• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.526-536
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits and risks of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsies (PTNBs) in patients with a suspected pulmonary infection. Materials and Methods: This study included 351 CT-guided PTNBs performed in 342 patients (mean age, 58.9 years [range, 17-91 years]) with suspected pulmonary infection from January 2010 to December 2016. The proportion of biopsies that revealed the causative organism for pulmonary infection and that influenced patient's treatment were measured. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PTNB that revealed the causative organism or affected the treatment. Finally, the complication rate was measured. Results: CT-guided PTNB revealed the causative organism in 32.5% of biopsies (114/351). The presence of necrotic components in the lesion (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.7; p = 0.028), suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5; p = 0.010), and fine needle aspiration (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.8; p = 0.037) were factors associated with biopsies that revealed the causative organism. PTNB influenced patient's treatment in 40.7% (143/351) of biopsies. The absence of leukocytosis (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.7; p = 0.049), presence of a necrotic component in the lesion (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.8; p < 0.001), and suspected tuberculosis (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.8; p = 0.040) were factors associated with biopsies that influenced the treatment. The overall complication rate of PTNB was 19% (65/351). Conclusion: In patients with suspected pulmonary infection, approximately 30-40% of CT-guided PTNBs revealed the causative organism or affected the treatment. The complication rate of PTNB for suspected pulmonary infection was relatively low.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.736-745
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18-0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03-0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion: Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.98-105
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• 2021

Background: In recent events of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, computed tomography (CT) scans are being globally used as a complement to the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. It will be important to be aware of major organ dose levels, which are more relevant quantity to derive potential long-term adverse effect, for Korean pediatric and adult patients undergoing CT for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: We calculated organ dose conversion coefficients for Korean pediatric and adult CT patients directly from Korean pediatric and adult computational phantoms combined with Monte Carlo radiation transport techniques. We then estimated major organ doses delivered to the Korean child and adult patients undergoing CT for COVID-19 combining the dose conversion coefficients and the international survey data. We also compared our Korean dose conversion coefficients with those from Caucasian reference pediatric and adult phantoms. Results and Discussion: Based on the dose conversion coefficients we established in this study and the international survey data of COVID-19-related CT scans, we found that Korean 7-year-old child and adult males may receive about 4-32 mGy and 3-21 mGy of lung dose, respectively. We learned that the lung dose conversion coefficient for the Korean child phantom was up to 1.5-fold greater than that for the Korean adult phantom. We also found no substantial difference in dose conversion coefficients between Korean and Caucasian phantoms. Conclusion: We estimated radiation dose delivered to the Korean child and adult phantoms undergoing COVID-19-related CT examinations. The dose conversion coefficients derived for different CT scan types can be also used universally for other dosimetry studies concerning Korean CT scans. We also confirmed that the Caucasian-based CT organ dose calculation tools may be used for the Korean population with reasonable accuracy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Background: This study aims to determine the effective atomic number (Zeff) from dual-energy image sets obtained using a conventional computed tomography (CT) simulator. The estimated Zeff can be used for deriving the stopping power and material decomposition of CT images, thereby improving dose calculations in radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: An electron-density phantom was scanned using Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore at 80 and 140 kVp. The estimated Zeff values were compared with those obtained using the calibration phantom by applying the Rutherford, Schneider, and Joshi methods. The fitting parameters were optimized using the nonlinear least squares regression algorithm. The fitting curve and mass attenuation data were obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The fitting parameters obtained from stopping power and material decomposition of CT images, were validated by estimating the residual errors between the reference and calculated Zeff values. Next, the calculation accuracy of Zeff was evaluated by comparing the calculated values with the reference Zeff values of insert plugs. The exposure levels of patients under additional CT scanning at 80, 120, and 140 kVp were evaluated by measuring the weighted CT dose index (CTDIw). Results and Discussion: The residual errors of the fitting parameters were lower than 2%. The best and worst Zeff values were obtained using the Schneider and Joshi methods, respectively. The maximum differences between the reference and calculated values were 11.3% (for lung during inhalation), 4.7% (for adipose tissue), and 9.8% (for lung during inhalation) when applying the Rutherford, Schneider, and Joshi methods, respectively. Under dual-energy scanning (80 and 140 kVp), the patient exposure level was approximately twice that in general single-energy scanning (120 kVp). Conclusion: Zeff was calculated from two image sets scanned by conventional single-energy CT simulator. The results obtained using three different methods were compared. The Zeff calculation based on single-energy exhibited appropriate feasibility.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.116-124
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• 2014

Purpose: To investigate the frequency and clinical significance of detected incidental lung nodules found on computed tomography (CT) simulation images for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and a physician review. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven treatment-$na{\ddot{i}}ve$ HCC patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiotherapy (RT) were included for the study. Portal phase of simulation CT images was used for CAD analysis and a physician review for lung nodule detection. For automated nodule detection, a commercially available CAD system was used. To assess the performance of lung nodule detection for lung metastasis, the sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated. Results: Forty-six patients had incidental nodules detected by CAD with a total of 109 nodules. Only 20 (18.3%) nodules were considered to be significant nodules by a physician review. The number of significant nodules detected by both of CAD or a physician review was 24 in 9 patients. Lung metastases developed in 11 of 46 patients who had any type of nodule. The sensitivities were 58.3% and 100% based on patient number and on the number of nodules, respectively. The NPVs were 91.4% and 100%, respectively. And the PPVs were 77.8% and 91.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Incidental detection of metastatic nodules was not an uncommon event. From our study, CAD could be applied to CT simulation images allowing for an increase in detection of metastatic nodules.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.2163-2170
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• 2009

