• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.1300-1309
• /
• 2021

Objective: To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of pancreatic surface lobularity (PSL) quantification derived from abdominal computed tomography (CT) in a population of patients free from pancreatic disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 265 patients free from pancreatic disease who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between 2017 and 2019. A maximum of 11 individual PSL measurements were performed by two abdominal radiologists (head [5 measurements], body, and tail [3 measurements each]) using dedicated software. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and sex on PSL was assessed using the Pearson correlation and repeated measurements. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman (BA) plots. Results: CT images of 15 (6%) patients could not be analyzed. A total of 2750 measurements were performed in the remaining 250 patients (143 male [57%], mean age 45 years [range, 18-91]), and 2237 (81%) values were obtained in the head 951/1250 (76%), body 609/750 (81%), and tail 677/750 (90%). The mean ± standard deviation PSL was 6.53 ± 1.37. The mean PSL was significantly higher in male than in female (6.89 ± 1.30 vs. 6.06 ± 1.31, respectively, p < 0.001). PSL gradually increased with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Inter-reader agreement was excellent (ICC 0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.72-0.85], with a BA bias of 0.30 and 95% limits of agreement of -1.29 and 1.89). Conclusion: CT-based PSL quantification is feasible with a high success rate and inter-reader agreement in subjects free from pancreatic disease. Significant variations were observed according to sex, age, and BMI. This study provides a reference for future studies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.457-460
• /
• 2002

The image quality of three-dimensional (3D) images has been widely investigated by the qualitative analysis method. A need remains for an objective and quantitative method to assess the image quality of 3D volume-rendered images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative accuracy of distance measurements on 3D volume-rendered images of a dry human skull by using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). A radiologist measured five times the twenty-one direct measurement line items composed among twelve reference points on the skull surface with a digital vernier caliper. The water filled skull specimen was scanned with a MDCT according to the section thicknesses of 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mm for helical (high quality; pitch 3:1) scan mode. MDCT data were reconstructed with its acquisition section thickness and with 1.25 mm section thickness for all scans. An observer also measured seven times the corresponding items on 3D volume-rendered images with measuring tools provided by volumetric analysis software. The quantitative accuracy of distance measurements on the 3D volume-rendered images was statistically evaluated (p-value < 0.05) by comparatively analyzing these measurements with the direct distance measurements. The accuracy of distance measurements on the 3D volume-rendered MDCT images acquired with 1.25, 2.50, 3,75 and 5.00 mm section thickness and reconstructed with its section thickness were 48%, 33%, 23%, and 14%, respectively. Meanwhile, there were insignificant statistical differences in accuracy of distance measurements among 3D volume-rendered images reconstructed with 1.25 mm section thickness for the each acquisition section thickness. MDCT images acquired with thick section thickness and reconstructed with thin section thickness in helical scan mode should be effectively used in medical planning of 3D volume-rendered images. The quantitative analysis of distance measurement may be a useful tool for evaluating the quantitative accuracy and the defining optimal parameters of 3D volume-rendered CT images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.663-670
• /
• 2023

In this study, we aimed to perform a comparative evaluation using quantitative factors between a region-growing based segmentation with noise reduction algorithms and a U-Net based segmentation. Initially, we applied median filter, median modified Wiener filter, and fast non-local means algorithm to computed tomography (CT) images, followed by region-growing based segmentation. Additionally, we trained a U-Net based segmentation model to perform segmentation. Subsequently, to compare and evaluate the segmentation performance of cases with noise reduction algorithms and cases with U-Net, we measured root mean square error (RMSE) and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), universal quality image index (UQI), and dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The results showed that using U-Net for segmentation yielded the most improved performance. The values of RMSE, PSNR, UQI, and DSC were measured as 0.063, 72.11, 0.841, and 0.982 respectively, which indicated improvements of 1.97, 1.09, 5.30, and 1.99 times compared to noisy images. In conclusion, U-Net proved to be effective in enhancing segmentation performance compared to noise reduction algorithms in CT images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2013

