• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2010

Cyberknife with small field size is more difficult and complex for dosimetry compared with conventional radiotherapy due to electronic disequilibrium, steep dose gradients and spectrum change of photons and electrons. The purpose of this study demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as verification tool of measurement dose for delivering accurate dose by comparing measurement data using the diode detector with results by Geant4 simulation. The development of Monte Carlo Model for Cyberknife was done through the two-step process. In the first step, the treatment head was simulated and Bremsstrahlung spectrum was calculated. Secondly, percent depth dose (PDD) was calculated for six cones with different size, i.e., 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm and 60 mm in the model of water phantom. The relative output factor was calculated about 12 fields from 5 mm to 60 mm and then it compared with measurement data by the diode detector. The beam profiles and depth profiles were calculated about different six cones and about each depth of 1.5 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The results about PDD were shown the error the less than 2% which means acceptable in clinical setting. For comparison of relative output factors, the difference was less than 3% in the cones lager than 7.5 mm. However, there was the difference of 6.91% in the 5 mm cone. Although beam profiles were shown the difference less than 2% in the cones larger than 20 mm, there was the error less than 3.5% in the cones smaller than 20 mm. From results, we could demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as dose verification tool.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2016

A dental panoramic radiography which usually uses low level X-rays is subject to the Nuclear Safety Act when it is installed for the purpose of education. This paper measures radiation dose and spatial dose rate by usage and thereby aims to verify the effectiveness of radiation safety equipment and provide basic information for radiation safety of radiation workers and students. After glass dosimeter (GD-352M) is attached to direct exposure area, the teeth, and indirect exposure area, the eye lens and the thyroid, on the dental radiography head phantom, these exposure areas are measured. Then, after dividing the horizontal into a $45^{\circ}$, it is separated into seven directions which all includes 30, 60, 90, 120 cm distance. The paper shows that the spatial dose rate is the highest at 30 cm and declines as the distance increases. At 30 cm, the spatial dose rate around the starting area of rotation is $3,840{\mu}Sv/h$, which is four times higher than the lowest level $778{\mu}Sv/h$. Furthermore, the spatial dose rate was $408{\mu}Sv/h$ on average at the distance of 60 cm where radiation workers can be located. From a conservative point of view, It is possible to avoid needless exposure to radiation for the purpose of education. However, in case that an unintended exposure to radiation happens within a radiation controlled area, it is still necessary to educate radiation safety. But according to the current Medical Service Act, in medical institutions, even if they are not installed, the equipment such as interlock are obliged by the Nuclear Safety Law, considering that the spatial dose rate of the educational dental panoramic radiography room is low. It seems to be excessive regulation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2001

For the head and neck radiotherapy, the technique of half beam using independent collimator is very useful to avoid overlapping of fields particularly when the lateral neck fields are placed adjacent to anterior supraclavicular field. Also abutting photon field with electron field is frequently used for the irradiation of posterior neck when tolerable dose on spinal cord has been reached. Using 6 MV X-ray and 9 MeV electron beams of Clinac1800(Varian, USA) linear accelerator, we performed film dosimetry by the X-OMAT V film of Kodak in solid water phantom and the dose distribution at beam center of 2 half beams further examined according to depths(0 cm, 1.5 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm) for single anterior half beam and anterior/posterior half beam. The dose distribution to the junction line between photon and electron fields was also measured. For the single anterior half beam, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 88%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively. In the anterior/posterior half beams, the absorption doses at 0.3 cm, 0.5 cm and 1 cm distances from beam center were 92%, 93% and 95% of open beam, respectively At the junction line between photon and electron fields, hot spot was developed on the side of the photon field and a cold spot was developed on that of the electron field. The hot spot in the photon side was developed at depth 1.5 cm with 7 mm width. The maximum dose of hot spot was increased to 6% of reference doses in the photon field. The cold spot in the electron side was developed at all measured depths(0.5 cm-3 cm) with 1-12.5 mm widths. The decreased dose in the cold spot was 4.5-30% of reference dose in the electron field. With above results, we concluded that when using electron beam or independent jaw for head and neck radiotherapy, the hot and cold dose area should be considered as critical point.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of performing nuclear medicine quality control in korea and to test selected protocols of quality control of nuclear medicine counting system and gamma camera. Materials and Methods: Fifty three hospitals were included to investigate the current status of nuclear medicine quality control in korea. The precision of dose calibrator and thyroid uptake system was measured with Tc-99m 35.52 MBq for 2 minuets and Tc-99m 5.14 MBq for 10 sec every one minute, respectively. The sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ with low energy high resolution parallel hole collimator was measured using two cylindrical phantoms with 15 cm in diameter and 12 cm and 30 cm in heights containing Tc-99m. The correction factor for sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ was calculated using phantom data. The system planar sensitivity, uniformity, count rate and spatial resolution were measured for Varicam gamma camera with low energy high resolution parallel hole collimator using 140 keV centered 20% energy window, 256$\times$256 or 512$\times$512 matrix sizes. Results: The quality control of dose calibrator and well counter were showed poor performance status. On the other hand, The quality control of gamma camera and other systems were showed relatively good performance status. The results of precision of dose calibrator and thyroid uptake system was $\pm$1.4%(<$\pm$5%) and chi^2=29.7(>16.92), respectively. It showed that the sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ was higher in center slices compared with the edge slices. After correction of nonuniform sensitivities for patient data, it showed better results compare with prior to correction. System planar sensitivity of Varicam gamma camera was 4.39 CPM/MBq. The observed count rate at 20% loss was 102,407 counts/sec (head 1), 113,427 counts/sec (head 2), when input count rate was 81,926 counts/sec (head 1), 90,741 counts/sec (head 2). The spatial resolution without scatter medium were 8.16 mm of FWHM and 14.85 mm of FWTM. The spatial resolution with scatter medium were 8.87 mm of FWHM and 18.87 mm of FWTM. Conclusion: It is necessary to understand the importance of quality control and to perform quality control of nuclear medicine devices.vices.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2003

