• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2021

This study aims to present new chest AP examination exposure conditions through a study on the effect on image quality and patient dose by applying high tube voltage and scatter ray post-processing software during chest AP examination in digital radiography equipment. This study was used a human body phantom and in the chest AP position, the dosimeter was placed horizontally at the thoracic spine 6. The experiment was conducted by dividing into a low tube voltage (70 kVp, 400 mA, 3.2 mAs) group and a high tube voltage (100 kVp, 400 mA, 1.2 mAs) group. The collimation size (14″× 17″) and the source to image receptor distance(110 cm) were same applied to both groups. Radiation dose was presented to dose area product and entrance surface dose. Image quality was compared and analyzed by comparing the difference between the signal-to-noise ratio and the contrast-to-noise ratio of the image according to the application of the scatter ray post-processing software under each condition. The average value of the entrance surface dose in the low and high tube voltage conditions was 93.04±0.45 µGy and 94.25±1.51 µGy, which was slightly higher in the high tube voltage condition, but the dose area product was 0.97±0.04 µGy and 0.93±0.01 µGy. There was a statistically significant difference in the group mean value(p<0.01). In terms of image quality, the values of the signal-to-noise ratio and the contrast noise ratio were higher in the high tube voltage than in the low tube voltage, and decreased when the scattering line post-processing function was used, but the contrast resolution was improved. If there is a scatter ray post-processing function during chest AP examination, it is helpful to actively utilize it to improve the image quality. However, when this function is not available, I thought that applying a higher tube voltage state than a low tube voltage state will help to realize images with a large amount of information without changing the dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.907-913
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• 2020

There have been continuous controversies on medical X-ray protection and numerous researchers have been trying to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation. As X-ray passes through the patient and obtains an image, it creates scattered ray due to interactions such as photoelectric effect and Compton scattering with the subject. As a result, both medical radiation staff and patient are exposed to unnecessary radiation on areas other than the target area. In response, this study will be assuming a body of a female, radiating X-ray on the phantom under the conditions of lumbar spine AP test, and measuring scattered ray around breasts and thyroid glands. Then, The experiment results were as follows. After application of non-shielding material, the average of scattered ray was 0.88 mR in thyroid measurement, 3.34 mR, Lt Axillary 3.54 mR, and Rt Axillary 3.03 mR in mamonary measurement but, After application of shielding material, the average of scattered ray was 0.16 mR in thyroid measurement, 0.60 mR, Lt Axillary 0.64 mR, and Rt Axillary 0.54 mR in mamonary measurement showing average scattered ray protection effect of about 82%. This study suggested the manufacturing method of a Jelly-type shielding material, identified the possibilities of researches on mixing various substances with radiology field, and verified the usability of the Jelly-type shielding material as a substitute for existing protection tools.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.158-166
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• 2022

Background: The effects of radiation on the health of radiation workers who are constantly susceptible to occupational exposure must be assessed based on an accurate and reliable reconstruction of organ-absorbed doses that can be calculated using personal dosimeter readings measured as H_p(10) and dose conversion coefficients. However, the data used in the dose reconstruction contain significant biases arising from the lack of reality and could result in an inaccurate measure of organ-absorbed doses. Therefore, this study quantified the biases involved in organ dose reconstruction and calculated the bias-corrected H_p(10)-to-organ-absorbed dose coefficients for the use in epidemiological studies of Korean radiation workers. Materials and Methods: Two major biases were considered: (a) the bias in H_p(10) arising from the difference between the dosimeter calibration geometry and the actual exposure geometry, and (b) the bias in air kerma-to-H_p(10) conversion coefficients resulting from geometric differences between the human body and slab phantom. The biases were quantified by implementing personal dosimeters on the slab and human phantoms coupled with a Monte Carlo method and considered to calculate the bias-corrected H_p(10)-to-organ-absorbed dose conversion coefficients. Results and Discussion: The bias in H_p(10) was significant for large incident angles and low energies (e.g., 0.32 for right lateral at 218 keV), whereas the bias in dose coefficients was significant for the posteroanterior (PA) geometry only (e.g., 0.79 at 218 keV). The bias-corrected H_p(10)-to-organ-absorbed dose conversion coefficients derived in this study were up to 3.09- fold greater than those from the International Commission on Radiological Protection publications without considering the biases. Conclusion: The obtained results will aid future studies in assessing the health effects of occupational exposure of Korean radiation workers. The bias-corrected dose coefficients of this study can be used to calculate organ doses for Korean radiation workers based on personal dose records.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2015

