• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment plans using full Arc and Partial Arc Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy and Non-Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy to minimize radiation treatment side effects, such as pneumonia, and protect normal organs in esophageal cancer radiotherapy. 30 patients who underwent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer were included. Compared planning target volume, lung, heart, spinal cord and total monitor units among three treatment plans: fVMAT(2 Full Arc), pVMAT(4 Partial Arc), and ncVMAT(2 Partial Arc + 2 Non-Coplanar Arc). All plans met the PTV criteria, showing uniform distribution. The average dose to the heart was 5.8 Gy for fVMAT, 6.97 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.6 Gy for ncVMAT, with the lowest value in fVMAT, which was statistically significant. However, the average lung dose was 9.01 Gy for fVMAT, 7.71 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.12 Gy for ncVMAT, with V_5Gy(%) values of 52.22%, 38.61%, 36.35% and V_10Gy(%) values of 37.8%, 27.33%, 24.15% respectively. ncVMAT showed the lowest values, while fVMAT had the highest, with statistical significance. In conclusion, ncVMAT effectively reduces lung radiation exposure in esophageal cancer radiotherapy, potentially reducing the incidence of side effects such as pneumonia. However, considering factors like setup accuracy and treatment time, applying an appropriate treatment plan may lead to better outcomes.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2016

In this study, previously reported surplus solar energy-related study result and current status of fan coil unit (FCU) for cooling and heating installed in the current sites were briefly examined and then a method to determine the number of FCUs required to recover surplus solar energy was schematically proposed to provide basic data for researchers and technical engineers in this field. The maximum, mean, and minimum outside temperatures during the experiment period were about $28.2^{\circ}C$, $4.4^{\circ}C$, and $-11.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. The horizontal surface solar radiation level outside the greenhouse was in a range of $0.8-20.5MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ and mean and total solar radiation were $10.8MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ and $1,187.5MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$. The mean temperature and relative humidity in the greenhouse during the daytime were in a range of 18.8-45.5 and 53.5-77.5%. The total surplus solar energy recovered from the greenhouse during the experiment period was approximately 6,613.4MJ, which could supplement about 6.7% of the total heating energy 98,600.2 MJ. In addition, the number of FCUs installed for heating varies case to case, although similar FCUs are used. Thus, it is necessary to study the installation height, orientation and installation distance as well as the appropriate number of FCUs from the efficient and economical viewpoints. The required numbers of FCUs for surplus solar energy recovery were 8.4-10.9units and 6.1-8.0units based on air mass and circular flow rate that passed through the FCUs. Considering calculation methods and the risks such as efficiency and use environments of FCUs, it was found that about nine units (one unit per $24m^3$ approximately) needed to be installed. The required number of FCUs for surplus solar energy recovery was around one unit per $24m^3$ approximately.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 2000

This paper will present the result of research which was done with 201 places on the actual condition of using dental diagnostic radiography unit and the protection of radiography. The purpose of this paper is to comprehend the actual condition of using dental x-ray unit and to protect when they do radiation work. Moreover this paper was completed to prepare basic materials that could be helpful to reduce the exposure from radiation. This paper obtains the following result. 1. On radiation photographing work in the dentist office, 50.3% of dental hygienists treat this job, and 19.2% of assistants, 10.8% of dentists, 5.6% of radiolotechnologists and 4.2% others performed this job. 2. The case that radiation worker is educated about diagnostic radiography safety supervision has been shown 14.4% and uneducated case has been shown 78.1%. 3. The result about the actual condition of using the oral diagnostic radiation per day was that a number of film which take photograph again (less than 1 exposure) was 40.3%. Normal photographing($1{\sim}10$ exposure) was 85.1% which is the highest percentage. Using the bitewing film and occlusal film was 7.0%, and 12.4% respectively. The percent that they use cephalo film and panoramic film was 16.4% 29.8% respectively. 4. Dental intra diagnostic radiography unit made in $1996{\sim}2000$ was 24.9% and the one made in $1991{\sim}1995$ was 19.9%, in $1986{\sim}1990$ was 19.9%, in 1985 was 9.5% according to the answer. On kVp, they use 60 kVp mostly(61.7%) and On mA, they use 10 mA with the highest percent(66.7%). On the dental extra diagnostic radiography units which are used for doing the extra oral radiography, the one made in $1996{\sim}2000$ was 13.4%, in $1991{\sim}1995$ was 9.5%, in $1985{\sim}1990$ was 2.0% according to the answer. They use $71{\sim}80\;kVp$ with 10.9% and $60{\sim}75\;kVP$ with 9.5%. They use less than 10 mA with 19.4% and $11{\sim}15\;mA$ with 2.5%. $16{\sim}20\;mA$ with 1.5%. But the case they exactly do not know how much mA they use or they do not have any mA was 76.6%. 5. General characteristics and the part of protection through the protective equipment by operator are completed with 89.1%. They have shown the similar difference in the relationship with age(p<0.001), experience(p<0.05) and in-patient(p<0.05). 6. When they take photographs of radiation with general quality, how far they keep the proper distance from the cone is as follows, Keeping safe distance is 12.9% according to the answer with the low percent. This result is similar with the difference related in experience(p<0.05) and work(p<0.05), the area of working(p<0.05) and in-patient(p<0.05). 7. The answer about the question-if they hold the tube head when they take photographs with general characteristics is as follows. The answer that they never hold the tube head and cone occupies 62.7% with the highest percent. It is shown the similar difference with age(p<0.05). 8. According to the study that they put on dosimeter with general characteristics is as follows. 64.7% has never put on the dosimester with the highest percent. 33.8% showed similar differences with experience(p<0.05), work(p<0.001), the area of work(p<0.005)and in-patient(p<0.001).