As the importance of accuracy in measurings of 3-D anatomical structures continues to be stressed, an objective and quantitative of assessing image quality and accuracy of 3-D volume-rendered images is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative accuracy of 3-D rendered images obtained with MDCT, scanned at various scanning parameters (scan modes, slice thicknesses and reconstruction slice thickness). Twelve clinically significant points that play an important role for the craniofacial bone in plastic surgery and dentistry were marked on the surface of a dry human skull. The direct distances between the reference points were defined as gold standards to assess the measuring errors of 3-D images. Then, we scanned the specimen with acquisition parameters of 300 mA, In kVp, and 1.0 sec scan time in axial and helical scan modes (pitch 3:1 and 6:1) at 1,25 mm, 2.50 mm, 3.75 mm and 5.00 mm slice thicknesses. We performed 3-D visualizations and distance measurements with volumetric analysis software and statistically evaluated the quantitative accuracy of distance measurements. The accuracy of distance measurements on the 3-D images acquired with 1.25, 2.50, 3,75 and 5.00 mm slice thickness were 48%, 33%, 23%, 14%, respectively, and those of the reconstructed 1.25 mm were 53%, 41%, 43%, 36% respectively. Meanwhile, there were insignificant statistical differences (P-value<0.05) in the accuracy of the distance measurements of 3-D images reconstructed with 1.25 mm thickness. In conclusion, slice thickness, rather than scan mode, influenced the quantitative accuracy of distance measurements in 3-D rendered images with MDCT. The quantitative analysis of distance measurements may be a useful tool for evaluating the accuracy of 3-D rendered images used in diagnosis, surgical planning, and radiotherapeutic treatment.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 1998

The aims are to evaluate the effects of an 1.0 cm acrylic plate and SSD on the dose profile and depth dose distribution of 9 MeV electron beam and to analyse adequacy for using an acrylic plate to reduce energy of electron beams. An acrylic plate of 1.0 cm thickness was used to reduce energy of 9 MeV electron beam to 7 MeV. The plate was put on an electron applicator at 65.4 cm distance from x-ray target. The size of the applicator was 10${\times}$l0cm at 100 cm SSD. For 100cm, l05cm and 110cm SSD, depth dose on beam axis and dose profiles at d$\_$max/ on two principal axes were measured using a 3D water phantom. From depth dose distributions, d$\_$max/, d$\_$85/, d$\_$50/ and R$\_$p/, surface dose, and mean energy and peak energy at surface were compared. From dose profiles flatness, penumbra width and actual field size were compared. For comparison, 9 MeV electron beams were measured. Surface dose of 7 MeV electron beams was changed from 85.5% to 82.2% increasing SSD from 100 cm to 110 cm, and except for dose buildup region, depth dose distributions were independent of SSD. Flatness of 7 MeV ranged from 4.7% to 10.4% increasing SSD, comparing 1.4% to 3.5% for 9 MeV. Penumbra width of 7 MeV ranged from 1.52 cm to 3.03 cm, comparing 1.14 cm to 1.63 cm for 9 MeV. Actual field size increased from 10.75 cm to 12.85 cm with SSD, comparing 10.32 cm to 11.46 cm for 9 MeV. Virtual SSD's of 7 and 9 MeV were respectively 49.8 cm and 88.5cm. In using energy reducer in electron therapy, depth dose distribution were independent of SSD except for buildup region as well as open field. In case of using energy reducer, increasing SSD made flatness to deteriorate more severely, penumbra width more wide, field size to increase more rapidly and virtual SSD more short comparing with original electron beam. In conclusion, it is desirable to use no energy reducer for electron beam, especially for long SSD.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2004

