• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2009

Purpose: The introduction of image guided radiation therapy/four-dimensional radiation therapy (IGRT/4DRT) potentially increases the accumulated dose to patients from imaging and verification processes as compared to conventional practice. It is therefore essential to investigate the level of the imaging dose to patients when IGRT/4DRT devices are installed. The imaging dose level was monitored and was compared with the use of pre-IGRT practice. Materials and Methods: A four-dimensional CT (4DCT) unit (GE, Ultra Light Speed 16), a simulator (Varian Acuity) and Varian IX unit with an on-board imager (OBI) and cone beam CT (CBCT) were installed. The surface doses to a RANDO phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY USA) were measured with the newly installed devices and with pre-existing devices including a single slice CT scanner (GE, Light Speed), a simulator (Varian Ximatron) and L-gram linear accelerator (Varian, 2100C Linac). The surface doses were measured using thermo luminescent dosimeters (TLDs) at eight sites-the brain, eye, thyroid, chest, abdomen, ovary, prostate and pelvis. Results: Compared to imaging with the use of single slice non-gated CT, the use of 4DCT imaging increased the dose to the chest and abdomen approximately ten-fold ($1.74{\pm}0.34$ cGy versus $23.23{\pm}3.67$cGy). Imaging doses with the use of the Acuity simulator were smaller than doses with the use of the Ximatron simulator, which were $0.91{\pm}0.89$ cGy versus $6.77{\pm}3.56$ cGy, respectively. The dose with the use of the electronic portal imaging device (EPID; Varian IX unit) was approximately 50% of the dose with the use of the L-gram linear accelerator ($1.83{\pm}0.36$ cGy versus $3.80{\pm}1.67$ cGy). The dose from the OBI for fluoroscopy and low-dose mode CBCT were $0.97{\pm}0.34$ cGy and $2.3{\pm}0.67$ cGy, respectively. Conclusion: The use of 4DCT is the major source of an increase of the radiation (imaging) dose to patients. OBI and CBCT doses were small, but the accumulated dose associated with everyday verification need to be considered.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2016

Purpose In order to calculate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) accurately, it is important to acquire the best septal view of left ventricle in the multi-gated cardiac blood pool scan (GBP). This study aims to acquire the best septal view by measuring angle of ventricular septal wall (${\theta}$) using enhanced CT scan and compare with conventional method using left anterior oblique (LAO) 45 view. Materials and Methods From March to July in 2015, we analyzed the 253 patients who underwent both enhanced chest CT and GBP scan in the department of nuclear medicine at National Cancer Center. Angle (${\theta}$) between ventricular septum and imaginary midline was measured in transverse image of enhanced chest CT scan, and the patients whose difference between the angle of ${\theta}$ and 45 degree was more than 10 degrees were included. GBP scan was acquired using both LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ views, and LVEFs measured by automated and manual region of interest (Auto-ROI and Manual-ROI) modes respectively were analyzed. Results $Mean{\pm}SD$ of ${\theta}$ on total 253 patients was $37.0{\pm}8.5^{\circ}$. Among them, the patients whose difference between 45 and ${\theta}$ degrees were more than ${\pm}10$ degrees were 88 patients ($29.3{\pm}6.1^{\circ}$). In Auto-ROI mode, there was statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=62.0{\pm}6.6%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=64.0{\pm}5.6%$; P = 0.001). In Manual-ROI mode, there was also statistically significant difference between LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ (LVEF $45=66.7{\pm}7.2%$ vs. LVEF ${\theta}=69.0{\pm}6.4%$; P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients of both methods were more than 95%. In case of comparison between Auto-ROI and Manual ROI of each LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$, there was no significant difference statistically. Conclusion We could measure the angle of ventricular septal wall accurately by using transverse image of enhanced chest CT and applied to LAO acquisition in the GBP scan. It might be the alternative method to acquire the best septal view of LAO effectively. We could notify significant difference between conventional LAO 45 and LAO ${\theta}$ view.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2003

