• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.854-865
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• 2022

Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT is a new CT technology utilizing a direct conversion X-ray detector, where incident X-ray photon energies are directly recorded as electronical signals. The design of the photon-counting detector itself facilitates improvements in spatial resolution (via smaller detector pixel design) and iodine signal (via count weighting) while still permitting multi-energy imaging. PCD-CT can eliminate electronic noise and reduce artifacts due to the use of energy thresholds. Improved dose efficiency is important for low dose CT and pediatric imaging. The ultra-high spatial resolution of PCD-CT design permits lower dose scanning for all body regions and is particularly helpful in identifying important imaging findings in thoracic and musculoskeletal CT. Improved iodine signal may be helpful for low contrast tasks in abdominal imaging. Virtual monoenergetic images and material classification will assist with numerous diagnostic tasks in abdominal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular imaging. Dual-source PCD-CT permits multi-energy CT images of the heart and coronary arteries at high temporal resolution. In this special review article, we review the clinical benefits of this technology across a wide variety of radiological subspecialties.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Background: In this study, we investigate the image quality of virtual monochromatic images synthesized from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) at voltages of 80/140 kV and 100/140 kV. Materials and Methods: Virtual monochromatic images of a phantom are synthesized from DECT scans from 40 to 70 keV in steps of 1 keV under the two combinations of tube voltages. The dose allocation of dual-energy (DE) scan is 50% for both low- and high-energy tubes. The virtual monochromatic images are compared to single-energy (SE) images at the same radiation dose. In the DE images, noise is reduced using the 100/140 kV scan at the optimal monochromatic energy. Virtual monochromatic images are reconstructed from 40 to 70 keV in 1-keV increments and analyzed using two quality indexes: noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Results and Discussion: The DE scan mode with the 100/140 kV protocol achieved a better maximum CNR compared to the 80/140 kV protocol for various materials, except for adipose and brain. Image noise is reduced with the 100/140 kV protocol. The CNR values of DE with the 100/140 kV protocol is similar to or higher than that of SE at 120 kV at the same radiation dose. Furthermore, the maximum CNR with the 100/140 kV protocol is similar to or higher than that of the SE scan at 120 kV. Conclusion: It was found that the CNR achieved with the 100/140 kV protocol was better than that with the 80/140 kV protocol at optimal monochromatic energies. Virtual monochromatic imaging using the 100/140 kV protocol could be considered for application in breast, brain, lung, liver, and bone CT in accordance with the CNR results.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제45권2호
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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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• 제22권8호
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• pp.1341-1351
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the quality of various polychromatic and monochromatic images with or without using an iterative metal artifact reduction algorithm (iMAR) obtained from a dual-energy computed tomography (CT) to evaluate total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: We included 58 patients (28 male and 30 female; mean age [range], 71.4 [61-83] years) who underwent 74 knee examinations after total knee arthroplasty using dual-energy CT. CT image sets consisted of polychromatic image sets that linearly blended 80 kVp and tin-filtered 140 kVp using weighting factors of 0.4, 0, and -0.3, and monochromatic images at 130, 150, 170, and 190 keV. These image sets were obtained with and without applying iMAR, creating a total of 14 image sets. Two readers qualitatively ranked the image quality (1 [lowest quality] through 14 [highest quality]). Volumes of high- and low-density artifacts and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between the bone and fat tissue were quantitatively measured in a subset of 25 knees unaffected by metal artifacts. Results: iMAR-applied, polychromatic images using weighting factors of -0.3 and 0.0 (P_-0.3i and P_0.0i, respectively) showed the highest image-quality rank scores (median of 14 for both by one reader and 13 and 14, respectively, by the other reader; p < 0.001). All iMAR-applied image series showed higher rank scores than the iMAR-unapplied ones. The smallest volumes of low-density artifacts were found in P_-0.3i, P_0.0i, and iMAR-applied monochromatic images at 130 keV. The smallest volumes of high-density artifacts were noted in P_-0.3i. The CNRs were best in polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.4 with or without iMAR application, followed by polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.0 with or without iMAR application. Conclusion: Polychromatic images combined with iMAR application, P_-0.3i and P_0.0i, provided better image qualities and substantial metal artifact reduction compared with other image sets.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.384-389
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• 2013