Purpose : The pre-treatment QA using Portal dosimetry for Volumetric Arc Therapy To analyze whether maintaining the reproducibility depending on various factors. Materials and Methods : Test was used for TrueBeam STx$^{TM}$ (Ver.1.5, Varian, USA). Varian Eclipse Treatment planning system(TPS) was used for planning with total of seven patients include head and neck cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer was established for a Portal dosimetry QA plan. In order to measure these plans, Portal Dosimetry application (Ver.10) (Varian) and Portal Vision aS1000 Imager was used. Each Points of QA was determined by dividing, before and after morning treatment, and the after afternoon treatment ended (after 4 hours). Calibration of EPID(Dark field correction, Flood field correction, Dose normalization) was implemented before Every QA measure points. MLC initialize was implemented after each QA points and QA was retried. Also before QA measurements, Beam Ouput at the each of QA points was measured using the Water Phantom and Ionization chamber(IBA dosimetry, Germany). Results : The mean values of the Gamma pass rate(GPR, 3%, 3mm) for every patients between morning, afternoon and evening was 97.3%, 96.1%, 95.4% and the patient's showing maximum difference was 95.7%, 94.2% 93.7%. The mean value of GPR before and after EPID calibration were 95.94%, 96.01%. The mean value of Beam Output were 100.45%, 100.46%, 100.59% at each QA points. The mean value of GPR before and after MLC initialization were 95.83%, 96.40%. Conclusion : Maintain the reproducibility of the Portal Dosimetry as a VMAT QA tool required management of the various factors that can affect the dosimetry.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a commercial ion chamber array for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) was performed IMRT patient-specific QA Materials and Methods: A use of IMRT patient-specific QA was examined for nasopharyngeal patient by using 6MV photon beams. The MatriXX (Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany) was used for IMRT QA. The case of nasopharyngeal cancer was performed inverse treatment planning. A hybrid dose distribution made on the CT data of MatriXX and solid phantom all of the same gantry angle (0$^\circ$). The measurement was acquired with geometrical condition that equal to hybrid treatment planning. The $\gamma$-index (dose difference 3%, DTA 3 mm) histogram was used for quantitative analysis of dose discrepancies. An absolute dose was compared at the high dose low gradient region. Results: The dose distribution was shown a good agreement by gamma evaluation. A proportion of acceptance criteria was 95.8%, 97.52%, 96.28%, 98.20%, 97.78%, 96.64% and 92.70% for gantry angles were 0$^\circ$, 55$^\circ$, 110$^\circ$, 140$^\circ$, 220$^\circ$, 250$^\circ$ and 305$^\circ$, respectively. The absolute dose in high dose low gradient region was shown reasonable agreement with the RTP calculation within $\pm$3%. Conclusion: The MatriXX offers the dosimetric characteristics required for performing both relative and absolute measurements. If MatriXX use in the clinic, it could be simplified and reduced the IMRT patient-specific QA workload. Therefore, the MatriXX is evaluated as a reliable and convenient dosimeter for IMRT patient-specific QA.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 1998

