• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.199-207
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• 2017

Purpose: Evaluation of alveolar bone is important in the diagnosis of dental diseases. The periodontal ligament space is difficult to clearly depict in cone-beam computed tomography images because the reconstruction filter conditions during image processing cause image blurring, resulting in decreased spatial resolution. We examined different reconstruction filters to assess their ability to improve spatial resolution and allow for a clearer visualization of the periodontal ligament space. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography projections of 2 skull phantoms were reconstructed using 6 reconstruction conditions and then compared using the Thurstone paired comparison method. Physical evaluations, including the modulation transfer function and the Wiener spectrum, as well as an assessment of space visibility, were undertaken using experimental phantoms. Results: Image reconstruction using a modified Shepp-Logan filter resulted in better sensory, physical, and quantitative evaluations. The reconstruction conditions substantially improved the spatial resolution and visualization of the periodontal ligament space. The difference in sensitivity was obtained by altering the reconstruction filter. Conclusion: Modifying the characteristics of a reconstruction filter can generate significant improvement in assessments of the periodontal ligament space. A high-frequency enhancement filter improves the visualization of thin structures and will be useful when accurate assessment of the periodontal ligament space is necessary.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.385-392
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• 2017

본 연구는 전산화단층촬영에서 관전압과 관전류에 따른 화질과 피폭선량을 연구하고 None IR과 IR (Iterative Reconstruction)의 단계에 따른 영상의 SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio)을 비교하여 영상 화질의 개선정도에 대하여 확인해보고자 하였다. Image J를 이용하여 화질을 측정한 결과 관전압의 증가에 따라 HU (Hounsfield units)와 BN(Background Noise)은 감소하였으며, 이와 반대로 SI (Signal Intensity)와 SNR, $CTDI_{vol}$ (CT dose in dex volume)은 관전압이 높아질수록 증가하였으며, BHU(Background Hounsfield Units)의 변화는 없었다. 관전류의 증가로 인해서 BN이 감소하였고, 반대로 SNR과 CTDI은 증가하였다. 또한 IR의 단계가 높아질수록 HU와 SI, BN이 낮아지고, SNR이 약 10~60% 향상됨을 알 수 있었다. 이를 토대로 임상에서 IR 적용 시 단계적 접근 방식으로 관전압과 관전류를 미세 조정하여 점차적으로 방사선량을 줄여 나가야 할 것이다.

• 치과방사선
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.47-58
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate an influence of the change of central panoramic curves on the image reconstruction in the dental implant CT. The author designed three experimental groups according to the location of central panoramic curve. In group A, central panoramic curve was determined as the curve connecting the center of roots from the first premolar to the first molar. In group B, central panoramic curve was determined as the line connecting the lingual cortical plate at the level of the mesial aspect of the first premolar with the buccal cortical plate at the level of the mesial aspect of the first molar. In Group C, central panoramic curve was determined as the line connecting the buccal cortical plate at the level of the mesial aspect of the first premolar with the lingual cortical plate at the level of the mesial aspect of the first molar. Twenty four reformatted CT images was acquired from four mandibles embedded in the resin block and twenty four contact radiographs of dog specimens were acquired. Each Image was processed under Adobe Photoshop program analysed by MSPA(mandible/maxilla shape pattern analysis) variables such as MXVD, MXHD, UHD, MHD, and LHD. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. The mean of MXVD variable was 19.9, 20.2, and 20.0 in group A, B, and C, respectively, which were smaller than actual value 20.5. But, there was no significant difference among 3 groups (p>0.05). 2. The mean of MXHD, UHD, MHD, and LHD variables in group A, B, and C was 11.9, 12.2, and 12.3; 9.3, 9.5, and 9.6; 10.0, 10.3, and 10.3; 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4 respectively which were equal to or greater than the actual value 11.8, 9.3, 10.0, and 9.2. But, there was no significant difference among 3 groups (p>0.05). 3. The number of noneffective observations with difference over or under 1 mm with comparison to the actual value was 24(20％), 58(48.3％), and 52(43.3％), respectively, in group A, B, and C. 4. In group A, the number of observations over 1 mm and under 1 mm was 9 and 15, respectively, but in group Band C, the number of observations over 1 mm was more than under 1 mm.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.983-993
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the image quality of ultralow-dose CT (ULDCT) of the chest reconstructed using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN)-based deep learning method in the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: Between June 2019 and November 2019, 103 patients (mean age, 40.8 ± 13.6 years; 61 men and 42 women) with pulmonary tuberculosis were prospectively enrolled to undergo standard-dose CT (120 kVp with automated exposure control), followed immediately by ULDCT (80 kVp and 10 mAs). The images of the two successive scans were used to train the CycleGAN framework for image-to-image translation. The denoising efficacy of the CycleGAN algorithm was compared with that of hybrid and model-based iterative reconstruction. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed to compare the objective measurements and the subjective image quality scores, respectively. Results: With the optimized CycleGAN denoising model, using the ULDCT images as input, the peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index improved by 2.0 dB and 0.21, respectively. The CycleGAN-generated denoised ULDCT images typically provided satisfactory image quality for optimal visibility of anatomic structures and pathological findings, with a lower level of image noise (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 19.5 ± 3.0 Hounsfield unit [HU]) than that of the hybrid (66.3 ± 10.5 HU, p < 0.001) and a similar noise level to model-based iterative reconstruction (19.6 ± 2.6 HU, p > 0.908). The CycleGAN-generated images showed the highest contrast-to-noise ratios for the pulmonary lesions, followed by the model-based and hybrid iterative reconstruction. The mean effective radiation dose of ULDCT was 0.12 mSv with a mean 93.9% reduction compared to standard-dose CT. Conclusion: The optimized CycleGAN technique may allow the synthesis of diagnostically acceptable images from ULDCT of the chest for the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2008

