• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2013

Purpose: After making two plans, the Double Scattering (DS) Mode and The Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Mode, of patients on early prostate cancer, we not only compare the dose conformity and the dose homogeneity by analyzing each DVH, CN and HI, but also evaluate normal structures's sparing effect on each mode. Materials and Methods: Planes about nine patients, who did proton therapy, on prostate cancer was setted using the Eclipse proton external beam planning system. The prescription dose, every $2.5 Gy{\times}28$ fractions=70 Gy, was delivered to the PTV. The CN and the HI were getted by anlazing each DVHs for the DS Plan and the PBS Plan. Also, normal structures' %volumes according to dose of the PBS are campared with those of the DS. Results: The average CN of the PTV is increase 16.63% from DS $0.68{\pm}0.07$ to PBS $0.79{\pm}0.01$, and the average IN of the PTV is decrease -22.66 % from DS $0.12{\pm}0.03$ to PBS $0.09{\pm}0.01$. The PBS has litter %Volumes of normal structures than the DS about every patient except Rectum. The average %Volume of Left Femoral Head receiving ${\geq}30$ Gy shows most high decreasing rate, -79.93%, from DS to PBS and the average %Volume of Rectum receiving ${\geq}70$ Gy shows most low decreasing rate, -3.03%, from DS to PBS. Conclusion: Therefore, the PBS is more effective achieving the dose conformity and the dose Homogeneity than DS, and better to reduce unnecessary dose arriving normal structures, especially the femoral heads.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.181-189
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• 2017

The conventional delivery quality assurance (DQA) process for RapidArc (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), has the limitation that it measures and analyzes the dose in a phantom material and cannot analyze the dosimetric changes under the motional organ condition. In this study, a DQA method was designed to overcome the limitations of the conventional DQA process for internal target volume (ITV) based RapidArc. The dynamic DQA measurement device was designed with a moving phantom that can simulate variable target motions. The dose distribution in the real volume of the target and organ-at-risk (OAR)s were reconstructed using 3DVH with the ArcCHECK (SunNuclear, Melbourne, USA) measurement data under the dynamic condition. A total of 10 ITV-based RapidArc plans for liver-cancer patients were analyzed with the designed dynamic DQA process. The average pass rate of gamma evaluation was $81.55{\pm}9.48%$ when the DQA dose was measured in the respiratory moving condition of the patient. Appropriate method was applied to correct the effect of moving phantom structures in the dose calculation, and DVH data of the real volume of target and OARs were created with the recalculated dose by the 3DVH program. We confirmed the valid dose coverage of a real target volume in the ITV-based RapidArc. The variable difference of the DVH of the OARs showed that dose variation can occur differently according to the location, shape, size and motion range of the target. The DQA process devised in this study can effectively evaluate the DVH of the real volume of the target and OARs in a respiratory moving condition in addition to the simple verification of the accuracy of the treatment machine. This can be helpful to predict the prognosis of treatment by the accurate dose analysis in the real target and OARs.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

A radiophotoluminescent glass rod detector (GRD) system has recently become commercially available. We investigate the dosimetric properties of the GRD regarding the reproducibility of signal, dose linearity and energy dependence. The reproducibility of five measurements for 50 GRDs is presented by an average of one standard deviation of each GRD and it is ${\pm}1.2%$. It is found to be linear in response to doses of $^{60}Co$ beam in the range 0.5 to 50 Gy with a coefficient of linearity of 0.9998. The energy dependence of the GRD is determined by comparing the dose obtained using cylindrical chamber to that by using the GRD. The GRD response for each beam is normalized to the response for a $^{60}Co$ beam. The responses for 6 and 15 MV x-ray beams are within ${\pm}1.5%$ (1SD). The energy response of GRD for high-energy photon is almost the same as the energy dependence of LiF:Mg:Ti (TLD-100)and shows little energy dependence unlike p-type silicon diode detector. The GRDs have advantages over other detectors such diode detector, and TLD: linearity, reproducibility and energy dependency. It has been verified to be an effective device for small field dosimetry for stereotactic radiosurgery.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to measure the tube voltage, the tube current/volume, exposure time and exposure dose of diagnostic X-ray unit in each doctor offices, hospitals and general hospitals for evaluating the performance of such device, to learn the method and technology of its measurement and to suggest its importance. Research subjects were total 30 X-ray units and divided into groups of 10 X-ray units each. The tube voltage, the tube current/volume, exposure time and exposure dose were measured using percentage average error, and then reproducibility of exposure dose was measured through calculating coefficient of variation. The results are like followings; The tube voltage correctness examination showed that incongruent devices among total 30 X-ray units were 5 devices (16.7%). The tube current correctness examination showed that incongruent X-ray units were 3 devices (10.0%). The tube current volume correctness examination showed that incongruent X-ray units were 4 devices (13.3%). Finally, according to exposure time correctness examination, incongruent X-ray units were 5 devices (16.7%) and according to reproducibility examination of exposure dose, incongruent X-ray units were 7 devices (23.3%). Above results showed serious problem in performance management based on management regulation of diagnostic X-ray unit; it means that regular checkout and safety management are required, and as doing so, patients will be able to receive good quality of medical service by the reduction of radiation exposure time, image quality administration, unnecessary retake and etc. Therefore, this study suggests that the performance of diagnostic X-ray units should be checked regularly.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.157-170
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• 2008

