• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2005

Purpose : Many authors have been introduced field in field technique and 3-D conformal radiotherapy that increased the tumor dose as well as decreased the dose of abutting critical organ. These technique have multiple beam direction and small beam segments even below 10 MU(monitor unit)for each field. we have confirmed the influence of low MU on dose output and beam stability. Materials and Methods : To study the dose output, the dose for each field was always 90MU, but it divided into different segment size: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 segments, 90, 45, 30, 18, 9, 6 MU the measurements were carried out for X-ray energy 4 MV, 6 MV, 10 MV of three LINAC(Varian 600C, 2100C, 2100C, 2100C/D), in addition each measurement was randomly repeated three times for each energy. To study the field symmetry and flatness, X-omat V films were irradiated. After being developed, films were scanned and analyzed using densitometer. Results : Influence of low MU on dose is slightly more increase output about $1.2{\sim}2.9%$ in cGy/mu than 90MU, but may not changed beam quality(flatness or symmetry), Output stability depends on dose rate(PRF)rather than beam energy, field size. Conclusion : Presented result are under the limits(out put<3%, flatness<${\pm}3%$, symmetry<2%). The 3 accelerators are safe to use and to perform conformal radiotherapy treatments in small segments, small MU around 10MU. but Even if the result presented here under the limits, continuous adjustments and periodic QA should be done for use of small MU

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1995

This study is to compare A point doses in human pelvic phantom by film dosimetry, computer planning and manual calculation by using of along-away table. We developed tissue equivalent human pelvic phantom composed of four pieces of cylindrical acryl tubes with water, to simulate intracavitary radiation (ICR) in patients with cervix cancer. When the phantom assembled from 4 pieces, it has a small space for inserting Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator like a human vagina. Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator inserted into the space was packed tightly with furacin gauzes, and three $^{137}Cs$ sources with radioactivity of $15.7mg\;Ra-eq$ were inserted into the tandem. For the film dosimetry, two pieces of X-OMAT V film (Kodak Co.) of which planes include point A, were arranged orthogonally in the slits between phantoms. A point dose and iso-dose curves were measured by means of optical densitometer. A point doses by film dosimetry, RTP system and manual calculation by using of along-away table were compared, and iso-dose curves by film dosimetry and computer planning were also compared. The dose of A point was 51.2cGy/hr by film dosimetry, 46.7cGy/hr by RTP system and 47.9 cGy/hr by along-away table. A point dose by computer planning was similar to the dose by calculation using of along-away table with acceptable accuracy $({\pm}3%)$, however, the dose by film dosimetry was different from two others with about 10% error. Since most clinical beams contains a scatter component of low energy photons, the correlation between optical density and dose becomes tenuous. In addition, film suffers from several potential errors such as changes in processing conditions, interfilm emulsion differences, and artifacts caused by air pockets adjacent to the film. For these reasons, absolute dosimetry with film is impractical, however, it is very useful for checking qualitative patterns of a radiation distribution. In future, solid state dosimeter such as TLD must be used for the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. When considerable care is used, precision of approximately 3% may be obtained using TLD.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2004

A simplistic quality assurance (QA) method was designed for a Linac built-in enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW), which can be utilized to make wedged beam distributions. For the purpose of implementing the EDW symmetry QA, a film dosimetry system, low speedy dosimetry film, film densitometer and 3D RTP system were used, and the films irradiated by means of a 60$^{\circ}$ Reversed wedge pair (REWP) method. The profiles were then analyzed in terms of their symmetries, including partial treatment, which is the case of stopping it abruptly during EDW irradiation, and the measured and calculated values compared using the Cad Plan Golden Segmented Treatment Table (Golden STT). The result of this experiment was in good agreement, within 1 %, of the 'reversed wedge pair counterbalance effect'. For the QA of the effective wedge factor (EWF), the authors measured EWFs in relation to the 10$^{\circ}$, 15$^{\circ}$, 20$^{\circ}$, 25$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$ and 60$^{\circ}$ EDW, which were compared with the calculated values using the correction factor derived from the Golden STT and the log files produced automatically during the process of EDW irradiation. By means of this method it was capable of check up the safety of effective wedge factor without any other dosimetry system. The EDW QA was able to be completed within 1 hour from irradiation to analysis as a consequence of the simplified QA procedure, with maximized effectiveness. Unlike the metal wedge system, the EDW system was heavily dependent on the dose rates and jaw movements; therefore, its features could potentially cause inaccuracy. The frequent simplistic QA for the EDW is essential, and could secure against the flaw of dynamic treatment that uses the EDW.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.73-76
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• 2009

