• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2008

Imaging assessment of prostate cancer is one of the most difficult sections of oncology imaging. Detecting, localizing and staging of the primary prostate cancer by preoperative imaging are still challenging for the radiologist. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides excellent soft tissue contrast and is widely used for solid organ imaging, but results of preoperative imaging of the prostate gland with conventional MR imaging is unsatisfactory. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is the cornerstone in oncology imaging, but some limitations prohibit the assessment of primary prostate cancer with PET or PET/CT. Recent studies to overcome these insufficient accuracies of imaging evaluation of primary prostate cancers with advanced MR techniques and PET and PET/CT are reported. In this article, we review the imaging findings of prostate cancer on variable modalities, focused on MR imaging and PET/CT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Purpose : This study is designed to compare two parameters reflecting $^{18}F$-FDG uptake, SUV and radioactivity, for diagnosis of thyroid cancer in dual time $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging and to find which parameter is more useful to decide whether the tumor is malignant or not. Materials and Methods : We performed retrospective study for 40 patients. All patients are diagnosed as primary thyroid cancer and examined $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT. First, we got the dispersion of scattering beam of neck and lung apex to set a background and compared each dispersion, mean value, standard deviation of maxSUV and radioactivity. Also, mean maxSUV, ${\Delta}maxSUV$, ${\Delta}maxBq$/ml(%) and radioactivity between groups according to lesion's size based on biopsy are compared with independent-sample t-test. Results : the values that were from maxSUV and radioactivity measurement technique were compensated and calculated to practical values for mean comparison and patients were divided to two groups based on tumor size, Group1 ($size{\leq}1$ cm, n=21), Group2 (size>1 cm, n=19) for accurate comparison. In Group1, maxSUV (semi-quantitative analysis) was increased from $5.64{\pm}5.85$ (1.89~17.84) at first image to $5.90{\pm}5.01$ (1.95~18.22) at second image and radioactivity (Bq/ml) (quantitative analysis) showed similar increase from $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (2.50~16.75) at first image to $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (2.66~16.58) at second image. In Group2, TFmaxSUV was $10.54{\pm}14.36$ (2.54~33.89) in true first image, TSmaxSUV was $9.85{\pm}12.88$ (2.62~26.20) in true second image separately. The maxSUV showed a significant difference in the mean comparison between the two groups (p=0.035) But, mean radioactivity (Bq/ml) was $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (4.81~40.99) in true first image, $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (4.51~36.93) in true second image and didn't show a significant difference statistically (p=0.126) Conclusion : In diagnosis of thyroid tumor, SUV and radioactivity depending on $^{18}F$-FDG uptake showed high similarity with coefficient of determination (R2=0.939) and malignant evaluation results using dual time also showed similar aspect. Radioactivity for evaluation of malignant tumor didn't show better specificity or sensitivity than maxSUV.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.645-653
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• 2021

With the recent development of precision medicine(Theranostics), interest and utilization of the quantitative function of SPECT/CT are increasing. This study aims to investigate the effect on the radioactivity concentration estimate by the increase or decrease in the total time of SPECT/CT imaging conditions. A standard image was obtained by the conditions of a total acquisition time of 600 sec(10 sec/f × 120 frames) by diluting ^99mTc 91.76 MBq in a cylindrical phantom filled with sterile water, and a comparative image was obtained by increasing the total acquisition time by -90%, -75%, -50%, -25%, +50%, +100%. The CNR, radioactive concentration estimate(cps/ml), and the variation rate(%) of the recovery coefficient(RC) were analyzed by measuring the overall coefficient of interest in each image. The results[CNR, Radiation Concentration, RC] by the change in the number of projections for each increase or decrease rate(-90%, -75%, -50%, -25%, +50%, +100%) of total acquisition time are as follows. [-89.5%, +3.90%, 1.04] at -90%, [-77.9%, +2.71%, 1.03] at -75%, [-55.6%, +1.85%, 1.02] at -50%, [-33.6%, +1.37%, 1.01] at -25%, [-33.7%, +0.71%, 1.01] at +50%, [+93.2%, +0.32%, 1.00] at +100%. and also The results[CNR, Radiation Concentration, RC] by the acquisition time change for each increase or decrease rate(-90%, -75%, -50%, -25%, +50%, +100%) of total acquisition time are as follows. [-89.3%, -3.55%, 0.96] at -90%, [-73.4%, -0.17%, 1.00] at -75%, [-49.6%, -0.34%, 1.00] at -50%, [-24.9%, 0.03%, 1.00] at -25%, [+49.3%, -0.04%, 1.00] at +50%, [+99.0%, +0.11%, 1.00] at +100%. Image quality(CNR) showed a pattern of change in proportion to the increase or decrease in the total acquisition time of SPECT/CT, but the result at quantitative evaluation showed a change of less than 5% in all experimental conditions, maintaining quantitative accuracy(RC less than 0.05) without much influence.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.71-74
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• 2005