Purpose: This prospective study was conducted to reveal the haematological index change by low level radiation exposure in radiological environment our hospital workers. Materials and Method: We gathered the cumulative dose by Thermoluminenscent Dosimeters (TLD) over 9-yr period and examined hematological index counts change (RBC, Hb, Platelet, WBC, Monocyte, Lymphocyte, Neutrophilic, Basophilic, Eosinophilic) both occupational workers and controls. Of a total 370 occupational workers and 335 controls were compared. Results: This analysis has led to the following general observations 1) The average cumulative dose in male and female were $9.65{\pm}15.2\;mSv$, $4.82{\pm}5.55\;mSv$ respectively. 2) In both male and female, there were very low relationship between occupation period and cumulative dose (r< ${\pm}0.25$). 3) Occupation period was more increased, in male, WBC counts decreased and increased workers, RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, WBC counts decreased and increased workers and W-eosino counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.01). 4) Cumulative dose was more increased, in male, W-Lympho counts decreased workers and Platelet counts deceased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, W-lympho counts decreased workers and RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We can find some kinds of blood index abnormal distribution in occupational radiation workers by comparing with controls. Occupational workers cannot avoid radiation exposure, in spite of the control it. Actually low level radiation adverse effect occurred not dose but probability. So workers must always try to reduce exposure by ourselves, furthermore as long as possible the government should provide rapidly that national system on radiation control for worker's health.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2002

Purpose : 3D conformal radiotherapy, the optimum dose delivered to the tumor and provided the risk of normal tissue unless marginal miss, was restricted by organ motion. For tumors in the thorax and abdomen, the planning target volume (PTV) is decided including the margin for movement of tumor volumes during treatment due to patients breathing. We designed the respiratory gating radiotherapy device (RGRD) for using during CT simulation, dose planning and beam delivery at identical breathing period conditions. Using RGRD, reducing the treatment margin for organ (thorax or abdomen) motion due to breathing and improve dose distribution for 3D conformal radiotherapy. Materials and Methods : The internal organ motion data for lung cancer patients were obtained by examining the diaphragm in the supine position to find the position dependency. We made a respiratory gating radiotherapy device (RGRD) that is composed of a strip band, drug sensor, micro switch, and a connected on-off switch in a LINAC control box. During same breathing period by RGRD, spiral CT scan, virtual simulation, and 3D dose planing for lung cancer patients were peformed, without an extended PTV margin for free breathing, and then the dose was delivered at the same positions. We calculated effective volumes and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) using dose volume histograms for normal lung, and analyzed changes in doses associated with selected NTCP levels and tumor control probabilities (TCP) at these new dose levels. The effects of 3D conformal radiotherapy by RGRD were evaluated with DVH (Dose Volume Histogram), TCP, NTCP and dose statistics. Results : The average movement of a diaphragm was 1.5 cm in the supine position when patients breathed freely. Depending on the location of the tumor, the magnitude of the PTV margin needs to be extended from 1 cm to 3 cm, which can greatly increase normal tissue irradiation, and hence, results in increase of the normal tissue complications probabiliy. Simple and precise RGRD is very easy to setup on patients and is sensitive to length variation (+2 mm), it also delivers on-off information to patients and the LINAC machine. We evaluated the treatment plans of patients who had received conformal partial organ lung irradiation for the treatment of thorax malignancies. Using RGRD, the PTV margin by free breathing can be reduced about 2 cm for moving organs by breathing. TCP values are almost the same values $(4\~5\%\;increased)$ for lung cancer regardless of increasing the PTV margin to 2.0 cm but NTCP values are rapidly increased $(50\~70\%\;increased)$ for upon extending PTV margins by 2.0 cm. Conclusion : Internal organ motion due to breathing can be reduced effectively using our simple RGRD. This method can be used in clinical treatments to reduce organ motion induced margin, thereby reducing normal tissue irradiation. Using treatment planning software, the dose to normal tissues was analyzed by comparing dose statistics with and without RGRD. Potential benefits of radiotherapy derived from reduction or elimination of planning target volume (PTV) margins associated with patient breathing through the evaluation of the lung cancer patients treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 1999