Purpose: Bone mineral densitometry test region advised by ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry) is both site in case of femur, whereas our medical center measures left femur except for few extraordinary cases. It is said that right-handers had higher mean femur BMD in the left side than in the right side, but the factor influence the femur BMD is unknown. Thus, we investigate whether testing left femur only is a adequate clinical diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Subjects were 209 right-handers and 20 left-handers patient in Asan Medical Center from July to August, 30 to 70 years of age ($51{\pm}6.7$). Subjects fill out the questionnaire on hand preference and taking regular exercise. Total BMDs of bilateral femur were measured with GE Lunar Prodigy advance densitometer, and the statistical soft ware SPSS 12.0 for windows was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the total sample of the exercise group (n=127), the difference of both femur mean BMDs are $0.001{\pm}0.127\;g/cm^2$ and the non-exercise group's (n=102) both femur difference is $0.002{\pm}0.126\;g/cm^2$, there is no significant difference. And in exercise group, classified according to hand preference, each t-value is shown at right handers (n=114) are 0.65, left handers (n=13) are -0.39. Also, In non-exercise group, right handers (n=95) are -0.78, left handers (n=7) are -0.64. In the 95% confidence limit, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusions: In recently researchs, there have been differences between both femurs according to hand preference. However, Our study have no significant difference both femurs BMDs. Therefore we suggest that BMD measurement of femur has no problem only one side, except for particular case like femur operation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2009

This study was performed to assess the radiopacity of a variety of root canal sealers according to the specification concerning root canal sealers. Ten materials including Tubli-$Seal^{TM}$. Kerr Pulp Canal $Sealer^{TM}$, AH $26^{(R)}$, AH $plus^{(R)}$, AH plus $jet^{TM}$, Ad sea $1^{TM}$. $Sealer^{TM}$, $NOGENOL^{TM}$, ZOB $seal^{TM}$, $Epiphany^{TM}$ and dentin were evaluated in this study. In the first part, densitometric reading of an each step of aluminum step wedge on occlusal film was performed at different voltage and exposure time. In the second part, ten specimens were radiographed simultaneously with an aluminum step wedges on the occlusal films under decided condition. The mean radiographic density values of the materials were transformed into radiopacity expressed equivalent thickness of aluminum (mm Al). The following results were obtained. 1. Among the various conditions, the appropriate voltage and exposure time that meet the requirement density was 60 kVp at 0.2 s 2. All of the materials had greater radiopacity than 3 mm Al requirement of ANSI/ADA specification No. 57 (2000) and ISO No. 6876 (2001) standards. 3. The radiopacity of materials increased as thickness of materials increased. 4. The mm Al value of each specimen at 1mm in thickness has a significant difference in the statistics. It suggests that root canal sealers have a sufficient radiopacity that meet the requirement.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 1996

Purpose : The accurate dosimetry of independent collimator equipped for 6MV and 15MV X-ray beam was investigated to search for the optimal correction factor. Materials and Methods : The field size factors, beam quality and dose distribution were measured by using 6MV, 15MV X-ray Field size factors were measured from $3{\times}3cm^2$ to $35{\times}35cm^2$ by using 0.6cc ion chamber (NE 2571) at Dmax. Beam qualities were measured at different field sizes, off-axis distances and depths. Isodose distributions at different off-axis distance using $10\times10cm^2$ field were also investigated and compared with symmetric field. Result: 1) Relative field size factors was different along lateral distance with maximum changes in $3.1\%$ for 6MV and $5\%$ for 15MV. But the field size factors of asymmetric fields were identical to the modified central-axis values in symmetric field, which corrected by off-axis ratio at Dmax. 2) The HVL and PDD was decreased by increasing off-axis distance. PDD was also decreased by increasing depth For field size more than $5{\times}cm^2$ and depth less than 15cm, PDD of asymmetric field differs from that of symmetric one ($0.5\~2\%$ for 6MV and $0.4\~1.4\%$ for 15MV). 3) The measured isodose curves demonstrate divergence effects and reduced doses adjacent to the edge close to the flattening filter center was also observed. Conclusion . When asymmetric collimator is used, calculation of MU must be corrected with off-axis and PDD with a caution of underdose in central axis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.325-335
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• 1998