To introduce the four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT, Light Speed RT, General Electric, USA) scanner newly installed in our department and evaluate its feasibility for gated radiotherapy. Respiratory signal measured by real-time position management (RPM$^{\circledR}$, Varian Medical, USA) was recorded in synchronization with the 4DCT scanner. 4DCT data were acquired in axial cine mode and sorted retrospective image based on respiratory phase. PTVs delineated from helical CT and 4DCT images were compared. The PTV delineated from conventional helical CT images was 2 cc larger than that from 4DCT images. Dose in PTV of the plan from retrospective CT was 99.3% (minimum=72.0%, maximum=106.5%) and that of helical CT plan was 95.2% (minimum=24.1%, maximum=106.4%) of prescribed dose. Comparing with DVHs of both plan, the coverage for 4CDT plan was 3.7% improved. It is expected that 4DCT could improve tumor control and reduce radiation toxicity for liver cancer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2022

In SPECT image, scatter count is the cause of quantitative count error and image quality degradation. This study is to evaluate the accuracy of CT based SC(CTSC) and energy window based SC(EWSC) as the comparison with existing Non SC. SPECT/CT images were obtained after filling air in order to acquire a reference image without the influence of scatter count inside the Triple line insert phantom setting hot rod(^99mTc 74.0 MBq) in the middle and each SPECT/CT image was obtained each separately after filling water instead of air in order to derive the influence of scatter count under the same conditions. For EWSC, 9 sub-energy windows were set additionally in addition to main energy window(140 keV, 20%) and then, images were acquired at the same time and five types of EWSC including DPW(dual photo-peak window)10%, DEW(dual energy window)20%, TEW(triple energy window)10%, TEW5.0%, TEW2.5% were used. Under the condition without fluctuations in primary count, total count was measured by drawing volume of interest (VOI) in the images of the two conditions and then, the ratio of scatter count of total counts was calculated as percent scatter fraction(%SF) and the count error with image filled with water was evaluated with percent normalized mean-square error(%NMSE) based on the image filled with air. Based on the image filled with air, %SF of images filled with water to which each SC method was applied is non scatter correction(NSC) 37.44, DPW 27.41, DEW 21.84, TEW10% 19.60, TEW5% 17.02, TEW2.5% 14.68, CTSC 5.57 and the scatter counts were removed the most in CTSC and %NMSE is NSC 35.80, DPW 14.28, DEW 7.81, TEW10% 5.94, TEW5% 4.21, TEW2.5% 2.96, CTSC 0.35 and the error in CTSC was found to be the lowest. In SPECT/CT images, the application of each scatter correction method used in the experiment could improve the quantitative count error caused by the influence of scatter count. In particular, CTSC showed the lowest %NMSE(=0.35) compared to existing EWSC methods, enabling relatively accurate scatter correction.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.294-304
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• 2023

