• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2017

Objective : Solid bone fusion is an essential process in spinal stabilization surgery. Recently, as several minimally invasive spinal surgeries have developed, a need of artificial bone substitutes such as demineralized bone matrix (DBM), has arisen. We investigated the in vivo bone growth rate of DBM as a bone void filler compared to a local autologous bone grafts. Methods : From April 2014 to August 2015, 20 patients with a one or two-level spinal stenosis were included. A posterior lumbar interbody fusion using two cages and pedicle screw fixation was performed for every patient, and each cage was packed with autologous local bone and DBM. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) of leg pain and back pain and the Korean Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI). Clinical outcome parameters and range of motion (ROM) of the operated level were collected preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Computed tomography was performed 1 year after fusion surgery and bone growth of the autologous bone grafts and DBM were analyzed by ImageJ software. Results : Eighteen patients completed 1 year of follow-up, including 10 men and 8 women, and the mean age was 56.4 (32-71). The operated level ranged from L3/4 to L5/S1. Eleven patients had single level and 7 patients had two-level repairs. The mean back pain NRS improved from 4.61 to 2.78 (p=0.003) and the leg pain NRS improved from 6.89 to 2.39 (p<0.001). The mean K-ODI score also improved from 27.33 to 13.83 (p<0.001). The ROM decreased below 2.0 degrees at the 3-month assessment, and remained less than 2 degrees through the 1 year postoperative assessment. Every local autologous bone graft and DBM packed cage showed bone bridge formation. On the quantitative analysis of bone growth, the autologous bone grafts showed significantly higher bone growth compared to DBM on both coronal and sagittal images (p<0.001 and p=0.028, respectively). Osteoporotic patients showed less bone growth on sagittal images. Conclusion : Though DBM alone can induce favorable bone bridging in lumbar interbody fusion, it is still inferior to autologous bone grafts. Therefore, DBM is recommended as a bone graft extender rather than bone void filler, particularly in patients with osteoporosis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.289-299
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• 2009

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of Head Posture Aligner (HPA) during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan in generation of frontal cephalograms using 3D CBCT images. Methods: CBCT scans and frontal cephalograms were made in 30 adult individuals. While a couple of CBCT scan was made for one subject, one was made with conventional method, without use of HPA, the other was acquired with the use of HPA. After creation of virtual frontal cephalogram from each 3D CBCT image, it was traced and compared with the tracing of real frontal cephalogram. Results: In the comparison of the measurements, the virtual cephalograms with the use of HPA did not show statistically significant differences with the real cephalograms whereas the virtual cephalograms without the use of HPA presented significant differences with real cephalograms in many measurements. In the correlation analysis with the measurements of the real cephalograms, the virtual cephalograms with the use of HPA showed higher correlations in all measurements than the virtual cephalograms without the use of HPA. Conclusions: Measurements from CBCT-generated cephalograms become similar to those from real cephalograms with the use of HPA during CBCT scan. Thus, the use of HPA is suggested during the CBCT scan in order to construct accurate virtual frontal cephalograms using 3D CBCT images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of blooming artifacts according to dilution ratio of contrast agent on CT angiography images. A total of 10 sets were prepared by differently setting the ratio of contrast media and saline in a ball phantom made by a 3D printer. CT scan images were obtained and reconstructed by MIP and MPR techniques to obtain axial, sagittal and coronal images, respectively. After, the diameter of the ball phantom of the image obtained after the test was measured each 30 times, a total 1800 times. As a result, the dilution of 20:80 in the coronal plane was the smallest (p<0.05). Similarly, when dilute to 20:80 in the sagittal plane of MIP, it was the smallest as 20.39 ± 0.08 mm (p<0.05). Correlation analysis between dilution ratio and measurement size confirmed strong negative correlations in all reconstructed images (p<0.05). In conclusion, the higher the dilution ratio of the contrast agent, the more difficult it is to measure actual blood vessel measurement. Therefore, this study may provide basic data in future studies on actual measurement.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.497-503
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• 2014