Flat panel based digital radiography (DR) systems have recently become useful and important in the field of diagnostic radiology. For DRs with amorphous silicon photosensors, CsI(TI) is normally used as the scintillator, which produces visible light corresponding to the absorbed radiation energy. The visible light photons are converted into electric signal in the amorphous silicon photodiodes which constitute a two dimensional array. In order to produce good quality images, detailed behaviors of DR detectors to radiation must be studied. The relationship between air exposure and the DR outputs has been investigated in many studies. But this relationship was investigated under the condition of the fixed tube voltage. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the DR outputs and X-ray in terms of the absorbed energy in the detector rather than the air exposure using SPEC-l8, an X-ray energy spectrum model. Measured exposure was compared with calculated exposure for obtaining the inherent filtration that is a important input variable of SPEC-l8. The absorbed energy in the detector was calculated using algorithm of calculating the absorbed energy in the material and pixel values of real images under various conditions was obtained. The characteristic curve was obtained using the relationship of two parameter and the results were verified using phantoms made of water and aluminum. The pixel values of the phantom image were estimated and compared with the characteristic curve under various conditions. It was found that the relationship between the DR outputs and the absorbed energy in the detector was almost linear. In a experiment using the phantoms, the estimated pixel values agreed with the characteristic curve, although the effect of scattered photons introduced some errors. However, effect of a scattered X-ray must be studied because it was not included in the calculation algorithm. The result of this study can provide useful information about a pre-processing of digital radiography.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to see the usefulness of lead apron for critical organs near the breast under examining. For clinical experiment, 30 female volunteers who agreed to their participation in the experiments, were chosen and divided into two groups, 15 in group A and 15 in group B respectively. group A is to see whether each side of breast under mammography affects to other side glandular on the critical organs is same, because it is not allowed to scan the both breast for same person or to scan repeatedly. Group B is to see the effectiveness of lead apron during the mammography of right breast. Glass dosimeters were placed on the thyroid, the contralateral breast, and lower abdomen where near the breast during examining. The average glandular doses on the surface in mammography of the thyroid gland, the contralateral breast, the lower abdomen were 0.0692 mGy, 0.6790 mGy, and 0.0122 mGy, respectively, which was an extremely low level of glandular dose. In group B, as to the thyroid gland, average dose was decreased from 0.0922 mGy to 0.0158 mGy. The average dose of contralateral breast was decreased from 0.8575 mGy to 0.0286 mGy. The average doses of lower abdomen was decrease 0.0150 mGy to 0.0173 mGy. As to the lower abdomen, dose decreased from 0.0150 mGy before the use of an apron down to 0.0173 mGy after the use. As p-value was under 0.05, statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. Wearing an apron can have the protective effects on the thyroid gland up to 20 times lower than not wearing one. Besides, it is also necessary to protect the other breast during the examination by wearing one.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.897-904
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to compare the difference in dose and image quality when applying the diagnostic reference level (DRL) test conditions for head radiography in a digital radiation environment and the test conditions currently applied in clinical practice. I would like to review the conditions of radiographic examination. In this study, the head model phantom was targeted, and the investigation conditions were divided into clinical conditions (Clinic), DRL value (DRL₇₅), and DRL average value (DRL_mean). For dose, Enterance surface dose (ESD) was measured, and for image quality, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured and analyzed for comparison. The average values of skull anterior posterior(AP) ESD according to the changes in test conditions were Clinic 1214.03±4.21 µGy, DRL₇₅ 3017.83±8.14 µGy, DRL_mean 2283.50±7.09 µGy, and skull lateral (Lat). The average value of ESD was statistically significant with Clinic 762.79±3.54 µGy, DRL₇₅ 2168.57±10.83 µGy, and DRL_mean 1654.43±6.48 µGy (p<0.01). The average values of SNR and CNR measured in the orbital, maxillary sinus, frontal sinus, and sella turcica were statistically significant (p<0.01). As a result of this study, compared to DRL, the conditions used in clinical practice showed lower dose levels of about 58% for AP and about 70% for Lat., and there was no qualitative difference in terms of image quality. Through this study, it is necessary to consider a new diagnostic reference level suitable for the digital radiation environment, and it is considered that the dose should be reduced accordingly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1477-1492
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• 2021

Purpose Dedicated breast CT is an emerging volumetric X-ray imaging modality for diagnosis that does not require any painful breast compression. To improve the detection rate of weakly enhanced lesions, an adaptive image rescaling (AIR) technique was proposed. Materials and Methods Two disks containing five identical holes and five holes of different diameters were scanned using 60/100 kVp to obtain single-energy CT (SECT), dual-energy CT (DECT), and AIR images. A piece of pork was also scanned as a subclinical trial. The image quality was evaluated using image contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The difference of imaging performances was confirmed using student's t test. Results Total mean image contrast of AIR (0.70) reached 74.5% of that of DECT (0.94) and was higher than that of SECT (0.22) by 318.2%. Total mean CNR of AIR (5.08) was 35.5% of that of SECT (14.30) and was higher than that of DECT (2.28) by 222.8%. A similar trend was observed in the subclinical study. Conclusion The results demonstrated superior image contrast of AIR over SECT, and its higher overall image quality compared to DECT with half the exposure. Therefore, AIR seems to have the potential to improve the detectability of lesions with dedicated breast CT.