGy. With low kVp and cardiac dose modulation the mean effective dose showed 54.5% reduction, and heart dose showed 52.3% reduction, compared with that of conventional coronary CTA. And at the sequential scan(SnapShot pulse mode) under prospective ECG gating the mean effective dose was 4.9 mSv, this represents an 72.5% reduction compared with that of conventional coronary CTA. And heart dose was 33.8 mGy, this represents 67.4% reduction. In the sequential scan technique under prospective ECG gating with low kVp the mean effective dose was 3.0 mSv, this represents an 83.2% reduction compared with that of conventional coronary CTA. And heart dose was 17.7 mGy, this represents an 82.9% reduction. Conclusion : In coronary CTA at retrospectively ECG gated helical scan, cardiac dose modulation technique using low kVp reduced dose to 50% above compared with the conventional helical scan. And the prospectively ECG gated sequential scan offers substantially reduced dose compared with the traditional retrospectively ECG gated helical scan.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of IR to compensate for uncertainties in inserting high density artificial objects in radiation treatment planning in the 3D-CRT treatment technique. CT images of the subjects with phantom and titanium inserted were obtained from images without IR and images with IR, and the dose evaluation factors HI, MU and volume evaluation factors Volume and PCI were compared. The results of the stainless steel and titanium phantom experiments showed that the volume of high density artificial material was reduced by 4.850% and 11.456% respectively when applying IR. MU decreased 0.924% and 1.181%. HI was down 0.106% and 0.272%. PCI decreased 0.358% and 0.867%. When IR was applied to CT images of subjects with vertebroplasty, Femur alignment pin and wrist alignment pin, the volume of artifacts decreased by 47.76%, 23.841%, and 49.339%. MU also decreased 0.924%, 0.294% and 1.675%, while HI decreased 1.232%, 0.412% and 1.695%. PCI decreases 4.022%, 0.512%, and 13.472%. In conclusion, When IR was applied to 3D-CRT treatment plan, both dose and volume in phantom and subject case with high density artificial insert were reduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2021

Computed tomography (CT) has the problem of having more radiation exposure compared to other radiographic apparatus. There is a low-dose imaging technique for reducing exposure, but it has a disadvantage of increasing noise in the image. To compensate for this, various noise reduction algorithms have been developed that improve image quality while reducing the exposure dose of patients, of which the median modified Wiener filter (MMWF) algorithm that can be effectively applied to CT devices with excellent time resolution has been presented. The purpose of this study is to optimize the mask size of MMWF algorithm and to see the excellence of noise reduction of MMWF algorithm for existing algorithms. After applying the MMWF algorithm with each mask sizes set from the MASH phantom abdominal images acquired using the MATLAB program, which includes Gaussian noise added, and compared the values of root mean square error (RMSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), coefficient correlation (CC), and universal image quality index (UQI). The results showed that RMSE value was the lowest and PSNR, CC and UQI values were the highest in the 5 x 5 mask size. In addition, comparing Gaussian filter, median filter, Wiener filter, and MMWF with RMSE, PSNR, CC, and UQI by applying the optimized mask size. As a result, the most improved RMSE, PSNR, CC, and UQI values were showed in MMWF algorithms.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2006

Purpose: To study effectiveness of heterogeneity correction of internal-body inhomogeneities and patient positioning immobilizers in dose calculation, using images obtained from CT-Simulator. Materials and Methods: A water phantom($250{\times}250{\times}250mm^3$) was fabricated and, to simulate various inhomogeneity, 1) bone 2) metal 3) contrast media 4) immobilization devices(Head holder/pillow/Vac-lok) were inserted in it. And then, CT scans were peformed. The CT-images were input to Radiation Treatment Planning System(RTPS) and the MUs, to give 100 cGy at 10 cm depth with isocentric standard setup(Field Size=$10{\times}10cm^2$, SAD=100 cm), were calculated for various energies(4, 6, 10 MV X-ray). The calculated MUs based on various CT-images of inhomogeneities were compared and analyzed. Results: Heterogeneity correction factors were compared for different materials. The correction factors were $2.7{\sim}5.3%$ for bone, $2.7{\sim}3.8%$ for metal materials, $0.9{\sim}2.3%$ for contrast media, $0.9{\sim}2.3%$ for Head-holder, $3.5{\sim}6.9%$ for Head holder+pillow, and $0.9{\sim}1.5%$ for Vac-lok. Conclusion: It is revealed that the heterogeneity correction factor calculated from internal-body inhomogeneities have various values and have no consistency. and with increasing number of beam ports, the differences can be reduced to under 1%, so, it can be disregarded. On the other hand, heterogeneity correction from immobilizers must be regarded enough to minimize inaccuracy of dose calculation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate image differences between KVCT vs MVCT depending on a high densities metal included in the phantom and to analyze the r values for the purpose of the dose differences between each methods. We verified the possibilities for clinical indications that using MVCT is available for the radiation therapy treatment planning. Cheese phantom was used to get a density table for each CT and CT sinogram data was transferred to radiation planning computer through DICOM_RT. Using this data, the treatment dose plan has been calculated in RTP system. We compared the differences of r values between calculated and measured values, and then applied this data to the real patient's treatment planning. The contrast of MVCT image was superior to KVCT. In KVCT, each pixel which has more than 3.0 of density was difficult to be differentiated, but in MVCT, more than 5.0 density of pixels were distinguished clearly. With the normal phantom, the percentage of the case which has less than 1($r\leq1$, acceptable criteria) of gamma value, was 94.92% for KVCT and 93.87% for MVCT. But with the cheese phantom, which has high density plug, the percentage was 88.25% for KVCT and 93.77% for MVCT respectively. MVCT has many advantages than KVCT. Especially, when the patient has high density metal, such as total hip arthroplasty, MVCT is more efficient to define the anatomical structure around the high density implants without any artifacts. MVCT helps to calculate the treatment dose more accurately.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2017