• 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.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2005

The purpose of this Study was to investigate the prevalence rate of idiopathic scoliosis to the students from the elementary to the university in S city of Chung-Nam using 100 mm Mirror Camera radiation indirect examination units, with on age range of between eight and thirteen (1.526 subjects), fourteen and sixteen (462 subjects), seventeen and eighteen (291 subjects), nineteen and twenty four(508 subjects) and total of 2,787 participants with the 590 male subjects and 2,197 female subjects. The results of this study can be summarized and compared the primary examination with the secondary test of greater than $10^{\circ}$of Cobb's Angle were obtained as follows; 1. Indirect Examination were conducted to find idiopathic scoliosis amomg total 2.787 subjects, 257 subjects (9.2%) who showed positive sign greater than $10^{\circ}$in the Cobb's Angle ; below age of thirteen (132 subjects), between fourteen and sixteen (52 subjects), seventeen and eighteen (35 subjects), nineteen and twenty four (38 subjects). The $x^2-test$ analysis of Indirect Examination showed no statistical significant difference association between the age range and $10^{\circ}$Cobb's Angle of spinal curve(P>0.059). 2. The numbers of idiopathic scoliosis of greater than $10^{\circ}$Cobb's Angle of spinal curve in the primary examination were observed in 147 subjects (57.2%) at the Thoracolumbar region, 81subjects (31.5%) at the Thoracic region, 20 subjects (7.8%) at the Cervicothoracic region, 7 subjects (2.7%) at the Lumbar region, 2 subjects (0.8%) at the Cervical region. So, the large numbers were Thoracolumbar region, 183 participants (71.2%) showed the right side curve of scoliosis and 74 participant (28.8%) showed the left side curve of scoliosis. 3. The main region of the pain in one's own self more than $10^{\circ}$ Cobb's angle of spinal curve were no pain 219 subjects (85.2%), 18 subjects (7.0%) at the Lumbar region, 9 subjects (3.5%) at the Cervical region, 7 subjects (2.7%) at the Thoracic region, 2 subjects (0.7%) at the shoulder girdle region, 1 subjects (0.39%) at the pelvis and whole body region. There was statistical significant difference association between the Cobb's Angle of spinal curve and the main pain region of one's (P<0.006). This study may be significant to an early stage investigate of the prevalence rate of idiopathic scoliosis in the juveniles using 100 mm Mirror Camera radiation indirect examination units. The results of this study help that the students in a stage on growth the basis of data early discovery and therapy of idiopathic scoliosis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2012

The dose re-calculation process using Megavoltage cone-beam CT images is inevitable process to perform the Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART). The purpose of this study is to improve dose re-calculation accuracy using MVCBCT images by applying intensity calibration method and three dimensional rigid body transform and filtering process. The three dimensional rigid body transform and Gaussian smoothing filtering process to MVCBCT Rando phantom images was applied to reduce image orientation error and the noise of the MVCBCT images. Then, to obtain the predefined modification level for intensity calibration, the cheese phantom images from kilo-voltage CT (kV CT), MVCBCT was acquired. From these cheese phantom images, the calibration table for MVCBCT images was defined from the relationship between Hounsfield Units (HUs) of kV CT and MVCBCT images at the same electron density plugs. The intensity of MVCBCT images from Rando phantom was calibrated using the predefined modification level as discussed above to have the intensity of the kV CT images to make the two images have the same intensity range as if they were obtained from the same modality. Finally, the dose calculation using kV CT, MVCBCT with/without intensity calibration was applied using radiation treatment planning system. As a result, the percentage difference of dose distributions between dose calculation based on kVCT and MVCBCT with intensity calibration was reduced comparing to the percentage difference of dose distribution between dose calculation based on kVCT and MVCBCT without intensity calibration. For head and neck, lung images, the percentage difference between kV CT and non-calibrated MVCBCT images was 1.08%, 2.44%, respectively. In summary, our method has quantitatively improved the accuracy of dose calculation and could be a useful solution to enhance the dose calculation accuracy using MVCBCT images.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate MR image qualities we developed a new MRI phantom with the fixation structures necessary to position it into coil firmly. Materials and methods : We designed MRI phantom for eight evaluation items such as slice thickness accuracy, high contrast spatial resolution, low contrast object detectability, geometry accuracy, slice position accuracy, image intensity uniformity, percent signal ghosting and signal to noise ratio. For the positioning of phantom at coils, the fixation structures were set up on the surface of phantom. Six different MRI units were used for test the possibility for the clinical application and their image qualities were evaluated. Results : We acquired appropriate MR image qualities enough for the evaluation on all used MR units and confirmed that their evaluations were within reliable values compared to real ones for some items. The positioning of our phantom into head coils with fixation structures worked well for proper imaging. Conclusion : We found that our prototype of MRI phantom had the possibility of clinical application for MR image quality assessment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.442-449
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• 2019