흉부 컴퓨터단층영상에서의 얻어진 폐 영상은 볼륨과 형태 등의 정량적인 정보들로서 진단과 수술 계획 등에 있어서 필연적 정보를 제공한다. 일반적인 영상분할은 이미지를 구성 요소영역이나 목적물에 따라 나누는 방법이다. 그러나 재분할을 하는 단계에서 최종영상은 에너지 최소화를 해결하는 정도에 의존하며, 분할은 응용대상의 관심 영역에서 객체나 물체의 경계에서 정지하게 된다. 가변형 능동모델은 컴퓨터 비젼, 영상처리 분야에서 광범위하게 사용되고 있다. 또한 영역 분할은 현재까지 많은 연구가 되고 있으며, Xu에 의해서 GVF라는 새로운 형태의 외부힘이 제안되고 있다. 본 논문에서 제안하는 알고리듬은 흉부 컴퓨터단층영상에서 실질을 자동 분할하기 위해서 에너지 최소화 방법을 사용하고, 영역분할을 위해 개선된 가변형 능동모델을 제안한다. 알고리듬은 정확한 영역분할을 위해서 기존 방법과 다른 개선된 외부힘을 정의하는 것이다. 임상의 실험은 흉부 컴퓨터단층영상에서 진단에 필요로 하는 폐 실질의 분할이 성공적인 결과를 나타내었다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.54-58
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• 2020

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a gram-negative bacterium that can oxidize xylose. It is commonly found in contaminated soil and water but does not normally infect immunocompetent humans. We report a case of a cavitary lung lesion associated with community-acquired A. xylosoxidans infection, which mimicked pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer in an immunocompetent man. The patient was hospitalized due to hemoptysis, and chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a cavitary lesion in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. We performed bronchoscopy and bronchial washing, and subsequent bacterial cultures excluded pulmonary tuberculosis and identified A. xylosoxidans. We performed antibiotic sensitivity testing and treated the patient with a 6-week course of amoxicillin/clavulanate. After 2 months, follow-up chest CT revealed complete resolution of the cavitary lesion.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제42권sup1호
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• pp.17-28
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• 2008

This review focuses on the clinical use of $^{18}F-FDG$ PET to evaluate solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When SPN or mass without calcification is found on chest X-ray or CT, $^{18}F-FDG$ PET is an effective modality to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. For initial staging of NSCLC, $^{18}F-FDG$ PET is useful, and proved to be cost-effective in several countries. $^{18}F-FDG$ is useful for detecting recurrence, restaging and evaluating residual tumor after curative therapy in NSCLC. For therapy response assessment, $^{18}F-FDG$ PET may be effective after chemotherapy or radiation therapy. $^{18}F-FDG$ PET is useful to predict pathological response after neoadjuvant therapy in NSCLC. For radiation therapy planning, $^{18}F-FDG$ PET may be helpful, but requires further investigations. PET/CT is better for evaluating NSCLC than conventional PET.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.212-213
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• 2005

A 42 years old woman underwent F-18 FDG PET because of the incidentally detected lung mass on chest X-ray. PET/CT showed hypermetabolic lesion in the lung right upper lobe and the lung cancer was suspected because of the high FDG uptake. However, pathologic diagnosis was sclerosing hemangioma. There are few reports on the evaluation of sclerosing hemangioma using FDG PET. A report showed a slightly increased uptake (standardized uptake ratio of 1.8) (1), and another report showed unsatisfactory result (2). We suggest that sclerosing hemangioma could be seen as hypermetabolic lesion on the FDG PET.

• 대한방사선치료학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2013

목 적: 최근 Integrated PET/CT (GE Discovery 690, General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, MI, USA, 이하 PET/CT) 전산화 모의치료기가 방사선치료에 적용되면서 정확한 표적용적(Target Volume, TV)의 묘사가 가능하게 되었다. 본 연구에서는 포도당 유도체 불소화합물(F-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose, FDG)을 이용한 비소세포폐암 환자의 육안적표적용적(Gloss Target Volume, GTV)을 비교하여 유용성을 평가하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 가멕스 레이져 시스템(GAMMEX INC, Middleton, WI, USA)이 설치된 PET/CT를 이용하여 비소세포폐암 환자 5명을 대상으로 입체모의치료를 실시하였다. 환자 위치잡이의 재현성을 높이기 위하여 바로누운자세(supine)에서 환자고정용구(Extended Wing Board)를 사용하여 환자를 고정하였다. 획득한 영상은 치료계획시스템(Eclipse V10. Varian, USA)에서 CT, PET, 융합한 PET/CT에 GTV를 묘사하여 비교하였다. 결 과: 무기폐(atelectasis)나 폐렴(Pneumonitis)과 같은 합병증을 동반한 비소세포폐암 환자 5명에 대해 CT에 대한 PET의 GTV는 각각 10.5%, 11.8% 감소하였으나 67.9%, 220%, 19.4% 증가하였다. CT에 대한 PET/CT의 GTV는 각각 7.7%, 6.7%, 28% 감소하였으나 232%, 24%증가하였다. 결 론: FDG를 이용한 비소세포폐암 환자의 PET/CT 전산화 모의치료기는 GTV 묘사를 통하여 종양의 경계를 명확히 해주고 불확실한 표적체적을 정의하는데 CT보다 유용하여 앞으로 다른 부위에 추가 적용 가능할 것으로 보인다.