CT 영상은 커널의 종류와 재구성 방법에 따라 다양하게 나타나며, 관심 영역의 CT감약계수 및 노이즈는 정밀도에 영향을 준다. 커널의 종류에 따른 노이즈, 공간분해능 및 MTF를 측정하여 영상을 평가하였다. 다중채널CT 스캐너를 이용하여 팬텀 및 복부를 스캔 하였고, 커널은 B10(very smooth), B20(smooth), B30(medium smooth), B40(medium), B50(medium sharp), B60(sharp), B70(very sharp), B80(ultra sharp)으로 재구성하여 물, 공기, 간의 실질 조직, 근육, 지방 부위를 ROI 기능을 이용하여 평균의 CT감약계수와 표준편차인 노이즈를 정량적으로 측정하여 영상을 비교하였다. 그 결과CT 감약계수는 물($1.1{\sim}1.8\;HU$), 공기($-998{\sim}-1,000\;HU$)이고, 물에서의 노이즈($5.4{\sim}44.8\;HU$), 공기($3.6{\sim}31.4\;HU$)이다. 인체에서 간 실질 조직과 지방, 근육의 CT 감약계수와 노이즈를 커널에 따라 측정하였다. 지방의 CT 감약계수($-2.2{\sim}0.8\;HU$), 간의 실질 조직에서 CT감약계수($60.4{\sim}62.2\;HU$), 노이즈($7.6{\sim}63.8\;HU$), 근육의 CT감약계수($53.3{\sim}54.3\;HU$), 노이즈($10.4{\sim}70.7\;HU$) 사이에서 분포하였고, 커널이 높아질수록 노이즈도 증가하였다. 영상의 질을 높이기 위해서는 검사부위에 따라 노이즈를 감소하기 위해 적절한 커널을 선택하여 CT 검사를 하여야 한다.

• 대한전자공학회논문지SP
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.163-174
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• 2004

치과 분야에서는 치아교정이나 수술 시뮬레이션을 위해서 각 치아를 개별적으로 조작할 수 있는 3차원 치아모델이 필요하다. 치아 CT 영상으로부터 이러한 치아모델의 재구성을 위해서는 각 치아를 이웃한 치아나 치조골로부터 정확하게 분리할 수 있어야 한다. 본 연구에서는 치아 영역을 효과적으로 분리하기 위한 영상정규화 방안과 최적임계화방안을 제안한다. 제안된 방법은 연속적인 CT 영상 슬라이스들에서 치아영역의 형태와 밝기는 점진적으로 변한다는 사실을 근거로 이전 슬라이스에서 추정된 임계치를 이용하여 현 슬라이스의 임시치아경계를 결정하고 이것을 바탕으로 보다 정확한 임계치를 계산한다.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.373-379
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• 2016

