• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.863-879
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• 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be noninvasively diagnosed on the basis of its characteristic imaging findings of arterial phase enhancement and portal/delayed "washout" on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cirrhotic patients. However, different specific diagnostic criteria have been proposed by several countries and major academic societies. In 2018, major guideline updates were proposed by the Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), Korean Liver Cancer Association and National Cancer Center (KLCA-NCC) of Korea. In addition to dynamic CT and MRI using extracellular contrast media, these new guidelines now include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using hepatobiliary contrast media as the first-line diagnostic test, while the KLCA-NCC and EASL guidelines also include contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as the second-line diagnostic test. Therefore, hepatobiliary MR contrast media and CEUS will be increasingly used for the noninvasive diagnosis and staging of HCC. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of hepatobiliary phase MRI and CEUS for the diagnosis of HCC and also review the changes in the HCC diagnostic criteria in major guidelines, including the KLCA-NCC practice guidelines version 2018. In addition, we aimed to pay particular attention to some remaining issues in the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.953-959
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• 2013

In this study, a multibody dynamic model of the cervical spine was developed for a virtual in-vitro cadaveric experiment. The dynamic cervical spine model was reconstructed based on Korean CT images and the material properties of joints and soft tissue obtained from in-vitro experimental literature. The model was validated by comparing the inter-segmental rotation, multi-segmental rotations, load-displacement behavior, ligament force, and facet contact force with the published in-vitro experimental data. The results from the model were similar to published experimental data. The developed dynamic model of the cervical spine can be useful for injury analysis to predict the loads and deformations of the individual soft-tissue elements as well as for virtual in-vitro cadaveric experiments.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2005

Methods used to study carbon sequestration by soil aggregates have often excluded the concentric spatial variability and other dynamic processes that contribute to resource accessibility and solute transport within aggregates. We investigated the spatial gradients of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from the exterior to interior layers within macroaggregates, $6.3\sim9.5$ mm, sampled from conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) sites of a Hoytville silt clay loam. Spatial gradients in C accumulation within macroaggregates were related to the differences in C dynamics by determining the sizes and the turnover rates of fast C and slow C pools in the concentric layers of aggregates. Aggregate exteriors contained more labile C and were characterized by greater C mineralization rates than their interiors in both management systems. In contrast, C in the interior layers of aggregates was more resistant in both systems. These results indicated the spatial differentiation of C dynamics within macroaggregates, i.e., exterior layers as a reactive site and interior layers as a protective site. Greater total C distribution in the exterior layers of NT aggregates indicated more influx of C from the macropores in interaggregate space than C. mineralization (net gain of C), whereas lower C distribution within the exterior layers of CT aggregates indicated net loss of C by greater C mineralization than C influx. We found total C increased approximately 1.6-fold by the conversion of CT soils to NT management systems for a period of 36 years. Differences in total accumulation and the spatial distribution of C within aggregates affected by management were attributed to the differences in aggregate stability and pore networks controlling the spatial heterogeneities of resource availability and microbial activity within aggregates.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.468-470
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• 2002

We have designed X-ray detection system and multi-channel data acquisition system for Spiral CT application. X-ray detection system consists of scintillator and photodiode. Scintillator converts X-ray into visible light. Photodiode converts visible light into electrical signal. The multi-channel data acquisition system consists of analog, digital, master and backplane board. Analog board detects electrical signal and amplifies signal by 140dB. Digital board consists of MUX(Multiplex) which routes multi-channel analog signal to preamplifier, and ADC(Analog to Digital Converter) which converts analog signal into digital signal. Master board supplies the synchronized clock and transmits the digital data to image reconstructor. Backplane provides electrical power, analog output and clock signal. The system converts the projected X-ray signal over the detector array with large gain, samples the data in each channel sequentially, and the sampled data are transmitted to host computer in a given time frame. To meet the timing limitation, this system is very flexible since it is implemented by FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array). This system must have a high-speed operation with low noise and high SNR(signal to noise ratio), wide dynamic range to get a high resolution image.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2009