Purpose: The tissue description and electron density indicated by the Computed Tomography(CT) number (also known as Hounsfield Unit) in radiotherapy are important in ensuring the accuracy of CT-based computerized radiotherapy planning. The internal metal implants, however, not only reduce the accuracy of CT number but also introduce uncertainty into tissue description, leading to development of many clinical algorithms for reducing metal artifacts. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the accuracy and the clinical applicability by analyzing date from SMART MAR (GE) used in our institution. Methode: and material: For assessment of images, the original images were obtained after forming ROIs with identical volumes by using CIRS ED phantom and inserting rods of six tissues and then non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images were obtained and compared in terms of CT number and SD value. For determination of the difference in dose by the changes in CT number due to metal artifacts, the original images were obtained by forming PTV at two sites of CIRS ED phantom CT images with Computerized Treatment Planning (CTP system), the identical treatment plans were established for non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images by obtaining unilateral and bilateral titanium insertion images, and mean doses, Homogeneity Index(HI), and Conformity Index(CI) for both PTVs were compared. The absorbed doses at both sites were measured by calculating the dose conversion constant (cCy/nC) from ylinder acrylic phantom, 0.125cc ionchamber, and electrometer and obtaining non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images from images resulting from insertions of unilateral and bilateral titanium rods, and compared with point doses from CTP. Result: The results of image assessment showed that the CT number of SMART MAR images compared to those of non-SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, and the SD decreased more in SMART compared to non-SMART ones. The results of dose determinations showed that the mean doses, HI and CI of non-SMART MAR images compared to those of SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, however the differences did not reach statistical significance. The results of absorbed dose measurement showed that the difference between actual absorbed dose and point dose on CTP in absorbed dose were 2.69 and 3.63 % in non-SMRT MAR images, however decreased to 0.56 and 0.68 %, respectively in SMART MAR images. Conclusion: The application of SMART MAR in CT images from patients with metal implants improved quality of images, being demonstrated by improvement in accuracy of CT number and decrease in SD, therefore it is considered that this method is useful in dose calculation and forming contour between tumor and normal tissues.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4418-4424
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• 2011

This study is aimed to assess the effect of the gamma ray of 511keV energy which is emitted from phantom where the positron emission radionuclide was injected on X-ray CT image. As a scanning method, the CT number and pixel value of the reference image where water was injected(0 mCi), and those acquired by changing the capacity of 18F(Fluorine), positron emission radionuclide, into 1 mCi, 2 mCi, 5 mCi, and 10 mCi were measured. As a result of measuring the CT number(HU) of the phantom image where the positron emission radionuclide($^{18}F$) was injected, there were reference water ($-7.58{\pm}0.66$ HU), 1 mCi($-9.85{\pm}0.50$ HU), 2 mCi($-10.27{\pm}0.21$ HU), 5 mCi($-11.31{\pm}0.66$ HU), and 10 mCi($-13.47{\pm}0.38$ HU). Compared with the image where it was filled with water, there was a reduction of 5.89 Hu in 10 mCi, 3.73 in 5 mCi, 2.69 HU in 2 mCi, and 2 HU in 1 mCi. As for the pixel value of the phantom image, there were reference water ($-2.70{\pm}0.75$), 1 mCi($-4.72{\pm}0.58$), 2 mCi($-6.01{\pm}0.78$), 5 mCi($-6.10{\pm}0.84$), and 10 mCi($-8.20{\pm}0.60$). Compared with the reference image, there was a reduction of 5.50 in 10 mCi, 3.40 in 5 mCi, 3.10 in 2 mCi, and 2.02 in 1 mCi. Through this experiment, it was indicated that, with the increase in the dose of the positron emission radionuclide($^{18}F$), the CT number and the pixel value of the image reduced proportionally, and the width of reduction showed a similar value, too. Accordingly, according to the degree of change in X-ray CT image due to the positron emission radionuclide in the quality control item of PET/CT, the proper standard should be established and it should be periodically managed.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.143-147
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• 2016