Purpose: When an elongated x-ray field is used for treating a patient, the equivalent- field method is commonly used for the output calculation. This study is intended for investigating potential factors such as, beam quality, field elongation ratio, and depth of measurement, which might effect on the applicability of the equivalent square technique for output calculation. The derivation of a 'rule of thumb' for the application criteria of the equivalent-field method is also aimed. Materials and Methods: Three x-ray beams, 4-, 6- and 10-MV, were employed for this study. Width of the rectangular field was ranged from 5-40 cm and the elongation ratio (length/width) 1:0 to 10:0. An elongation effect was measured in a water phantom at three different depths, dmax, 5-cm, and 10-cm. For an elongated field and its equivalent square field, the output factor was measured and the difference in the output factor were examined between two fields. Results and Discussions: As the elongation ratio increases, a larger discrepancy in outputs is observed between the elongated rectangular field and its corresponding equivalent square field. Output was measured larger for an elongated field than for its corresponding equivalent square field and the maximal difference over 10 % was found. The difference was found larger for the smaller field with the same elongation ratio. The effect of the beam quality and the depth of measurement on the output difference was minimal. Conclusion: Based on the study, there is criteria for the application of the method for output calculation. For the combination of long axis and elongation ratio whose relationship satisfies Elongation ratio < (0.48) (Long axis) - 0.5, the equivalent-field method is valid for output calculation within 2 % for the field whose long axis < 25-cm. For other combinations, instead of using the equivalent-field method, direct output measurement is recommended. This criteria can be applied for 4-10 MV x-ray beams up to 10-cm depth.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.100-112
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish optimal imaging acquisition conditions for the GE $Advance^{TM}$ PET imaging system by performing the acceptance tests designed by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) protocol and General Electric Medical Systems (GEMS) test procedures. Materials and Methods: Performance tests were carried out with $^{18}FDG$ radioactivity source and phantoms by using a standard acquisition mode. Transaxial resolution and scatter traction tests were performed with a line source and axial resolution with a point source, respectively. A cylindrical phantom made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was used to measure sensitivity, count rate losses and randoms, uniformity correction, and attenuation inserts were added to measure remaining tests. The test results were acquired in a diagnostic acquisition mode and analyzed mainly on high sensitivity mode. Results: Transaxial resolution and axial resolution were measured as average of 4.65 mm and 3.98 mm at 0 cm, and 6.02 mm and 6.71 mm at 20 cm on high sensitivity mode, respectively. Average scatter fraction was 9.87%, and sensitivity was $225.8kcps/{\mu}Ci/cc$ of trues. Activity at 50% deadtime was $4.6{\mu}Ci/cc$, and the error of count rate correction at that activity was from 1.49% to 3.83%. Average nonuniformity for total slice w3s 8.37%. The accuracy of scatter correction was -0.95%. The accuracies of attenuation correction were 5.68% for air, 0.04% for water and -6.51% for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Conclusion: The results satisfied most acceptance criteria, indicating that the GE $Advance^{TM}$ PET system can be optimally used for clinical applications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.230-235
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the contralateral breast dose using a virtual wedge compared with that using a Physical wedge and an open beam in a Siemens linear accelerator. Materials and Methods: The contralateral breast dose was measured using diodes placed on a humanoid phantom. Diodes were placed at 5.5 cm (position 1), 9.5 cm (position 2), and 14 cm (position 3) along the medial-lateral line from the medial edge of the treatment field. A 6-MV photon beam was used with tangential irradiation technique at 50 and 230 degrees of gantry angle. Asymmetrically collimated $17{\times}10cm$ field was used. for the first set of experiment, four treatment set-ups were used, which were an open medial beam with a 30-degree wedged lateral beam (physical and virtual wedges, respectively) and a 15-degree wedged medial beam with a 15-degree wedged lateral beam (physical and virtual wedges, respectively). The second set of experiment consists of setting with medial beam without wedge, a 15-degree wedge, and a 50-degree wedge (physical and virtual wedges, respectively). Identical monitor units were delivered. Each set of experiment was repeated for three times. Results: In the first set of experiment, the contralateral breast dose was the highest at the position 1 and decreased in order of the position 2 and 3. The contralateral breast dose was reduced with open beam on the medial side ($2.70{\pm}1.46%$) compared to medial beam with a wedge (both physical and virtual) ($3.25{\pm}1.59%$). The differences were larger with a physical wedge ($0.99{\pm}0.18%$) than a virtual wedge ($0.10{\pm}0.01%$) at all positions. The use of a virtual wedge reduced the contralateral breast dose by 0.12% to 1.20% of the proscribed dose compared to a physical wedge with same technique. In the second experiment, the contralateral breast dose decreased in order of the open beam, the virtual wedge, and the physical wedge at the position 1, and it decreased in order of a physical wedge, an open beam, and a virtual wedge at the position 2 and 3. Conclusion: The virtual wedge equipped in a Siemens linear accelerator was found to be useful in reducing dose to the contralateral breast. Our additional finding was that the surface dose distribution from the Siemens accelerator was different from a Varian accelerator.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1997