Objective : Few studies on the clinical spectrum of automated pressure-controlled discography (APCD)-defined positive discs have been reported to date. Thus, the present study was undertaken to analyze clinical parameters critical for diagnosis of discogenic pain and to correlate imaging findings with intradiscal pressures and pain responses in patients with APCD-positive discs. Methods : Twenty-three patients who showed APCD-positive discs were selected for analysis. CT discogram findings and the degrees of nuclear degeneration seen on MRI were analyzed in comparison to changes of intradiscal pressure that provoked pain responses; and clinical pain patterns and dynamic factors were evaluated in relation to pain provocation. Results : Low back pain (LBP), usually centralized, with diffuse leg pain was the most frequently reported pattern of pain in these patients. Overall, LBP was most commonly induced by sitting posture, however, standing was highly correlated with L5/S1 disc lesions (p<0.01). MRI abnormalities were statistically correlated with grading of CT discogram results (p<005); with most pain response observed in CT discogram Grades 3 and 4. Pain-provoking pressure was not statistically correlated with MRI grading. However, it was higher in Grade 3 than Grade 4. Conclusion : APCD-positive discs were demonstrated in patients reporting centralized low back pain with diffuse leg pain, aggravated by sitting and standing. MRI was helpful to assess the degree of nuclear degeneration, yet it could not guarantee exact localization of the painful discs. APCD was considered to be more useful than conventional discography for diagnosis of discogenic pain.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.273-277
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• 2012

The vacuum drying process for drying of paper in current transformers was modeled with an aim to develop an understanding of the drying mechanism involved and also to predict the water collection rates. A molecular as well as macroscopic approach was adopted for the prediction of drying rate. Ficks law of diffusion was adopted for the prediction of drying rates at macroscopic levels. A steady state and dynamic mass transfer simulation was performed. The bulk diffusion coefficient was calculated using weight loss experiments. The accuracy of the solution was a strong function of the relation developed to determine the equilibrium moisture content. The actually observed diffusion constant was also important to predict the plant water removal rate. Thermo gravimetric studies helped in calculating the diffusion constant. In addition, simulation studies revealed the formation of perpetual moisture traps (loops) inside the CT. These loops can only be broken by changing the temperature or pressure of the system. The change in temperature or pressure changes the kinetic or potential energy of the effusing vapor resulting in breaking of the loop. The cycle was developed based on this mechanism. Additionally, simulation studies also revealed that the actual mechanism of moisture diffusion in CT's is by surface jumps initiated by surface diffusion balanced against the surrounding pressure. Every subsequent step in the cycle was to break such loops. The effect of change in drying time on the electrical properties of the insulation was also assessed. The measurement of capacitance at the rated voltage and one third of the rated voltage demonstrated that the capacitance change is within the acceptance limit. Hence, the new cycle does not affect the electrical performance of the CT.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1066-1076
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• 2018