Minimally invasive intramedullary nail insertion or plate osteosynthesis has shown good results for the treatment of long bone fractures. However, directly seeing the fracture site is impossible; surgeons can only confirm bone fragments through a fluoroscopic imaging system. The narrow field of view of the equipment causes malalignment of the fracture reduction, and radiation exposure to medical staff is inevitable. This paper suggests two methods to solve these problems: surgical navigation using 3D models reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images to show the real positions of bone fragments and estimating the rotational angle of proximal bone fragments from 2D fluoroscopic images. The suggested methods were implemented using open-source code or software and evaluated using a model bone. The registration error was about 2 mm with surgical navigation, and the rotation estimation software could discern differences of $2.5^{\circ}$ within a range of $15^{\circ}$ through a comparison with the image of a normal bone.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 1992

Diagnostic approaches such as angiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance have limitation for contributing to the early clinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Recently, $^{99m}Tc-labelled$ low density lipoprotein was developed to detect early atherosclerotic lesion by external imaging with gamma camera. To determine whether $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy can visualize the active atherosclerotic lesion, rabbits were injected with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$, 3 months after feeding dietary fat (lanolin) and we obtained following results. 1) Labelling efficiency of $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ was $79\sim88%$. 2) Biodistribution study of normal rabbits with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ revealed the high activities in spleen, adrenal gland, liver, kidney which are major organs of high metabolic rate of LDL. 3) Three months after feeding lanolin, serum cholesterol was markedly increased from $74{\pm}17mg/dl$ to $979{\pm}153mg/dl$ and histologic study of aorta after sacrificing the rabbit demonstrated marked atherosclerotic changes. 4) Atherosclerotic lesion of abdominal aorta which was confirmed with histologic study could be demonstrated in $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy after feeding lanolin for 3 months. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary investigation suggest that it may be possible to image active atheromatous lesion with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$. It is anticipated that this promising agent may allow the in vivo monitoring of preclinical atherosclerotic lesions and may be useful to evaluate the metabolic pathway of LDL in humans.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.75-79
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• 2013

Application of the left lateral tilt position has been recommended during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of pregnant patients. However, the left lateral tilt could displace the left ventricle (LV) besides the gravid uterus and may compromise the cardiac pump mechanism of CPR. Thus, we investigated the effect of left lateral tilt on the spatial relationship between the anterior-posterior axis (AP axis), which represents the direction of sternal displacement during CPR, and the LV. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of 90 patients who underwent virtual gastroscopy using MDCT. Virtual gastroscopy was performed with the patient both in the left lateral tilt position and in the supine position. On an axial image showing the maximal area of the LV, the angle between the AP axis and the LV axis ($Angle_{AP-LV}$), the shortest distance between the AP axis and the mid-point of LV cavity ($D_{AP-MidLV}$) and the shortest distance between the AP axis and the LV apex ($D_{AP-Apex}$) were measured. In the supine scans, the LV was situated on the left side of the AP axis in 87 patients (96.7%). On the left lateral tilt scans, the mean tilt angle was $43.4{\pm}11.0^{\circ}$. $D_{AP-MidLV}$ and $D_{AP-Apex}$ were significantly longer in the left lateral tilt position (p<0.001), but $Angle_{AP-LV}$ was comparable between the positions. This study indicates that the left lateral tilt position may compromise the cardiac pump mechanism of chest compression in pregnant cardiac arrest patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2013

Purpose: In patients with splenic trauma, Computed Tomography (CT) scan is helpful in selecting treatment options and evaluating resolution after NOM (Non-Operative Management). The purpose of this study was to suggest a CT based hemoperitoneum (HP) scoring system that can easily be used by clinicians to evaluate the severity of injury and recovery. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with splenic trauma admitted to our hospital between May 2003 and January 2013 was conducted. Patients diagnosed with isolated spleen injury who had a CT scan on admission were included. 1 or 2 points were given according to location and amount of hematoma in the CT image. Using the existing ultrasonography (US) based HP scoring system, the same method was applied to obtain our CT based HP scoring (CBHS) system, which ranges from 0 to 8 points. The CBHS system can be easily used by clinicians for a quick assessment of splenic injury. Results: Of the 39 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 6 patients were managed operatively and 33 nonoperatively. There was a significant difference in CBHS between the OM (operative management) group and the NOM group.(p=0.03) CBHS showed correlation with Hb (hemoglobin), Hct (hematocrit), spleen injury grade(AAST), and Hounsfield unit of ROI (Region of interest). (p=0.17, p=0.18, p<0.000, p=0.02, respectively) After successful NOM with stabilized Hb level, the amount of hemoperitoneum was scored in the follow-up CT. CBHS demonstrated correlation with decreased spleen injury grade, decreased Hounsfield unit of ROI (Region of interest) (p=0.039, p=0.049, respectively), and also objectively reflected patient recovery. Conclusion: CBHS can be used as an objective and intuitive tool for clinicians in grading the severity of splenic injury by scoring the amount of hemoperitoneum, and in assessing recovery.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.206-212
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• 2014