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether image standardization using deep learning-based computed tomography (CT) image conversion would improve the performance of deep learning-based automated hepatic segmentation across various reconstruction methods. Materials and Methods: We collected contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT of the abdomen that was obtained using various reconstruction methods, including filtered back projection, iterative reconstruction, optimum contrast, and monoenergetic images with 40, 60, and 80 keV. A deep learning based image conversion algorithm was developed to standardize the CT images using 142 CT examinations (128 for training and 14 for tuning). A separate set of 43 CT examinations from 42 patients (mean age, 10.1 years) was used as the test data. A commercial software program (MEDIP PRO v2.0.0.0, MEDICALIP Co. Ltd.) based on 2D U-NET was used to create liver segmentation masks with liver volume. The original 80 keV images were used as the ground truth. We used the paired t-test to compare the segmentation performance in the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and difference ratio of the liver volume relative to the ground truth volume before and after image standardization. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to assess the agreement between the segmented liver volume and ground-truth volume. Results: The original CT images showed variable and poor segmentation performances. The standardized images achieved significantly higher DSCs for liver segmentation than the original images (DSC [original, 5.40%-91.27%] vs. [standardized, 93.16%-96.74%], all P < 0.001). The difference ratio of liver volume also decreased significantly after image conversion (original, 9.84%-91.37% vs. standardized, 1.99%-4.41%). In all protocols, CCCs improved after image conversion (original, -0.006-0.964 vs. standardized, 0.990-0.998). Conclusion: Deep learning-based CT image standardization can improve the performance of automated hepatic segmentation using CT images reconstructed using various methods. Deep learning-based CT image conversion may have the potential to improve the generalizability of the segmentation network.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 2011

Purpose: Facilities use own sever or mini PACS system for storage and analysis of the PET/CT data. Mini PACS can storage scan data as well as measuring SUV. Therefore, the study was performed to confirm whether or not measured SUV on mini PACS is measured equally on PET/CT workstation. Materials and Methods: In February 2011, 30 patients who were performed $^{18}F$-FDG wholebody PET/CT scan in Biograph 16, Biograph 40 and Discovery Ste 8 were enrolled. First, using each workstation, SUV in liver and aorta of mediastinum level was measured. Second, using mini PACS, SUV was measured by same method. Result: The correlation coefficient of SUV in liver between PET/CT scanner and min PACS in Biograph 16, Biograph 40, Discovery Ste 8 was 0.99, 0.98, 0.64 respectably, the correlation coefficient of SUV in aorta was 0.98, 0.98, 0.66, and these were showed positive correlation coefficient. Difference of SUV between Biograph workstation and mini PACS was not showed statistical significant difference at 5% level of significance. Difference of SUV between Discovery Ste 8 workstation and mini PACS was showed statistical significant difference at 5% level of significance. Conclusion: In case that patient was scanned by the other scanner, if the correction of SUV formula in mini PACS for each scanners is performed, mini PACS will be usefully used to provide consistently quantitative assessment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2014