복잡한 불균질성을 가지는 뼈의 경우 물성치 분포를 B-스플라인 볼륨 함수를 이용해 표현하는 것이 적합하다고 알려져 있다. 물성치 분포에 대한 B-스플라인 볼륨 함수는 CT 영상의 각 화소값들을 보간하여 얻을 수 있다. 그러나 뼈의 CT 영상 데이터는 3차원이며 크기가 매우 크기 때문에 보간 시간이 오래 걸리며, 많은 컴퓨터 메모리가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 이를 해결하기 위한 방법을 제안한다. 제안하는 방법에서는 영상이 가지는 화소 간격의 균일성 및 B-스플라인 기저 함수의 특징을 이용해 B-스플라인 볼륨 보간 문제를 단순화 시킨다. 이는 결과적으로 계산 시간 및 메모리 사용량을 줄여준다. 검증을 위해, 제안한 방법을 컴퓨터 프로그램으로 구현하였으며, 실험을 통해 계산 시간이 줄어든 것을 확인하였다.

• 치과방사선
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.21-32
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• 1999

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of variable scanning protocols of computed tomography for evaluation of pre-implant site of the mandible through the comparison of the reformatted cross-sectional images of helical CT scans obtained with various imaging parameters versus those of conventional CT scans. Materials and Methods: A dry mandible was imaged using conventional nonoverlapped CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness and helical CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness and pitches of 1.0, 1.5. 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. All helical images were reconstructed at reconstruction interval of 1 mm. DentaScan reformatted images were obtained to allow standardized visualization of cross-sectional images of the mandible. The reformatted images were reviewed and measured separately by 4 dental radiologists. The image qualities of continuity of cortical outline. trabecular bone structure and visibility of the mandibular canal were evaluated and the distance between anatomic structures were measured by 4 dental radiologists. Results: On image qualities of continuity of cortical outline. trabecular bone structure and visibility of the mandibular canal and in horizontal measurement. there was no statistically significant difference among conventional and helical scans with pitches of 1.0. 1.5 and 2.0. In vertical measurement. there was no statistically significant difference among the conventional and all imaging parameters of helical CT scans with pitches of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. Conclusion: The images of helical CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness and pitches of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 are as good as those of conventional CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness for evaluation of predental implant site of the mandible. Considering the radiation dose and patient comfort, helical CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness and pitch of 2.0 is recommended for evaluation of pre-implant site of the mandible.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2009

Purpose: The present study was aimed to examine the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent neck dissection to treat oral cancer were subjected for examination. The cervical node metastasis was evaluated by means of clinical examination, CT scan, PET, and histologic examination. By comparing the results of each examination modality with those of histologic examination, it's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. Results: The oral cancer was more frequent in males with a ratio of 2.14:1. The sixth decade showed the highest incidence in age distribution with mean of $56{\pm}16$. Histologic findings showed that squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (15 patients), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3), malignant melanoma (2), and adenoid cystic carcinoma and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (1 each), in order. In most cases, wide surgical excision of the primary cancer and neck dissection was performed, followed by reconstruction with free flaps when necessary. When comparing the results of each examination modality with those of the histologic examination, clinical examination showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value at 11%, 85%, 33%, and 58%, respectively. CT scans showed at 67%, 77%, 67%, and 77%, while $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT at 78%, 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that PET is more useful, compared with clinical examination and CT scans, in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.127-134
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• 2000

Objective: To determine the extent to which thin-section and volumetric three-dimensional CT can depict airway reactivity to bronchostimulator, and to assess the effect of different airway sizes on the degree of reactivity. Materials and Methods: In eight dogs, thin-section CT scans were obtained before and after the administration of methacholine and ventolin. Cross-sectional areas of bronchi at multiple levels, as shown by axial CT, proximal airway volume as revealed by three-dimensional imaging, and peak airway pressure were measured. The significance of airway change induced by methacholine and ventolin, expressed by percentage changes in cross-sectional area, proximal airway volume, and peak airway pressure was statistically evaluated, as was correlation between the degree of airway reactivity and the area of airways. Results: Cross-sectional areas of the bronchi decreased significantly after the administration of methacholine, and scans obtained after a delay of 5 minutes showed that normalization was insufficient. Ventolin induced a significant increase in cross-sectional areas and an increase in proximal airway volume, while the effect of methacholine on the latter was the opposite. Peak airway pressure increased after the administration of methacholine, and after a 5-minute delay its level was near that of the control state. Ventolin, however, induced no significant decrease. The degree of airway reactivity did not correlate with airway size. Conclusion: Thin-section and volumetric spiral CT with three-dimensional reconstruction can demonstrate airway reactivity to bronchostimulator. The degree of reactivity did not correlate with airway size.