Objective : Bone mineral density (BMD) is an important consideration during fusion surgery. Although dual X-ray absorptiometry is considered as the gold standard for assessing BMD, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) provides more accurate data in spine osteoporosis. However, QCT has the disadvantage of additional radiation hazard and cost. The present study was to demonstrate the utility of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithm for assessing osteoporosis using Hounsfield units (HU) of preoperative lumbar CT coupling with data of QCT. Methods : We reviewed 70 patients undergoing both QCT and conventional lumbar CT for spine surgery. The T-scores of 198 lumbar vertebra was assessed in QCT and the HU of vertebral body at the same level were measured in conventional CT by the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) system. A multiple regression algorithm was applied to predict the T-score using three independent variables (age, sex, and HU of vertebral body on conventional CT) coupling with T-score of QCT. Next, a logistic regression algorithm was applied to predict osteoporotic or non-osteoporotic vertebra. The Tensor flow and Python were used as the machine learning tools. The Tensor flow user interface developed in our institute was used for easy code generation. Results : The predictive model with multiple regression algorithm estimated similar T-scores with data of QCT. HU demonstrates the similar results as QCT without the discordance in only one non-osteoporotic vertebra that indicated osteoporosis. From the training set, the predictive model classified the lumbar vertebra into two groups (osteoporotic vs. non-osteoporotic spine) with 88.0% accuracy. In a test set of 40 vertebrae, classification accuracy was 92.5% when the learning rate was 0.0001 (precision, 0.939; recall, 0.969; F1 score, 0.954; area under the curve, 0.900). Conclusion : This study is a simple machine learning model applicable in the spine research field. The machine learning model can predict the T-score and osteoporotic vertebrae solely by measuring the HU of conventional CT, and this would help spine surgeons not to under-estimate the osteoporotic spine preoperatively. If applied to a bigger data set, we believe the predictive accuracy of our model will further increase. We propose that machine learning is an important modality of the medical research field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2013

Nowadays, the medical system towards patients changes into the medical services. As the human rights are improved and the capitalism is enlarged, the rights and needs of patients are gradually increasing. Also, based on this change, several systems in hospitals are revised according to the convenience and needs of patients. Thus, the cases of mobile portable among examinations are getting augmented. Because the number of mobile portable examinations in patient's room, intensive care unit, operating room and recovery room increases, neighboring patients are unnecessarily exposed to radiation so that the examination is legally regulated. Hospitals have to specify that "In case that the examination is taken out of the operating room, emergency room or intensive care units, the portable medical X-ray protective blocks should be set" in accordance with the standards of radiation protective facility in diagnostic radiological system. Some keep this regulation well, but mostly they do not keep. In this study, we shielded around the Collimator where the radiation is detected and then checked the change of dose regarding that of angles in portable tube and collimator before and after shielding. Moreover, we tried to figure out the effects of shielding on dose according to the distance change between patients' beds. As a result, the neighboring areas around the collimator are affected by the shielding. After shielding, the radiation is blocked 20% more than doing nothing. When doing the portable examination, the exposure doses are increased $0^{\circ}C$, $90^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$ in order. At the time when the angle is set, the change of doses around the collimator decline after shielding. In addition, the exposure doses related to the distance of beds are less at 1m than 0.5m. In consideration of the shielding effects, putting the beds as far as possible is the best way to block the radiation, which is close to 100%. Next thing is shielding the collimator and its effect is about 20%, and it is more or less 10% by controlling the angles. When taking the portable examination, it is better to keep the patients and guardians far enough away to reduce the exposure doses. However, in case that the bed is fixed and the patient cannot move, it is suggested to shield around the collimator. Furthermore, $90^{\circ}C$ of collimator and tube is recommended. If it is not possible, the examination should be taken at $0^{\circ}C$ and $45^{\circ}C$ is better to be disallowed. The radiation-related workers should be aware of above results, and apply them to themselves in practice. Also, it is recommended to carry out researches and try hard to figure out the ways of reducing the exposure doses and shielding the radiation effectively.