Purpose : To collect beam data for dynamic wedge fields using conventional measurement tools without the multi-detector system, such as the linear diode detectors or ionization chambers. Materials and Methods : The accelerator CL 2100 C/D has two photon energies of 6MV and 15MV with dynamic wedge an91es of 15o, 30o, 45o and 60o. Wedge transmission factors, percentage depth doses(PDD's) and dose Profiles were measured. The measurements for wedge transmission factors are performed for field sizes ranging from $4\times4cm^2\;to\;20\times20cm^2$ in 1-2cm steps. Various rectangular field sizes are also measured for each photon energy of 6MV and 15MV, with the combination of each dynamic wedge angle of 15o 30o. 45o and 60o. These factors are compared to the calculated wedge factors using STT(Segmented Treatment Table) value. PDD's are measured with the film and the chamber in water Phantom for fixed square field. Converting parameters for film data to chamber data could be obtained from this procedure. The PDD's for dynamic wedged fields could be obtained from film dosimetry by using the converting parameters without using ionization chamber. Dose profiles are obtained from interpolation and STT weighted superposition of data through selected asymmetric static field measurement using ionization chamber. Results : The measured values of wedge transmission factors show good agreement to the calculated values The wedge factors of rectangular fields for constant V-field were equal to those of square fields The differences between open fields' PDDs and those from dynamic fields are insignificant. Dose profiles from superposition method showed acceptable range of accuracy(maximum 2% error) when we compare to those from film dosimetry. Conclusion : The results from this superposition method showed that commissionning of dynamic wedge could be done with conventional dosimetric tools such as Point detector system and film dosimetry winthin maximum 2% error range of accuracy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.269-278
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• 2012

Aquaplast Thermoplastic (AT) is a tissue-equivalent oral compensator that has been developed to improve dose uniformity at the common boundary and around the treated area during radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. In order to assess the usefulness of AT, the degree of improvement in dose distribution and physical properties were compared to those of oral compensators made using paraffin, alginate, and putty, which are materials conventionally used in dental imprinting. To assess the physical properties, strength evaluations (compression and drop evaluations) and natural deformation evaluations (volume change over time) were performed; a Gafchromic EBT2 film and a glass dosimeter inserted into a developed phantom for dose verification were used to measure the common boundary dose and the beam profile to assess the dose delivery. When the natural deformation of the oral compensators was assessed over a two-month period, alginate exhibited a maximum of 80% change in volume from moisture evaporation, while the remaining tissue-equivalent properties, including those of AT, showed a change in volume that was less than 3%. In a free-fall test at a height of 1.5 m (repeated 5 times as a strength evaluation), paraffin was easily damaged by the impact, but AT exhibited no damage from the fall. In compressive strength testing, AT was not destroyed even at 8 times the force needed for paraffin. In dose verification using a glass dosimeter, the results showed that in a single test, the tissue-equivalent (about 80 Hounsfield Units [HU]) AT delivered about 4.9% lower surface dose in terms of delivery of an output coefficient (monitor unit), which was 4% lower than putty and exhibited a value of about 1,000 HU or higher during a dose delivery of the same formulation. In addition, when the incident direction of the beam was used as a reference, the uniformity of the dose, as assessed from the beam profile at the boundary after passing through the oral compensators, was 11.41, 3.98, and 4.30 for air, AT, and putty, respectively. The AT oral compensator had a higher strength and lower probability of material transformation than the oral compensators conventionally used as a tissue-equivalent material, and a uniform dose distribution was successfully formed at the boundary and surrounding area including the mouth. It was also possible to deliver a uniformly formulated dose and reduce the skin dose delivery.