In study suggested clinical availability to shoulder forced traction method in term of quality of image, the patient's convenience and stability, according to whether to use of shoulder forced traction bend using computed tomography(CT) that X-ray calibration and various mathematic calibration algorithm application can be applied by AEC. To achieve this, 79 patients is complaining of cervical pain oriented that shoulder forced traction bend use the before and after acquires lateral projection scout image and transverse image. transverse image of a fixed size in concern field of pixel and figure the average HU value compare that quantitative analysis. Artifact and pixel and resolution to qualitative clinical estimation image analysis. the patient feel inconvenience degree that self-diagnosis survey that estimate. As a result, lateral projection scout image if you used shoulder forced traction bend for the depicted has been an increase in the number of a cervical vertebrae. transverse image concern field shoulder forced traction bend use the before and after for pixel and the average HU-value changes was judged to be almost irrelevant. Artifact and resolution and contrast, in qualitative analysis of the results relating the observer to the unusual result. So, the patients of 82.27% complained discomfort that use of shoulder forced traction bend in self-diagnosis survey. No merit of medical image by using of bend from result was analyzed quality of image to quantitative and qualitative method judged. Nowadays, CT is supplied possible revision of quality of radiation by reduction of slice and automatic exposure controller, etc and application of preconditioning filter process due to various mathematic revision algorithm. So, image noise by beam hardening artifact should not be a problem. shoulder forced traction bend of use no longer judged clinically availability because have not influence of image quality and give discomfort, have extra dangerousness.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.85-92
• /
• 2023

Fractures in the horse industry are challenging and a common cause of death in racehorses. To accelerate fracture healing, tissue engineering (TE) provides promising ways to regenerate bone tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic effects of biphasic calcium phosphate collagen (BCPC) graft, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments in horses. Four thoroughbred horses were included in the study, and, in each horse, three cortical defects with a diameter of 5 mm and depth of 10 mm were formed in the third metacarpal bones (MC) and metatarsal bones (MT). The defects were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups (saline, BCPC, BMP2, MSC, PRP, and control). Injections of saline, BMP2, PRP, or MSCs were made at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after defect surgery. Bone regeneration effects were assessed by radiography, quantitative computed tomography (QCT), micro-computed tomography (μCT), histopathological, and histomorphometric evaluation. The new bone ratio (%) in the histomorphometric evaluation was higher in the BMP2 group than in the control and saline groups. Radiographic and QCT values were significantly higher in the BCPC groups than in the other groups. QCT values of the BMP2 group were significantly higher than in the control and saline groups. The present study demonstrated that BCPC grafts were biologically safe and showed osteoconductivity in horses and the repeated injections of BMP2 without a carrier can be simple and promising TE factors for treating horses with bone fractures.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.660-669
• /
• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of a deep learning-based automated segmentation of the left ventricle (LV) myocardium using cardiac CT. Materials and Methods: To develop a fully automated algorithm, 100 subjects with coronary artery disease were randomly selected as a development set (50 training / 20 validation / 30 internal test). An experienced cardiac radiologist generated the manual segmentation of the development set. The trained model was evaluated using 1000 validation set generated by an experienced technician. Visual assessment was performed to compare the manual and automatic segmentations. In a quantitative analysis, sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to the number of pixels where two three-dimensional masks of the manual and deep learning segmentations overlapped. Similarity indices, such as the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), were used to evaluate the margin of each segmented masks. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of automated segmentation for each segment (1-16 segments) were high (85.5-100.0%). The DSC was 88.3 ± 6.2%. Among randomly selected 100 cases, all manual segmentation and deep learning masks for visual analysis were classified as very accurate to mostly accurate and there were no inaccurate cases (manual vs. deep learning: very accurate, 31 vs. 53; accurate, 64 vs. 39; mostly accurate, 15 vs. 8). The number of very accurate cases for deep learning masks was greater than that for manually segmented masks. Conclusion: We present deep learning-based automatic segmentation of the LV myocardium and the results are comparable to manual segmentation data with high sensitivity, specificity, and high similarity scores.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2008

