• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.669-676
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in the values of Hounsfield Unit (HU) according to the changes in monoenergy (keV) and dilution ratio of the contrast agent, using the spectral CT. Spectral CT was used as the testing device, while 20 cc syringe phantom was used to set a total of six dilution ratios of the contrast agent: 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 5:5, 4:6, and 3:7. Here, the non-ionic iodine solution (350 mg/ml) was used as a contrast agent. The syringe axial image was reconstructed by adjusting the obtained data on nine MonoE levels; 40 keV, 45 keV, 50 keV, 55 keV, 60 keV, 65 keV, 70 keV, 75 keV, and 80 keV. The HU values were measured at the three points of the reconstructed syringe axial image. The measurements were taken 1,620 times in total. In the analysis of the HU values according to the changes in keV and dilution ratio of the contrast agent, the highest and lowest HU values were obtained from dilution ratio 8:2 and dilution ratio 3:7, respectively, across every MonoE in the comparison of HU according to dilution ratio per MonoE (p<0.05), while the highest and lowest HU values were obtained from 40 keV and 80 keV, respectively, across all dilution ratios in the comparison of HU according to MonoE per dilution ratio (p<0.05). For the correlation per each parameter, a negative correlation of -15.014 ± 0.298 was found for HU per keV (R²=0.519) and a negative correlation of -61.372 ± 3.608 was found for HU per dilution ratio (R²=0.152) (p<0.05). To conclude, an increase in keV or dilution ratio of the contrast agent was shown to decrease the HU, and the findings in this study are anticipated to serve as the basic data in the research of HU-related parameters in Spectral CT.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.673-680
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• 2022

In this study, based on PLA, we analyzed the Hounsfield Unit (HU) of materials containing 20% each of aluminum, wood, copper, carbon, and marble, and tried to analyze how they affect the image. A cylindrical phantom of 5×30×30 ㎣ (thickness×diameter×height) was fabricated using a entry-level 3D printer. The kV was changed to 80, 100 and 120, and the mAs was changed to 100 and 200 mAs, and the phantom in the center of the table was cross-scanned under a total of six conditions. A circular ROI was set using image J program and the quantification value of the material part HU and the quantification value of the peripheral part CNR were obtained. The HU average of the material part increased in the order of [PLA - wood 20%], [PLA - marble 20%], [PLA - carbon 20%], [PLA 100%], [PLA - aluminum 20%], [PLA - copper 20%] (p<0.05) a negative correlation was confirmed with the HU by increasing kV. It was confirmed that the CNR value in the peripheral area increased in the order of [PLA - marble 20%], [PLA - copper 20%], [PLA - carbon 20%], [PLA - wood 20%], [PLA - aluminum 20%], and [PLA - 100%] (p<0.05). Human organs with similar HU values for each material are [PLA - copper 20%] compact bone, [PLA - aluminum 20%] cancellous bone, [PLA 100%] coagulated blood, [PLA - carbon 20%] and [PLA - marble 20%] liver, muscle, spleen and [PLA - wood 20%] had similar values to fat. In addition, we confirmed the blur phenomenon that blurs the image around the filament with all materials, and confirmed that [PLA 100%] especially has the most blur around the filament. Therefore, it is considered desirable to reflect the HU value of the target organ and consider cloudiness around the phantom when selecting materials for medical phantom fabrication, and this research can provide basic data.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to propose standard values for alveolar and basal bone in normal adult mandibles, and radiologically analyze the remodeling process of the edentulous mandible by examining molar areas and comparing them to the established normal values. Materials and Methods : Panoramic and CT scans of mandible were performed on 20 normal adults and 20 edentulous or partially edentulous adults. In both groups, arch half diameter and distance of alveolar bone were measured. Also the distance from the mandibular canal to the caudal edges, the buccal and lingual external borders of basal bone, were measured. A statistical comparison between the mean values of normal and edentulous mandibles was carried out in the selected areas. Results : There was evidence of decreasing arch half diameter and distance in the edentulous mandible, but statistically no significant change was seen between the normal and edentulous alveolar bone. There was evidence of decreasing buccal basal bone and increasing in the lingual basal bone in the edentulous mandible. A statistically significant difference between normal and edentulous mandibles was noted in the buccal basal bone. Conclusion: There was an inward and forward atrophic change of the edentulous mandibular molar area compared to the control. CT scanning required the use of sophisticated and expensive procedures to analyze the remodeling process of edentulous mandibles. Consequently, the development and application of a more simplified and objective radiographic procedure for broad and long-term study of remodeling procedures of edentulous mandible was recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.367-372
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• 2018

The supply of medical services using high-priced medical equipment is increasing due to the medicalization of medical science. The level of medical knowledge of medical consumers and the ability to select medical institutions are required to provide high quality medical services because of the popularization of medical information. As the attitudes of medical consumers toward medical institutions change, medical institutions also need to change their perception to improve customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to analyze the difference of medical service satisfaction according to the medical knowledge about the utility of PET / CT in order to change the consciousness structure of medical service. The results of this study showed that both medical satisfaction and environmental satisfaction were high in those who had medical knowledge about their own illness and the usefulness of PET / CT. Therefore, medical institutions will need a practical medical service countermeasures to provide medical information by noticing the changes in perception of the medical knowledge of medical consumers, rather than providing formal medical services.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2020

Scattering-ray generated during plain radiography can cause secondary exposure to organs and tissues other than the target area. Currently, Shielding devices used to reduce radiation exposure are mostly used for radiation protection of workers, and radiation protection of patients is rarely performed. Therefore, this study intends to evaluate the organ dose by scattered-rays and the effectiveness 3D printing materials as a radiation shielding device during plain radiography through simulation. As a result, the absorbed dose for each organ at the time of examination showed a high effect due to the secondary scattering-ray as the distance from the source was close and the organ closer to the skin surface. The dose reduction effect due to the use of 3D printing shielding devices to protect this showed a higher shielding effect in the case of mixed printing materials compared to plastics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.791-800
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• 2020

