• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2024

Brain injury causes persistent disability in survivors, and epidural hematoma(EDH) and subdural hematoma (SDH) resulting from cerebral hemorrhage can be considered one of the major clinical diseases. In this study, we attempted to automatically segment and hematomas due to cerebral hemorrhage in three dimensions based on computed tomography(CT) images. An improved GVF(gradient vector flow) algorithm was implemented for automatic segmentation of hematoma. After calculating and repeating the gradient vector from the image, automatic segmentation was performed and a 3D model was created using the segmentation coordinates. As a result of the experiment, accurate segmentation of the boundaries of the hematoma was successful. The results were found to be good even in border areas and thin hematoma areas, and the intensity, direction of spread, and area of the hematoma could be known in various directions through the 3D model. It is believed that the planar information and 3D model of the cerebral hemorrhage area developed in this study can be used as auxiliary diagnostic data for medical staff.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2007

The role of radiographic imaging in determining the size, numbers and the position of implants is very important. To perform the implant procedure, the dentist needs to evaluate the bone pathology and bone density, and to know the precise height, width, and contour of the alveolar process, as well as its relationship to the maxillary sinus and mandibular canal. The author analyzed 3 implant cases for treatment planning with the cone beam CT. All axial, panoramic, serial and buccolingual-sectioned images of 3 cases with stent including vertical marker were taken by using Mercuray (Hitachi, Japan). When the curved line drawn intentionally did not include dot image of a vertical marker on the axial image of CBCT, the image of the vertical marker was deformed on its buccolingually sectioned image. There was wide discrepancy in inclination between the alveolar bone and tooth on buccolingually sectioned image.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2004

MDCT is a useful, non-invasive, diagnostic tool in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. However, the image quality is affected by an irregular heart rhythm of the patients. Especially, premature ventricular contraction induced stair-step artifacts in the reconstruction of 2-D or 3-D images of the heart including coronary arteries. In recent, we experienced some improving of the image quality after correcting the PVC. Accordingly, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the arrhythmia correction method, which was commercially available software, in improving the quality of the reconstruction images of the heart. Image analysis was performed, in consensus, by two radiologists. The scores for image quality were ranked as follows; excellent is 4 (image quality is markedly improved and is helpful in the image evaluation), good is 3 (image quality is mildly improved, but is somewhat helpful in the image evaluation), fair is 2 (image quality is improved and is not helpful in the image evaluation), and poor is 1 (image quality is not improved). We used ANOVA method to evaluate the statistical significant differences in the image qualities among the correction methods of the arrhythmia with below 0.05 of p-value. The method of moving the R-R interval showed statistically significant differences in improving of the image quality in patients with arrhythmia. We concluded that the regulation of R-R interval in patients with arrhythmia was an effective method to improve the image quality in the reconstructions of the MDCT coronary angiograms.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.252-260
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• 2012

The reduction of radiation dose from x-ray is a main concern in computed tomography (CT) imaging due to the side-effect of the dose on human body. Recently, the various methods for dose reduction have been studied in CT and one of the method is a iterative reconstruction based on total variation (TV) minimization at few-views data. In this paper, we evaluated the image quality between total variation (TV) minimization algorithm and Feldkam-Davis-kress (FDK) algorithm in micro computed tomography (CT). To evaluate the effect of TV minimization algorithm, we produced a cylindrical phantom including contrast media, water, air inserts. We can acquire maximum 400 projection views per rotation of the x-ray tube and detector. 20, 50, 90, 180 projection data were chosen for evaluating the level of image restoration by TV minimization. The phantom and mouse image reconstructed with FDK algorithm at 400 projection data used as a reference image for comparing with TV minimization and FDK algorithm at few-views. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), Universal quality index (UQI) were used as a image evaluation metric. When projection data are not insufficient, our results show that the image quality of reconstructed with TV minimization is similar to reconstructed image with FDK at 400 view. In the cylindrical phantom study, the CNR of TV image was 5.86, FDK image was 5.65 and FDK-reference was 5.98 at 90-views. The CNR of TV image 0.21 higher than FDK image CNR at 90-views. UQI of TV image was 0.99 and FDK image was 0.81 at 90-views. where, the number of projection is 90, the UQI of TV image 0.18 higher than FDK image at 90-views. In the mouse study UQI of TV image was 0.91, FDK was 0.83 at 90-views. the UQI of TV image 0.08 higher than FDK image at 90-views. In cylindrical phantom image and mouse image study, TV minimization algorithm shows the best performance in artifact reduction and preserving edges at few view data. Therefore, TV minimization can potentially be expected to reduce patient dose in clinics.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop an evidence-based clinical imaging diagnostic guideline for implant planning, taking into account efficacy, benefits, and risks. Materials and Methods: The guideline development process employed the adaptation methodology used for Korean clinical imaging guidelines(K-CIG). Core databases(Ovid-Medline, Ovid-Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guideline International Network) and domestic databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, and KoMGI) were searched for guidelines. The retrieved articles were analyzed by 2 reviewers, and articles were selected using well-established inclusion criteria. Results: The search identified 294 articles, of which 3 were selected as relevant guidelines. Based on those 3 guidelines, 3 recommendations for implant planning were derived. Conclusion: We recommend radiography or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning for individual patients judged to require a cross-sectional image after reading of a panoramic X-ray image and a conventional intraoral radiological image. Various steps should be taken to raise awareness of these recommendations among clinicians and the public, and K-CIG should be regularly reviewed and revised.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2009