Recently, digital tomosynthesis system (DTS) has been developed to reduce overlap using conventional X-ray and to overcome high patient dose problem using computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to develop image reconstruction algorithm and to evaluate image characteristics and dose with chest digital tomosynthesis (CDT) system. Image reconstruction was used for filtered back-projection (FBP) methods and system geometry was constructed ${\pm}10^{\circ}$, ${\pm}15^{\circ}$, ${\pm}20^{\circ}$, and ${\pm}30^{\circ}$ angular range for acquiring phantom images. Image characteristics carried out root mean square error (RMSE) and signal difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR), and dose is evaluated effective dose with ${\pm}20^{\circ}$ angular range. According to the results, the phantom image with slice thickness filter has superb RMSE and SDNR, and effective dose was 0.166 mSv. In conclusion, we demonstrated usefulness of developed CDT image reconstruction algorithm and we constructed CDT basic output data with measuring effective dose.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is investigation of radiation dose in CT scan. Data were collected from various references and organizations. Doses measured by CT scanners of each medical organization were analyzed and they were calculated through the examination protocol. The results are as follows : 1. $CTDI_W$ value per 100mAs measured by Head Phantom was the highest in <4-slice MDCT scanner> of 24.20 mGy. $CTDI_W$ values were significantly different among scanner generations(p < 0.01). 2. $CTDI_W$ value per 100 mAs measured using body phantom was the highest in <4-slice MDCT scanner> of 13.58 mGy and the $CTDI_W$ values were significantly different among scanner generations(p < 0.01). 3. When contrast medium was not used, the highest scanner was <16 slice MDCT> of $818.83\;mGy{\codt}cm$ in exposure dose in brain scan(p < 0.05). When the contrast medium was used, the highest scanner was <4 slice MDCT> and its average was $1,460.77\;mGy{\cdot}cm$(p < 0.1). 4. When the contrast medium was not used, the highest scanner was <16-slice MDCT> of $521.63\;mGy{\cdot}cm$ on average in terms of the exposure dose in chest inspection(p<0.05). when the contrast medium was used, the highest scanner was found in 8 slice MDCT scanner and its average was $1,174.70\;mGy{\cdot}cm$. There was no statistically significant difference among scanners. 5. When the contrast medium was not used, the highest scanner was <16-slice MDCT> and its average was $856.27\;mGy{\cdot}cm$ in exposure dose on the abdomen-pelvis(p<0.05). when the contrast medium was used, the highest scanner was <16-slice MDCT> and its average was $1,720.64\;mGy{\cdot}cm$ on average (p < 0.05). 6. When the contrast medium was not used, the highest scanner was <8-slice MDCT> and its average was $612.07\;mGy{\cdot}cm$ in exposure dose in liver inspection(p < 0.05). when the contrast medium was used, the highest scanner was <8-slice MDCT scanner> and its average was $2,197.93\;mGy{\cdot}cm$ in exposure dose(p < 0.1). seventy six point two percent of medical facilities were in risk of radiation exposure while the number of phase was three to four times in their dose inspection of contrast medium.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-349
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• 2011

This study was to measure the patient dose difference between 3D treatment planning CT and 4D respiratory gating CT. Study was performed with each 10 patients who have lung and liver cancer for measured patient exposure dose by using SOMATON SENSATION OPEN(SIMENS, GERMANY). CTDIvol and DLP value was used to analyze patient dose, and actual dose was measured in the location of liver and kidney for abdominal examination and lung, heart and spinal cord for chest examination. Rando phantom were used for the experiment. OSLD was used for in-vitro and in-vivo dosimetry. Increasing overall actual dose in 4D respiratory gated CT-simulation using OSLD increase the dose by 5.5 times for liver cancer patients and 6 times for lung cancer patients. In CT simulation of 10 lung cancer patients, CTDIvol value was increased by 5.7 times and DLP 2.4 times. For liver cancer patients, CTDIvol was risen by 3.8 times and DLP 1.6 times. The accuracy of treatment volume could be increased in 4D CT planning for position change due to the breaths of patient in the radiation therapy. However, patients dose was increased in 4D CT than 3D CT. In conclusion, constant efforts is required to reduce patients dose by reducing scan time and scan range.