Purpose Find out about the significance of the GFR values calculated by the kidney depth is measured by comparing the values obtained for kidney depth was measured GFR in the CT image kidney depth and is calculated by Tonnesen law in $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA dynamic kidney scan with each applies. Materials and Methods Among patients with normal value (75~120 mL/min) computed GFR conducted of dynamic renal scan to visit from February 2013 to February 2014 and donor GFR values in patients with normal value. The mean age was 46.9 years with 14 men 13 females. We used abdomen CT image which checked before conducting dynamic Kidney scan for measuring the depth of kidney. We only used CT image that contains renal hilum and measured outermost front of the kidney from the skin surface (a) and the final surface (b) caculated the average depth of [(a + b) / 2] respectively. Using the same ROI in order to limit the change in GFR values by the other additional element was set before and after the depth value was excluded from the GFR falls kidney disease. Results Using Tonnesen law the average value was caculated 5.94 cm from the right kidney 5.90 cm from the left kidney. It was 6.83 cm, 8.71 cm in the left kidney and the right kidney average value of the depth measured on the basis of the CT image. The respective increase in left kidney 0.93 cm and right kidney 2.77 cm calculated on the basis of CT image actually measured values. GFR was calculated as the average depth of the subject calculated by the method Tonnesen $83.3{\pm}9.79mL/min$. $98.6{\pm}14.07mL/min$ GFR was applied to calculate the average depth of the subjects using the CT image, is the difference appears 15.26 mL/min was increased after seting up depth value, P value was less than 0.01 which is significant. Conclusion The difference between GFR before-after setting up depth value cause that the different of depth value. Is a measured depth of the extension value of the calculated estimates Whereas Tonnesen kidney depth method is to use in calculating the value of GFR in a typical dynamic elongation test depth derived using the CT image depth. Is thought to be able to calculate more accurately the GFR value by the distance to the center of kidney more accurately measured in the skin thereby.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Purpose: Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) has been carried out using On-Board Imager system (OBI) in Asan Medical Center. For this reason, This study was to analyze and evaluate the impact on Cone-Beam CT according to variation of material and respiration. Materials and Methods: This study was to acquire and analyze Cone-Beam CT three times for two material: Cylider acryl (lung equvalent material, diameter 3 cm), Fiducial Marker (using clinic) under Motion Phantom able to adjust respiration pattern randomly was varying period, amplitude and baseline vis-a-vis reference respiration pattern. Results: First, According to a kind of material, when being showed 100% in the acryl and 120% in the Fiducial Marker under the condition of same movement of the motion phantom. Second, According to the respiratory alteration, when being showed 1.13 in the baseline shift 1.8 mm and 1.27 in the baseline shift 3.3 mm for acryl. when being showed 1.01 in 1 sec of period and 1.045 in 2.5 sec of period for acryl. When being showed 0.86 in 0.7 times the standard of amplitude and 1.43 in 1.7 times the standard of amplitude for acryl. when being showed 1.18 in the baseline shift 1.8 mm and 1.34 in the baseline shift 3.3 mm for Fiducial Marker. when being showed 1.0 in 1 sec of period and 1.0 in 2.5 sec of period for Fiducial Marker. When being showed 0.99 in 0.7 times the standard of amplitude and 1.66 in 1.7 times the standard of amplitude for Fiducial Marker. Conclusion: The effect of image size of CBCT was 20% in the case of Fiducial marker. The impact of changes in breathing pattern was minimum 13% - maximum 43% for Arcyl, min. 18% - max. 66% for Fiducial marker. This difference makes serious uncertainty. So, Must be stabilized breathing of patient before acquiring CBCT. also must be monitored breathing of patient in the middle of acquire. If you observe considerable change of breathing when acquiring CBCT. After Image Guided, must be need to check treatment site using fluoroscopy. If a change is too big, re-acquiring CBCT.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2020

Purpose: Alcohol intoxication is frequently observed in patients with brain hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to determine whether intoxication affects the Korean Triage and Acuity Stage (KTAS) level and the emergency medical process in emergency departments. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study enrolled 253 brain hemorrhage patients (47 of those intoxicated) who visited the emergency medical center on public EMS ambulance from January. 1, 2017 to April, 30, 2019. Data were collected through the electronic medical record (EMR). KTAS level and time to computerized tomography (CT) were compared to evaluate whether inebriation affects care and examination processes. All data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: Of the 47 patients intoxicated patients, 85.1% were male, and 74.5% accompanied by trauma. Initial KTAS level showed significant differences (77.2%; p=.000) when the level 3,4 was not drunk. The average time taken from triage to CT scans showed a significant difference of 24.81±23.72 (min) when the drunken state was not 58.38±56.54 (min)(p=.000). Conclusion: In patients with brain hemorrhage admitted to ED from public EMS, undertriage and delay after initial assessment were detected in inebriated patients. Careful initial evaluation and prompt medical response should be considered for patients transported by EMS.