Purpose : Since the mid cranial fossa is composed of various thickness of bone, the tissue inhomogeneity caused by bone would produce dose attenuation in cobalt-60 gamma knife irradiation. The correction factor for bone attenuation of cobalt-60 which is used for gamma knife source is -3.5$\%$. More importantly, nearly all the radiosurgery treatment planning systems assume a treatment volume of unit density: any perturbation due to tissue inhomogeneity is neglected, This study was performed to confirm the bone attenuation in mid cranial fossa using gamma knife. Materials and Methods : Computed tomography was performed after Leksell stereotactic frame had been liked to the Alderson Rando Phantom (human phantom) skull area. Kodak X-omat V film was inserted into two sites of pituitary adenoma point and acoustic neurinoma point, and irradiated by gamma knife with 14mm and 18mm collimator. An automatic scanning densitometer with a 1mm aperture is used to measure the dose profile along the x and y axis. Results : Isodose curve constriction in mid cranial fossa is observed with various ranges. Pituitary tumor point is greater than acoustic neurinoma point (0.2-3.0 mm vs 0.1-1.3 mm) and generally 14 mm collimator is greater than 18mm collimator (0.4-3.0 mm vs. 0.2-2.2 mm) Even though the isodose constriction is found, constriction of 50$\%$ isodose curve which is used for treatment reference line does not exceed 1 mm. This range is too small to influence the treatment planning and treatment results. Conclusion : Radiosurgery planning system of gamma knife does not show significant error to be corrected without consideration of bone attenuation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.229-250
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• 1993

This study was performed to investigate the morphological and structural changes of bone tissues and the effects of irradiation on the mandibular bodies of rats which were fed low calcium diets. In order to carry out this experiment, 160 seven-week old Sprague-Dawley strain rats weighing about 150 gm were selected and equally divided into one normal diet group of 80 rats and one low calcium diet group with the remainder. These groups were then subdivided into two groups, 40 were assigned rats for each subdivided group, exposed to radiation. The Group 1 was composed of forty non-irradiated rats with normal diet, Group 2 of forty irradiated rats with normal diet, Group 3 forty non-irradiated rats with low calcium diet, and Group 4 forty irradiated rats with low calcium diet. The two irradiation groups received a single dose of 20 Gy on the jaw area only and irradiated with a cobalt-50 teletherapy unit. The rats with normal and low calcium diet groups were serially terminated by ten on the 3rd, the 7th, the 14th, and the 21st day after irradiation. After termination, both sides of the dead rats mandible were removed and fixed with 10% neutral formalin. The bone density of mandibular body was measured by use of bone mineral densitometer(Model DPX -alpha, Lunar Corp., U.SA). Triga Mark ill nuclear reactor in Korea Atomic Research Institute was used for neutron activation and then calcium contents of mandibular body were measured by using a 4096 multichannel analyzer (EG and G ORTEC 919 MCA, U.SA). Also the mandibular body was radiographed with a soft X-ray apparatus(Hitex Co., Ltd., Japan). Thereafter, the obtained microradiograms were observed by a light microscope and were used for the morphometric analysis using a image analyzer(Leco 2001 System, Leco Co., Canada). The morphometric analysis was performed for parameters such as the total area, the bone area, the inner and outer perimeters of the bone. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In the morphometric analysis, total area and outer perimeter of the mandibular bodies of Group 3 were a little smaller than that of Group 1. The mean bone width and bone area were much smaller than that of Group 1 and the inner perimeter of Group 3 was much longer than that of Group 1. The total area and outer perimeter of Group 2 and Group 4 showed little difference. The mean bone width and bone area of Group 4 were smaller than that of Group 2 and the inner perimeter of Group 4 was longer than that of Group 2. 2. The remarkable decreases of the number and thickness of trabeculae and also the resorption of endosteal surface of cortical bone could be seen in the microradiogram of Group 3, Group 4 since the 3rd day of experiment. On the 21st day of experiment, the above findings could be more clearly seen in Group 4 than in Group 3. 3. The bone mineral density of Group 3 was lesser than that of Group 1 and the bone mineral density of Group 4 was lesser than that of Group 2 on the 7th, 14th, 21st days. The irradiation caused the bone mineral density to be decreased regardless of diet. In the case of Groups with low calcium diet, the bone mineral density was much decreased on the 21st day than on the 3rd day of experiment. 4. The calcium content in mandible of Group 3 was smaller than that of Group 1 throughout the experiment. roup 4 showed the least amount of calcium content. The irradiation caused the calcium content to be decreased regardless of diet. In the case of Groups with low calcium diet, the calcium content was much decreased on the 21st day than on the 3rd day of experiment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that morphological changs and decrease of bone mass due to resorption of bone by low calcium diet, and that the resorption of bone could be found in the spongeous bone and endosteal surface of cortical bone. So the problem of resorption of bone must be considered when the old and the postmenopausal women are taken radiotherapy because the irradiation seems to be accelerated the resorption of osteoporotic bone.