I. Purpose It is essential to have the correct body contour information for the calculation of dose distribution. The role of CT images in the radiation oncology field has been increased. But there still exists a method to use cast or lead wire for the body contour drawing. This traditional method has drawbacks such as in accurate and time consuming procedure. This study has been designed to overcome this problem. II. Materials and Methods A digital camera is attached to a pole which stands on the opposite side of the gantry. Positional information was acquired from an image of the phantom which is specially designed for this study and located on the isocenter level of the simulator Laser line on the patients skin or on the phantom surface was digitized and reconstructed as the contour. Verification of usefulness this technique has been done with various shape of phantoms and a patients chest III. Results and Conclusions Contours from the traditional method with the cast or lead wire and the digital image method showed good agreement within experimetal error range. This technique showed more efficiente in time and convenience. For irregular shaped contour, like H&N region, special care are needed. The results suggest that more study is needed. To use of the another photogrammatory techinique with two camera system may be better for the actual clinical application

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.33
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• pp.47-54
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• 2021

Purpose : In order to evaluate the usefulness of clinical application of the Pause & Resume methods by comparing and analyzing the data stability and dose reduction effect when repeat scan assuming irregular breathing and using the Pause & Resume method during chest 4D CT using Quasar^TM Phantom. Materials and Methods : Using the Quasar^TM Phantom, set the breathing rate per minute to 15 BPM and 7.5 BPM, and set the S15 point as an irregular breathing section, and then placed OSLD to this point and use the Pause & Resume method to measure the dose of S15. CTDIvol, DLP, and ALARA-CT were used for comparative analysis of radiation dose between Pause & Resume method and Repeat-scan. In order to evaluate the stability and usability of the data applying the Pause & Resume method, the captured images were sorted by Advanced Workstation Volume Share7 and then sent to Eclipse^TM, the diameter and volume were analyzed by forming a contour on the iron ball in the Quasar^TM Phantom Results : When using Pause & Resume, the dose of OSLD measurement increased by 1.97 times in the section of S15. As a result of image evaluation, the average value of all volumes measured with and without the Pause & Resume method at 15 BPM and 7.5 BPM was 15.2 cm3±0.5%.Allthemeasuredvaluesfor the radius of iron ball were 3.1 cm regardless of whether Pause & Resume method was used or not. In the case of using Pause & Resume, 33% decreased from the lowest DLP value and 38% decreased from the highest DLP value of repeat scan, and the effective dose also decreased 32.1% from the minimum value and 37.6% from the maximum value. Conclusion: Irradiation dose was increased by Pause & Resume method because of the repeat scan on the S15 site where assuming irregular breathing occurred, However Pause & Resume method led to a significant reduction in dose on overall scan range. It also proved the usefulness of clinical application of the Pause & Resume method as a result of similar diameters and volumes of iron ball measurement.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.172-177
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN dynamic PET image in rat myocardium to evaluate potential of this radiotracer as a perfusion imaging agent. Animal PET/CT scan was done in 9 rats during 120 minutes. Especially we synthesized $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN with kit which is simple and low cost method. PET images showed the in vivo dynamic distribution of $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN in the chest region of rats. Initially $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN PET images showed aorta and liver activities and a few minutes later, $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN moved to myocardium. Regions of interest were drawn on myocardium, liver, lung and blood pool. Time-activity curves showed significant uptake of $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN in myocardium. The contrast ratios of myocardial to blood pool, lung and liver at 60 minutes after injection were 1.66, 2.82 and 0.60. To estimate accurate kinetic parameters, 60 minutes after injection was required to PET scan as myocardium image contrast ratios reached to constant values. As a result, $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN would be suitable radiotracer for PET which can applied to diagnosis of myocardial perfusion diseases after further preclinical and clinical investigations.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.261-267
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• 2017

The study has attempted to evaluate and compare the image evaluation and exposure dose by respectively applying filter back projection (FBP), the existing test method, and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) with different values of tube voltage during the low dose computed tomography (LDCT). With the image reconstruction method as basis, chest phantom was utilized with the FBP and ASIR set at 10%, 20% respectively, and the change of tube voltage (100 kVp, 120 kVp). For image evaluation, back ground noise, signal-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-noise ratio (CNR) were measured, and, for dose assessment, CTDIvol and DLP were measured respectively. In terms of image evaluation, there was significant difference in ascending aorta (AA) SNR and inpraspinatus muscle (IM) SNR with the different amount of tube voltage (p < 0.05). In terms of CTDIvol, the measured values with the same tube voltage of 120 kVp were 2.6 mGy with no-ASIR and 2.17 mGy with 20%-ASIR respectively, decreased by 0.43 mGy, and the values with 100 kVp were 1.61 mGy with no-ASIR and 1.34 mGy with 20%-ASIR, decreased by 0.27 mGy. In terms of DLP, the measured values with 120 kVp were $103.21mGy{\cdot}cm$ with no-ASIR and $85.94mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, decreased by $17.27mGy{\cdot}cm$ (about 16.7%), and the values with 100 kVp were $63.84mGy{\cdot}cm$ with no-ASIR and $53.25mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, a decrease by $10.62mGy{\cdot}cm$ (about 16.7%). At lower tube voltage, the rate of dose significantly decreased, but the negative effects on image evaluation was shown due to the increase of noise.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1609-1614
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• 2013