Ultrasonography is widely used to evaluate the function of fetal heart, but due to the subjective nature of the test, there are differences in measurement methods for each examiner, and especially the myocardial performance index has no reference index to date. Therefore, in this study, we wanted to analyze pulse Doppler waveforms of normal fetuses and develop an automatic measurement program to make objective measurements. One hundred and thirty-three pregnant women who visited the hospital for prenatal examinations were studied, myocardial performance index was measured after acquiring a pulse doppler image of the left ventricle. As a result, the early, mid and late pregnancy myocardial performance index, measured by the automatic measurement program conducted in this study, was found to increase as pregnancy continued.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the course of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiography and the visibility of this canal on both panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The study consisted of panoramic radiographs and CBCT images from 262 patients. The course of the mandibular canal, as seen in panoramic radiographs, was classified into four types: linear, elliptical, spoon-shaped, and turning curves. The visibility of this canal from the first to the third molar region was evaluated by visually determining whether the mandibular canal was clearly visible, probably visible, or invisible. The visibihlity of the canal on panoramic radiographs was compared with that on CBCT images. Results: Elliptical curves were most frequently observed along the course of the mandibular canal. The percentage of clearly visible mandibular canals was the highest among the spoon-shaped curves and the lowest among the linear curves. On panoramic radiographs, invisible mandibular canals were found in 22.7% of the examined sites in the first molar region, 11.8% in the second molar region, and 1.3% in the third molar region. On CBCT cross-sectional images, the mandibular canal was invisible in 8.2% of the examined sites in the first molar region, 5.7% in the second molar region, and 0.2% in the third molar region. Conclusion: The visibility of this canal was lower in the first molar region than in the third molar region. The mandibular canal presented better visibility on CBCT images than on panoramic radiographs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2008

Purpose: To assess the internal echo intensity and morphological variability of masseter muscles on ultrasonography and to establish diagnostic criterion of estimation. Materials and Methods: Participants consisted of 50 young adults (male 25, female 25) without pathologic conditions and with full natural dentitions. Sonographic examinations were done with real time ultrasound equipment as Logiq 500 (GE Medical Systems, Seoul, Korea) at 3 parts according to lines paralleling with ala-tragus line as reference line. The thickness and area of masseter muscles according to reference line in cross-sectional images were measured at rest and at maximum contraction. The visibility and width of the internal echogenic intensity of the masseter muscles were also assessed and the muscle appearance was classified into 4 types. Data were statistically analyzed by paired t-test and $x^2$-test. Results: 1. When comparing the thickness and area of masseter muscles concerning with gender, there was few significant difference between right and left sides, however, there were significant differences between males and females except for the greatest thickness of left side. 2. The changes of the greatest thickness and the area between rest and maximum contraction showed that the part of the least thickness manifested more increase at maximum contraction. 3. Each part the manifestations of the internal echogenic intensity of the masseter muscles were different depending on the locations. But there was no statistically significance. Conclusion: Changes of muscles thickness with contraction and internal echogenic intensity with locations showed great disparity within the masseter muscles, which will be diagnostic criteria for pathophysiologic and anatomic changes of masseter muscles.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2008

Purpose: Diagnostic estimation of destruction and formation of bone has the typical limit according to capacity of x-ray generator and image detector. So the aim of this study was to find out how much it can reproduce the shape and the density of bone in the case of using recently developed dental type of cone beam computed tomography, and which image is applied by new detector and mathematic calculation. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (PSR 9000N, Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd., Japan) and soft x-ray radiography were executed on dry mandible that was already decalcified during 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, 20 hours, and 25 hours. Estimating and comparing of those came to the following results. Results: The change of inferior border of mandible and anterior border of ramus in the region of cortical bone was observed between first 5 and 10 hours of decalcification. The reproduction of shape and density in the region of cortical bone and cancellous bone can be hardly observed at cone beam computed tomography compared with soft x-ray radiography. The difference of decrease of bone density according to hours of decalcification increase wasn't reproduced at cone beam computed tomography compared with soft x-ray radiography. Conclusion: CBCT images revealed higher spatial resolution. However, contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity is the inferiority of images' property.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of missing and impacted third molars in people aged 25 years and above. Materials and Methods: The study sample of 3,799 patients was chosen randomly from patients who visited Pusan National University Dental Hospital and had panoramic radiographs taken. The data collected included presence and impaction state, angulation, and depth of impaction of third molars, and radiographically detected lesions of third molars and adjacent second molars. Results: A greater percentage of men than women retained at least one third molar. The incidence of third molars decreased with increasing age. The incidence of partially impacted third molars greatly declined after the age of 30. Vertically impacted maxillary third molars and horizontally impacted mandibular third molars were most frequent in all age groups. Among the maxillary third molars, those impacted below the cervical line of the second molar were most frequent in all age groups, and among the mandibular third molars, deeply impacted third molars were most frequent in those aged over 40. Dental caries was the most common radiographic lesion of the third molars. Mesioangularly impacted third molars showed radiographic lesions in 13 (9.5%) adjacent maxillary second molars and 117 (27.4%) mandibular second molars. Conclusion: The number of remaining third molars decreased and the percentage of Class C depth increased with age. Caries was the most frequent lesion in third molars. Partially impacted mesioangular third molars showed a high incidence of caries or periodontal bone loss of the adjacent second molar. Regular oral examination will be essential to keep asymptomatic third molars in good health.