We report here on the results of evaluating the radiation doses using chest computed tomography (CT) for patients with pneumoconiosis complication. For the first time, we visited the 17 MIPs to evaluate the dose-length product (DLP, $mGy{\cdot}cm$), CT unit, and protocols of scanning and image reconstruction those is routinely used for treating patients with pneumoconiosis who have complication. All statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Mean of total DLP was $727.7mGy{\cdot}cm$, ranging from 272.0 to $1228.7mGy{\cdot}cm$. DLP from obtaining parenchymal lung images was significantly reduced than that from obtaining total lung images (555.9 vs. 707.2, p<0.001). Third quartile of total and pre-scanning DLP was 1036.1 and $504.1mGy{\cdot}cm$, respectively. Chest CT radiation doses for patients with pneumoconiosis complication are similar with korean diagnostic reference level as well as international guidelines.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to analyse stress distribution of maxillary complex by use of face mask. The construction of the three-dimensional FEM model was based on the computed tomography(CT) scans of 13.5 years-old male subject. The CT image were digitized and converted to the finite element model by using the mimics program, with PATRAN. An anteriorly directed force of 500g was applied at the first premolar 45 degrees downwards to the FH plane and at the first molar 20 degrees downwards to the FH plane. When 45 degrees force was applied at maxillary first premolar, there were observed expansion at molar part and constriction at premolar part. The largest displacement was 0.00011mm in the x-axis. In the y-axis, anterior displacement observed generally 0.00030mm at maximum. In the z-axis, maxillary complex was displaced 0.00036 mm forward and downward. When 20 degrees force was applied at maxilla first molar, there were observed expansion at lateral nasal wall and constriction at molar part. The largest displacement was 0.001mm in the X-axis. In the Y-axis, anterior displacement observed generally 0.004mm at maximum. In the Z-axis, ANS was displaced upward and pterygoid complex was displaced downward. The largest displacement was 0.002mm.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2020

Purpose: The present study was conducted to compare dosimetric parameters for the heart and left lung between free breathing (FB) and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and determine the most important potential factors associated with increasing the lung dose for left-sided breast radiotherapy using image analysis with 3D Slicer software. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography-simulation scans in FB and DIBH were obtained from 17 patients with left-sided breast cancer. After contouring, three-dimensional conformal plans were generated for them. The prescribed dose was 50 Gy to the clinical target volume. In addition to the dosimetric parameters, the irradiated volumes and both displacement magnitudes and vectors for the heart and left lung were assessed using 3D Slicer software. Results: The average of the heart mean dose (D_mean) decreased from 5.97 to 3.83 Gy and V₂₅ from 7.60% to 3.29% using DIBH (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the average of D_mean for the left lung was changed from 8.67 to 8.95 Gy (p = 0.389) and V₂₀ from 14.84% to 15.44% (p = 0.387). Both of the absolute and relative irradiated heart volumes decreased from 42.12 to 15.82 mL and 8.16% to 3.17%, respectively (p < 0.001); however, these parameters for the left lung increased from 124.32 to 223.27 mL (p < 0.001) and 13.33% to 13.99% (p = 0.350). In addition, the average of heart and left lung displacement magnitudes were calculated at 7.32 and 20.91 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The DIBH is an effective technique in the reduction of the heart dose for tangentially treated left sided-breast cancer patients, without a detrimental effect on the left lung.