We have developed a computer simulator fur cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) based on the commercial Monte Carlo code, MCNP. All the functions to generate input files, run MCNP, convert output files to image data, reconstruct tomographs were realized in graphical user-interface form. The performance of the simulator was demonstrated by comparing with the experimental data. Although some discrepancies were observed due to the ignorance of the detailed physics in the simulation, such as scattered X-rays and noise in image sensors, the overall tendency was well agreed between the measured and simulated data. The developed simulator will be very useful for understanding the operation and the better design of CT systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.941-946
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• 2019

Computed tomography (CT) has been increasing in frequency and indications for use in clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions. Multidetector CT has the advantage of shortening the inspection time and obtaining a high resolution image compared to a single detector CT, but has been pointed out the disadvantage of increasing the radiation exposure. In addition, when the low tube voltage is used to reduce the exposure dose in the CT, noise increases relatively. In the existing method, the method of finding the optimal image quality using the method of adjusting the parameters of the image reconstruction method is not a fundamental measure. In this study, we applied a double-tree complex wavelet algorithm and analyzed the results to maintain the normal signal and remove only noise. Experimental results show that the noise is reduced from 8.53 to 4.51 when using a complex oriented 2D method with 100kVp and 0.5sec rotation time. Through this study, it was possible to remove the noise and reduce the patient dose by using the optimal noise reduction algorithm. The results of this study can be used to reduce the exposure of patients due to the low dose of CT.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.116-123
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• 2018

This study is a model experimental study using a phantom to propose an optimized brain CT scan protocol that can reduce the radiation dose of a patient and remain quality of image. We investigate the CT scan parameters of brain CT in clinical medical institutions and to measure the important parameters that determine the quality of CT images. We used 52 multislice spiral CT (SOMATOM Definition AS+, Siemens Healthcare, Germany). The scan parameters were tube voltage (kVp), tube current (mAs), scan time, slice thickness, pitch, and scan field of view (SFOV) directly related to the patient's exposure dose. The CT dose indicators were CTDIvol and DLP. The CT images were obtained while increasing the imaging conditions constantly from the phantom limit value (Q1) to the maximum value (Q4) for AAPM CT performance evaluation. And statistics analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficients. The result of tube voltage that the increase in tube voltage proportionally increases the variation range of the CT number. And similar results were obtained in the qualitative evaluation of the CT image compared to the tube voltage of 120 kVp, which was applied clinically at 100 kVp. Also, the scan conditions were appropriate in the tube current range of 250 mAs to 350 mAs when the tube voltage was 100 kVp. Therefore, by applying the proposed brain CT scanning parameters can be reduced the radiation dose of the patient while maintaining quality of image.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the accuracy of linear measurements on three-dimensional (3D) images using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods : MDCT and CBCT were performed using 24 dry skulls. Twenty-one measurements were taken on the dry skulls using digital caliper. Both types of CT data were imported into OnDemand software and identification of landmarks on the 3D surface rendering images and calculation of linear measurements were performed. Reproducibility of the measurements was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA and ICC, and the measurements were statistically compared using a Student t-test. Results : All assessments under the direct measurement and image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT showed no statistically difference under the ICC examination. The measurements showed no differences between the direct measurements of dry skull and the image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images (P>.05). Conclusion : Three-dimensional reconstructed surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT would be appropriate for 3D measurements.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.472-478
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• 2015

The patient dose incurred from diagnostic procedures during advanced radiotherapy has become an important issue. Many researchers in medical physics are using computational simulations to calculate complex parameters in experiments. However, extended computation times make it difficult for personal computers to run the conventional Monte Carlo method to simulate radiological images with high-flux photons such as images produced by computed tomography (CT). To minimize the computation time without degrading imaging quality, we applied a deterministic adaptation to the Monte Carlo calculation and verified its effectiveness by simulating CT image reconstruction for an image evaluation phantom (Catphan; Phantom Laboratory, New York NY, USA) and a human-like voxel phantom (KTMAN-2) (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA). For the deterministic adaptation, the relationship between iteration numbers and the simulations was estimated and the option to simulate scattered radiation was evaluated. The processing times of simulations using the adaptive method were at least 500 times faster than those using a conventional statistical process. In addition, compared with the conventional statistical method, the adaptive method provided images that were more similar to the experimental images, which proved that the adaptive method was highly effective for a simulation that requires a large number of iterations-assuming no radiation scattering in the vicinity of detectors minimized artifacts in the reconstructed image.