Purpose : The aim of this study is to conform the possibility of the liquid type EPID as a QC tools to clinical indication and of replacement of the film dosimetry. Aditional aim is to describe a procedure for the use of a EPID as a physics calibration tool in the measurements of radiation beam parameters which are typically carried out with film. Method & Materials : In this study we used the Clinac 2100c/d with EPID. This system contains 65536 liquid-filled ion chambers arranged in a $256{\times}256$ matrix and the imaging area is $32.5{\times}32.5cm$ with liquid layer thickness of 1mm. The EPID was tested for different field sizes under typical clinical conditions and pixel values were calibrated against dose by producing images using various thickness of lead attenuators(lead step wedge) using 6 & 10MV x-ray. We placed various thickness of lead on the table of linear accelerator and set the portal vision an SDD of 100cm. To acquire portal image we change the field size and energy, and we recorded the average pixel value in a $3{\times}3$ pixel region of interest(ROI) at field center was recorded. The pixel values were also measured for different field sizes in order to evaluate the dependence of pixel value on x-ray energy spectrum and various scatter components. Result : The EPID, as a whole, was useful as a QA tool and dosimetry device. In mechanical check, cross-hair centering was well matched and the error was less than ?2mm and light/radiation field coincidence was less than 1mm also. In portal dosimetry the wider the field size the the higher the pixel value and as the lead thickness increase, the pixel value was exponentially decreased. Conclusions : The EPID was very suitable for QA tools and it can be used to measure exit dose during patients treatment with reasonable accuracy. But when indicate the EPID to clincal study deep consideration required

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-76
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• 2010

Purpose: he use of PET scanners and the number of patient in Korea have been increased for recent several years dramatically. For this reason, technologists have more possibilities to be exposed to the radiation. The hospitals using PET scanners should make an effort to reduce the radiation exposure dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation exposure does when using radiation shielding devices. The evaluation was performed through questionnaire survey and experiment. Materials and Methods: First, the technologists who had experience working in PET center in 2008-2009 were surveyed with questionnaire and TLD Figures, personal opinion of utilization of radiation shielding devices are analyzed. Second, we measured the shielding rate of shielding devices which have been using in PET study procedures. We divided the procedures into four steps; distribution, moving, injection of $^{18}F$-FDG and patient setup. Results: First, the results of this survey, using of L-block+Syringe shield, L-block, Syringe shield, No shield during the injection, were each 58.5%, 20%, 9%, 12.3%. The TLD values according to utilization of radiation shield, using both L-block+Syringe Shield and L-block showed the lower TLD values, and Syringe shield only or No shield showed the higher TLD values. Second, the results of experiments according to PET study procedures measured the shielding rates as follows. The shielding rates during the distribution using L-block, L-block+Apron shield were measured 97.4%, 97.7%. The shielding rates during the $^{18}F$-FDG delivery to the injection room using mobile Syringe shield, Syringe holder, Syringe shield carrier were each 81.7%, 98.9%, 99.7%. The shielding rates during the injection using Syringe shield, L-block, L-block+Syringe shield were measured each 51.9%, 98.3%, 98.7%. The shielding rates of Apron were measured in each 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 cm distance. The measurement were each 16.9%, 14.2%, 16.6%, 17.1%, 18.1%, 18.6%. Conclusion: The most effective method for radiation shielding is to using L-block during the $^{18}F$-FDG distribution and Syringe shield carrier during in moving $^{18}F$-FDG. For the $^{18}F$-FDG injection, L-block+Syringe shield have to be used. The shielding effect of Apron has shown average 16.4%. According to the survey of questionnaire, the operators recognized well risk of the radiation exposure but, tended ignore in working. The radiation dose according to recognition of radiation exposure risk was not relevant. but radiation dose according to utilization of radiation shield lower the more use it. The main reason of no use of shielding devices is cumbersome, 55% of the respondents answered. I'm sure, by use of radiation shield in all PET procedure, radiation exposure will be reduced considerably.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2010

This study is to analyze effects of the growth of Chunhyang Young Radish (CYR) and Altari Radish (AR) according to the exposure for 31 days at low dose ${\beta}$-rays. This test has one contrast sample and eleven test samples each as to AR and CYR. The seeds from contrast and test sample were planted in the culture soil after 8 seeds were chosen from each with identical condition. The accumulated dose of test samples has been measured at consistent time on a daily basis for 31 days. The growing process and germination have been measured twice at consistent time in each week. The number of leaves, length of first leave and weight have been acquired average value by measuring for 20 and 25 days, respectively after being planted. The result of test sample in case of 25 days shows that 5% increase in length and 36% increase in weight for AR each at accumulated dose 0.01 Gy compared to the contrast sample. And the length of CYR has increased by 13~17% and 1% at accumulated dose 0.01~0.08 Gy and 0.3 Gy compared to the contrast sample. For the weight at accumulated dose 0.05 Gy and 0.23 Gy has increased by 36% and 2% compared to contrast sample. As to the number of leaves, AR has increased by 0~50% at accumulated dose 0.01-0.32 Gy compared to contrast sample. It also shows that the CYR has increased to 0~67% at accumulated dose 0.01-0.62 Gy compared to contrast sample. As a result of this study, it indicates that both AR and CYR has generally increased in their length, weight, and the number of leaves at low level accumulated dose part 0.01~0.2 Gy. The size of cell, area of nucleus and density of cell for test sample has been observed quite similar to the ones from contrast sample through microscope. In conclusion, AR and CYR irradiated by ${\beta}$-rays have estimated that they are achieved a rapid growth at low level accumulated dose region corresponding to its radiation hormesis theory. Further studies need to confirm the correlation between the radiation hormesis and the growth of the plants.