Objective : Use of quantitative computed tomography (CT) to evaluate bone mineral density was suggested in the 1970s. Despite its reliability and accuracy, technical shortcomings restricted its usage, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) became the gold standard evaluation method. Advances in CT technology have reduced its previous limitations, and CT evaluation of bone quality may now be applicable in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine if the Hounsfield unit (HU) values obtained from CT correlate with patient age and bone mineral density. Methods : A total of 128 female patients who underwent lumbar CT for back pain were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 66.4 years. Among them, 70 patients also underwent DXA. The patients were stratified by decade of life, forming five age groups. Lumbar vertebrae L1-4 were analyzed. The HU value of each vertebra was determined by averaging three measurements of the vertebra's trabecular portion, as shown in consecutive axial CT images. The HU values were compared between age groups, and correlations of HU value with bone mineral density and T-scores were determined. Results : The HU values consistently decreased with increasing age with significant differences between age groups (p<0.001). There were significant positive correlations (p<0.001) of HU value with bone mineral density and T-score. Conclusion : The trabecular area HU value consistently decreases with age. Based on the strong positive correlation between HU value and bone mineral density, CT-based HU values might be useful in detecting bone mineral diseases, such as osteoporosis.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

The evolution of X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been based on the discovery of X-rays, the inception of the Radon transform, and the development of X-ray digital data acquisition systems and computer technology. Unlike conventional X-ray imaging (general radiography), CT reconstructs cross-sectional anatomical images of the internal structures according to X-ray attenuation coefficients (approximate tissue density) for almost every region in the body. This article reviews the essential physical principles and technical aspects of the CT scanner, including several notable evolutions in CT technology that resulted in the emergence of helical, multidetector, cone beam, portable, dual-energy, and phase-contrast CT, in integrated imaging modalities, such as positron-emission-tomography-CT and single-photon-emission-computed-tomography-CT, and in clinical applications, including image acquisition parameters, CT angiography, image adjustment, versatile image visualizations, volumetric/surface rendering on a computer workstation, radiation treatment planning, and target localization in radiotherapy. The understanding of CT characteristics will provide more effective and accurate patient care in the fields of diagnostics and radiotherapy, and can lead to the improvement of image quality and the optimization of exposure doses.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.7-11
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• 2012

PET/CT에 사용되는 방사성의약품 FDG와 CT 조영제가 DXA를 이용하여 측정하는 BMC, BMD, TFM, LBM 등의 결과에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 2011년 12월부터 2012년 3월까지 본원 PET/CT를 시행한 환자 중 본 연구에 참여를 동의한 환자 총 22명을 대상으로 하였다. 실험은 두 집단으로 나누어 실험을 진행하였는데 첫 번째 집단은 17명으로 PET/CT 용 방사성의약품인 FDG 정맥 주사 전에 WB DXA를 시행한 다음 FDG 정맥주사 1시간 후 CT 조영제 사용 없이 PET/CT (Non-Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT)시행 후 즉시 다시 WB DXA를 진행하였다. 두 번째 집단은 총 5명으로 첫 번째 집단과 마찬가지로 FDG 정맥 주사 전 WB DXA를 시행한 다음 FDG 정맥 주사 1시간 후 CT 조영제 사용하여 PET/CT (Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT)시행 후 즉시 다시 WB DXA 진행하였다. 결과는 PET/CT 전 후 DXA에서 WB-BMC, WB-BMD, TFM 그리고 LBM 등을 측정하였고 각 항목의 변화율을 산출하여 비교하였다. Non-Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT 전 후의 골밀도 및 체성분의 변화율은 WB-BMC, +2.4%; WB-BMD, +1.8%; TFM, -6.8%; LBM, +2.2%였고 각 항목의 변화는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT 전 후의 변화율은 WB-BMC, +13.7%; WB-BMD, +9.3%; TFM, -34.1%; LBM, +13.6%였고 Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT 전과 후의 골밀도 및 체성분 측정치의 변화는 통계적으로 유의하였다. 본 연구에서 Non-Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$ PET/CT 후에는 DXA 시행은 결과에 영향이 없어 가능할 것이라 생각되어지나 Contrast Enhancement $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT검사 후에 시행한 DXA 검사의 결과는 신뢰도가 감소될 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국멀티미디어학회논문지
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• 제19권8호
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• pp.1248-1259
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• 2016

Classification methods based on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasonic waves, and quantitative computed tomography have been proposed. Also, a classification method based on machine learning with bone mineral density and structural indicators extracted from the CT images has been proposed. We propose a method which enhances the performance of existing classification method based on bone mineral density and structural indicators by extending structural indicators and using principal component analysis. Experimental result shows that the proposed method in this paper improves the correctness of osteoporosis classification 2.8% with extended structural indicators only and 4.8% with both extended structural indicators and principal component analysis. In addition, this paper proposes a method of automatic phantom analysis needed to convert the CT values to BMD values. While existing method requires manual operation to mark the bone region within the phantom, the proposed method detects the bone region automatically by detecting circles in the CT image. The proposed method and the existing method gave the same conversion formula for converting CT value to bone mineral density.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.835-841
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• 2023

팬텀모델에서 이중에너지 전산화단츨촬영(DECT)를 이용한 요로결석의 성분분석을 통해 임상적 유용성에 대해 알아보고자 한다. 17명의 환자로부터 요로결석을 추출하여, 작은 플라스틱 병(Plastic Bottle) 안에 각각의 요로결석을 삽입한 후, 인체와 비슷한 돈육을 이용하여 실험팬텀을 제작하였다. 640-Slice MSCT(Auquilion ONE, Toshiba Medical Center, Japan)의 이중에너지 방식에서 Volume scan 방식을 사용하여 촬영하였고, 얻어진 두 가지의 영상을 Dual-energy software("DE stone Analysis" software version 4.3, Toshiba)에서 요산석과 비요산석의 성분분석하고 HU값을 각각 측정하였다. 요로결석의 성분은 전체 17개의 요로결석 중에서 요산석은 6개(35.29%)였고, 비요산석은 11개(64.71%)로 나타났다. 요산석의 경우 135kV는 348.87±166.37, 100kV는 345.33±151.18, 80kV는 337.94±172.77로 나타났고, 비요산석의 경우 135kV는 551.93±297.09, 100kV는 747.04±351.31, 80kV는 958.19±424.72로 나타났다. 80kV에서는 요산석과 비요산석의 HU값의 차이가 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였고(P<0.05), 비요산석의 경우에 80kV와 135kV의 HU값은 통계적의 유의한 차이를 보였다(P<0.05). 시술 후 적출된 요로결석을 이용한 팬텀실험연구에서는 DECT를 이용하여 에너지에 따라 서로 다르게 변화하는 HU값의 차이로 요산석과 비요산석을 구분할 수 있었다. 향후, 이중에너지에 대한 연구와 재구성방법의 연구가 진행된다면, 요로결석의 치료에 DECT가 유용할 것으로 기대된다.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.125-130
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• 2016

Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) is used to classify two materials and quantify the mass density of each material in the human body. An energy modulation filter based DECT could acquire two images, which are generated by the low- and high-energy photon spectra, in one scan, with one tube and detector. In the case of DECT using the energy modulation filter, the filter should perform the optimization process for the type of materials and thicknesses for generating two photon spectra. In this study, Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulation toolkit was used to execute the optimization process for determining the property of the energy modulation filter. In the process, various materials used for the energy modulation filter are copper (Cu, $8.96g/cm^3$), niobium (Nb, $8.57g/cm^3$), stannum (Sn, $7.31g/cm^3$), gold (Au, $19.32g/cm^3$), and lead (Pb, $11.34g/cm^3$). The thickness of the modulation filter varied from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. To evaluate the overlap region of the low- and high-energy spectrum, Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulation is used. The variation of the photon flux and the mean energy of photon spectrum that passes through the energy modulation filter are evaluated. In the primary photon spectrum of 80 kVp, the optimal modulation filter is a 0.1 mm lead filter that can acquire the same mean energy of 140 kVp photon spectrum. The lead filter of 0.1 mm based dual energy CBCT is required to increase the tube current 4.37 times than the original tube current owing to the 77.1% attenuation in the filter.