Objective: The reliability of size measurements of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) phases made by different readers may be hampered due to transient, variable rim enhancement in arterial phase (AP) or portal venous phase (PVP) images. We aimed to assess the reliability of tumor size measurements in pre- and post-contrast scans. Materials and Methods: The study coordinator selected target lesions according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 guidelines in 44 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed NET liver metastases. Two blinded readers measured the longest diameters of target lesions on pre-contrast, AP, and PVP images twice with a 4-week interval. Inter- and intra-observer agreements were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots and 95% limit of agreement (LOA) calculations. Results: Of the 79 target lesions (approximate mean size of 3 cm), 45 showed rim enhancement. Inter-observer agreement assessed based on LOA was highest in pre-contrast CT images (-6.1-5.7 mm), followed by PVP (-7.9-7.1 mm) and AP (-8.5-7.4 mm) images. Intra-observer agreement showed the same trend: -2.8-2.9 mm and -2.9-2.9 mm for readers 1 and 2, respectively, on pre-contrast CT, -2.8-2.9 mm and -3.0-3.2 mm, respectively, on PVP, and -3.2-4.2 mm and -3.4-3.2 mm, respectively, on AP images. Mean tumor diameters differed significantly among the phases in the following increasing order: pre-contrast CT, PVP, and AP images. Conclusion: There was better inter- and intra-observer agreement in size measurements of NET liver metastases on pre-contrast scans than on AP and PVP scans. Pre-contrast CT may be the optimal for measuring NET liver metastases if its accuracy is proven.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contrast effect if a saline flush following low-volume contrast medium bolus improves vascular and parenchymal enhancement using a saphenous vein in abdominal CT for small animals. Six clinically healthy beagle dogs underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT. They were divided into nine groups (each group, n = 6), according to the volume of contrast medium 1, 2, and 3 mL/kg, and volume of the saline solution 0, 5, and 10 mL. Dynamic CT scanning was performed at the hepatic hilum level. The maximum contrast enhancement, time to maximum enhancement, and time to equilibrium phase were calculated from the time attenuation curves. Mean attenuation values for all groups were measured in the aorta, portal vein, and liver. After contrast enhancement, grading of image quality regarding surrounding artifacts and evaluation of the hepatic hilum structures was performed. For comparison of the effect of the contrast material and saline solution doses, differences in mean attenuation values between the contrast medium 2 mL/kg without saline flush group and the remaining groups, and between contrast medium 3 mL/kg without saline flush group and the remaining groups, were analyzed for statistical significance. There were no significant differences between with and without saline flushing at the same contrast medium dose groups. There were no significant differences in peak values between the 3 mL/kg dose of contrast medium alone and the 2 mL/kg dose of contrast medium with saline solution flush. However, there was a significant difference in peak values between the 3 mL/kg dose of the contrast medium without the saline flush group and the 2 mL/kg dose of the contrast medium alone group. Grades of the artifacts were not significantly different in the saline flush regardless of the dose of the contrast medium. Using 2 mL/kg of contrast medium with saline solution flush resulted in similar liver parenchyma attenuation, compared with using 3 mL/kg of contrast medium without saline solution flush. In CT evaluation of hepatic parenchymal diseases, using 2 mL/kg of contrast medium with saline solution flush may yield decreased risk of contrast nephropathy and cost-saving.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2022

In this study, a recovery coefficient (RC) calculation was conducted that can correct the underestimation of the standardized uptake value (SUV) due to the partial volume effect (PVE) through phantom measurements and formulas. The experiment was conducted using a dynamic phantom capable of implement cranio-caudal movement at a respiratory rate of 15 times per minute along with the measured phantom experiment of the stopped state, and the RC of the moving state is calculated and compared. Ingenuity TF (Philips Healthcare, Netherland) was used as a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) device. PET-CT Phantom (Biodex Medical System, USA) was used as a phantom for measurement. A phantom image in a stationary state was acquired, and a moving phantom image was acquired using the AZ-733V Respiratory Phantom (Anzai Medical Co, Japan) capable of breathing movement in the cranio-caudal direction under the same acquisition parameters. For RC calculation, the sphere maximum radioactivity concentration and the background mean radioactivity concentration of the acquired images were measured, and the initially determined sphere and background radioactivity concentrations were calculated. The calculated RC was 0.08 to 0.72. The size of sphere smaller, it was confirmed that the RC reduced. And the RC in the moving state reduced than in the stationary state. As a result of this study, the change of the RC was confirmed according to the size of spheres and the phantom moving. Using the RC derived by implement movement of breathing with the respiratory phantom, it is possible to considering correction of underestimated SUV by the partial volume effect of PET images and the patient movements.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.172-177
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN dynamic PET image in rat myocardium to evaluate potential of this radiotracer as a perfusion imaging agent. Animal PET/CT scan was done in 9 rats during 120 minutes. Especially we synthesized $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN with kit which is simple and low cost method. PET images showed the in vivo dynamic distribution of $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN in the chest region of rats. Initially $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN PET images showed aorta and liver activities and a few minutes later, $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN moved to myocardium. Regions of interest were drawn on myocardium, liver, lung and blood pool. Time-activity curves showed significant uptake of $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN in myocardium. The contrast ratios of myocardial to blood pool, lung and liver at 60 minutes after injection were 1.66, 2.82 and 0.60. To estimate accurate kinetic parameters, 60 minutes after injection was required to PET scan as myocardium image contrast ratios reached to constant values. As a result, $^{68}Ga$-BAPEN would be suitable radiotracer for PET which can applied to diagnosis of myocardial perfusion diseases after further preclinical and clinical investigations.