Our objective was to evaluate the image of spatial domain filtering as an alternative to additional image reconstruction using different kernels in MDCT. Derived from thin collimated source images were generated using water phantom and abdomen B10(very smooth), B20(smooth), B30(medium smooth), B40 (medium), B50(medium sharp), B60(sharp), B70(very sharp) and B80(ultra sharp) kernels. MTF and spatial resolution measured with various convolution kernels. Quantitative CT attenuation coefficient and noise measurements provided comparable HU(Hounsfield) units in this respect. CT attenuation coefficient(mean HU) values in the water were values in the water were $1.1{\sim}1.8\;HU$, air($-998{\sim}-1000\;HU$) and noise in the water($5.4{\sim}44.8\;HU$), air($3.6{\sim}31.4\;HU$). In the abdominal fat a CT attenuation coefficient($-2.2{\sim}0.8\;HU$) and noise($10.1{\sim}82.4\;HU$) was measured. In the abdominal was CT attenuation coefficient($53.3{\sim}54.3\;HU$) and noise($10.4{\sim}70.7\;HU$) in the muscle and in the liver parenchyma of CT attenuation coefficient($60.4{\sim}62.2\;HU$) and noise ($7.6{\sim}63.8\;HU$) in the liver parenchyma. Image reconstructed with a convolution kernel led to an increase in noise, whereas the results for CT attenuation coefficient were comparable. Image scanned with a high convolution kernel(B80) led to an increase in noise, whereas the results for CT attenuation coefficient were comparable. Image medications of image sharpness and noise eliminate the need for reconstruction using different kernels in the future. Adjusting CT various kernels, which should be adjusted to take into account the kernels of the CT undergoing the examination, may control CT images increase the diagnostic accuracy.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.266-274
• /
• 2009

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs most commonly in older individuals (between 65 and 75), and more in men and smokers. The most important complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rupture, which is most often a fatal event. An abdominal aortic aneurysm weakens the walls of the blood vessel, leaving it vulnerable to bursting open, or rupturing, and spilling large amounts of blood into the abdominal cavity. surface modeling is very useful to surgery for quantitative analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. the 3D representation and surface modeling an abdominal aortic aneurysm structure taken from Multi Detector Computed Tomography. The construction of the 3D model is generally carried out by staking the contours obtained from 2D segmentation of each CT slice, so the quality of the 3D model strongly defends on the precision of segmentation process. In this work we present deformable model algorithm. deformable model is an energy-minimizing spline guided by external constraint force. External force which we call Gradient Vector Flow, is computed as a diffusion of a gradient vectors of gray level or binary edge map derived from the image. Finally, we have used snakes successfully for abdominal aortic aneurysm segmentation the performance of snake was visually and quantitatively validated by experts.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2021

Currently, the naked eyes-based diagnosis of bone metastases on CT images relies on qualitative assessment. For this reason, there is a great need for a state-of-the-art approach that can assess and follow-up the bone metastases with quantitative biomarker. Radiomics can be used as a biomarker for objective lesion assessment by extracting quantitative numerical values from digital medical images. In this study, therefore, we evaluated the clinical applicability of non-invasive and objective bone metastases computer-aided diagnosis using radiomics-based biomarkers in CT. We employed a total of 21 approaches consist of three-classifiers and seven-feature selection methods to predict bone metastases and select biomarkers. We extracted three-dimensional features from the CT that three groups consisted of osteoblastic, osteolytic, and normal-healthy vertebral bodies. For evaluation, we compared the prediction results of the classifiers with the medical staff's diagnosis results. As a result of the three-class-classification performance evaluation, we demonstrated that the combination of the random forest classifier and the sequential backward selection feature selection approach reached AUC of 0.74 on average. Moreover, we confirmed that 90-percentile, kurtosis, and energy were the features that contributed high in the classification of bone metastases in this approach. We expect that selected quantitative features will be helpful as biomarkers in improving the patient's survival and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.425-434
• /
• 2021

Objective: To investigate the potential value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in predicting the survival of patients with primary tracheal malignant tumors. Materials and Methods: An analysis of FDG PET/CT findings in 37 primary tracheal malignant tumor patients with a median follow-up period of 43.2 months (range, 10.8-143.2 months) was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to assess the associations between quantitative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters, other clinic-pathological factors, and overall survival (OS). A risk prognosis model was established according to the independent prognostic factors identified on multivariate analysis. A survival curve determined by the Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess whether the prognosis prediction model could effectively stratify patients with different risks factors. Results: The median survival time of the 37 patients with tracheal tumors was 38.0 months, with a 95% confidence interval of 10.8 to 65.2 months. The 3-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rate were 54.1%, 43.2%, and 16.2%, respectively. The metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), maximum standardized uptake value, age, pathological type, extension categories, and lymph node stage were included in multivariate analyses. Multivariate analysis showed MTV (p = 0.011), TLG (p = 0.020), pathological type (p = 0.037), and extension categories (p = 0.038) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Additionally, assessment of the survival curve using the Kaplan-Meier method showed that our prognosis prediction model can effectively stratify patients with different risks factors (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can predict the survival of patients with primary tracheal malignant tumors. Patients with an MTV > 5.19, a TLG > 16.94 on PET/CT scans, squamous cell carcinoma, and non-E1 were more likely to have a reduced OS.