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intravenous contrast on dose calculation in radiation treatment planning for oesophageal cancer. Methods: A total of 22 intravein-contrasted patients with oesophageal cancer were included. The Hounsfield unit (HU) value of the enhanced blood stream in thoracic great vessels and heart was overridden with 45 HU to simulate the non-contrast CT image, and 145 HU, 245 HU, 345 HU, and 445 HU to model the different contrast-enhanced scenarios. 1000 HU and -1000 HU were used to evaluate two non-physiologic extreme scenarios. Variation in dose distribution of the different scenarios was calculated to quantify the effect of contrast enhancement. Results: In the contrast-enhanced scenarios, the mean variation in dose for planning target volume (PTV) was less than 1.0%, and those for the total lung and spinal cord were less than 0.5%. When the HU value of the blood stream exceeded 245 the average variation exceeded 1.0% for the heart V40. In the non-physiologic extreme scenarios, the dose variation of PTV was less than 1.0%, while the dose calculations of the organs at risk were greater than 2.0%. Conclusions: The use of contrast agent does not significantly influence dose calculation of PTV, lung and spinal cord. However, it does have influence on dose accuracy for heart.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.403-407
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• 2018

Currently, the highest cancer death rate in Korea is lung cancer, which is a typical cancer that is difficult to detect early. Low-dose chest CT is being used for early detection, which has a greater lung cancer diagnosis rate of about three times than regular chest x-ray images. However, low-dose chest CT not only significantly reduces image resolution but also has a weak signal and is sensitive to noise. Also, air filled lungs are low-density organs and the presence of noise can significantly affect early diagnosis of cancer. This study used Visual C++ to set a circle inside a large circle with a density of 2.0, with a density of 1.0, which is the density of water, in which five small circle of mathematics have different densities. Gaussian noise was generated by 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% respectively to determine the effect of noise on the mean value, the standard deviation value, and the relative noise ratio(SNR). In areas where the density difference between the large and small circles was greatest in the event of 1 % noise, the SNR in the area with the greatest variation in noise was 4.669, and in areas with the lowest density difference, the SNR was 1.183. In addition, the SNR values can be seen to be high if the same results are obtained for both positive and negative densities. Quality was also clearly visible when the density difference was large, and if the noise level was increased, the SNR was reduced to significantly affect the noise. Low-density organs or organs in areas of similar density to cancers, will have significant noise effects, and the effects of density differences on the probability of noise will affect diagnosis.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.729-737
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• 2020

Screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by about 20% when compared to standard chest radiography. One of the problems arising from screening programs is that large amounts of CT image data must be interpreted by radiologists. To solve this problem, automated detection of pulmonary nodules is necessary; however, this is a challenging task because of the high number of false positive results. Here we demonstrate detection of pulmonary nodules using six off-the-shelf convolutional neural network (CNN) models after modification of the input/output layers and end-to-end training based on publicly databases for comparative evaluation. We used the well-known CNN models, LeNet-5, VGG-16, GoogLeNet Inception V3, ResNet-152, DensNet-201, and NASNet. Most of the CNN models provided superior results to those of obtained using customized CNN models. It is more desirable to modify the proven off-the-shelf network model than to customize the network model to detect the pulmonary nodules.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 2001

We present a case of a 31 year-old male patient with tuberculous pericarditis with mediastinal mass that showed increased uptake on Gallium-67 image. Gallium-67 scan was performed to evaluate the activity of the superior mediastinal mass, which was detected on chest CT. A rim of intense activity around the heart was observed, but increased uptake was not seen in the mediastinum. However, on maximal contrast-enhanced SPECT images, a small focus of faint uptake was observed in the superior mediastinum. This finding implied that there was an active tuberculosis in the pericardium and inflammation in the superior mediastinal mass. This case demonstrated that Gallium-67 scinitigraphy was helpful for the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis.