• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to find an optimized imaging technique and evaluate its usefulness by comparing and analyzing the difference in contrast enhancement of lower extremity artery according to the patient's heart rate during lower extremity Computed Tomography Angiography examination. From January 2022 to August 22nd, 139 outpatients who visited Ajou University Hospital and underwent lower extremity angio CT examination were targeted. According to the heart rate, the groups were divided into four groups: A(HR ≤65), B(65 < HR < 80), C(80≤ HR). In addition, among patients with a heart rate of 65 or less, the heart rate was considered, and the scan was divided into D, E, F group with a delay time. The time of arrival of contrast medium and the average value of contrast enhancement were compared and analyzed. As a result of quantitative evaluation, B and C groups with a heart rate of more than 65 times had better HU values in the popliteal artery than A group (HR ≤ 65), and D group showed better HU improvement effects compared to A group (p<0.001). The comparative analysis with other groups was insignificant. The difference in heart rate affected the angiographic intensity of the lower extremities artery. Therefore, it is effective to apply the appropriate test timing for each patient by using the heart rate during the lower extremity angio CT Scan.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.967-976
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• 2009

In this paper, we propose an automatic lower extremity vessel extraction based on rigid registration and bone elimination techniques in CT and CT angiography images. First, automatic partitioning of the lower extremity based on the anatomy is proposed to consider the local movement of the bone. Second, rigid registration based on distance map is performed to estimate the movement of the bone between CT and CT angiography images. Third, bone elimination and vessel masking techniques are proposed to remove bones in CT angiography image and to prevent the vessel near to bone from eroding. Fourth, post-processing based on vessel tracking is proposed to reduce the effect of misalignment and noises like a cartilage. For the evaluation of our method, we performed the visual inspection, accuracy measures and processing time. For visual inspection, the results of applying general subtraction, registered subtraction and proposed method are compared using volume rendering and maximum intensity projection. For accuracy evaluation, intensity distributions of CT angiography image, subtraction based method and proposed method are analyzed. Experimental result shows that bones are accurately eliminated and vessels are robustly extracted without the loss of other structure. The total processing time of thirteen patient datasets was 40 seconds on average.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.184-191
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• 2007

Our objective was to develop and evaluate a non-invasive device for rigid immobilization and surface disease non-contact of the table in the lower extremity during CT angiography. The immobilization device consists of two components. The patient's lower limb device stabilizing elements made of polyethylene resin soft materials, and pelvis parts foam pad is used for non-contact surface. In a Prospective study the lower extremity device was used in patients who underwent a CT angiography of the lower limb. Immobilization with our device was well tolerated by all patients. The quality of the resulting images in the popliteal and infrapopliteal region was rated by five-point scale. The rigid immobilization resulted in a complete absence of motion artifacts. The new device is an effective, well tolerated and easily used immobilization that is suitable of use in 3D lower extremity CT angiography.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2012

Purpose: Fibular osteocutaneous free flap is the procedure of choice for mandibular reconstruction. However, the anatomic consistency and the reliability of the skin paddle have been considered to be questionable and the utilization of the fibular osteocutaneous free flap can be challenging for the inexperienced surgeon. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography can support revolutionary help with the operator design of the fibular osteocutaneous flap. The purpose of this article is to share the valuable experience of support with preoperative CT angiography. Methods: Three consecutive patients, who needed mandibular reconstruction, were treated with fibular osteocutaneous free flap. Each of the patients had undergone lower extremity CT angiography before the surgery. The CT angiographies were scrupulously investigated to calculate the locations and the tracts of the peroneal artery perforators. We compared the findings of the CT angiography with those of the real operation. Results: The information about the perforators was sufficiently matched with the findings of the operation. With the use of preoperative CT angiography, we were able to achieve confident performance during operation, shortening of operation time, and fine outcomes with a no flap failure. Conclusion: The CT angiography of lower extremity can provide reliable information of the perforators of the fibular osteocutaneous free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2006

Preoperative angiography is frequently used in the planning of microsurgical reconstruction for identification of vascular abnormality that influence the planning of operation. But, recently 3D CT angiography is considered as new technique that can provide detailed information about vascular anatomy as well as soft and bony tissue without the risks of invasive angiography. 3D CT angiograms were performed in 19 patients before microsurgical reconstruction for the lower extremity and hand between May of 2003 and Oct of 2004. Sixteen of the studies were of the donor site and all of 19 studies were of the recipient site. No complications were found from the 3D CT angiograms. In one case of the bone exposed open wound, the injury of anterior tibial artery was identified and the zone of injury was adequately demonstrated. With the improvement in quality of CT imaging, 3D CT angiograms may provide a favorable alternative to invasive angiography. It is capable of providing high-resolution, three dimensional vascular imaging without the need for arterial puncture and prolonged post-procedure observation. The relation among blood vessels, bones, and soft tissue is well demonstrated in 3D CT angiogram. Also The acquisition time and examination cost were considerably lower in comparison with invasive angiography. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that 3D CT angiography may provide accurate, safe, and cost-effective preoperative imaging. The 3D CT angiography with relatively low morbidity, low cost, ease of image acquisition can have an broader role in microsurgical reconstructive surgery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Radiological Science
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.132.2-133
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• 1995

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.1511-1516
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• 2020

The anomalous retro-psoas iliac artery is an extremely rare congenital iliolumbar vascular anomaly. A 51-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with worsening right lower extremity pain and weakness for 3 months. CT angiography of the right lower extremity showed no evidence of stenosis in the lower extremity arteries and the incidental finding of an anomalous right retro-psoas iliac artery. Herein, we report a rare case of anomalous retro-psoas iliac artery. Surgeons and clinicians need to be aware of this rare congenital anomaly to avoid severe complications during pelvic or orthopedic surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.1032-1045
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• 2022

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in elderly patients. Lower-extremity CT angiography (LE-CTA) can be useful for detecting PAD and planning its treatment. PAD can also be accurately evaluated on reconstructed monoenergetic images (MEIs) from low kiloelectron volt (keV) to high keV images using dual-energy CT. Low keV images generally provide higher contrast than high keV images but also feature more severe image noise. The noise-reduced virtual MEI reconstruction algorithm, called the Mono+ technique, was recently introduced to overcome such image noise. Therefore, this pictorial review aimed to present the imaging findings of PAD on LE-CTA and compare low and high keV images with those subjected to the Mono+ technique. We found that, in many cases, the overall and segmental image qualities were better and metal artifacts and venous contamination were decreased in the high keV images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.500-511
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• 2021

The prevalence of lower extremity disease is increasing with age. With recent technological advancements, endovascular treatment is being performed more frequently. The treatment goal of intermittent claudication is to improve walking and reduce claudication. To achieve these goals, anatomical durability and patency are important. In patients with critical limb ischemia, the lesions are diffuse and particularly severe in below-the-knee arteries. The treatment goal of critical limb ischemia is to promote wound healing and to prevent major amputation, which is evaluated by the limb salvage rate. Primary stenting using covered or bare metal stents is a widely accepted endovascular treatment. While drug-eluting technologies with or without atherectomy are widely used in the treatment of femoropopliteal disease, balloon angioplasty is the mainstay treatment for below-the-knee intervention. CT angiography provides a road map for planning endovascular treatment in patients without absolute contraindications.